Mark Robinson says the question for the Tigers and Blues is how they deal with disaster
PUT a fork in Richmond and Carlton. So how do they approach the rest of the season now that they are done? Replay Robbo’s chat
Mark Robinson
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PUT a fork in Richmond and Carlton.
They’re done, which prompts the question: How do they approach the remainder of the season?
There is a disease which has been lying dormant since 2009, when firstly Gold Coast and then Greater Western Sydney hogged the prized draft selections.
REPLAY ROBBO’S CHAT BELOW
Most of the rest of us call it tanking. Outgoing AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou called it list management.
For the sake of goodness, Richmond and Carlton need astute list management.
At the halfway mark of the season, they have two choices.
1. Battle their way through to the end with their current selection philosophy and hope for a ninth or 10th finish, which gives them pick No.9 or No.10 in the national draft. Both teams need key position players and they will find one, but he won’t be absolute top end.
2. Put more games into the kids to fast-track their development, which means, of course, the percentages of winning games drops dramatically.
THE TIGERS TOPPED THE AGENDA IN THE LATEST SUPERFOOTY PODCAST. LISTEN BELOW OR CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE IN ITUNES
THERE WILL BE CHANGES: HARDWICK
O’REILY: TIGERS PROMISE SWIFT, DISASTROUS RESPONSE
Coaches Mick Malthouse and Damien Hardwick might curl their lips at the suggestion, but for two teams in similar positions — current output and list profile — a 9th or 10th finish puts them in no man’s land.
It is a horrible place to dwell. Not good enough to play finals, not pathetic enough to finish bottom three and secure, perhaps, a generational player.
They’re there, they’re always there, but how can you get them when you self-inflict ninth-itis.
Always, clubs identify where they are and then how do they get to where they want to be.
The Tigers embarked on a recycling program, and while last year there was success, this season has been an implosion, which means the Tigers have massive decisions to make.
On available evidence, the game plan hasn’t worked, the personnel is not good enough, and the too-frequent accusation that the team is emotionally fragile still dogs them.
They lost the Tommy Hafey game because of poor skills against resilient Melbourne and on Saturday night against a rampant Essendon, they didn’t give a yelp.
With that effort, they are exactly where they should be: in 13th spot on the same points as St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs and the Demons.
The 2014 national draft has a minor hangover — there are leftover compensation selections — but the gravy is there for scooping for the Tigers.
And so it is for the Blues.
Gee, they are a difficult team to assess. They are spasmodic to say the least, which is a direct reflection of the players. Brisbane got them at the weekend because of ill-discipline and lack of work ethic when the whips were cracking in the final quarter.
The umpiring didn’t help them, but if you blame umpiring then you are putting your head in the sand. The players succumbed more than the umpires.
The Blues and Tigers have played their youngsters. Lennon, Gordon, Lloyd, McDonough and Dea at Richmond. Cripps, Graham, Docherty, Buckley, Menzel and even 24-year-old Casboult at Carlton.
They need to play them for the remainder of the season unless they are injured or sore. Others who have not played yet should also get an opportunity.
They are two teams in footy’s heartland in trouble.
Indeed, the heartland at the halfway mark has some challenges.
Sydney, Port Adelaide and Fremantle are expected to finish top four, leaving one spot available which will be contested by Hawthorn, Geelong and Collingwood. That leaves two spots available in the eight.
The Crows, on the back of Tex Walker’s return, will contend for the finals, so will Gold Coast. Essendon has its mojo back, albeit against the frightful Tigers, which leaves North Melbourne and West Coast as the remaining contenders.
For most of the rest — leaving Melbourne aside — list management has already begun.
NORTH THE SEPTEMBER SLEEPERS
IF there is a sleeper in the competition, it is North Melbourne.
To see them dismantle West Coast was to see a team with the ability to certainly play finals and perhaps finish top four.
Collingwood, Hawthorn and Geelong remain the Victorian teams best positioned to finish in the top four, and a favourable fixture will see the Kangaroos join them at some point of the season.
Still, there is a nagging uncertainty about how far the Kangaroos can go this season.
They remain an intriguing team, capable of monster performances but also periods in games where they look pedestrian.
Their best is ultra-competitive - they have beaten Port Adelaide, Sydney and Fremantle - and their worst has commentators saying their list is not good enough to push the big boys - they have lost to Essendon, Gold Coast, Collingwood and Geelong.
North will decide which is the real North Melbourne, which is better than having the opposition decide for you.
