AFL 2020: Raising Round Three's Biggest Questions

Last updated: Jun 18, 2020, 2:32AM | Published: Jun 18, 2020, 12:38AM

Round Two delivered the goods.

After months of waiting, the AFL returned with a bang, serving up nine absorbing matches and answering a host of questions.

The Gold Coast Suns finally won a game, while Matt Rowell announced himself as a force- as well as that rare breed of AFL footballer who lists ‘Shawshank Redemption’ as his favourite movie. North Melbourne knocked off the Giants at their Western Sydney fortress, the Dogs lost again, while the Power annihilated yet another foe, though in the Crows, we might be talking about a genuine wooden spoon candidate.

Round Three begins tonight with Richmond hosting the Hawks at the MCG, and while it’s a round not quite as jam-packed with blockbusters, it’s a nonetheless intriguing one.

Let’s get to this week’s burning questions.

DO WE NEED TO START TAKING NORTH MELBOURNE SERIOUSLY?

A come-from-nowhere win way back in Round One against the Saints. A gutsy win away against the Giants who rarely lose at home. All of a sudden there’s genuine excitement at Arden Street, with the club set to host the Swans on Saturday with the chance to jump out to a 3-0 start.

When Rhyce Shaw replaced Brad Scott in the coaching box last year he immediately put his stamp on the team, employing a more expansive, aggressive style which has energised players and fans alike.

What’s working for the Roos in 2020 is the rejuvenation of many of their established stars such as Todd Goldstein, Shaun Higgins, Robbie Tarrant and Ben Cunnington, while also seeing some of the young brigade step up. Jy Simpkin and Jared Polec are both averaging 24 touches through the first two games, while cult hero, Cameron Zurhaar, has been something of a revelation, kicking goals and ironing out opponents, bulldozing his way into the Stats Insider ‘Team of the Week.’

What’s equally encouraging for North is that their star forward, Ben Brown, is yet to kick into gear this season, slotting just 2 goals so far and averaging only 9.5 touches. Once he gets going, North could develop into a seriously terrorising prospect.

After the Swans, the Roos will play Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs, two clubs North would feel confident of knocking off based on recent form, potentially setting the table for a 5-0 start.

A CHANCE FOR THE SAINTS TO TEST THEMSELVES AGAINST THE BEST

Let’s be honest: St Kilda have played some of the competition’s best footy over the first two rounds, seriously unlucky not to be to 2-0 heading into their gargantuan MCG clash against Collingwood this Saturday.

While horrendous kicking for goal derailed their Round One opener, the Saints responded in Round Two, tearing apart a pedestrian Bulldogs team and announcing themselves as a realistic Finals prospect.

Like the Kangaroos under Shaw, St Kilda appear liberated under their new coach Brett Ratten.

They’re playing a much more attacking brand of football, indeed made possible by ‘Ratts’, but also by their recruiting/list management team who’ve done a brilliant job providing the former Carlton legend with plenty of quality toys to play with.

Through two games, the Saints boast a +346.5 metres gained differential which is the second best mark in the league and indicative of their newfound drive and efficiency. St Kilda fans would be delighted this new, more adventurous output hasn’t come at the expense of their trademark accountability, with the Saints topping the league with 129 total tackles, with new recruit Dan Butler leading the way having laid 14 of his own. The Saints have also registered 39 tackles inside-50, easily the league’s best mark, and 11 more than the competition’s next best (Sydney).

This week’s Magpies assignment arrives at the perfect time to see just how far the Saints have advanced since last season. This is a Collingwood team who of course had the all-conquering Tigers on the ropes for the first quarter last week, and while they ultimately had to settle for a draw, proved just how serious they are about adding a record-equalling 16th premiership to their collection.

St Kilda has had a terrible time against the Pies since their 2010 Grand Final draw, losing 9 of their last 11 match-ups. A win however on Saturday and the footy world will be bursting at the seams to herald the re-arrival of this long-suffering club.

ARE BRISBANE AND WEST COAST IN A FUNK?

