Bob Murphy writes on the big fears for each team in Opening Round; Sydney Swans; Hawthorn Hawks; Geelong Cats; Brisbane Lions

Roller coasters. Only ever rode one once. That was enough; terrifying stuff. Curiously, the part of the ride that left the most indelible mark on me was not when we were upside-down at high speed, nor was it the hairpin corners that lurched our stomachs side to side.

No, the most terrifying moments were slower, drawn out, whisper-quiet and foreboding. The slow climb into the clouds, creeping one rung at a time so that you could hear the mechanics fall into line underneath you, click, click-tick, click, click-tick. Alone with my thoughts for a handful of agonising seconds, with one question swirling all around: “Do I really want to do this?”

Some fears are innate, inescapable. Like falling. You could skydive 10,000 times and get the adrenaline rush every single time. Others, maybe more akin to phobias, like the number 13 or the validity of our Matildas soccer team, are learnt, so they can also be unlearnt.

It is through the kaleidoscope of fear that I find myself drifting when looking at the opening round of the men’s AFL season, or AFLM as it is known in some parts. Breathe fellas, breathe … this fear of “M” is learnt, not innate.

A major fear that affects us all, but more specifically, AFL teams, is of an opposing predator. Both the Cats and the Lions have reasonable claims at being the real big cat of the competition. But the cyclone bearing down on the Queensland coast, and postponement of their clash, means they will have more time to let the doubts creep in.

For the Cats, it might be as simple as, “Are we still the apex predator? What if we’re not?” The great fear for all ageing teams is not just the fall, but how brutal it could be. You can go from predator to prey very quickly in this league.

And what of the Lions? Last year was probable in one way and seemingly improbable in another. Starting the season off a flag has proven to be tough for a lot of clubs. Appetites come and go, even for a Lion’s belly on the open plains of Africa. Why would a group of young men be any less vulnerable to these ebbs and flows?

But the most intriguing match of the round, to my eye at least, is the Hawks-Swans match up.