Ask Robbo: Chief footy writer fields your burning questions from Round 10
The holding the ball rule is a mess, and it could be time for a simple solution that let’s everyone know where they stand. But the umpires got one of the most controversial decisions of Round 10 right, says Mark Robinson.
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Umpiring decisions, bizarre change room behaviour and metal studs on footy boots all made headlines as the footy frenzy went into overdrive in Round 10.
Meanwhile, on the field Port Adelaide overcame Richmond in the game of the season and North Melbourne slipped to Adelaide territory with a loss to the out-of-form Demons.
Chief football writer Mark Robinson answers your burning footy questions from the weekend:
Ashley: Any chance John Worsfold can walk into an after-match press conference and slam a signed cheque on the table and say “Right! Let’s talk umpires”.
Robbo: We could wish, but it wouldn’t help the situation. Agree, it’s a mess. There are so many inconsistencies with prior opportunity and holding the ball. We might as well scrap prior. And if a player is tackled he simply has to move the ball on, or try to move the ball on. If the ball is locked in it’s a ball-up. If it’s knocked out, which the AFL wants, then the ball remains in motion.
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Mark: I think the abuse of umpires from so-called expert commentators is getting out of hand. Ninety per cent of them would never have seen an AFL rule book, let alone be bothered to read it. But my favourite one is after two or three slow motion replays they then think they have the right to criticise a decision. If only the umpires had the same opportunity.
Robbo: Give names, Mark. Write back next week and name the commentators who do that. As for the umpires, they are trying to follow instructions in a manic game of tacking and gang tackling and trying to determine prior opportunity. We have situations where players with no prior are tackled and don’t try to get rid of the ball and it’s a ball-up. Shouldn’t they have try to move the ball regardless of prior or not?
Francis: Should Callum Ward be given two weeks for staging? Cost Essendon the game. A disgrace.
Robbo: No. Contact was high. Yes, Ward ensured contact was high, but many people consider that smart football. Others think it is dumb football because he deliberately put his head in a dangerous situation, and he could seriously injure himself. The mayo drew the outrage, but the free kick was here.
Michael: Why, and for what purpose, are there cameras in the change rooms? This is a player’s workplace and as a society, we would not tolerate this invasion of privacy in the change rooms of our workplace. I note during the AFLW season there is no change room images or a roaming Brian beamed on national television showing half-dressed women walking around the rooms, so why have them in the men’s rooms?
Robbo: Reasonable point. It’s about bringing the fan close to the game. The theatre of it all. But, Michael, don’t blame the TV networks. Blame the players for being dingbats. They know the cameras are there and, for that 30 seconds, they can act accordingly.
Troy: I actually think Essendon minus trump cards Stringer, Daniher, Heppell, Hooker and Fantasia are doing an admiral job. Thoughts?
Robbo: Admirable … hmmm. Maybe not. Most Essendon fans always try to make excuses. Do note, Troy, even when Essendon had all those players on the field, they still couldn’t contend. Too hit and miss, the Bombers, regardless if they have their best team out there or not.
James: The Dogs forward line is in disarray. It has been for years. Naughton may still end up being a key backman, Schache is out of favour and does not play like a key forward and Bruce is either out of form or maybe passed it at AFL level, so what is the answer? Is it time to throw big money at a forward, Ben Brown for example, or persist at what they have and maybe in two years or so the Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan partnership will be successful?
Robbo: Frustration abounds, James. And you’re largely right. Heaps of issues. The Dogs need Naughton firing and small forwards who can kick goals, and have got neither at the moment. Bruce competes but having signed a four-year deal, the expectation was he would do more than compete. I’m not sure Ben Brown would be on their shopping list, however.
Michelle: Tell me Robbo, when my 11 and seven-year-old look at me confused and ask me what those Tigers players are doing to Chol, what do you suggest I say? Clearly, they didn’t find it funny nor did they understand the “banter”. If they did this at school, they would be expelled. If Chol has kids, what would he tell them, I wonder? Then we wonder why as a society we never progress!
Robbo: You say these players made a huge error of judgment, that they were childish, and they won’t do it again. Michelle, men can be stupid, you know that, and these players were stupid. Not sure it’s any more than that.
Aaron: In the past the Dees would struggle missing key players, but in a rarity and sign of hard work and focus the club has gone about investing in and developing skilled youthful players with promise over last two trade and draft periods. Considering North has been a bogey team I think not only does our future look bright, but they seem energised. I feel Sam Weideman is the key. What do you think?
Robbo: Key forwards can transform any club. Find one who can take marks and kick goals and it rewards the efforts of the midfield/defence. Weideman has looked accomplished since being given a game — why was he out at the start of the season? — and Luke Jackson also has a huge future.
Richard: Do Brisbane and Gold Coast have an unfair advantage by not having to live in a hub situation? Surely they can relocate to WA, SA, Darwin, Cairns – at least it would seem a fairer option.
Robbo: What’s fair about this year, Richard? Those clubs have an advantage this year, just like Richmond and Collingwood have an advantage playing plenty of games at the MCG every year.
MORE AFL NEWS:
The Tackle: Mark Robinson names his likes and dislikes from the festival of footy
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Originally published as Ask Robbo: Chief footy writer fields your burning questions from Round 10