Fremantle Coach Demands AFL Scrap Opening Round Over Unfair Advantage
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has launched a scathing critique of the AFL's Opening Round concept, arguing it provides an unjust competitive edge to participating teams in the subsequent week. The Dockers kicked off their season with a dramatic clash against Geelong on Saturday afternoon, where they exploded out of the gates with a stunning eight-goal first quarter. However, the Cats, who suffered a loss to Gold Coast in their own season-opener the previous week, mounted a resilient comeback, culminating in a thrilling final quarter that saw them seal a 10-point victory.
Statistical Evidence Highlights Disparity
The match underscored a troubling trend: since the introduction of the Opening Round, teams that have played in it have secured seven wins out of nine encounters against opponents who did not participate. This pattern is poised to extend to nine out of eleven if St Kilda and Gold Coast triumph in their upcoming Sunday fixtures. Longmuir emphasized that this imbalance is widely recognized within the football community, stating, "I think anyone who has been around football would realise it's an advantage. We should all start the season the same way. There should be no competitive advantage in teams having played a game before they play another team." He further lamented, "It just makes so much sense to people in the industry. And we have just got it wrong." When questioned about whether Fremantle had formally raised these concerns with the AFL, Longmuir tersely replied, "We've said it enough."
Geelong's Comeback and Fixture Uncertainties
Meanwhile, Geelong coach Chris Scott disclosed that the Opening Round is unlikely to occur next year, citing fixture complications. "It's a quirk of the fixture. My understanding is it won't happen next year," Scott explained, noting that planning for such scenarios has been ongoing since October. The primary obstacle stems from a scheduling conflict with cricket, as the MCG is set to host Australia's sesquicentenary Test against England in mid-March. Traditionally, cricket has held rights to the venue throughout March, but the AFL's expansion with additional rounds like Opening and Gather has encroached on this period. This clash may necessitate delaying the entire AFL season by at least a week, with negotiations currently underway among key stakeholders.
Scott Praises Team's Resilience in Victory
Reflecting on Geelong's impressive turnaround, Scott hailed his team's inner belief after they overcame a 35-point deficit before half-time. Shannon Neale's five goals were instrumental in powering the Cats to a stirring 16.14 (110) to 14.16 (100) win at GMHBA Stadium. Despite being dominated early by Fremantle, who recorded their highest-ever first-quarter score outside Western Australia, players like Max Holmes (32 touches, five clearances), Bailey Smith (30 disposals, one goal), and Tanner Bruhn (24 touches) stepped up to secure 13 goals to six after the first break. Scott remarked, "The most important thing is the players had belief that if we did shift a few things that we could turn the momentum of the game. It's a rare situation to have that belief when you've been so badly outplayed." He expressed pride in their adherence to the game plan and ability to execute under pressure.
