Mark Robinson’s Round 23 likes and dislikes, including Hawthorn, Brendon Goddard and Carlton
EDDIE McGuire has been strong about player behaviour on the field, be it bumping, scragging, elbowing or rubbing an opponent’s hair. So what was Magpie Levi Greenwood up to after he tackled Docker Brennan Cox? LIKES AND DISLIKES
Mark Robinson
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THE home-and-away season is over and the focus switches to finals.
So who takes the momentum into September? A Geelong team after back-to-back thrashings or the likes of Melbourne and Hawthorn on the back of tough wins.
FIXTURE: TIGERS, HAWKS BLOCKBUSTER KICKS OFF FINALS
GODDARD: MAYBE IT IS THE RIGHT TIME TO GO
FOCUS: LEWIS EMAIL SETS TEAMMATES STRAIGHT
Mark Robinson praises Brendon Goddard’s honesty and Jack Darling’s form in Round 23 but Carlton and St Kilda have a lot to ponder in the off-season and GWS must regroup quickly.
Check out all the likes and dislikes below and have your say in the comments.
WHAT I LIKE
1. CONFIDENCE OR FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY?
Geelong coach Chris Scott says his team has momentum after consecutive 100-point victories. And Hawks wingman Isaac Smith told 3AW: “I know we’re lower down the ladder this year, but we feel like we’re going in with more momentum and in better health and better form.” Who knows what will hold either the Cats or Hawk in good stead, easy victories or hard-fought wins? Finals guru Dermott Brereton doesn’t like the Cats’ build-up, yet Gary Ablett says his Cats win the flag. “You obviously have to peak at the right time,” he said. They’d want to because Melbourne will go in hardened, confident, with momentum and - it has to be noted - Geelong hasn’t owned September since 2012. The Cats are three wins and eight losses in finals in that time.
2. POWERFUL DEMONS
They beat West Coast on the road last weekend after being headed late in the game, and on Sunday dismantled GWS Giants at the MCG. Both were top-six teams. On Sunday they smashed the opposition in contested ball (138-111), which has been a strength of GWS, won the tackle count and possessions. Again, what is the ideal momentum — easy kills or tough hitouts? Both teams will be wary of each others’ strengths. If we have to highlight individuals, they would be best-afield on Saturday, Patrick Dangerfield, and best-afield on Sunday, Max Gawn. There will have to be stoppage strategies to combat Gawn’s hitout dominance and Dangerfield needs to be ganged up on. He needs to leave the field bruised and battered.
3. AL CLARKSON
Selected Nathan Buckley as the Coach of the Year in Saturday’s Herald Sun, and watched on Saturday night as Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson orchestrated victory after half-time. The key stat was contested ball. In the first half, Sydney was +9 and in second half, Hawthorn was +17, a turnaround of 26. Once again Clarkson was able to manipulate a game from the box, this time to give his team a top-four spot. He has never won the Coach of the Year award, which is ridiculous, but this could be the year. Both Clarkson and Buckley have teams in the top four, Buckley with a horrid injury list. But no one would deny Clarkson the honour. If he can knock over the Tigers in the first week of the finals, he can’t be denied.
4. WHAT WORKS AGAINST RICHMOND
The Western Bulldogs kept possession against the Tigers by a kick-mark, kick-mark strategy. It almost worked, though Damien Hardwick’s summation that it was a dead rubber for his team has merit. The Bulldogs took 131 marks on Saturday, the most conceded by Richmond this year. It follows 119 by St Kilda in Round 10, 111 by West Coast in Round 9, 106 by Adelaide in Round 2 and 105 by Collingwood in Round 6. West Coast and Adelaide defeated the Tigers, and in the other two they looked vulnerable at times.
5. JACK GRAHAM
September means pressure, and while Richmond coach Damien Hardwick would have loved Graham’s three goals in the first quarter on Saturday, it’s the pressure Graham brings that would most please the coach. Remember, Dimma once said he placed more emphasis on tackles than the goals in the forward 50m, which shows how much footy has changed. Graham averages 15 disposals, had kicked two goals before the Dogs’ game, and laid 98 tackles in 16 games. Most importantly, he averages 62 pressure points, which ranks him third in the AFL behind Essendon’s Devon Smith and Brisbane Lion Dayne Zorko.
6. JARED POLEC
He might be worth $700,000, and gets overs because North Melbourne has to pay overs to get him out of Port Adelaide but his projected salary isn’t completely out of this world. That said, Isaac Smith plays wing and is in All-Australian contention, but not sure Smith would be paid 700k. Anyhow, Polec is no mug. For his position, he averages 25 disposals (rated elite), 86 contested possessions (elite), 16.4 uncontested possessions (above average), 2.5 clearances (elite), 491 metres gained (elite), and 1.2 assists (elite). He might end up being the game’s second-highest paid wingman — behind potential teammate Andrew Gaff — but his numbers stack up.
7. GEORGE, MEET JOSH
George Hewett did another number on the opposition’s best player, this time keeping Tom Mitchell to 24 touches, though Mitchell was a strong contributor with nine tackles. This week the Swans meet GWS. And though Hewett won’t have the pace to keep up with Josh Kelly, he does have the mentality and discipline to be Sydney’s most capable player to subdue Kelly.