They are in eighth spot and play Richmond, Adelaide and Melbourne over the next three rounds.
Three wins and North will play finals. Any losses and they are in the pack fighting for seventh and eighth spot.
Coach Brad Scott was pleased in the post-match and, as usual, was confident about what his team can do this season.
“If we were struggling against the good sides, I would be worried,’’ he said.
“I know we can do it ... I’m really confident we’re on the right track.’’
He added: “I’ve got a lot of confidence in my players. We are capable of doing it at times, but the good sides do it all the time.
“We are going to need to improve in the second half of the year to compete against the good sides.’’
When North competes, the midfield is dominant. On Sunday, they supported the defence and attacked from the back half.
Nick Dal Santo is up with Lance Franklin as the recruits of the year and he dominated from half-back.
Look at the numbers: Cunnington 33 touches, Dal Santo 34, Greenwood 33, Bastinac 27, Harvey 27, Gibson 12 tackles.
There was plenty to like, such as Luke McDonald’s courage at the back, Patch Adams’ energy, and winning the contested ball 155-135, which points to a ruthless approach.
Much has been said and written about North Melbourne developing a tougher defensive style and yesterday, as it was against Sydney, Fremantle and Port Adelaide, was further evidence that important cog is producing results.
LIKES
1. TEX WALKER. Just might be the biggest character in the game and certainly the difference between the Crows being a contender for the finals or falling away. Kicked five, took 10 marks and had a game-high 10 inside-50s in what was a dominant key forward’s game. Moved better than what can be remembered, often taking marks up at the wing and centre square, and then would be a target 20m from goal. Yep, Tex was Superman on Sunday.
2. SYDNEY v GEELONG. Couldn’t turn away, not for a second. Sydney frightened the rest of the competition and it was scary to see a generational team such as Geelong be rendered so helpless. Six-day breaks may have played a role, but it would be foolish to suggest it was defining, because the Cats have won before in similar circumstances. As for the Swans, it was close to the perfect game, reminiscent of their demolition of Adelaide in Adelaide last season. And love the KGB (see tweet below).
3. STEPHEN HILL. The older brother reminded the football world that younger brother Brad is not the best player in the family. Tore the Dogs to shreds with 24, eight inside-50s and four goals, although two of them came in a mind-numbing final quarter. Hill was the offensive threat, while Ryan Crowley was the defensive master yet again. He curtailed Ryan Griffen to the point where Griffen had just three kicks, which has to be run-with job of the season. Indeed, it was vintage Fremantle lockdown.
4. TRAVIS CLOKE. Has been bashed by all and sundry, so only fair to register his best game of the season. Know people who have had Cloke in their Supercoach teams since the start and that has required more patience than that of Nathan Buckley. He was back, but still the commentariat pointedly said it was only against the Saints. Such is the life of an out-of-form superstar. Still, 12 marks, five goals, five score assists is enormous.
5. SAUCE MERRETT. Can be frustrating for being too earnest at the opposition, but was telling on Saturday night. Started forward and kicked two goals, one a ripper from the boundary line, played back and then was ruck after Trent West went down with a knee. Only the three hit-outs, yet was as significant to victory as any Lions player. Several massive pack spoils and fierce fighting for the ball on the deck inspired the Lions comeback.
6. GWS GIANTS. Losers on Sunday but won admirers for almost beating one of the flag favourites. Humiliated at West Coast and at home by Richmond in the past two rounds, the Giants showed an effort which was finals-like in endeavour. They applied 103 tackles (Ward 13, Smith) and at half-time had beaten Richmond’s total from the night before. Against West Coast it was 49 tackles and against Richmond it was 69. They also beat the Hawks in contested possession.
7. DEFENDERS PLAYING DEFENCE. Mark Thompson won’t ever admit it, but Jake Carlisle is a defender with the size to play forward. Carlisle played back against the Tigers and took 10 marks and had 20 disposals. It’s not the numbers which stood out. It’s Carlisle’s ability to read the ball as a defender, his ability to position and intercept, aspects of the game which get lost when he plays forward. He struggles when he is the target. He prospers playing on the target. Bomber surely has to leave him back.
8. BEN McGLYNN. Contrary to vote-givers on Friday night, I had McGlynn as the best player on the ground. Had 26, 11 tackles, five clearances and a game-high 10 inside 50s. Was preferred at selection ahead of Tom Mitchell, who has to work on his defensive game and despite him collecting 64 disposals in the seconds the week before. McGlynn and Craig Bird (33 touches, five tackles, six clearances) are the hard-nosed foot soldiers in a midfield which bats 10 deep. #mightymouses.
