Indigenous stars light up Indigenous Round as more umpiring controversy splits the AFL
THE TACKLE: MORE umpiring controversy split the AFL world in two in Round 10, while Essendon’s Cale Hooker experiment is failing. RECAP ROBBO’S CHAT
THE Indigenous Round produced some of the best moments of the season ... it also produced a few of the worst.
Herald Suns chief football writer Mark Robinson looks at the Round 10 highlights and lowlights, including Shaun Burgoyne, Adelaide and Richmond’s indigenous guns, the sorry Saints and more umpiring controversy.
Chat with Robbo from 11.45am (EST) on Monday to discuss all the big issues.
LIKES
1. THE STEALTH - JEFF GARLETT
NEEDS to be in the All-Australian selectors’ discussion after yet another dazzling game. Kicked five goals — four in the second half — to take his tally to 25 for the season and goals are just one aspect of his game worth discussing. He rates elite for goals, is above average for score assists and score involvements, and is elite for forward-half pressure. It’s two and half seasons forward, but Carlton would love that sort of contribution. Garlett’s 24 disposals against the Suns were a career-high and maybe only Eddie Betts as a small forward can make opponents look so pedestrian with their defence.
2. THE TRIO
FREMANTLE was obliterated by the Crows led by a trio of indigenous players who just might decide if the Crows win or lose the flag this season. The Crows were lining up in the wet and Betts, Charlie Cameron and Wayne Milera filled their boots. They kicked nine goals and laid 12 tackles and embarrassed the Fremantle defence. The question on small forwards is: do they stand up in high-pressure finals games.? If these three do, then the Crows will take some beating. That’s 31 goals this season for Betts and barring injury, he’s looking at a third consecutive All-Australian selection. Sorry, Blues fans.
3. THE GATHERING
NOTHING personified indigenous input than a series of actions by Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Shane Edwards in the second quarter on Saturday night. The ball was deep in Richmond’s forward pocket and Rioli and Bolton - who is just 18 and playing his second game - harassed and pressured the Bombers and won the ball. Edwards was the recipient of that pressure and kicked a left-foot snap goal. Bolton, who was the youngest player taken in the draft, looms as a wonderful pick at No.29.
4. THE CLUTCH - SHAUN BURGOYNE
HE said on Channel Seven he will consider his future at the bye break. So he should. He was enormous on Friday night. He kicked two goals, one from the pocket and one from 52m, the latter clutch in the moment. The numbers are one aspect - team-high 19 contested possessions for his 26 overall and nine score involvements - but numbers can’t tally his experience, his body work and his will to win. In the second half in particular, he was the third ranked player on the ground with 16 disposals (second most by a Hawk), 10 contested possessions (game-high) and five score involvements
5. THE CHAMPION - LANCE FRANKLIN
EVEN Luke Bruest thought Buddy was BOG ahead of Burgoyne and clearly Franklin was the most influential player on the ground with 16 disposals and five goals. He was aggressive on Friday night, to the point of having a crack at both Luke Hodge and Jarryd Roughead. Now a top-10 all-time goalkicker, he is the best key forward since Wayne Carey and although some will scoff, Franklin is approaching Carey’s standing in the game. Carey played 272 games and kicked 727.457. Franklin has played 257 games and kicked 819.578. Carey clearly was the better mark, Franklin is the more dynamic athlete and both had/have a presence that scares the opposition.
6. SELWOOD ... SCOTT THAT IS
YES, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood were massive, but a game-plan tinker (it seems) and the inclusion of Scott Selwood have stiffened up the Cats. Selwood’s past two weeks have averaged 17 disposals and 17 tackles (he is the first player to lay 16 or more tackles two weeks in a row) and the Cats repeated their pressure from the week before against the Bulldogs, recording a pressure factor of 193 against Port. Nothing happens by chance and it seems the Cats are back playing the territory game. Port is the No.1 side for time in forward half differential, yet Geelong won time in forward half by more than 17 minutes.
7. BAILEY DALE
IT was Jake Stringer early and then Dale later on. “Dale was the one that set us alight in that third quarter with his creative play, it was great that he could step up that way,” coach Luke Beveridge said. They have so many kids at the Dogs you get confused sometimes, but Dale looms as yet another tick. He stands out because of his class and in this, his 18th game, he showed he is in the team to stay. Had a career-high 27 disposals and was often the calm amid the Bulldogs’ madness.
8. SHAUN HIGGINS
HE’S got to 29 years of age quickly and, other than his 2009 and 2015 seasons, you wonder what he’s done with all that talent, despite his serious injuries. The welcoming news is his 2017 season is on track to be arguably his best yet. Was instrumental on Sunday with 27 disposals, eight clearances and five tackles. His quality of use makes him the go-to man in the midfield. He was very good, but not the best player. That should go to Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer who beat Todd Goldstein.
