AFL Rumblings & Grumblings: Edition One | Thebigtip

This is a regular space I hope to fill on what I have heard, or made up that makes sense, regarding the AFL scene.

The Sub Rule: Players are unhappy about it, clubs don’t like it. So why is it there? If the clubs run the AFL, shouldn’t they get rid of it? I have never quite understood why “the AFL” does things like an emperor and all the clubs bow and scrape. Anyway, maybe its just me.

To the real stuff in footy. It is early, very early. The 'Woods have only just put the NAB Cup in the stadium they have built and renamed Dane Swan Street to house Premiership Cups for the next 25 years. This will mean that the Storm will have to train somewhere else but hey, what’s a green fringe anyway?

Everyone knows that Collingwood are the team to beat and gracefully Eddie and Mick are playing it down. Behind closed doors they are already making arrangements for their trip away to Rio and Buckley’s new coaching headquarters to be built in Dane Swan Street.

Do they have a weakness? Based on all the statistics, you would say no so far but two games? They are playing the Blues this week and they consider themselves the best so far in clearances etc. After all, they have played Richmond and The Gold Coast Suns, so Ratts would know. Good luck this week boys.

Saints gone? One of the best running around, Gabby Hayes, is sadly gone and Nick is playing up the ground as far as full back to get a kick. They have had well documented struggles and yes they may have draw and premiership hang-ups. Too good to dismiss this early. Playing in grand finals two years running counts for a lot. Play the kids and take away their Motel Rewards cards for a year.

Back to the Suns. The only comment I would make is that Leigh Mathews had it right - they will not win a game. Not because their talent is not up to it, but they are too young and their bodies will not take the damage of the trampling that bigger bodied sides will undertake on them each week. Add to that, the turnover that the side will have throughout the year. You have to wonder why they would recruit someone like the lightly-framed Fraser when a big, mobile man who throws his weight around – Will Minson – is running around at Williamstown. I am certain that Sheedy has got this one covered.

Dogs. Too early. Wait until they play the Magpies – everyone’s benchmark – or Geelong who have surprised everyone, for what reason I am not sure. So Gazza is missing. They are too old? Looks to me like their replacements can play – that Duncan looks good!

The 'Dons shook them up a bit and the team structure was all wrong. They will look even better when both Libba Mark 2 and Wally Mark 2 play. The words of one scout before the pre-season draft come to mind. "You have Swallow and then the lads that follow, who can all play." Forget all that, the Dogs have picked up some seriously good talent.

Have a rich weekend, and I'll say it again. Best of luck Blue-baggers.