9. CHASE-DOWNS. Two stood out among many. Gold Coast’s Michael Rischitelli ran down Rory Sloane as Sloane took three bounces along the wing and half-forward. It was a turning point, for the Suns kicked the next two goals. At the MCG, as GWS threatened to dislodge the Hawks, Giants midfielder Adam Treloar won the ball with a minute to play and six points down. He was streaming through half-back when Hawk Jonathan Simpkin pounced. Rischitelli’s was awesome. Simpkin’s extinguished the possibility of a Giants win.
10. PETA SEARLE. Will be named a development coach at St Kilda, which crosses an important boundary. She is the first woman to be a full-time AFL assistant coach, she has tremendous experience and, perhaps in 50 years, will be honoured as the pioneer. Brave new world for her and the Saints.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Ben Howlett’s five goals, Redden and Rockliff, Devon Smith, Libba yet again, Zac Clarke’s marking, Dustin Fletcher, Boak after injury, Hanley’s pick-up, Kerridge on Gazza, Josh Thomas, Langdon and Seedsmen on the back flanks, Lynden Dunn again, Robbie Gray, the fortitude of Angus Litherland, all of the Swans, indigenous jumpers and, of course, the Michael Long.
DISLIKES
1. KNUCKLEHEADS. On a weekend where indigenous football was celebrated, there were two very public instances of racial abuse. It happened in Ballarat. And it happened to Cyril Rioli and mates online. I know I keep asking, but what goes through the mind of people to think their actions are anywhere near acceptable. As for Che Cockatoo-Collins’ boy, who has given up football because he was abused by an umpire, well, there are no words. #nameandshame.
2. RICHMOND. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall when coach Damien Hardwick let loose in the post-match. Let’s guess what he said. Pathetic in the midfield contests, lack of responsibility to man up (Essendon took 125 uncontested marks), no bold running, who was on Watson, who was on Goddard, who the hell was on Zaharakis, who’s prepared to fight and who wants to play at this footy club. The players wanted to a more aggressive coach and it sounds like they got it. At least Hardwick took the hit as well. The buck stops with him, he said. Maybe he does a Paul Roos and move players to different positions because it ain’t working as it is.
3. CARLTON. Building or rebuilding? Tough to play against or is it too hot in the kitchen? Got beaten by a bunch of kids, a tenacious midfield and an old man in the goal square. Unlucky with umpires but you make your own luck in footy. Up by almost three goals in the final quarter and to then give it up is a team lacking resolve. It’s not the first time it’s been said about Carlton this year.
4. WAITE AND YARRAN. Again, the spotlight is on Jarrad Waite and it should be. He is a strange footballer, capable of ripping teams apart and just as capable of brain explosions. His 50m penalty didn’t lose the game, but it didn’t help. Same with Yarran. Perhaps the Lions players took a dive - Rockliff and Hanley - but the Blues pair shouldn’t have been given the opportunity to ping them. It was disappointing from Yarran because his past month has been terrific.
5. CONFUSION. Can’t wait for the MRP’s finding on Heath Hocking’s collision with Ben Lennon. Similar to the recent hits - Hannebery on Hurley and Cooney on Ablett - this looked like two players going for the ball, with both players having hands either on the ball or trying to get the ball. Wonder if Hocking’s reputation as being a hard-at-it player will go against him?
6. STEELE SIDEBOTTOM. No such confusion with the Collingwood midfielder. Came in off the wing, jumped, bang, crash and Maverick Weller is concussed and out of the game. Sidebottom is not dirty player, but he will go. Reckless, high contact, and there will be discussion if it’s high impact or medium. Because Weller was forced from the game, am expecting high impact. Three weeks?
7. WESTERN BULLDOGS. They seem to be a Tackle dislike every week and no apologies there. Yet again won the contested ball (152-139) and drew the tackles (74), but fell down in the forward line. Ball movement was much improved and 67 inside 50s to Fremantle’s 41 tells us they controlled the midfield. They couldn’t score for two reasons: They don’t have the talent, and the Dockers swamped the defence and simply won back the ball and attacked. When the Dogs find a functioning forward line, we probably have a finals side.