8. BRENDON GODDARD
Revealing column in the Sunday Herald Sun from Brendon Goddard and, as the days tick by, it looks like retirement will be the result. Taken at pick No.1, I can remember St Kilda coach Grant Thomas, in about 2005, defending Goddard against criticism as the youngster set about finding his feet — and a position — in the big league. Thomas was supremely confident in his player and he was right. In his first 61 games, Goddard averaged 67 ranking points. In his next 273 games, he averaged 104 points. That is elite consistency for 12 of his 16 seasons. Despite some heated moments on the field, he leaves with utmost respect.
9. ALL EYES ON JACK
Not Jack Riewoldt, but Jack Darling. Was held goalless in Round 21, knocked out in Round 22, and booted 4.3 on Sunday at the Gabba to signal his return to form. Darling is crucial to West Coast’s premiership campaign, and if he can be as consistent during the next month as he was through the first nine rounds, the Eagles will be very tough opposition. Darling in form and at home through the finals is a tantalising prospect.
WHAT I DON’T LIKE
1. CARLTON
The hierarchy has stood fat behind the coach in the face of some horror results this season. The 104-point loss on Saturday meant the Blues had their worst season since their two-win season in 1901, when just eight teams played in the competition. Coach Brendon Bolton needs time, but the question is how long. If the Blues have another season of, say, two or three wins, next year the noise will be deafening. The Blues have to improve their win-loss ratio in the fourth year of their rebuild. If they don’t, the board, which has asked for patience this year, won’t have so many sympathetic ears on its side.
2. CAN THEY BE MORE LIKE PATTY?
Carlton’s Patrick Cripps is cut from the finest and strongest oak. And if you had a dollar for every time a Carlton official this year has said they are looking for players to help him, you’d be carrying a lot of coin in the pocket. Cripps broke the record for most contested possessions in a season against Adelaide on Saturday. The list is Cripps (387), Patrick Dangerfield (385 in 2017), and a couple of Josh Kennedy seasons (368 in 2012 and 365 in 2013).
3. GIANT DISAPPOINTMENT
Didn’t cut it against Sydney in the final quarter last week and didn’t cut it against Melbourne after half-time on Sunday. Now they face the Swans again, this time at the SCG. Injuries have left them vulnerable at the toughest time of the season. That’s not an excuse, it’s reality and September deals with reality. The score of 57 points was the Giants’ second lowest of the season (they scored just 32 against Geelong in Round 7), and it looked like they couldn’t combat Melbourne’s toughness nor the MCG. Just four games in three years at MCG doesn’t help in that regard, as it doesn’t for all non-Victorian teams.
4. CAM McCARTHY
Fremantle’s continued pursuit of a key forward has to one day be successful because Cam McCarthy has been a bust. He makes too many mistakes with the ball, several of which handed the ball back to Collingwood on Saturday. He had 17 disposals and kicked a behind and had five score involvements on Saturday, but has kicked only 19 goals from 17 games this year. He is ranked below average for disposals (9.9), poor for contested possessions (3.9) and contested marks (0.5), below average for goals and average for forward 50m marks (1.6). They are not the numbers of a key forward target.
5. SELFISH SUNS
It was a walloping at Geelong, but that doesn’t excuse “me” football. In the third quarter, the talented Alex Sexton had three shots at goal when he had other options in at least two of those instances and didn’t kick the goal. Same with Aaron Young in the same quarter. While the players want to be selfish on the field, the club can’t be off it. In the next 48 hours they need to ask the intentions of skipper Steven May, are you going to commit long-term or do you want a trade? They were tough with Tommy Lynch after Nathan Buckley’s revelation and need to be the same with May.
6. FIX THE 50m
A joke of a decision against Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray on Friday night when he was led to the player with the ball. but was left stranded when his opponent, Essendon’s Adam Saad, darted to the right. It meant Gray was on the left and was penalised for being in the restricted area. It was smart by Saad, but unfair on Gray. Common sense has to prevail on the umpires, which has to be led by the AFL’s umpiring department.
7. TIME WASTER
Might be minor, but when the umpires are throwing the ball up quickly around the ground, surely we expect the same from the boundary umpires. The problem is, players have to give the boundary umpire the ball. In the Hawks-Swans game, Ben Stratton ran over the line with ball in hand, refused to drop it, and trotted 15 away with the ball before handing it to the boundary umpire. Why was he allowed to do that? The incident occurred in the Swans’ forward pocket, and all Stratton did was delay the game so his midfielders could set up at the stoppage and his defenders behind the ball. You’re not allowed to kick the ball away when it is a throw-in, so why are you allowed to run off with the ball?
8. RUBBING HEADS
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has been strong in recent weeks about player behaviour on the field, be it bumping, scragging, elbowing and rubbing an opponent’s hair. Collingwood player Levi Greenwood was hardly gracious when, with 20 seconds to play, he made a sensational tackle on Fremantle’s Brennan Cox 20m from goal. It was wonderful defensive running and application from Greenwood, and then he rubbed Cox’s hair to further humiliate him. Hardly gracious in victory.
