Majak Daw and Aliir Aliir, Jack Billings, Dawson Simpson among Mark Robinson’s Round 17 likes
HAS West Coast discovered the plan for stopping Collingwood? With Adam Treloar injured, halting Scott Pendlebury or Steele Sidebottom leaves the Magpies in serious trouble. Catch all MARK ROBINSON’S likes and dislikes from Round 17.
ANOTHER weekend has finished and what a round of football is was.
There were heroes aplenty in Round 17 as Aliir Aliir and Majak Daw turned it on at Etihad Stadium and Jeremy McGovern was a brick wall across town at the MCG.
MEDAL MAN: CAN GAWN WIN THE BROWNLOW?
KNEE: EAGLES HEARTBROKEN FOR NIC NAT
DRAFT: COMPLETE PACKAGE CAN HELP BLUES
However, it wasn’t all good with Jed Lamb finding his way into the MRO bad books and Hawthorn and Geelong dropped crucial games with finals now no certainty.
Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson looks at the highlights and lowlights of the weekend.
WHAT I LIKE
1. MAJAK v ALIIR
The most enthralling one-on-one contest this year, and one of the most enthralling games of the year was eventually won by Sydney. The fact is everyone was a winner except North Melbourne. Majak Daw kicked four goals and Aliir Aliir booted the winner for Sydney, and right there we saw a glimpse into the future of Australian rules. The incredible athleticism from both Daw and Aliir, and their ability to deliver at the highest level will inspire more North African-born players to the game. This was a day to remember and cherish, just as it was all those years ago when Hawthorn’s Peter Knights took on Essendon’s Paul Vander Haar.
2. HEROES GALORE
Sydney lost Josh Kennedy before half-time and lacked the experience of Jarrad McVeigh. Typically, Sydney didn’t yield and is now fourth behind the Pies on percentage. Lance Franklin’s two goals in the final quarter were enormous, so was Aliir Aliir’s final goal, so was Ben Ronke’s five goals, but equally so was Luke Parker’s smother in the middle at the end. When North led by seven points late it was on the back of Jack Ziebell, Majak Daw, Ben Brown and Shaun Higgins. It was heartbreaking for the Kangas that they couldn’t get over the line. Little consolation for them that it was one of the games of the season.
3. JEREMY McGOVERN
He’s a $600,000 forward and a $900,000 defender and Collingwood got the $900,000 defender. Coach Adam Simpson had to use McGovern as a forward while Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling were missing with injury, and McGovern found life a lot more difficult than normal. On Sunday, it was back to defence, where he took four contested marks and 12 overall and demoralised Collingwood with his intercept marking. At this point of the season, the All-Australian backline is: B: Laird, Rance, Stewart. HB: Sicily, McGovern, Hurn.
4. ANGUS BRAYSHAW
He could barely describe on 3AW the first 10 minutes of the third quarter on Saturday when great mate Max Gawn put together one of the most remarkable centre square exhibitions by a ruckman. Gawn would tap it and Brayshaw would shark it and the Demons would surge forward. They kicked eight goals in 10 minutes. Gawn probably should be the “like’’, but he’s had enough this season, so went with Brayshaw. He is a smaller version of Sydney’s Josh Kennedy, in that he continually hunts the ball, wins it, and distributes it outside or gets it forward under duress. Had 37, 39, 16, 28, 27, 31 and 38 in his past seven games and plays his 50th game this weekend. He’s a hell of a story, Angus.
5. DAWSON SIMPSON
Much-loved teammate at Geelong and GWS, Simpson must remain the No.1 ruckman at the Giants. He was the highest-ranked player in Saturday night’s match against Richmond despite just four disposals. He made his mark via 17 hitouts to advantage (an equal career-high) and four contested knock-ons. They came when the big fella inserted himself into ground-ball situations. You’d take Simpson’s heart over Rory Lobbs’ skill in the ruck every day of the week.
