AFL Round One Wrap: Carlton Fire Top-Four Warning

So round one is complete for the 2009 AFL premiership season.

No doubt, the major talking point as always, is Ben Cousins.

His fairytale return in front of 85,000 fans at the home of football turned into a nightmare as his hamstring gave way, along with Richmond fans high hopes for the season in 2009.

The Tigers were mauled by a finals bound Carlton side, which isn't even at full strength, with Robbie Warnock, Brad Fisher, Nick Stevens, and Andrew Carrazzo to return.

Geelong got one up on Hawthorn in the grand final rematch, with only inaccuracy stopping the Cats from killing the game off earlier.

There was a first up victory for rookie coach Michael Voss, who engineered an impressive revival from 38 points down against a far from disgraced West Coast side.

Elsewhere, there was a first up win for Adelaide against Collingwood in the surprise of the round, with veterans McLeod and Edwards combining with young guns Bernie Vince and Chris Knights to leave the Pies cold.

The Swans went over an hour without a goal against the Saints after looking good early, but the Saints kicked 11 goals in that time to take the points.

The Roos kept the Dees at bay in their Sunday encounter, with Andrew Swallow and Leigh Harding impressing.

Port downed a disappointing Essendon with Steven Salopek having a great game, while Don's debutant Michael Hurley looked handy on Warren Tredrea.

In the twilight game, Freo went down to the rampant Western Bulldogs, with Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross, and Shaun Higgins racking them up.

Carlton Vs. Richmond

So now to the ups and downs.

Thursday Night
Carlton 150 def. Richmond 67 at the MCG

Carlton: What went right?
Chris Judd was superb with 23 quality touches and 2 goals, including a sublime left-footed banana from the boundary.
Eddie Betts kicked 5 goals, showing he could be the Matthew Stokes of a Carlton premiership.
The four debutants were vindicated as Sam Jacobs, Jefferey Garlett, Aaron Joseph, and Mitch Robinson had impacts.
Second tier players Simon Wiggins, Ryan Houlihan, Richard Hadley, and Jordan Russell were good, they all need to have good seasons for Carlton to emerge as a force.
What went wrong?
They didn't really have a third defender to shut down Mitch Morton, who kicked four goals.

Richmond: What went right?
There aren't many. Mitch Morton and Jack Rielwoldt looked handy in attack.
Andrew Raines looked good off half-back until his knee injury.
Richo did what he does best, 25 touches for the evergreen Tiger.
Nathan Foley gathered 31 touches but had little help in midfield.
What went wrong?
Ben Cousins, star recruit and midfield maestro is out for at least a month with a hamstring tear. Andrew Raines is also out for a month with a knee injury.
Veteran Joel Bowden was ineffectual, Troy Simmonds was diabolical with his skills and was out rucked by two rookies. Richard Tambling was once again disappointing and so was Jordan McMahon.
The Tigers seasons appears in tatters even after round one, they face Geelong next week followed by the Dogs, expect fur to fly at Tigerland this week.

Verdict:
Carlton will expect to welcome back Andrew Carrazzo, Nick Stevens, Brad Fisher, and Shaun Grigg in the next couple of weeks to strengthen their side.
They face Brisbane at home this weekend.
Richmond will make two forced changes, with Raines and Cousins dropping out. Expect Alex Rance to make his debut at half-back and ex-Essendon mid Tom Hislop to come in. Angus Graham should come under consideration for a ruck spot. Terry Wallace will expect a strong showing against a rampant Geelong.

Geelong Vs. Hawthorn

Friday Night

Geelong 111 def. Hawthorn 103

Geelong : What went right?
They beat Hawthorn, the team which stole the flag from their grasp after dominating all year. They'll feel a bit better this week, after all, its a new year.
Gary Ablett Jnr was tremendous, 35 touches, 5 clearances and 11 contested possessions.
Premiership stars Paul Chapman, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Joel Selwood, Brad Ottens, and Steve Johnson look in superb form.
Ryan Gamble was prominent and looks to be maturing into a class player.
What went wrong?
Geelong were very inaccurate, similar to last season's grand final.
David Wojcinski looks thoroughly out of touch, as he did towards the back end of last season. He'll need to improve to keep his spot.
Tom Lonergan didn't look too flash up forward, he is another one who will need to lift his output.

Hawthorn: What went right?
Skipper Sam Mitchell was great as usual with 34 touches.
Travis Tuck showed he can fill a midfield spot this season with 31 possessions.
Hawthorn got to blood three youngsters in Matt Suckling, Brendan Whitecross, and Ryan Shoenmakers, invaluable experience for kids whilst in flag mode.
Four and five goals for Roughead and Buddy Franklin, both could be set for big seasons.
What went wrong?
Michael Osbourne, another premiership player, injured his ankle.
Stephen Gilham pulled out late, and Croad isn't playing either.
Simon Taylor is out for two weeks for kneeing Joel Selwood.
Campbell Brown had little impact and may have to be used as a key back this weekend.