9. JAMIE ELLIOTT
HE’S kicked three, one, three, three, three and four goals in his past six games and is a revelation after missing all of the 2016 season. Collingwood’s midfielders feasted and Elliott and Darcy Moore (three goals) got on the end of it. Always thought Elliott’s standing grew in his absence without foundation, as often does when a player is injured, and admittedly was wrong. He’s 24, is incredibly talented and is helping to fix Collingwood’s long-standing forward problems.
10, ROUGHY
THERE are moments when the football world wishes for the best and that came on Friday night. New captain, over cancer, poor start to the season and game on the line, and when Jarryd Roughead kicked the winner with 75 seconds to play, football became a little bit more personal that it usually does. “Captain’s goal” was never more apt and as much as I’d like to know what Steve Johnson said after his match-winner, I’d would love to know what Roughy bellowed when raising the finger. Still, it was one of the magical moments in a magical season.
DISLIKES
1. ST KILDA
COACH Alan Richardson said: “Right now, if you were just to look at us in the last two weeks, then we are nowhere near where we need to be.” He’s right. First Sydney and then the Bulldogs exposed the Saints for their lack of class players. The effort has been solid, but not enough players have stood up in the heat of two big games. They’re 10th after 10 rounds and despite some encouraging wins (GWS, Collingwood, Hawthorn), they are yet to convince anyone they will be a September team. Jack Newnes and Seb Ross are ticks in the midfield, but if Jack Steven is quelled, as he was by Lachie Hunter, they don’t have weapons to carry him and worry the better teams.
2. DELIBERATE
THE rule is wrong. Jayden Short and Josh Green were running full tilt. Short was faster than Green, he busted his gut to best Green and Green took the easy option to stop and play for the free kick. It’s kind of cheating the spirit of the game. He gave up and won the free kick. People will say it was smart. I reckon it’s wrong. Short had noise, drama and pressure all over him as he chased the bouncing ball and knocked it through for a behind. All he knows is he’s under pressure. All of us know Green pulled out. The AFL rules look after the ball player, but not in this situation. It is a contradiction to what the game is about. The AFL was right to strengthen the rule this year, but didn’t count on players exploiting it and being encouraged to exploit it. It’s not right.
3. YES AND NO
SOCIAL media went berserk as expected and opinions varied. Here’s a snapshot ...
Kane Cornes.
Former umpire Matt Head.
Corey McKernan.
Former coach Robert Shaw
Cameron Ling on 3AW was fiercely opposed to the decision. Clearly there’s an issue with the footy world split on the decision.
4. THE MEDAL
DUSTIN Martin was very good on Friday night and was a worthy winner, but Brandon Ellis would’ve been worthier. He was huge. Had a game-high 148 ranking points, 30 disposals, 18 uncontested possessions and a team-high nine intercept possessions. He’s not damaging enough to play out-and-out midfield and this year has gone to defence. Against the Bombers, he had Parish for 34 minutes and picked up anyone else who came near him. He went at 90 per cent efficiency which is outstanding for Ellis and an equal career-high 13 contested possessions. While Martin was influential, Ellis was stellar and I look forward to Damien Hardwick giving him five votes.
5. FREMANTLE
THE final numbers were a blitz, the first quarter numbers were an abomination. The score was 39-6, the Dockers had eight disposals in its forward half, the second fewest ever in a quarter, and the inside 50 count was 25-3. And it was also Ross Lyon’s first loss in his coaching career by 100 points. Take your pick on what word to describe the performance. Insipid. Humiliating. Pathetic. Skipper Nathan Fyfe has to be better despite the conditions and the pressure heaped on him. He had 25 disposals and 13 clangers and was the only player in double figures for clanger disposals. The output from Walters, Mundy, Hill and Hill and Neale were as poor as Fyfe’s disposal.
6. HOOKER FORWARD
CALE Hooker plays with ample effort but doesn’t have enough tricks to play forward and some of his errors — and some of his teammates’ errors to be fair — were demoralising. As the midfield continues to muck around with the ball — it was 71-42 inside 50s — Hooker needs to play defence, where he was an All-Australian, to help cover for the midfield’s failings. The option is to play Bellchambers forward for the dump kick long alongside James Stewart and Joe Daniher and bring back Matthew Leuenberger to play ruck. Top heavy maybe but something’s got to give.
7. KURT TIPPETT
COACH John Longmire continues to play him and would never criticise him publicity, but boy he must be frustrated with his ruckman-forward. Tippett might be the most overpaid and underperformed player in the history of the game. In five games this season he has had 10, one (injured), five, 12 and 12 disposals, has taken just 15 marks and kicked three goals. He is said to be earning in the range of $800,000 and if true, he’s far from value for money. He simply has to impose himself on games.
