While the flaws remain, change is constant.
Here's 10 things the first two hours of AFL football in 2011 suggest:
Lesson 1: Agility has never been more important.
What struck me most watching last night is the premium agile players now carry. The congestion around stoppages, particularly early, made those players who could sidestep their way out of the crowd and into clear space game breakers. It's why I thought Marc Murphy was the most influential player in the game, his early impact not reflected on the scoreboard because of inaccurate kicking from Carlton. Throw Eddie Betts and Robin Nahas in for special mentions.
Lesson 2: Crumbing forwards can be burst players in the middle.
Fewer rotations mean players need to be multi-skilled. Not only are we going to see midfielders thrown forward, wait for forward-pocket crumbers playing cameo roles in the centre of the ground.
Nahas' tenacity and ability to spread from centre bounces and dodge when he had the ball was a critical factor in bringing Richmond - and his more clinical teammates Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio - back into the game. His third-quarter cameo reminded me of St Kilda's Stephen Milne's game-breaking performance in last year's Qualifying Final.
Lesson 3: Be multi-skilled
The starting four at centre bounces is the most critical team within a team. But a trade-off is happening. If the four players in there at each centre bounce can't rotate in and out of the ends of the ground they won't last. Perhaps that is why Brock McLean and Shane Tuck did not play last night. Not because they can't win clearances, but because they lack the pace to be in the right places when not winning the ball and the tricks to play up forward or in a defensive role when part of the on ground rotations.
Lesson 4: Don't ignore the skill required to come on to the ground and have an impact.
Being a substitute is not an easy gig. It’s like waiting to bat. Do you watch or switch off? Do you walk around or sit still? Clubs will need to refine the preparation, physically and mentally, of subs to ensure that when they have the chance to enter the fray they are ready to go. The experts say the key is to not get too worked up if things don't go to plan. Maybe that is why Daniel Connors was being massaged for part of the first half. Take it as it comes is the advice. That's easier said than done. Perhaps the sub should sit away from the craziness of the bench until required.
Lesson 5: Players should start listening to Chumbawumba
Knock me out. The concussion rule is going to have a huge impact. That's not to suggest it is wrong, but it will change what we have thought likely for most of our football-watching lives and frustrate supporters. Last night Carlton made the call on Jarrad Waite quickly and decisively after he went to ground following a heavy clash in the second quarter. We suspect he would have not missed the rest of the game this time last year. Mark my words: losing a player to concussion will fly past losing a player via the match review panel as the ongoing source of supporter discontent.
Lesson 6: Multiple goal-kickers = low accuracy percentages
If you want to know why accuracy has not improved with time the Carlton v Richmond game provides the perfect lesson. Richmond's 68 per cent accuracy contrasted with Carlton's 41 per cent conversion. However Richmond only had eight players who scored compared to Carlton's 15. With fewer avenues to goal, 36 per cent of the Tigers' limited scoring opportunities were taken by sharpshooting Jack Riewoldt. With due respect to Shaun Hampson and Andrew Walker, they are not as reliable in front of goal as last year's Coleman medallist. They kicked five behinds between them. Perhaps football needs a new measure that takes into account the number of players taking shots for goal when assessing performance in front of goal.
Lesson 7: Aerial one-on-ones will become a feature late in games. Gut runners will be celebrated.
One fewer player in the rotation did have an effect. Some players could hardly lift their feet in the last quarter and gaps opened up. Perhaps that was just the standard running out of gas that happens in round one but we guess not. Tigers coach Damien Hardwick mentioned that defensive structures began to fall away late in the game. Resting talls will create headaches for defenders, particularly if they don't play in front. Players who can take contested marks are going to become increasingly valuable. Gut runners will show their worth once again.
Lesson 8: Risk making mistakes to get better.
No-one could question Richmond's effort, but skill execution remains a work in progress. Apart from two obvious mistakes deep in defence that cost the Tigers' goals, they missed opportunities with their unwillingness, at times, to take the dangerous kick inboard off half-back. If you have Jack Riewoldt leading to a flank, you need courage and faith to switch inboard to a running player in space. The Tigers have courage. Time to have faith. Try the game-breaking kick. Watch Bryce Gibbs and learn.
Lesson 9: Endangered skills are returning.
Some games will be like watching the Grand National Hurdle: congested early, spread out late. One early effect is that good crumbers will have more chance to ply their trade as the numbers at the fall of the footy will diminish as the game goes on, making those who have the skill and the timing vital. Was that just the Eddie Betts and Jeff Garlett factor? Dustin Martin's third quarter crumb was a classic.
Lesson 10: You can't carry a dud performance.
If my maths are correct the importance of each individual selected just increased. With 21 players in the fray at any one time, the contribution of each player is now, roughly speaking, 4.76 per cent rather then 4.54 per cent. If you don't make your contribution you're costing the team more.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
