In our first look at semi-competitive footy for the year, we saw the league’s concussion crackdown put to an early test, North Melbourne unleash their new brand of attacking footy and some bright signs from draftees.

Here are five quick hits from the weekend’s match sims.

1. An early test for concussion-wary league

A day after Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw was forced into an early retirement due to damage sustained by repeated concussions, the AFL’s first test case of 2024 presented itself at Alberton.

Early in the Port Adelaide-Adelaide match, Sam Powell-Pepper bumped Crows opponent Mark Keane high. Keane was concussed and played no further part in the game.

Even though these games weren’t official AFL preseason matches, they still come under the same match review guidelines and, as a result, Powell-Pepper will face MRO scrutiny for the hit.

Powell-Pepper may argue that Keane was moved into his path by a Willie Rioli tackle, but it’s unlikely the MRO will be particularly persuaded by that argument. Concussion is going to be one of the biggest issues of the season, and the league will surely look to lay down a marker with this case.

2. Northball

George Wardlaw let it slip after North Melbourne’s win over Collingwood on Wednesday. The Kangaroos are ready for a new era, and with it comes a fresh moniker.

With royalties on their way to Ange Postecoglou and Brendan McCullum, it seems Alastair Clarkson is running with “Northball” in 2024 and beyond.

So what will Northball look like? From the earliest indications, you can expect risky, aggressive ball movement from the back half with players like Harry Sheezel, Zac Fisher and draftee Colby McKercher. Wardlaw himself looks likely to embody the new philosophy with his own fearless commitment to the contest.

Whether it’s a revolutionary success of just another stick to beat North Melbourne with, it’s clear the club’s youth is committed to forging an identity and sparking a surge up the ladder. And at this time of year, that must be music to the ears of North fans.

3. New kids on the block

Only three months after starting their AFL careers, these games offered many of the league’s newest draftees had their first real opportunity to make a mark for their new clubs.

And while they’ll all find a step up in intensity once home and away action commences, some of these youngsters looked instantly home. McKercher, mentioned earlier, was particularly bright and creative off half-back for North.

Ryley Sanders was fantastic in the heart of the Bulldogs engine room, racking it up with the same ease we saw from him in under-18s footy. Caleb Windsor also had some bright moments on a wing for the Demons, as did Darcy Wilson for St Kilda.

And from very early indications, Fremantle might have nabbed the steal of the draft in Cooper Simpson. His is a name you should probably become familiar with.

4. New faces and new places

As well as seeing some familiar faces in new colours for the first time, these preseason games give clubs an opportunity to trial some players in different positions.

Nic Martin’s move to Essendon’s half-back line has been mooted all summer, and his first exposure was fairly positive. Blake Hardwick has gone the other way for Hawthorn, and he showed a bit as a high-pressure forward.

Up there with him was Jack Ginnivan, in the Hawthorn long sleeves for the first time. Brodie Grundy played his first game in the red and white of Sydney, and Lachie Schultz looked bright up forward for Collingwood

5. What’s in a result?

Do wins and loss matter at all at this time of year?

It depends who you are. For Collingwood, going down to North Melbourne with a raft of premiership stars missing is going to cause absolutely no consternation whatsoever.

But on the flip side, the win for North means plenty for their young and success-starved group. Similarly, a win for Richmond certainly helps create a bit of belief under new coach Adam Yze.

There were structural concerns for Gold Coast and Hawthorn in their defeats, but nothing that can’t be overcome with a few more weeks of tweaking and the returns of some key personnel.

Source: AFL NEWS ABC