8. WEST COAST. Hands up who tipped the Eagles at home? Poor decision. Was sucked in by their competitive performance against Collingwood the week before and once again was badly let down. Flat track bullies - they have beaten GWS, Melbourne, St Kilda and the Bulldogs - their much-vaunted forward line is an issue. Is it ball movement going in? Or is it personnel inside 50m? This from Josh Kay on Twitter: “Scores under 45 points for @WestCoastEagles at Subiaco: 0 - first 273 games there. 3 - past eight games there. Major issues.
9. GOAL-KICKING. With Paul Roos’ assessment, this was a game Melbourne should’ve won. Ran out of legs late, but when the game was to be won in the first 15 minutes of the final quarter, Melbourne kicked points and not goals. They controlled the midfield, found space and legs on the wings and half-back, but were not good enough to put Port Adelaide on the ropes. A sorry 1.4 to 4.2 in the final term killed them.
10. ONE DIRECTION. The Saints are in a pickle and it’s not Nick Riewoldt’s fault. Mostly every time the Saints surge forward they go to their skipper, no matter if he has one opponent or three. The Saints are predictable. They need other players to demand the ball and demand their teammates’ attention. Rhys Stanley for one. He was solid in the opening month and a half, but has fallen away badly. The time has come, actually the time was last year, when Stanley has to find consistency.
BEST TWEETS
@warrhead3: Like: Singing the lions song at the Gabba after our first win in Australia in 2014. Dislike: Everyone will focus on Carlton
@BoyceTim: Like - the return of the big forward this week. Tex, buddy, Kurt, Cloke. Plus ‘95 SofOrigin on Footy Flashbacks.
@LukeDanello: dislikes: Ben Howlett missing the medal last night. How??
@TFoenander: Dislike the ludicrous ‘holding the ball’ decision against Whitfield when game was on the line. He bent down to pick it up!
@aidanpauna : Like: Swans. 110 point demolition of likely top 4 side. Tippett and Buddy working well together. Critics gone very quiet...
@JacquiAReed: like: Dustin Fletcher. Still killing it
@ThePaineTrain07: Like: Big Tex. Dislike: The ‘hero’ who racially abused Cyril on Instagram, then ‘bravely’ deleted his account. #moron
@killamanilla87: dislike: yarran’s mark not being paid either as a mark or a free. Baffling non-decision.
@MattWebberWrite: Dislike: expected more from Suns. Effort unquestionable, but it was a statement game given what follows. Fell short.
@The_woodsmen: like- fight deserving of the names giants and demons dislikes- fight not deserving of the name tigers
@stevosmith9: L: usual cellar dwellers having a red hot crack. D: Cotchin’s constant poor disposal, butchers the ball way too often
@Mitchells_FP: Like: Footy in Alice. Dislike: Alex Rance’s turnover to Howlett...
@fitzroyguerilla: Like: T.Rockliff stamping himself as one of best players in the league Dislike: Lack of media recognition for T.Rockliff!
@FeathertopDT: d: Waite and Yarran giving 50 away. Lions players fell like princesses but it was still ill disciplined. Woeful performance
@andrewwburton: Like: Stephen Hill, having a great year with little recognition. If he played for Hawks he’d be raved about...
@scott_thompson1: if Ballantyne gets anything from the #MRP on the accidental trip today I’m seriously giving up the game.
@EytanEpstein: like: full round of footy again. D: tigers effort. Again
@heavehojo: Like: The Giants for standing up & restoring some pride. Dislike: The Tigers, for not.
@dingoderek: Likes Brisbane never say die attitude. Dislikes. Dermie saying Brown should retire.still too good for Blues!!
@gohorsie: dislike, J Waite, spoiled brat, selfish, back to the seconds, goodbye.
@bomberliam: Benny Howletts game, if his name was Swan, Judd, Rioli, the media would be wetting their pants with excitement
@HBNadolny: @Robbo_heraldsun like: Travis Boak. Rolls his ankle in the opening moments and finishes as BOG. A true captain
@kdipietro0: brutal honesty of dimma in post game PC, hard truths always hurt & needed to be said after such a dismal game
@cmanifis: likes the KGB are back. Kurt Goodes and Buddy !!!!
@Richardsgere17: dislike - Chris yarran plays football for himself
@Rommas86: Like - KB calling Ed a gherkin in the Press Red for Kev promo, I still chuckle about it
@raymondnassif: like: Andrew Ireland standing up for club. Dislike: Ignorance towards lesser known but equally important Swans players.
@eric_domenico: Maxwell was praised by some re fasolo incident last week, what if Jack Riewoldt had done the same thing? Same response?
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