I believe the opening round every year should start with Melbourne vs Geelong. After all these two clubs were the first in existence and the AFL could call it the History round. I talk to a lot of people in my working life and the widespread ignorance of the history of our game is amazing.

Most people when asked which is the oldest team say collingwood which when you think about it is what collingwood would love people to believe. 

Also it may help stop the creeping americanisation of our very unique game as well. It grates on me when I hear commentators talk about ' line coaches ' and ' dee fence ' or 'off fence '.

It's about time we started to appreciate our own football history. 

Would clash with their Easter Monday game every few years or so 

I was having this exact debate with some colleagues just yesterday. Most had no idea MFC were the founding club, and GFC the year after, including a Geelong supporter. 

Nice idea for a 'history round'. The games could be arranged chronologically; ie, Melbourne v Geelong, St. Kilda v Carlton, North v Port, etc, etc. 

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Would clash with their Easter Monday game every few years or so 

I think our history and the importance of the opening round are much more important than the Easter Monday game. 

So we have to play at the Cattery every second year whilst other clubs never go there?

no thanks. 

I agree about the ignorance around the history of the game. I speak to other footy fans, and nearly all of them are clueless.

 

9 minutes ago, Forest Demon said:

I agree about the ignorance around the history of the game. I speak to other footy fans, and nearly all of them are clueless.

 

Win flags and people will care

18 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

So we have to play at the Cattery every second year whilst other clubs never go there?

no thanks. 

May as well open the season in Darwin given the lack of space for visiting supporters at the Geelong "boutique stadium."

Then again if it gets us a Thursday, Friday or Saturday free to air night game I'd take it

Just now, Diamond_Jim said:

May as well open the season in Darwin given the lack of space for visiting supporters at the Geelong "boutique stadium."

Then again if it gets us a Thursday, Friday or Saturday free to air night game I'd take it

I wouldn't. Geelong get to much of a free ride

No thanks.

Ive quite enjoyed starting the season 1-0 the last 3 years.

If I remember correctly we played them in Round 1 a few years in a row back in the 90s. They smashed us every time so the league fixtured us against Richmond lol

9 minutes ago, praha said:

If I remember correctly we played them in Round 1 a few years in a row back in the 90s. They smashed us every time so the league fixtured us against Richmond lol

They didn't smash us every time, just most times.  Jakovich kicked 8.8 on our way to a huge Round 1 win over the Cats in 1994.  I believe Sean Wight kept Ablett to 2 goals that day as well.

9 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

They didn't smash us every time, just most times.  Jakovich kicked 8.8 on our way to a huge Round 1 win over the Cats in 1994.  I believe Sean Wight kept Ablett to 2 goals that day as well.

yes you're right. I was at that game. The next year I think they beat us by 120 points lol

2 minutes ago, praha said:

yes you're right. I was at that game. The next year I think they beat us by 120 points lol

I was there as well.  What a day out that was!

1995 they rolled us by 3 goals, it was '96 when they absolutely smashed us.  We didn't get a return game the following year after that!

Was it 2007 or 08 when the cats played us at The 'G on a friday night in the rain and absolutely smashed us

i think we were 1 goal at half time

the beginning of the abyss

25 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

I was there as well.  What a day out that was!

1995 they rolled us by 3 goals, it was '96 when they absolutely smashed us.  We didn't get a return game the following year after that!

Yes I think Ablett kicked 6 in the first quarter lol. Probably didn't but it sure felt like it

The AFL don't give a fuchsia

51 minutes ago, praha said:

yes you're right. I was at that game. The next year I think they beat us by 120 points lol

Yup! Opening round of the centenary year 1996- Ablett snr helped himself to a lazy 9.6.

 

I suppose I should be glad I saw a great player in full flight... wasn't much fun at the time though.

3 hours ago, praha said:

If I remember correctly we played them in Round 1 a few years in a row back in the 90s. They smashed us every time so the league fixtured us against Richmond lol

We beat them in 92 and 94, Jakovich ran riot

3 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Was it 2007 or 08 when the cats played us at The 'G on a friday night in the rain and absolutely smashed us

i think we were 1 goal at half time

the beginning of the abyss

It was August 8 2008 opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, terrible weather and I was at the game with my now wife before we'd started going out - she being a Cats supporter 

9 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

It was August 8 2008 opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, terrible weather and I was at the game with my now wife before we'd started going out - she being a Cats supporter 

They probably still talk about that game over dim sum in the Forbidden City !!

37 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

It was August 8 2008 opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, terrible weather and I was at the game with my now wife before we'd started going out - she being a Cats supporter 

That's the one. I sat in the rain and watched a team that had no idea what was going on.

it was the first time i had ever thought "Why am i here"

after the '96 merger game i was always amazed that The MFC never really set itself up the right way. 

Not until PJ was enticed...

The Melbourne v Geelong "history" game is a good idea but doesn't necessarily have to be a Round 1 game.   

 

 

Trivia question.

Which game has the older set of rules. Australia Rules Football, or Association Football (ie, soccer)?

2 hours ago, Ted Fidge said:

Which game has the older set of rules. Australia Rules Football, or Association Football (ie, soccer)?

Is this the right room for an argument?