Verdict:
Geelong faces Richmond this week, expect them to continue on their merry way. Hawkins will be under consideration to play this week, as will David Johnson or Kane Tenace. Simon Hogan played all of the NAB cup games, he may get a call up soon.
The Hawks face Sydney at the ANZ Stadium. They'll be expected to bounce back, but the Swans never go down easy. Hawthorn will need to blood a new ruckman, most likely Luke Lowden or Tim Walsh to help out Brent Renouf. Michael Osbourne's position could go to a number of players, most likely Xavier Ellis if fit.

Collingwood Vs. Adelaide

Saturday

Collingwood 86 def by. Adelaide 90

Collingwood: What went right?
Dane Swan has started the season well with 28 possies, and is establishing himself in the leagues best midfielders.
Scott Pendlebury and Shane O'Bree were also impressive in midfield.
Shannon Cox was a real surprise packet off the wing—half-back with 25 touches.
What went wrong?
The Pies lost a game they really should be winning if they are top-four contenders.
They failed to match up on McLeod and were punished.
Travis Cloke, described as Collingwood's barometer, was shut down by Nathan Bock.
New skipper Nick Maxwell was slightly disappointing with just 12 touches.

Adelaide: What went right?
A win against more fancied opponents, could again prove a finals contender in 2009.
Porplyzia and Hentschel and Brent Reilly all got through the game unscathed, a big relief for Neil Craig.
Bernie Vince starred with 33 touches, and could be set for a big year.
Youngsters Petrenko and Otten and Dangerfield were impressive.
Veterans Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards looked in great nick despite their advancing years.
What went wrong?

Not a lot for the Crows after going in as underdogs.
Taylor Walker didn't have much of an influence first up and Neil Craig would most likely want to see Ivan Maric take more marks around the ground.

Verdict:
Adelaide face St.Kilda this friday which shapes as a tipsters nightmare. Brad Moran could return for the Crows afters his knee injury, he could replace Walker. Collingwood face Melbourne this Saturday, in what shapes as a must win for the Pies. Melbourne was no pushover against the Roos so expect a decent contest. Anthony Rocca could return, while Sean Rusling probably needs a few more weeks.

Brisbane Vs. West Coast

Saturday Night

Brisbane 95 def. West Coast 86

Brisbane: What went right?
Michael Voss has a first up win as coach, that will be a weight off his shoulders.
Rhan Hooper turned it on in the third term to the tune of three goals, could he be about to turn his fortunes around?
Wonderkid Daniel Rich was superb, his left foot is a joy to behold, making a mockery of the clubs who ignored him. Youngster Mitch Clark looked handy.
Travis Johnstone and Luke Power were great with 37 and 35 touches each.
Went went wrong?
Scott Harding was disappointing, a common feature of his game.
Jed Adcock was quiet for a lot of the game, even when to a loose man role in defence.

West Coast: What went right?
Eric MacKenzie was good in defence, one for the future.
Chad Fletcher managed to gather 34 touches after not being selected in the original 22.
Mark LeCras kicked six goals and looked the most assured of the West Coast forwards.
Priddis and Cox were good as usual with 29 and 23 touches each.
What went wrong?
Threw away a 38 point lead in one foul swoop in the third term, they couldn't stop Brisbane.
Mark Seaby, Sam Butler, Brad Ebert, Andrew Embley, Tyson Stenglein, and Brent Staker were all disappointing for the Eagles, all drifted in and out of the game.

Verdict: West Coast will need to bounce back on Sunday against Port at home. Josh Kennedy, Adam Hunter, and Adam Selwood could return. Brisbane face the Blues in Melbourne and will be underdogs against the in-form Carlton. Black may return for the Lions.

North Melbourne Vs. Melbourne

Sunday

North Melbourne 101 def. Melbourne 67

North Melbourne: What went right?
The Roos would be very happy with a winning start, as would new skipper Harvey.
Andrew Swallow, Sam Power, and Leigh Harding were all good as the 'second string' mids.
Hamish McIntosh was superb in the ruck and around the ground, a relief for Dean Laidley who was interested in trading him last season.
What went wrong?
Ed Lower was quiet as was David Hale.

Melbourne: What went right?
Brent Moloney played a good game! Could he be about to string some form together?
Ricky Petterd was good around half-forward.
Kyle Cheney and Neville Jetta were impressive in there debut.
What went wrong?
Melbourne wasn't able to sustain pressure on the Roos, which will be there downfall this season.
Matthew Bate and Clint Bartram were disappointing for the Dees.
Melbourne is a young side starting from the bottom up, these sort of losses will be common.

Verdict:
The Roos face the Dogs, which will prove an interesting affair. The Bulldogs will be favourites but it will be close. Don't expect any changes. Melbourne are facing the Pies, who will be eager to make up for their shock loss to the Crows. Colin Sylvia should return for Melbourne but expect Collingwood to bounce back.