50 things we can’t wait to see ...
Given the state of the world, the restart of AFL – and sport in general – is a welcome relief and a desperately needed distraction now more than ever. And there is plenty more to look forward to than just a return to action, as Rohan Connolly lists here...
1 FLEDGLING CLUB BECOMES FULL-BLOWN FORCE
Greater Western Sydney has certainly taken great on-field strides, now having appeared in a grand final and finishing in the top four for three of the past four years. But off-field, signs are looking pretty encouraging, too. The Giants membership in 2019 topped the 30,000 mark for the first time in their eight-season history, a 16 per cent increase on 2018’s 25,243, and just on double the figure only four years ago in 2016. Coming so close to a first AFL premiership surely will make GWS an even more popular commodity in 2020, and thus a league strategy which to many initially seemed far-fetched, that much closer to bearing some serious fruit.
2 TAYLOR WALKER MINUS THE BURDEN OF CAPTAINCY
Tex became somewhat symbolic of the Crows’ fall from grace in the wake of the 2017 grand final disaster, starting with the controversial postseason camp which followed. As the skipper, he became inadvertently caught up in the fight between players and oÿcials. On the field, he wore the burden heavily of trying to drag his team from the malaise. Having now handed over the captaincy reins to Rory Sloane of his own volition, Walker in 2020 will be freer to ply his own mobile, long-kicking game. Becoming a new father has also given him a fresh perspective on life. The Crows have fingers crossed he’s a star reborn.
3 THE LIONS STAYING IN THE PREMIERSHIP ZONE
Brisbane was clearly the good news story of 2019, jumping from 15th to second after the home and away rounds. The Lions’ straight sets finals exit showed that there’s still a little way to go, however, and they’ll have to travel it without the huge on-field leadership presence of the retired Luke Hodge. His former Hawk teammate Grant Birchall is a fair replacement on that front, though, a midfield chock-full of talent should be a handful again, and just a little more steadiness in the big moments could make a world of difference to that eventual finishing position.
4 CARLTON A FORCE TO BE RECKON WITH ONCE AGAIN
The Blues have been in the wilderness so long now younger footy fans can’t remember a time when Carlton was a perennial AFL powerhouse. But there were some very encouraging signs in 2019 once David Teague took over as coach, the Blues winning six of their last 11 games and losing two more by less than a kick. Skipper Patrick Cripps is a genuine superstar, young key forward Charlie Curnow potentially one, and now favourite son Eddie Betts is back in the navy blue. There’s genuine hope now. And even Carlton’s fiercest rivals wouldn’t mind again having a bitter foe to genuinely hate.
5 THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR THE PIES
After several years treading water under Nathan Buckley, Collingwood announced its return to the big time spectacularly in 2018, coming literally within a couple of minutes of a flag. But the Pies’ eventual heartbreak
