Fremantle Coach Calls for AFL to Scrap Opening Round After Geelong’s Historic Comeback
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has voiced strong opinions regarding the AFL’s Opening Round, labelling it a significant “advantage” for participating teams and advocating for its removal from the fixture. His comments came in the wake of his side’s dramatic loss to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, where the Dockers squandered a substantial lead before being overhauled by the Cats.
Geelong, having already played a game in the preceding Opening Round where they fell to Gold Coast, appeared to benefit from the early hit-out. This experience was evident as they staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a 35-point deficit before halftime to secure a thrilling 16.14 (110) to 14.16 (100) victory.
The initial stages of the match saw Geelong displaying some early-season rust, conceding eight goals to Fremantle in the first quarter. This 8.4 to 3.1 quarter was Fremantle’s highest-scoring opening term outside of Western Australia. However, the Dockers were unable to sustain their early dominance, as the Cats gradually clawed their way back into the contest.
The tide turned significantly in Geelong’s favour, largely driven by the influential performances of Max Holmes (32 touches, five clearances), Bailey Smith (30 disposals, one goal), and Tanner Bruhn (24 touches). This midfield trio was instrumental in Geelong’s resurgence, helping their side kick 13 goals to Fremantle’s six after the first term, ultimately snatching victory in a nail-biting finish.
Longmuir was unequivocal in his assessment post-match, asserting that Geelong’s prior game provided them with a clear competitive edge. He urged the AFL to heed the concerns of numerous rival coaches and fans, suggesting a return to the traditional season start where all 18 clubs commence their campaigns simultaneously.
“I think anyone who has been around football would realise this is an advantage,” a visibly frustrated Longmuir stated. “We should all start the season the same way. There should be no competitive advantage in teams having played a game before they play another team. It just makes so much sense to people in the industry. We’ve just got it wrong.”
It’s worth noting that Geelong coach Chris Scott had previously expressed his reservations about the Opening Round concept when it was introduced in 2024, arguing that it compromised the integrity of the fixture and was inequitable for many clubs. Despite these criticisms, AFL officials have indicated their commitment to the initiative, citing its importance in fostering the sport’s growth in non-traditional AFL states like Queensland and New South Wales.
Geelong’s Resounding Second-Half Performance
The turning point for Geelong was not just individual brilliance but also a strong message from their coaching staff. Five-goal hero Shannon Neale attributed the Cats’ dramatic comeback to a stern “quarter-time serve” from coach Chris Scott.
“I won’t go into it too much,” Neale commented. “But pretty much, we weren’t playing the way we wanted to play. I think the word ‘disgraceful’ was used. That’s completely fair; we agreed with that. To come out after quarter-time and fix a few things up and play a certain way and get over the line is great.”
Scott himself expressed his satisfaction with the team’s mental fortitude in orchestrating such a significant turnaround. “The most important thing is the players had belief that if we did shift a few things, that we could turn the momentum of the game,” the Geelong coach explained. “It’s a rare situation to have that belief when you’ve been so badly outplayed; you know, they were dominant. It’s not as if we predicted that start, but we were well aware of the threat.”
The AFL’s Opening Round initiative, designed to generate early season buzz and promote the game in new territories, appears to be facing increasing scrutiny. While the AFL’s stated aims are to expand the sport’s reach, coaches like Longmuir are highlighting the potential for unintended competitive imbalances, raising questions about the long-term viability and fairness of the current scheduling model. The debate over whether the benefits of an early start outweigh the potential for an uneven playing field is likely to continue as the season progresses.