6. RORY LAIRD
Gavin Wanganeen was a much more spectacular back pocket and Chris Johnson was a three-time premiership back pocket, but neither of those two champs could find the ball as a small defender like Laird does. How Laird could gather 43 possessions, including 30 uncontested disposals, is mind-boggling. According to Champion Data he had a bit of everyone; Tim Kelly (28 minutes), Sam Simpson (23), Quinton Narkle (22) and Brandan Parfitt (18), notably all inexperienced players. The youngsters were able to apply pressure the week before against Sydney but couldn’t repeat against the Crows. Laird is an All-Australian lock and is rated elite for disposals, metres gained, contested possessions, uncontested possessions, marks and intercept possessions
7. JACK BILLINGS
Amid a season of fierce criticism, his resurgence began against Gold Coast in Round 13 and was rounded out with a 30-disposal game against Carlton on Friday night. His creativity forward of centre was a standout, hence his game-high 13 score involvements. Where has that been all season? How does a player this talented go missing for 12 games? That’s something for the coach and the player to work out, but probably more the player. The positive is he’s found his groove and let’s hope next year that starts at Round 1. His 30 touches was well above his season average of 21.
8. YEAH YEAH, JOSH WALKER
Added feathers to the head and looks five years younger. He has also added a new role to his game and looks a far better player. Went back to cover for the injured Harris Andrews and in his fourth game back in the senior team, arguably played the best game of his career. He had a career-high 20 disposals, but it was his cool head and safe hands in the final quarter which stood out. He took three contested marks when the game was tight and took the points against Jarryd Roughead.
9. THE UNDERDOG
There was Brisbane, then Greater Western Sydney, an undermanned Sydney, an unloved West Coast and in Perth, perhaps one of the major upsets of the season. The consequences for Port Adelaide losing to Fremantle are immense for a team hunting top four and they will lick their wounds with Paddy Ryder (hip) and Robbie Gray (concussion) injured. The Dockers, who didn’t have rotations late in the final quarter, got a standing ovation and deservedly so. Lachie Neale and David Mundy were huge and they led the kids in a game which could derail Port’s season. We’ll find out with the Giants, Eagles and Adelaide in three of their next four weeks.
10. KYLE LANGFORD AGAIN
Three polished performances in his past four games as an inside midfielder and the decision to give him Jobe Watson’s No.4 doesn’t seem as ambitious as it was at the start of the season. Needs to improve his clearance numbers - only 11 in past four games - but is finding the ball: 25, 14, 22 and 24 across the same four games. Essendon’s improvement has come via Langford and David Myers in the middle, Zach Merrett getting off the chain and the re-emergence on Saturday night of Darcy Parish. If the Bombers maintain their competitiveness in the middle, finals is not beyond them.
WHAT I DON’T LIKE
1. NIC NAT’S KNEE
The feeling is its an ACL and that would be a desperately emotional situation for Naitanui, who returned this year after another ACL injury. He is one of the AFL’s most flamboyant players and a cult hero. Anytime he is on the sidelines it is a blow for Australian rules. Despite the investment of millions of dollars in rehab and injury-prevention and game preparation, the injury numbers in the AFL have got to be a concern. This is unlucky for Nic Nat and you can’t plan against it, but the demands of the game have to be contributing to injuries. We talk of saving the game with rule changes, but maybe we should think about saving the players from injury.
2. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR WEST COAST?
The Eagles coped with Scott Lycett going into the ruck against Brodie Grundy, but can Lycett carry the load all the way to a premiership? It will be difficult, more because of what Nic Naitanui brings to the team more than what Lycett can’t. He will compete, but he doesn’t have Nic Nat’s brilliant tap work. Still, without Naitanui, the Eagles carved up Collingwood on the MCG, which will bring a level of confidence. There’s no doubt, however, there will be a crucial game where Nic Nat’s absence will cost them. Maybe it will be the Grand Final.