8. GOLD COAST
PUT up the white flag in China and put it up again in the second half on Saturday in the Alice. Still think a coach should get more than three years, but if Rodney Eade’s team continues to lay down in matches, the pressure on Eade increases. He will get experienced players back this week, but gee whiz, does he and the team need a win.
9. OH, CHARLIE
RECKON Dixon was unlucky, but the moment got the better of him and he didn’t listen to the umpire. His lack of awareness might’ve cost Port Adelaide the game. If he kicked the goal, it certainly did. All class from Port coach Ken Hinkley in the post match. “Unfortunately, they got it 100 per cent correct, right on the dot,’’ Hinkley said. “Don’t think I have ever seen it before. But that does not matter. The umpires got it right.”
BEST TWEETS
@never1983: likes: Nathan Jones - gets forgotten about these days but will go down as a Melbourne great. Dislike: GC leaders
@gavinol: Like Matt Scharenburg’s return after so long out! Inspiring, and played a very very good game.
@rusty_corner: Nathan Jones - captain’s game especially the 3rd qtr. Single handily got dees back into the game
@timrosen35: Dislike: The way Nat Fyfe is playing. Is he injured? Is he disinterested? Is his mind at another club? I just want vintage Fyfe back.
@glenmish: Bryce Gibbs, he’s put the whole non trade thing behind him, has had an excellent season and was brilliant today.
@perrisken: Josh Kelly-His personal share price continues to rise. He’s a Blue Chip worth investing in.
@AntWingardFP: Massive like: Sam Skinner playing his first game back in the NEAFL after two consecutive knee reconstructions.
@jassie6: dislike- essendon has no plan B when were getting shut down & woosha to scared to make moves when its needed.
@emilycolling93: Dislike - Thursday’s umpiring. Not so much the Dixon call, but I reckon Gray is STILL being held at Simmonds..
@matthewajones79: Toby greene a superstar. Gaints win in perth huge. To win there is a big mental win for them.
@Bonjour_Pippy: Roughy’s goal #inspirational
@jclei82: Have to include Marley Williams at some point Robbo. He is an absolute rock
@mjcanobie: Dislike: deliberate rush behind when the forward slows down on purpose to eliminate physical pressure. Like: B Ellis getting recognition
@b0ycee: Like wet weather footy and the Crouch brothers. Dislike standing on the Hill with wet shoes/socks
@alex_paull: Lewis Jetta’s game. Much-maligned since his move to WC, but showed signs of his old dynamic self. Strong signs in a tough loss
@chizzynolan: Dislike - Mills patting blokes on the head when they make a mistake and then he is a deer in the headlights. Lost his team the game smartass
@DPG010: Like- Ryan Burton proving that Hawthorns youngsters have a great future ahead.
@RKulacz: Ruffy goal. Took ownership, realised the opportunity and executed. A real leadership moment
@geoffmatho: Likes: Dreamtime now rightfully one of the best supported games in the year Dislikes: the debacle of deliberate rushed behind interpretation
@_benrobertson_: Like: indigenous round. Makes me proud of the whole football community. So much bad history and wrongdoing to make up for but we’re on track
@BenHogan39: Like: The Blues not rolling over. They were on for a 20-goal smashing at quarter time.
@chadleverington: Dislike: Robbie gray being constantly man handled without penalty. #freekickeobbiegray Like: Thursday night football
@Lazlow: Like: WAFL beat VFL in Victoria. Dislike: WCE losing at home to a depleted GWS. Should be better than this.
@csb9090: LIKE: @nathan2jones -never has/never will give up.Hard as nails. DIS:(being from WA)Listening to the BS excuses tmrw from WCE people @ work.
@_EmBlair: Dislike. Ump 11 and his obvious hatred of @Richmond_FC. Had him 3 from last 4 games & has made dubious decisions in each.
@DavidDbbear: Like... Andrew McGrath all class. Dislike... @EssendonFC tackle intensity not same as last two weeks
@BevanAbevan: Dislike: whatever @robbiegray_9 has done to offend the umpires. Like: Polec game on Thursday
@MattTurfie: Like: Luke McDonald’s passion for North Melbourne. Dislike: Blues-supporting woman abusing NM coaching staff at breaks and post game
@SC_Sensei: Dislike: St Kilda. GWS was supposed to be a turning point. Have looked a long way off the mark against Swans & Dogs. Can’t beat good sides.
@AndrewR94994450: likes. Dreamtime at the geee Tigers continue to give us great theatre. Dislike players who will regret swapping jumpers.
@fosty82: Like: Shaun Burgoyne. Dislike: Swan fan getting too close to Gunston on the boundary.
@lukewillo26: Like: no free for ducking. Dislike: break tackle, break second tackle, tackled again, then flip, throw or drop the ball - play on
Originally published as Indigenous stars light up Indigenous Round as more umpiring controversy splits the AFL
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