The AFL expansion has delivered one of the sport’s duller days, as Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast were whipped by a combined 221 points in an Easter Sunday snoozefest.
North Melbourne’s 28.15 (183) to 8.6 (54) belting of the Giants in Hobart was followed by St Kilda’s 21.13 (139) to 7.5 (47) win over the Suns at Etihad Stadium.
Only fans of the winning teams would have enjoyed the games, both effectively over by halftime.
It continued a mostly lopsided AFL round, making it four of eight matches so far to have been decided by margins greater than 90 points.
Given neither the Kangaroos or Saints loom as competition powerhouses, the AFL seems in line for plenty more one-sided matches this year, although North coach Brad Scott, whose club plays both the Giants and Suns twice this season, insisted it was for the greater good.
“Every club supports the expansion and it’s going to be fantastic for football across the country to have them playing well,” Scott said.
“They will in the not too distant future, I’m sure about that.”
The Suns are possibly the greater worry, given they are a year further advanced, yet show few signs of having improved from their debut season.
Earlier in the round, Carlton enhanced their status as premiership contenders by thrashing Brisbane 23.16 (154) to 9.9 (63) at the Gabba on Thursday night.
West Coast continued to stamp their claims with Saturday’s impressive 25.16 (166) to 9.4 (58) victory over struggling Melbourne at Patersons Stadium.
Essendon, Adelaide and Sydney are the other teams to have won their first two matches of the season.
The Swans had to survive a determined Fremantle comeback to triumph 14.10 (94) to 12.9 (81) at the SCG on Saturday.
Essendon also faced a fight to down Port Adelaide 16.15 (111) to 13.8 (86) at Etihad Stadium.
And the Crows celebrated Scott Thompson’s 200th AFL game with an 11.16 (82) to 9.10 (64) win over the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.
Like the Bulldogs, Richmond remain winless, after falling 12.13 (85) to 8.16 (64) against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night.
Hawthorn have a chance to make it six teams on two wins, when they meet reigning premiers Geelong in what should be the match of the round, at the MCG on Monday.
Hawks star forward Jarryd Roughead will play his first AFL game since injuring an achilles against the Cats in round 12 last year.