Isn’t the beauty in the contest?
I’ve heard far too many grumbles this year about the state of the AFL.
“The games are boring.”
“The rules are too open to interpretation.”
“The MRP is confusing.”
“The coaches are ruining the game.”
I’m sorry, I just don’t buy it.
Pre-supplements and lawyers, Essendon circa 2000 were a Chris Grant snap away from being unbeatable. They used to smash teams, and on the fast Docklands track they were even more exhilarating. It was breathtaking footy, despite the lopsided score lines. I see the same comparison with Geelong of a few years ago and the Hawks today.
In the mid-2000’s I, along with millions of others watched a Grand Final end 58-54, with Leo Barry putting an exclamation point on one of the more exciting Grand Finals of the modern era. Last year we whinged when the Swans barely got out of first gear in their flogging by Hawthorn.