On the Footy

It’s back! After months of hyperbolic press and cliche-ridden interviews, footy season is kicking off again. Super Rugby last week, the NRL this week and the AFL next week. FOOTY!!!

“That’s a bold strategy Cotton — let’s see if it pays off”

I for one am finding it pretty difficult to get too excited. There just doesn’t feel like there’s much at stake. Whereas in previous years, there’s been a dominant game-related storyline, this year, none of the standard cliches really seem to fit:

Can [high profile underperforming team] their drought?
Can [gun player] cement legacy as all-time great?
Can [mercurial but wayward player] deliver on their potential?
Can [reigning premier] go back-to-back?
Can [legendary long-tenured coach] achieve some new obscure piece of history?
Can [last year’s runner up] go one better?
Is [former player turned coach] now in the hotseat

Instead, a range of slightly confused and not very exciting storylines have emerged:

Super Rugby

COMP STRUCTURE A MESS!
SUNWOLVES ARE COMING!
MASS PLAYER EXODUS!

AFL

MORE APPEALS IMMINENT!
BANNED PLAYERS KICK FOOTY IN PARK!
HAWTHORN FOURPEAT?!?
EX-PLAYER LOVE TRIANGLE!

NRL

VIDEO REF TO SUCK LESS!
CEO SEARCH ONGOING!
RIVAL BROADCASTERS ARE RIVALS!
WHAT’S THE APPROPRIATE PENALTY FOR MITCHELL PEARCE?!?

I’m sure once it all gets going, I’ll get more into it all but at the moment it all feels a little underwhelming.

Let me know if I’ve missed anything or if you can come up with a reason why I should be more excited.

Jez