Our reporters Justine McCullagh-Beasy, Nick Ansell, Sean Hardeman and Brian Allen are eager to talk sport via The Commentary Box.

JUSTINE: Good news this week with the NAB League and VFL getting the green light to play in 2020, albeit in shortened formats. One player to watch in the under 18 competition is Warrnambool's own Jamarra Ugle-Hagan - the potential number one draft pick. He oozes class and has been compared to Buddy Franklin. Sean, Jamarra, who has played for South Warrnambool and East Warrnambool, is part of the Western Bulldogs' Next Generation Academy. Whoever has pick one is expected to put a bid in for him. Do you expect your Doggies to match it?

NICK: Sorry to interject here guys, but the Dogs mightn't need to match anything if they keep dishing up what they did against the Saints last week...

SEAN: I feel if any player is being compared to a current or past champion with the credentials Buddy Franklin has then they thoroughly deserve to be number one. I feel whoever has that pick, which looks likely to be my Bulldogs at this stage, they would bid on Jamarra. It's exciting he gets to play in his top-age season and really show what he is capable of from a raw talent perspective and then see how he flourishes in the AFL system. He has already been exposed to it earlier this year when the Bulldogs invited him to train and from all reports he didn't seem out of place. Just waiting for North's bandwagon to crash in the meantime....

NICK: I'm sure it will mate! It's a weird feeling to see people actually optimistic about North. Normally the club is whacked a hell of a lot harder than it deserves, in my biased opinion.

JUSTINE: Where would you see Jamarra slotting into the Bulldogs' best 22, if he did land at the Kennel, Sean? What area do you think he'd help the club out most?

SEAN: I feel in the future he would slot well alongside Aaron Naughton in our forward line. Both players are capable of playing up the ground with their height and their marking ability. Could be a good switch to try and lure the good defenders out of the space in our forward line and really great a dangerous attack. But I hope we give him time to develop and don't really heap the pressure on him as we have seen with previous number one draft picks in the past.

JUSTINE: Totally agree, he'll need time as a tall to develop. Speaking of number one draft picks, how good was Gold Coast's Matt Rowell on Saturday night? Played like a seasoned pro against one of the AFL's best midfields. His ability to keep his arms free in a tackle will hold him in good stead.

BRIAN: Was thrilled to see the Suns get up on Saturday night and watched the second half after hearing it was a better game than the Showdown! Rowell looks to be one of those ready-made players. Reminds me of the Brisbane Lions' Daniel Rich in his first season when he won the rising star award. Rowell is strong-bodied, finds the ball and can kick goals. Do you think he could get tagged from here on in? He already appears to be the Suns' best player.

JUSTINE: Wouldn't surprise me! He's certainly got an ability to accumulate but, more importantly, distribute the ball to people in good positions. Another plus is he can hit the scoreboard, kicked two goals to go with 26 touches in just his second game. Those are stats seasoned veterans would be proud of.

BRIAN: The other thought I had on the weekend is I reckon the whole asterisk over the AFL 2020 premiership team has gone out the window. As soon Thursday night rolled around, AFL supporters were back to their fanatical selves. There may be no or limited crowds at the moment but it's irrelevant to the premiership. We're all already consumed by the best young players, how ordinary the Bulldogs were and that Shaun Burgoyne tackle on Patrick Dangerfield. Footy's back and I don't think it matters too much in which form!

NICK: Totally agreed Brian. I've never really agreed with the whole asterisk concept anyway. Clubs can't change anything and teams can only beat who is in front of them. It's good to have something on again in a live form because we've been starved of it for so long. Early crow here but who do you think realistically will go close to a flag this year?

SEAN: I feel it's hard to go past Richmond or Collingwood. Yes they might have only scored 36 points each in their opening snoozefest but it shows just how good defensively they both are. Defence wins matches and they have the capability to turn the ball over and hurt other teams from it. Last Thursday was just countering the other. If Port Adelaide can keep up this scoring form, it won't be too far away from a high finish. Hopefully for our Ken he can get the job done.

JUSTINE: It's hard to discount Richmond, Collingwood and GWS, despite their poor showing against North. Shorter season, shorter quarters might help Geelong too. Brisbane is young but confident. I think it's a pretty open season and there could be a team come from nowhere to win it.

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