Saturday’s night’s Gabba clash between the Lions and Eagles has lost a little of its lustre owing to each team’s pedestrian start to season 2020.

Both clubs occupied top-4 spots for almost the entirety of last season, and while neither made much noise come September, both were very much expected to be serious flag threats this season.

And while it’s of course still very early, it’s fair to say neither is yet to bear its teeth just yet.

The Lions were crushed in their Round One opener against the Hawks, while they only barely got over the line against the struggling Dockers, needing all of Lachie Neale’s brilliant 29 disposal, 2 goal game to seal the deal.

As for the Eagles, their most recent loss was a famous one, downed by the Gold Coast Suns, who went into their Carrara match on a 19-game losing streak, and as 5-goal underdogs.

This game presents both with an opportunity to get back on track.

West Coast will be without 4-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern, while all-time club leading goalscorer Josh Kennedy simply must improve, having collected just 9 touches and a solitary goal through the Eagle’s first two games.

When these two met in Round One last season at the Gabba, the Lions smashed the Eagles by 44-points and set the tone for a massive turnaround. Prior to that match, West Coast had won their previous 8 against the Lions, and by a massive 49.5-point average.

The winner gets their season back on the track, the loser will be dragged over the coals next week. Huge game.

ARE THE SUNS FOR REAL?

Last weekend’s win against the Eagles was the stuff of fairytales.

Knocking off a legitimate premiership prospect was one thing, doing so showcasing so much of its extremely talented youth was another.

They’ll start favourites against the struggling Crows this Sunday at Carrara, with a golden opportunity to chalk up another win.

As for Adelaide, they, along with the Bulldogs and perhaps Carlton, have been one of the most disappointing sides so far. They were absolutely shellacked in the ‘Showdown’, producing the round’s lowest score (35) and reminding all and sundry just how dramatic their slide has been since contesting the 2017 Grand Final.

The Crows rank dead last in the competition having accumulated just 509 total possessions on the season, butchering the footy when they have it, with their 66.2% disposal efficiency the league’s worst mark. The knock-on effect of their midfield futility is that they’ve mustered just 10 marks inside 50 on the season- once again, the league’s worst figure.

Come for the Sun’s outrageous youth, led by the phenomenal Matt Rowell. Stay for the chance to see the Crows fall in massive 0-3 hole.

CAN THE BOMBERS TAKE TOP SPOT?

Sunday’s MCG showdown pits together the Demons and Bombers in a suddenly intriguing match-up, despite the two clubs fortunes having dipped sharply over the last couple of decades.

Melbourne got back on the winners list last Saturday, even if they did almost blow a 42-point lead against the Blues. While they were clearly jubilant about grabbing all 4 points, they would have been just as excited about Christian Petracca’s development. The young demon starred with a 24 possession, 2 goal, 6 tackle performance that earned him the maximum ten coaches votes.

As for Essendon, they’re one of just 3 undefeated clubs still remaining, clearly adding a more gutsy, robust edge this season.

While both of Essendon’s wins have been by just 6 points, and against not great opposition, they’ve been willing to get down and dirty, which isn’t something we’ve been able to say about the Bombers in recent years.

They’ve committed the most one percent acts in the competition this season (101) while they sit 5th from a tackle differential perspective at +11.

2016, #1 pick Andrew McGrath is relishing a more consolidated midfield role averaging 23 touches, while he's second in the league with 15 total tackles. Having Devon Smith back in the side, a player who managed just 7 matches last season, has also been huge, with the former Best and Fairest Winner adding the kind of class and application the Bomber's midfield has too often lacked.

This one might come down to how prepared the Demons are to get their hands dirty.

While the Bombers have demonstrated a renewed tenacity, question marks still abound regarding Melbourne’s grit. While nearly blowing a massive lead against the Blues was concerning enough, it's also worth noting they rank 13th for total tackles, and 14th for one percent acts- the kind of numbers that won’t get them too far against Essendon.

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James Rosewarne

James is a writer. He likes fiction and music. He is a stingray attack survivor. He lives in Wollongong.