3. COLLINGWOOD BLUEPRINT
Shut down either Scott Pendlebury or Steele Sidebottom and the Pies, without Adam Treloar, could be found wanting. That happened when Mark Hutchings curtailed Sidebottom (18 disposals) and Pendlebury was OK but not dominant. Those two players weren’t the reason Collingwood lost, but it gives opposition teams a reference point. Coach Nathan Buckley would be more disappointed at the lack of defence after half-time when the Eagles were able to control the ball with uncontested marks and when they lost it got it back with unrelenting tackling. Buckley would be particularly displeased three Eagles defenders, Jeremy McGovern, Shannon Hurn and Brad Sheppard, were able to take 33 marks between them.
4. NO GUARANTEES
The Hawks were supposed beat Brisbane in Launceston on Saturday, dine out on an easy draw coming home and threaten the top four. Today they sit in 10th, out of the top eight on percentage. They had the game in control and turned up their toes, kicking just one point in the final quarter. Rarely do we see such an insipid quarter at a) Launceston and b) under Alastair Clarkson. Over the past decade the Hawks have averaged 29 points in final quarters in Tasmania and the last time they were goalless there was Round 12, 2009.
5. WHAT WENT WRONG?
Dare we say it, too slow, which is mostly always said when the Hawks lose. But the defence also broke down and their leaders disappeared. Clarkson conceded after the match that there was a lack of spirit in contrast to the bundles of it from the Lions. The second-half numbers told the tale: Clearances -10, contested ball -20, inside-50s -8 and score -50. Match-up wins were crucial for the Lions, led by Nick Robertson on Luke Breust, Josh Walker on Jarryd Roughead and Jarrod Berry on Tom Mitchell in the second half.
6. INTRIGUING GEELONG REMAIN INTRIGUING
Beat Sydney on the back of their kids, and lost to Adelaide because of the lack of contribution from the same kids, which has to be frustrating for all at Geelong. It makes it difficult to predict what Geelong will deliver on any weekend. They have a bunch of home games to come, so they should play finals. What plays out if that happens is anyone’s guess. At the weekend, their age demographic was: 30+ (two players), 25-29 (11), 21-24 (four) and younger than 21 (five). It’s maybe unfair to target the kids, but that’s football. If they stand up, the Cats can be contenders despite being two games off fourth spot.
7. JED LAMB
AFL great Greg Williams said of Lamb on June 8: “I also hate the pushing and the shoving and, you know, (Jed) Lamb from Carlton just hassling blokes because he’s not that good a player. They’re allowed to punch and push opponents ... it’s weak as water, that.’’ Lamb is an agitator and mouthy and that’s OK because football has a history of agitators and mouthy types, but Lamb has gone too far this time. Will put up with the fist pushing down on the face of St Kilda’s Jade Gresham but when his fingers are curled in the vicinity of Gresham’s eyes, Lamb had to be punished. He got a week and was lucky it wasn’t more. What’s happened to “potential to cause injury?’’
8. SLING TACKLES
Distressing scenes in Perth when Docker Ryan Nyhuis slammed a defenceless Robbie Gray into the turf, knocking out the Port Adelaide playmaker. It was ugly, stupid and dangerous and exactly what the AFL has tried to outlaw. Nyhuis had Gray cold and delivered the slam and will get no sympathy from the MRO. Nor he should.
9. RAZOR AND BRAYSHAW
They high-fived in a warm moment between player and umpire and there won’t be any repercussions from the MRO Michael Christian. There shouldn’t be anyway. It makes a mockery of the decision to fine West Coast’s Willi Rioli earlier this season when, in a moment of friendly banter, he tapped the bum of an umpire.
BEST TWEETS
@bennymoss20: Luke Parker is a flat out champ, one of the best last quarters I’ve seen, from the clearances to that smother. Early call for likes section
@matywubla: Mark Hutchings job against S Sidebottom today was a masterclass in tagging. Negated his influence completely and helped shaped what was our best win of the season by far.
@FaradayBrash: Just to watch Buddy’s gosls including that grubber was a joy. I’m big on diversity n inclusion. So happy for Majak. Ripper form and they really persevered with him. Sydney’s sustained excellence over many years- impressive
@eldazzio: Loved Kingy chatting to Simmo in the Eagles rooms. Raw emotion
@wanga27: Like: The dees 15 mins in the third quarter,especially the ruck and clearance work from Gawn,Brayshaw and Oliver! Dislikes:Injuries to key players for finals contenders..Nic Nat,Viney,Kennedy to name a few!
