AFL
Niall SeewangMatt Walsh 6y

W2W4, Round 5: Simon Goodwin must prove he can coach

AFL

We're only a month into the new AFL season but some trends appear more than passing fads: the Tigers, Swans and Giants all look set to be premiership contenders; the Hawks, Eagles and Pies may be a lot better than most predicted; the Demons are as flaky as usual and the Blues, Lions and Saints might be set to endure long, long seasons.

But football has a habit of making fools of us all, meaning what we think we know now may all be obsolete come the end of this round.

Here's What To Watch For in Round 5.

Time for Tex, Crows to stand up

Probably the last place an out-of-form team or struggling player would want to find themselves in a quest to boost their flagging confidence is at the SCG against the red-hot Swans. But that's the situation for Adelaide and a number of Crows who are far from their best four rounds into the season.

The Swans did it the hard way against the suddenly revitalised Bulldogs last weekend but they still loom as one of footy's ultimate tests on their home deck. Crucially, their big-name players, led by Lance Franklin, Luke Parker, Isaac Heeney and Dane Rampe, are all at or near their best, while the same can't be said at all for their Crows counterparts.

Recent history isn't pretty for Adelaide against the Swans, either, with Sydney winning six of the past seven clashes including three by 50-plus points.

The visitors' task will be even more difficult with Eddie Betts (hamstring) joining a worrying injury list, while Rory Sloane appears to be playing sore and struggled again to break a tag in last week's smashing from Collingwood.

Can Taylor Walker, whose leadership has been questioned after having minimal impact against the Pies, lead from the front and help his team make a statement against the Swans?

The way Adelaide rebounded from their Round 1 loss to Essendon against Richmond the following week should give cause for optimism that a quick turnaround is possible, but the Swans at their home deck are almost the toughest task in footy. 

With showers forecast in Sydney on Friday night, the Crows will have to get their hands dirty and take on the Swans at their own contested game. 

The Eagles must make a statement on the MCG

It's a predictable story we've all heard before: The Eagles are no good at the MCG. And it's true -- they've won just four of their past 18 matches at the venue and haven't won a final there since the 2006 grand final (from four attempts).

But there's a new dynamic to the relationship between the Eagles and the hallowed turf of the MCG, and that is Optus Stadium. Perth's new crowning jewel could be a blessing for the Eagles, who now play their trade on a ground which is much closer, dimensions-wise, to the MCG than Domain Stadium.

Put plainly, the MCG is a fat footy ground (coming in at 160m x 141m). Domain Stadium (bless its heart), was the opposite; longer and much, much skinnier (at 175m x 122m), making it a challenge to translate a style of play from one ground to the other. Optus Stadium's playing dimensions are 165m x 130m.

Logically, it wouldn't be a stretch to assume that by playing at Optus Stadium -- a wholly sheltered, wider ground -- West Coast's form at the MCG should improve. The gameplans, structures and zoning should all translate quite well between the two surfaces, while wind, sun and other environmental factors should also be similar.

Yes, the Eagles only play the Blues this week at the 'G -- a match they should win in a canter -- but their overall performance at the home of footy is something to keep an eye on.

Goodwin must prove himself tactically

Tuesday night's blockbuster between Melbourne and Richmond is a huge test for everyone associated with the Demons, but none moreso than coach Simon Goodwin.

The former Adelaide great took the Dees to the cusp of finals in his first year in the hot seat in 2017 and many judges predicted Goodwin's team to be September-bound this season.

Few doubt the talent at Goodwin's disposal, with Clayton Oliver, Max Gawn, Jesse Hogan, Christian Petracca, Jake Lever and Christian Salem the nucleus of a formidable outfit.

But the Demons haven't clicked so far this year. In fact, they've hardly got close, despite wins against Brisbane and North Melbourne.

Last Sunday, after a slow start, Hawthorn clinically picked apart the Dees with Melbourne falling apart at both ends of the ground. Goodwin admitted after the game that he was at a loss in trying to combat some of Hawthorn mastercoach Alastair Clarkson's moves.

"We didn't like the way we looked behind the ball, we didn't like the way we looked in front of the ball," Goodwin said.

"We lost our way structurally, but we tried some things. They didn't work."

It may be only Round 5, but Goodwin must find a way to make his team gel and play at its best.

It won't be easy though. Tuesday night's Anzac Day-eve clash pits Goodwin's side against the reigning premiers who are now one of the most clinical and organised outfits in the league.

The Demons have to be competitive - to appease their long-suffering fans, many of whom will fill the MCG to near-capacity, but also to prove to themselves and the football world that they have the mental resilience and tactical astuteness to finally mix it with the league's big boys.

^ Back to Top ^