How the AFL Twitter community reacted to footy’s return in 2017

March 28, 2017 1:02 pm.by Dominic Ciconte

AFL Twitter chat
FOOTY is back.

Starting with a wild Thursday night match punctuated by a Dustin Martin special and finishing with a series of upsets that had punters, tipsters and even fantasy players ripping their hair out, the first round in the 2017 AFL season had it all.

There were record crowd numbers, new heroes, new villains, some of the greatest comeback stories this code has ever seen and a historic premiership victory

We took a look through the Twitterverse, did some trolling, compiled our favourite tweets from the weekend and let the punters and the fans tell the story.

What better way to start looking back on the weekend than the AFL Women’s Grand Final?

The Adelaide Crows clinched the inaugural premiership on Saturday, getting over the Brisbane Lions in a 6-point thriller in front of 20,000 fans.

The hero of the day was Erin Phillips, who kicked two goals and won the best on ground award.

As you can imagine, after the men’s team completed the weekend double a day later against the GWS, the good people of Adelaide were riding a high.

What a weekend for the @Adelaide_FC
Premiers one day, defeat the premiership favourites the next. #AFLWGF #AFLCrowsGiants #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/SkzXb1RYB3

— Ron Barton (@Teacher2Poet) March 26, 2017

Not a bad weekend to be an @Adelaide_FC supporter! #AFLWGF ? #AFLCrowsGiants ❤️?? #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/UmH6kOKoqU

— Bec Dahl (@reanda26) March 26, 2017

What a day!!! So incredibly proud of my team. @aflwomens Premiers with my kids is so special!!! Will never ever forget this moment. pic.twitter.com/ujjcseBOUT

— Erin Phillips (@erinphillips131) March 25, 2017

Our @aflwomens premiers are back led by captain Chels ?! @randall_chelsea #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/fdTScTn5Vt

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) March 26, 2017

One of the biggest storylines of the weekend was Travis Cloke’s first game for the Western Bulldogs, playing against his old side, Collingwood.

While Cloke didn’t set the world on fire, he did kick one trademark goal from outside 50 metres, drowning out a chorus of boos from his old fans.

ICYMI – The jeers of the Collingwood faithful didn’t stop Travis Cloke from slamming home this long goal. #AFLPiesDogs pic.twitter.com/T11aI6lWdo

— AFL (@AFL) March 24, 2017

Collingwood fans haven’t hated Travis Cloke so much since, well, last year when they were saying he should be dropped.

— AFL Integrity Unit (@IntegrityUnit) March 24, 2017

Keep Screaming and Shouting Abuse, I’ll keep kicking goals outside 50!

Regards Travis Cloke #AFLPiesDogs

— Leila Gurruwiwi (@alielmg88) March 24, 2017

What about those Bombers!

After five years of ongoing controversy, drama and heartbreak associated with the doping scandal that saw players banned in 2016, the club was able to field a full-strength side in its pursuit for redemption in 2017.

Playing Hawthorn in front of more than 75,000 fans at the MCG, Essendon overcame a half time deficit and ran away with the match in the final quarter, winning by 25 points.

And after years of pain, Essendon fans wasted no time in enjoying the moment and giving it back to Hawks supporters.

No words required #afldonshawks pic.twitter.com/hpGtv7nu4K

— Rob (@Cpcc15) March 25, 2017

Joy of watching Hawks fans leaving before full time #gobombers #donthesash #AFLDonsHawks pic.twitter.com/I3240gAvzA

— Vince Taskunas (@VinceTaskunas) March 25, 2017

Found:
1 x Hawks flag at McDonalds. Smells like shame & bandwagons

Please RT to find its owner#afldonshawks pic.twitter.com/RUIWEelQpy

— WA Bomber (@WA_Bomber) March 25, 2017

Struggled with footy tips? You’re not alone.

The bookies were beaten on five occasions over the 9 games as underdogs found a way. The most staggering result for most was the GWS Giants – the premiership favourite – copping a 56-point belting and starting round 2 on the bottom of the AFL ladder.

Picking a winner in round 1! #afl #AFLSaintsDees #AFLBombersHawks #AFLSwansPower #AFLSunsLions pic.twitter.com/QD1VwZIZss

— Trevor Wollard (@TrevorWollard) March 25, 2017

Has it ever happened that the favourite for the flag is on the bottom of the ladder? #afl pic.twitter.com/oG0SIZmXq4

— Paul Nolan (@pwnolan) March 26, 2017

Think the AFL is struggling for support and crowds are diminishing? The numbers will prove you wrong.

Smashing the all-time attendance record for a weekend of footy? We liked seeing that! Thanks to everyone who showed up for #OpeningRound pic.twitter.com/JKx8MMetLT

— AFL (@AFL) March 26, 2017

Bring on Round 2.