AFL Season 2020- Round 1 My Preview
Round 1 should be entertaining with quarters shortened by 20% to 16 minutes It’s unknown how the shortened quarters will be impact teams, which should be good to watch for everyone, especially the neutral spectator, who will be watching on television as there aren’t going to be any spectators at any of the games due to the coronavirus! Hopefully goal kicking accuracy increases and ratings are high!
My choice of a definite winner for this Round: West Coast v Melbourne (Melbourne to win)
Toughest game to pick a winner in: Essendon v Fremantle (Essendon to win)
Thursday Night Game
Richmond v Carlton
This is the 1st game of the Season, its last Season’s Premiers; Richmond, playing against a Carlton team that will be looking to improve this Season and make the finals.
Key matchup: Dion Prestia v Patrick Cripps
Richmond Game Changer: Kane Lambert
Carlton Game Changer: Sam Walsh
My Prediction: Carlton
Friday Night Game
Western Bulldogs v Collingwood
It’s 5th against 7th in this one, which should make for an intriguing contest.
Key matchup: Tim English v Brodie Grundy
Western Bulldogs Game Changer: Lachie Hunter
Collingwood Game Changer: Chris Mayne
My Prediction: Western Bulldogs
Saturday Afternoon Games
Essendon v Fremantle
This should be a good contest; it will be interesting to see how Fremantle go as they have a new coach; Justin Longmuir.
Key matchup: Andrew McGrath v Nat Fyfe
Essendon Game Changer: Andrew Mcgrath
Fremantle Game Changer: Andrew Brayshaw
My Prediction: Essendon
Adelaide v Sydney
These 2 teams will want to improve this Season and it starts this Saturday. New Adelaide coach; Matthew Nicks should start with a win.
Key matchup: Reilly O’Brien v Sam Naismith
Adelaide Game Changer: Rory Sloane
Sydney Game Changer: Lewis Taylor
My Prediction: Adelaide
Saturday Night Games
Gold Coast v Port Adelaide
It’s an important season for both teams and their respective coaches; Stuart Dew and Ken Hinkley.
Key matchup: Lachie Weller v Travis Boak
Gold Coast Game Changer: Lachie Weller
Port Adelaide Game Changer: Karl Amon
My Prediction: Gold Coast
Greater Western Sydney v Geelong
Both teams will want to finish in the top 4 as they were Grand Finalists and Preliminary Finalists last Season.
Key matchup: Jeremy Cameron v Harry Taylor
Greater Western Sydney Game Changer: Jacob Hopper
Geelong Game Changer: Sam Menegola
My Prediction: Greater Western Sydney
Sunday Afternoon Games
North Melbourne v St Kilda
Both of these teams will be looking for a good Season; its Rhyce Shaw’s 2nd Season as a senior coach and Brett Ratten’s 1st Season coaching St Kilda; it will be interesting to see how both coaches approach this game.
Key matchup: Todd Goldstein v Rowan Marshall
North Melbourne Game Changer: Jy Simpkin
St Kilda Game Changer: Zak Jones
My Prediction: North Melbourne
Hawthorn v Brisbane
This should be a good game.
Key matchup: Jonathon Ceglar v Stefan Martin
Hawthorn Game Changer: James Worpel
Brisbane Game Changer: Eric Hipwood
My Prediction: Brisbane
Sunday Afternoon Game (Perth Time)
West Coast v Melbourne
This is an important game for Melbourne; they need to be competitive and endeavour to claim all 4 points so they can prove they will be in the running for a top 8 finish later in the season.
Key matchup: Andrew Gaff v Ed Langdon
West Coast Game Changer: Liam Duggan
Melbourne Game Changer: Adam Tomlinson
My Prediction: Melbourne