2021 Season hype

It’s been nearly five months since the Tigers held the premiership cup aloft for the third time in four years, but finally the 2021 AFL premiership season is upon us.

The deafening roar of a full MCG might seem like a distant memory but over the coming weeks we will be reminded of how bloody good live footy is at a heaving ‘G.

So get out your scarf or guernsey, erase 2020 from your memory (except for you, Richmond fans), and strap yourself in for an unforgettable season.

And just in case you need a reminder … here’s a quick footy refresher!

WHEN DOES IT START?

This date should have been etched in your memory for months … but just in case you’ve missed it, round one kicks off on Thursday March 18 with Richmond and Carlton at the MCG. While the ‘G won’t be back to full capacity just yet, you can be sure the Tiger army will be out in force to see the defending Premiers in the flesh for the first time in 12 months. Richmond is on the hunt for a three-peat, and with possibly the greatest finals player we’ve seen, Dustin Martin looking ominous, there’s no doubt that anything is possible. The Blues have lost their last 11 clashes with the Tigers, could this be the year? One thing is for sure Carlton fans need to see the club take another step forward in 2021 and avoid an eighth-straight season without a final’s appearance.

NEW RULES

Yes, that’s right, the AFL has tweaked a few things in the off-season, and already we’ve seen the affects in the AAMI Community Series. Free flowing and high scoring footy was a feature of the pre-season comp, but whether or not it’s here to stay is another question. Like them or not … here are the new rules:

Quarter lengths return to tradition with 20 minutes plus time on
Interchange rotations have been reduced from 90 per game to 75
At kick ins, the mark will now be set at 15m instead of 10m
Players must stand the mark with no lateral movement allowed

WHO ARE THE FLAG CONTENDERS?

Richmond. Richmond. Richmond. Did we mention the three-peat? If you aren’t part of the yellow and black army, then you’ll definitely be sick of the Tigers saluting at seasons end. Outside of the Tigers, last year’s Grand Finalists, Geelong should be right up there. The Cats have gone all in, recruiting GWS star Jeremy Cameron, Hawks speedster Isaac Smith and Roos star Shaun Higgins in the off-season. Brisbane and Port Adelaide should definitely be there at the business end of the season, while West Coast is also in the mix.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Of course all eyes will be on Bulldogs boom recruit Adam Treloar as he takes on his former side Collingwood in Round One. He certainly has a point to prove, as does his ex-teammate

Jaidyn Stephenson who now finds himself over at North Melbourne. After all the pre-season hype surrounding new Lion Joe Daniher, the footy world wants to know one thing - will the former Essendon forward’s body hold up to the rigours of AFL footy? Speaking of injury ravaged forwards, Swans superstar Buddy Franklin enters the eighth season of his mega nine-year contract. He’s been ruled out of round one action, but the Swans are hopeful he’ll feature during the early part of the season. And let’s face it, footy is better for having Buddy out there. If you’re looking for the next big thing, look no further than the teenager who has already drawn comparisons to Franklin despite not having played a single game of AFL. No.1 draft pick, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan promises to be an exciting talent and while the Bulldogs aren’t in any rush to wheel out their prized draftee, you can be sure he’s going to be a star in years to come. Of the 2020 draft crop, Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide), Tanner Bruhn (GWS) and Elijah Hollands (Gold Coast) are other names to watch, while we can’t forget the 2019 No.1 pick in Matt Rowell whose stunning start to his AFL career was cut short by a shoulder injury five rounds into last season.

GEAR UP!

After 12-months of wearing trackies and yelling at the TV screen most footy fans are champing at the bit to get out and watch some live footy. It’s been a long time between drinks for those supporters in Victoria especially, so make sure you take some time to prepare yourself for your re-introduction into the footy scene. So dig out your scarf, guernsey, gold jacket … or whatever it is you like to don at the footy and make sure it’s in tip top condition for the season. There’s nothing better than having a kick of the footy before and after the game in Yarra Park, so ensure you have a Sherrin worthy of the occasion. Whether it’s a classic red match Sherrin, or one of the new slick black premiership season footballs, make sure you look the part out on the park. And if god forbid you’ve forgotten the words to your theme song, our song Sherrin has you covered!