@thecheese01: I love my Lions. That is all.
@ThomsonChad: Dislike: Geelongs kicking on Thursday night. Would have to go close to the most number of clangers on record! C. Guthrie especially bad
@davidkpaterson: Dislike rubbish Friday night footy. Love GWS resurgence. So much talent. Toby Greene built for finals
@RYANCRA54791917: Liked Crows rediscovering their 2017 mojo. Disliked Carlton’s continued abysmal performance.
@chookie94: Dislike - the weak suspension to Lamb after eye gouging Gresham. Every other player who has done that has been given 2-4 weeks. Loved - Jack Steele’s game. 33 disposals at 97% efficiency and 10 tackles is a fantastic effort.
@razorsharp1983: Like Max Gawn, would love to hear him give a Brownlow speech. Dislike Bryce Gibbs getting a fine for that collision with Selwood. Someone buckled at the knees rather easily.
@uncleterryd: Like: Rory Sloane. 27p 17cp 8cl 9i50s after committing for 5 more. Dislike: A.Francis non-selection. Again.
@geoffhunt72: Like: West Coast 4/4 in Melbourne this year. Dislike: the whinging about Victorian teams not having to travel as much - what is the solution?
@Socrates921: Like : Chris Fagan’s reaction full time - so many emotions but contained; pride, almost disbelief and that smile as he imagines the future. Dislike : Friday night fixtures ie who gets chosen Blues vs Saints not the best for that night
@chevalierjimmy: Like: Ben Ronke. Good build, pacy, hardly misses, just 20yo. Dislike: Bulldogs’ fade-outs adding to a horror year.
@bjrnewman: Rory Sloane goal. Club has been smashed in the media and on field. Class. Loyalty
@stickers_bown: Like - Goldstein! He’s back! Can’t wait for his battle with Grundy next week going to be a belter
@TomAnderson62: likes: As a an American NFL official once said, @freodockers proves the premise of ‘Any given Sunday’
@Marcb2gc: Like GCSuns recruiters having 6 picks in top 10 and not having picked Dyson Heppell. Thank you on behalf of Bombers fans
@MattYoung12345: Took my 3 year old to his first game today, great spectacle. Left half way through the second quarter though because there were no real life kangaroos. #flat
@BJBayliss: Like Ben ronke....surely has to be in the rising star conversation along with Stephenson and doedee
@BuntingHeath: Dislike: the amount of Richmond respect for Lachie Whitfield. Like: Ben Roncke
@natasem150: Likes- Willie Rioli more than just a bag of wizardry massive 2 way game today/ Dislike - dinosaurs & fools wanting rule changes still
@freo_nathan: Like: Shannon hurn fist pumping the young girl - great look for the game
@shanehart10: Was going to say hope we see a Majak v Aliir somewhere in the news. Was great viewing, great for football and good news story in general.
@Specialgrant: Dislike Sydney runner spending the last 3 minutes on the ground coaching and standing in the middle of the ground
@Dobbo67b: Dislike : Same spin from Bolton. Like: Maclure comments “Less meetings more hard work on the track” When you skills are that BAD! All the meetings in the world won’t fix em!
@kellyfranco17: Like: Rory Sloane goal - goosebumps reaction from crowd and teammates. Dislike : Nic Nat going down, fingers crossed for him.
@8998Philip: Apparently Lyon is coming back to Melbourne.
@D_Morrison1989: I have absolutely loved @FOXFOOTY Player Take over round. Has been so fun to see players interact with each other while talking footy. Best TV round of the year by so far
@ten_apples: I’m loving Clayton Oliver this season. He’s an absolute star. Imagine him with another 50 games under his belt!
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Originally published as Majak Daw and Aliir Aliir, Jack Billings, Dawson Simpson among Mark Robinson’s Round 17 likes