9. SEASON OVER FOR SAINTS
It was horrid. Just four wins and a draw from 22 games and change is afoot. Not volcanic as some have predicted, but necessary after a season like that. The Saints have announced coach Alan Richardson will coach next year, but even Richardson knows a similar season to 2018 and his senior coaching career is over. It’s not beyond the Saints to bounce — they are up to their ears in recruiting mature players such as Dan Hannebery and Scott Lycett — but bounce they need to do.
BEST TWEETS
@thisishideous: I like the pm’s son Harry Morrison...
@ro88ie47: Dislike...channel 7 QLD not televising a Saturday night game into Qld. Only airing 3 free to air games on the weekend.
@camdporter: Like : flying from Perth to Melbourne to see a dees final for the first time in 12 years dislike : the red eye flight
@thecheese01: Likes: The emergence of Billy Gowers. Dislikes: The emergence of Billy Gowers when they play my mob
@Nate0809: Petracca is the Finals player to watch @Robbo_heraldsun and my man Worpel.
@Adrian9Johnson6: Likes: - Aaron Francis (12 contested possessions and #MOTY contender). - Jack Macrae (43 disposals and Brownlow medal roughie). - Jeremy McGovern (77 intercept marks - most-ever in a season)
@Stewy_tank: Brody Mihocek!! Stepped up when it counted on Saturday, could be a big surprise packet in September!!!
@JenLove01: James Harmes, outstanding last month of footy.
@willrc91: Melbourne are my smoky for premiers. To think that if not for their two missed opportunities against Geelong they’d be top 4. Their best is devastating, their worst is a reminder of the ‘Old’ Melbourne of the last 12yrs.
@leigheustace: Like: Angus Brayshaw, from concussion issues to the cusp of finals stardom, was awesome against the Giants and looks prime
@rcrispino: Likes: Clarkson’s year as a coach. Best yet in a magnificent career. Harry Morrison a steal at pick 74. Kenny Judge would be smiling from heaven for his godson
@BevanMoore14: Like. Eagles. Most picked them out of the 8 with some saying last. Top 2 showed them. Dislike. A season of terrible injuries. To many of our best players sitting on the sidelines.
@scottbrennan13: Like: North not bad for a team tipped to finish last. Dislike: Umpiring inconsistencies
@whmnn77: Robbo....just 1 like this week. B Goddard. About the 17min mark of Q3. Marks near centre, turns inside, hits a lace out 45m pass to AMT. Vintage perfection from an all-time great. And no dislikes.....lets not be negative. Bring on a massive September. And another Tiger flag.
@LindaFothergill: Likes: Jack Macrae, dislike: bandwagon hoping.
@Thompson_Dave: Like: When you loose you actually win. Swans fail to make top 4 but ultimately could have the perfect draw (for the Swans)
@jams_thoms: Likes: Melbourne are a finals contender with a Brownlow fancy (or two). It’s been a long tough run for them to here. Dislikes: Bombers dumping BJ while he’s still got a heap to contribute. Stood by the club through its supplements saga and then dumped.
@AndrewR94994450: Likes. The dignity and respect given to retired players who have given our game so much. Dislike injuries that potentially put a line through finals opportunities for those that deserve it.
@njsilk: Dislike: tigers vs Hawks on a thursday night. Putrid
@LikeMySport: Like: the genuine concern for an opposition player that Willie Rioli displayed. Looking forward to finals. Dislike: Still inconsistencies with what is considered prior opportunity.
@DavidGleeson14: Likes : Pies season, good result considering all the challenges that have occurred throughout the year. Dislikes: Bombers- everyone talking them up for having a great year, remind me didn’t they make the finals last year and got 3 top up players to go top 4
@dingoderek: Likes - Chris Fagan. Dislikes - People that take a pop at Dayne Zorko
@jachuddo1974: Hawks and tiges on a Thursday night a huge dislike..what about the country supporters of both clubs..
@trishgagliardi: Dislike the Richmond v Hawthorn final on a Thursday night
@brades29: Like Top 3 on the ladder are coached by blokes that the media wanted sacked over the last couple of years.
@paul_plenaghan: Dislike: Swans beat Collingwood - Swans no good, Collingwood amazing, so close with 2 injured players. Swans beat GWS - Swans no good, GWS amazing when injured players return. Swans lose 2 stars before game, plus 1 during game, just lose - HAWTHORN ARE AMAZING!!
@liamfraser15: Dislike: AFL well and truly buggering up finals fixtures
@Adrianwolfpac: Like harry Morrison, brayshaw and backing all 9 winners to win a multi bet dislike no footy this weekend
@simmo_melb89: Thursday night finals should really be in the smaller cities (if they have to be a thing at all). Traffic & transport will be chaos that night in Melbourne. Also it’s a shit time for families & kids who have school the next day etc.
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Originally published as Mark Robinson’s Round 23 likes and dislikes, including Hawthorn, Brendon Goddard and Carlton
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