Round 1: the other games. Normal service has been resumed.

[Aprilbr]

Rioli offered a one week suspension for his high contact to Rowell. Yes, the contact that didn't draw a free.

As per my earlier post before the announcement, it was a reckless act by Rioli and deserving of punishment. Its debatable whether he had eyes for the ball as he turned his body away. Some commentators are suggesting that one week is insufficient as he jumped in the air making it even more dangerous.

[dejavoodoo44]

Someone posted a comparison video on Twitter, claiming that Ziebell got a month for this bump and suggesting that Rioli's looked worse. I tend to agree.

James Mottershead on Twitter: "Comparison of the two. Rioli’s appears much worse and given the greater emphasis on the protection of players’ heads since 2012 you’d think he’s in massive trouble. #AFLEaglesSuns https://t.co/Bfa6PNOHqX… https://t.co/kMKHOJS1fG"

I'm not sure. Ziebell appears to make contact to the head with his forearm, while Rioli's contact is more a body check.

Though there's two things that surprise me. Firstly, why wasn't a free paid? And secondly, how did Rioli get so high, at such a rapid pace, when he seems so tubby?

[neilfws]

Rioli offered a one week suspension for his high contact to Rowell. Yes, the contact that didn't draw a free.

Someone posted a comparison video on Twitter, claiming that Ziebell got a month for this bump and suggesting that Rioli's looked worse. I tend to agree.

James Mottershead on Twitter: "Comparison of the two. Rioli’s appears much worse and given the greater emphasis on the protection of players’ heads since 2012 you’d think he’s in massive trouble. #AFLEaglesSuns https://t.co/Bfa6PNOHqX… https://t.co/kMKHOJS1fG"

[dejavoodoo44]

Rioli offered a one week suspension for his high contact to Rowell. Yes, the contact that didn't draw a free.

[Buzz13]

I thought the same thing at the time. In fact, it was almost a reportable offence as Rioli was in the air with intent to crash Rowell and not the ball. Rowell is so tough he just got up afterwards but it must have hurt.

Hmmm, I saw it a bit differently. I think Rioli was definitely going for the ball. He was running towards the direction of the ball/play while Rowell was running courageously with the flight. Rioli was only very slightly late so perhaps yes free kick at best but definitely shouldn't be reportable - definitely no malice and if he didn't go for it, we would be critical that Rioli just let him take an uncontested mark ????

[barry]

Nice win by the Suns. Good on them 'em and Stewy Dew.

Does it appear as though a lot of teams have adopted the daring run and precision kick of the 2021 swans, this year. Forget "following Melbourne" as the media are saying. They are copying the Swans!

- - - Updated - - -

I sure hope he does.

I think the footy environment requires a list that all buys in. Wanting to move closer to home doesn’t align for me.

Huge loss for us, but good riddance.

Very good point. And I think the Suns have realised this, and can build a team now. A couple of players looking to leave is like a cancer on team culture and bond.... and results.

[Aprilbr]

Anyone see that Rioli Rowell clash? How was that not a free kick to Rowell. Rioli made no genuine attempt to mark the ball but just crashed into the body of Rowell who had his eyes firmly on the ball. Nothing to see, as far as the commentators were concerned. And the Eagles take the ball the length of the ground and score.

Is my radar off?

I thought the same thing at the time. In fact, it was almost a reportable offence as Rioli was in the air with intent to crash Rowell and not the ball. Rowell is so tough he just got up afterwards but it must have hurt.

[dejavoodoo44]

No, they’d boo the ice pipe being denied to them and given to the players.

I know Rowell gets all the wraps, and fair enough. But Noah Anderson has always been a total beauty. If he ever plays in a winning side, he’s a Brownlow medallist. Hard as a cats head, skilful, pure midfielder. And Alex Davies shows a hell of a lot of promise.

Yes, I liked the game of Davies. He's also one of the handful or so, of Suns academy players to be drafted.

[Thunder Shaker]

My round 1 tip - Gold Coast will break a record against the Eagles.

The Suns did break a record - 16.11 (107) is their highest winning score against the Eagles. They have one score against the Eagles that is higher, but that was a losing score.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Speaking of flagrant fouls, I wonder how obvious a free paid against the Eagles would have to be, for their feral fans not to boo the umpires? Kneeing your opponent prior to a centre bounce? Their runner passing around an ice pipe, instead of a water bottle? Headbutting an umpire? Even then, I suspect some of their fans wouldn't be convinced.

No, they’d boo the ice pipe being denied to them and given to the players.

I know Rowell gets all the wraps, and fair enough. But Noah Anderson has always been a total beauty. If he ever plays in a winning side, he’s a Brownlow medallist. Hard as a cats head, skilful, pure midfielder. And Alex Davies shows a hell of a lot of promise.

[dejavoodoo44]

Speaking of flagrant fouls, I wonder how obvious a free paid against the Eagles would have to be, for their feral fans not to boo the umpires? Kneeing your opponent prior to a centre bounce? Their runner passing around an ice pipe, instead of a water bottle? Headbutting an umpire? Even then, I suspect some of their fans wouldn't be convinced.

[dejavoodoo44]

Anyone see that Rioli Rowell clash? How was that not a free kick to Rowell. Rioli made no genuine attempt to mark the ball but just crashed into the body of Rowell who had his eyes firmly on the ball. Nothing to see, as far as the commentators were concerned. And the Eagles take the ball the length of the ground and score.

Is my radar off?

Perhaps it was one of those instances, where the infringement was so flagrant, none of the umpires really believed that it happened? Definitely a free to Rowell.

[liz]

Anyone see that Rioli Rowell clash? How was that not a free kick to Rowell. Rioli made no genuine attempt to mark the ball but just crashed into the body of Rowell who had his eyes firmly on the ball. Nothing to see, as far as the commentators were concerned. And the Eagles take the ball the length of the ground and score.

Is my radar off?

[Industrial Fan]

I sure hope he does.

I think the footy environment requires a list that all buys in. Wanting to move closer to home doesn’t align for me.

Huge loss for us, but good riddance.

[Ralph Dawg]

His name is The Rat.

On ball first half. Did nothing. Second half, back to tidy up their ball use. A couple of nice kicks and marks that half, but a bit lazy for mine. No real ground covered.

Adelaide had a terrific third quarter. But a crap first half then blew it at the end. And if Freo kick straight, they win by 20-30.

There is a chance that the momentum JD developed in his last few seasons with us (esp last year) will be stalled by playing with a less talented list. He may regret his move...................