The Tackle: Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson nominates his AFL Round 23 Likes and Dislikes
MARK ROBINSON liked Joel Selwood’s game against Brisbane, but didn’t like Western Bulldogs’ finish to 2014. RE-CAP ROBBO’S LIVE CHAT
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HERALD Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson nominates his likes and dislikes following the final home and away round of the 2014 AFL season.
LIKES
1. Richmond. Alex Rance aside, the Tigers were spine-tingling. Kicked 5.3 to 2.1 in the first quarter and hung on for dear life. The beauty wasn’t the victory alone, it was victory after being headed by Sydney in the final quarter. The Tigers did not die. There were hundreds of moments. Ellis’ tackle, Chaplin’s mark, Griffiths’ mark, Jack’s goals, Maric in the ruck, Deledio everywhere and even Jake Batchelor’s cool head at the end. On behalf of most footy fans: thank you Richmond, for the wild ride — thus far.
2. The Brownlow Medal. Round 23, Geelong v Brisbane. Geelong, M. Duncan, one vote. Geelong, T. Hawkins, two votes. Geelong … … J … … Selwood, three votes. If it plays out like that then Selwood probably has the Brownlow. Only probably, because the market is wide open. Has Gazza done enough? Did Gray get noticed? And Heppell? What about Josh Kennedy from Sydney? Selwood had a lean patch just about the time of the first bye, but excelled at the start and at the end of the season. My money’s on him at 3s.
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3. Jimmy Bartel. You reckon he played angry after being called a diver? You betcha. Had 28 touches and 11 contested, which was his best return since Round 15 against the Bombers. Did he dive? Probably. Was it more pronounced than Adam Goodes? Certainly not. Just great to have him in good nick a week before the finals.
4. Dom Tyson. Deserves apologies. Came to the Demons via the trade market and straight away his worth was questioned because of the undoubted skill of Josh Kelly, who the Demons passed up. Wouldn’t be surprised if Tyson won the club’s Best and Fairest. Averaged 24 disposals in a team which won four games. He’ll be a 10-year player. Now, to find another six of him.
5. Lachie Neale. When you don’t trade or the trades go awry, the improvement has to come from within. The Fremantle utility — for those too young that means a player who plays in a variety of positions — is one of the most improved players in the competition. In a high-stakes game, he arguably was best afield. He had 34 disposals and a game-high 17 contested possessions, five tackles and six clearances. And he’s just 21.
6. Kayne Turner. First raised eyebrows when coach Brad Scott mentioned Glenn Archer in the same sentence as Kayne Turner. In three games, he’s had more tackles (12) than handballs (11) and will be difficult to leave out of the final against Essendon. The possessions will eventually come, but at the moment he supplies attitude. Does North Melbourne need an 18-possession player who will play a role? Or an 18-year-old kid who will tackle a brick wall? Much prefer the latter. And did Archer ever kick four goals?
7. Move of the season. Last year, it was Jarrad McVeigh from midfield to half-back and an All-Australian was made. There are several this season. Brisbane’s Stefan Martin to the ruck (which was obvious after Matthew Leuenberger went down) has been a blinder, Michael Hurley back, Ben McGlynn to the midfield, Jack Frost to defence, Brodie Smith to a back flank and Dustin Martin forward one-on-one in the fourth quarters. Martin did it again on Saturday night, the third time this season he has won the game for the Tigers.
8. Loyalty. Jimmy Gwilt and Clint Jones were told they would be delisted on Tuesday. They didn’t say a word and didn’t get a public farewell. Why? Because they didn’t want to rain on Lenny Hayes’ long-running parade. Gwilt and Jones were popular players, were critically important in St Kilda’s Grand Final runs and got everything out of their talent. Saints fans will now also remember them as selfless Saints, if they didn’t know already. Time flies. Can remember the draft of ‘04 when Gwilt was picked from Noble Park. Nobody had heard of him. Ten years later, he leaves with his head held high.
9. The Rising Star. Arguably it’s between two players, Marcus Bontempelli and Lewis Taylor. Both have been exceptional in their first seasons, but I’m in Bontempelli’s corner. Their average stats are similar, Taylor played 22 games and Bontempelli 16, yet Bontempelli’s season is flagged with game-changing moments. It’s virtually impossible to separate a high half-forward (Taylor) with a player who’s played midfield and centre half-forward (Bontempelli).
10. Josh Gibson. The All Australian defenders are listed below, and although Gibson is probably the best pound-for-pound key defender in the competition, he will miss selection. Injury does that to aspirations. What a revolutionary defender he has been, though. He can be shaky one-on-one against the gorillas, but he’s the best third-man up of all of them. And he rebounds as good as Birchall and Malceski. He had 36 disposals and 11 marks on Friday night and goes into the finals series as important as any player in the remaining eight teams.
Honourable mentions: McCarthy’s first kick and goal, Brock McLean puts his hand up for another contract, Patrick Ryder, Jordan Lewis again, Ballantyne and Walters, Gray for the Brownlow, Tom Mitchell’s 13 tackles, Zac O’Brien, Josh Kennedy’s eight goals, Shuey/Masten/Gaff again, Jack Martin’s a jet, Eddie Betts, Rory Sloane, Sam Fisher gets another contract, Devon Smith, Ryan Griffin’s a star, so will be Hoskin-Elliott and, for the last time, Lenny Hayes.
