Finally season 2009 is upon us. I am expecting to see the tightest finals race in history and it all begins on Thursday night with two up and coming young teams led by former West Coast champions.

I really like the anticipation that builds up before Round One. Everyone starts with a clean slate and for a week at least we are all level pegging with Geelong. I expect the Cats to be ruthless again this season, they are still the team to beat. I also expect to see sluggish starts from Hawthorn, The Dogs, Saints and Swans whilst Collingwood, Carlton, Richmond and Melbourne will be out to make a good impression from very early on.

Cousins looks the part & will now face his old team mate in Judd in the opening match of the season.

History suggests that Round One is generally a tipsters nightmare but i’ll give it my best shot. For any readers out there that are competing in the Supertipping competition feel free to join my league #471356.

Best of luck to all for the season ahead, lets hope that this season is as open and exciting as I expect it to be. To get a full preview of what is to be expected of your club and also Kick2Kick’s writers season prediction.

Carlton vs Richmond

What a mouth-watering opening to the season. The ‘G has already been sold out and I know I will be glued to the screen watching Judd and Cousins hammering it out. Carlton set a cracking pace in the early rounds of the NAB Cup before fielding a VFL strength side in against the Cats. The Tigers have shown glimpses of form and will improve so much with the addition of Cousins.

There is an injury cloud over Fevola and I give the Blues no chance if he happens to be a late withdrawal. However this game will be won and lost in the midfield. If Richmond can apply enough midfield pressure then their emerging defence of Thursfield, McGuane and Moore will have no trouble in thwarting Carlton’s forward thrusts. If they allow Judd, Murphy and Gibbs free reign then it will be Carlton by how far.

This is the most fascinating match-up of the opening week and the toughest to pick. I’m picking the Tigers on faith only, if they play poorly this week they can pencil themselves in for a ninth place finish yet again. I expect them to be harder then we have ever seen them and have too many options in the forward line. This game will be played at a cracking pace early and should be tight all night.
Tigers by 9 points

Geelong vs Hawthorn

There is nothing that can bring back that last Saturday in September and beating Hawthorn on Friday night will not be revenge for the Cats. What it can do however is bury some psychological scars that may still exist.

The Cats are up and running whilst the Hawks have had injury woes and I expect the Cats to dispose of the reigning Premiers with ease. How easily they can do it will only boost their confidence for the season ahead. Geelong has the chance to impose themselves on the Competition yet again from the opening game of the year and I suspect they will not let this opportunity slip.
Cats by 47 points

Collingwood vs Adelaide

The Maggies ended Adelaide’s season last year and one wonders how much venom that will give the Crows as they open their season in Melbourne again. The Pies were ultra impressive in the Pre-season comp and I expect their early season form to continue. The Pies will be keen to show they are ready to step up to top 4 material this season and what better way to test themselves then against a super competitive side who never give an inch.

Voss returns to Brisbane as coach, can he inspire his club to their former glory?

Pies by 16 points

Brisbane vs West Coast

The Lions will be looking to make a good start under new coach Michael Voss and they have that chance with a match-up against the struggling Eagles. I expect Brown and Bradshaw to continue to monster opposition defenders and this week will be no different. I never thought I would say this but Brennan being out is a huge blow for the Lions but they should have more then enough cover.

The Eagles were at times embarrassing last year and they will be keen to show they have improved over Summer. They have too much youth through the midfield though and Black, Power and Johnstone will teach them a footy lesson.
Lions by 58 points

St.Kilda vs Sydney

Two teams who I think will drop out of the final 8 this season.

The Saints should be able to do a number on the aging Swans especially within the comfort of the Docklands Stadium. The Swans have been laborious yet again in the off season and this time it will carry through to the home and away season.
Saints by 26 points

Melbourne vs NMFC

The young Demons will learn a very hard lesson on the weekend. The ‘Roos will be breathing fire after the way they finished off ‘08 and will take it out on the Dees. Last year the Demons got smashed by the Hawks and Dogs in the first 2 rounds and never recovered. I hope they can put up more of a fight this season but I sincerely doubt it.

The Dean Bailey experiment smells a bit like the Peter Rhode episode at the Dogs a few years back. When your club is struggling you need someone with a bit of profile to change the culture. Eade gave the Dogs hope and the Melbourne heirarchy should do everything they can to get someone like Matthews, Sheedy or even Nathan Buckley involved in some capacity.
Kangas by 61 points

Port vs Essendon

Port Adelaide were terrible last season considering they made the GF the year before and will be looking to improve dramatically. The off field dramas do not fare well nor does the announcement that they will be seeking financial assistance.

If the Bombers were to catch the Power off guard this would be the week. Not having McVeigh is a blow but the Bombers will be keen to run Port off their feet. This should be a close game but I am going for Port purely because they are at home (even though the ground will be 3/4 empty!!)
Port by 4 points

Fremantle vs Bulldogs

The Dockers had a much needed clean-out over Summer and will be relying on youthful exuberance to win them games this year. They lost a lot of games by under 2 goals last season including a tight one against the Dogs at Subi.

The Dogs have set themselves for this game building their training up to accommodate for a tough opening month. Travelling to Perth will probably be easier in Round One then say Round 18 so the Dogs should have no excuses. They have to much class over the field for mine and should kick away late.
Dogs by 32 points

Your Round One Tips

So what your tips for the first week of AFL in 2009? Please post them below in the comments section.

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