DISLIKES
1. Western Bulldogs. Lauded in 2013 for winning four of their final six games, which offered a positive projection, the Bulldogs this year slumped to winning one game from their final six. The dark clouds will linger over the Whitten Oval for six months. Their past four years have yielded seven wins, eight wins, five wins and nine wins. They won fewer games than last year and the rebuild continues. They are coming and going. Yesterday, against a young, injury-riddled GWS, they were sent packing. Very disappointing day, despite having several opportunities to win the game.
2. Goodesy. What are you doing, man? Acting has become a national talking point and although Goodes felt contact to the face, the way he through his arms in the air and slowly collapsed to the ground was reminiscent of the cover shot for the movie, Platoon. Last time it happened, it was joked that his teammates brought a scuba helmet for him to training. This time, they should buy him a scuba franchise. Come on AFL, exercise your powers and fine him for staging.
3. Warnie’s reaction. He’s allowed his opinion on Twitter. And most would agree, Goodesy acted. But to then have a crack at him for being the Australian of the Year lacked class. Goodes was restrained in his response when he could’ve gone for the jugular and said something like: “Hey, Warnie, I might dive but I didn’t get suspended from the national team for taking a banned drug.”
4. Incorrect disposal. When did the rules change in regards to kicking the ball while being tackled? That was a crazy decision on Friday night. Josh Thomas was tackled by Grant Birchall, Thomas got a foot to the ball, which moved it several metres, yet the umpire pays holding the ball or incorrect disposal. It was blatantly wrong. How many times in your life have heard or said: “He got a foot to the ball”? All for rewarding the tackler, but that was ridiculous and resulted in goal to the Hawks.
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5. Not thinking. Two minutes to play and Carlton blew three opportunities to win. First, Bryce Gibbs ran to close to the man on the mark and had to lift the ball, which lost distance. Second, Matthew Watson, in front of the pack, tried to mark the ball and not fist it over his head. Third, and clearly the worst, Cameron Wood didn’t rush the ball for a behind. In fact, he carried it away from the goal line when he could’ve easily ran it through. Yes, it was a hostile environment but it was a remarkable lack of awareness.
6. The cow paddock. The AFL Players’ Association says it’s cool because they did not get a complaint from the players from either Richmond or Sydney. So what? And so what if the ground is passed fit for play? It’s not up to standard. The AFL’s problem is that every other ground used in the competition is near enough glorious and ANZ Stadium is near-enough a bog hole. The simple fact is the AFL does not have the power to fix it because it’s a league stadium.
7. All-Australian selection. Every season a player misses and all hell breaks loose. Suspect it will be the positions of the tall defenders which will have the selectors in a quandary. Four stand out or, at least, seem to be in the discussion: Alex Rance, Eric McKenzie, Daniel Talia and Cale Hooker. Talia is a lock, I will argue Rance over the other two, and if the selectors opt for a three talls, the final position should come from McKenzie or Hooker. At a pinch, probably Hooker.
8. Brad Ebert’s form. Watch him play at his best and he’s as good a runner and user in the AFL. Watch him other times and you think he has to be carrying an injury. Finals will determine Ebert’s season. Look at his possession numbers since his 40 against Sydney in Sydney. He’s gone 21, 23, 21, 16, 24, 24, 27, 13, 13 and 24 against Fremantle. They are OK numbers, but far from elite. If Port is to damage, he has to lift.
9. Stringer’s teammates. Jake dropped the mark with the game in his hands and after Devon Smith kicked the winner and the siren sounded, Stringer wanted to curl up and die. He lay on the ground with his head in his hands, before being helped to his feet by Heath Shaw. Nice gesture, Heath. But where were Stringer’s teammates? The little things count, too.
10. Being wrong. The comfort is not being alone. In June, The Tackle included this Tweet: “Dislike: Dimma wanting a few meaningless wins and refusing to play young players. 2014 is gone, plan for 2015!” I should’ve added: “’unless you win nine a row”. Well played, Tigers. Well played, @Sonny, for dredging it.
BEST TWEETS
@godemons27: Like the way Roosy said defiantly that EVERY player on the Dees list is tradable #timeforaction
@DarrianTraynor: change the name from the tackle to the Lenny. After all he holds the record now.
@BFoletta72: Hosken-Elliott absolute gun enough said
@JaydenMannix: Like: Alex Rance. Dislike: Goodes staging
@REALCampoCC: Like: Richmond shutting critics up, Martin & Leuenberger working well together. Dislike: Goodesy staging again.
@sb1193: Like the tigers making finals for 4th time in my life, dislike the 10 years take off my life in last 10min of swans vs tigs
@johann_jonsson: Goodesy in danger of damaging one of the greatest reputations the game has seen.
@leigheustace: Likes: Hayes and Ball bow out with 20 tackles between them #warriors and the guards of honour for retirees, oh so poignant
@matt_laing: like Eddie betts give to the truck... Dislike: reminiscing on losses that got away.
@JimmyDontDance: Like Josh Caddy. Could be the Cats finals wildcard.
@sos_andrew: Liked/Loved watching Richo ride the emotions of the Tigers/Swans thriller. Always man to wear his heart on his sleeve.
@JudithMcCarth18: Dislike 2014 over, no more Saints, no more Lenny, no more concerns about footy.
@jarrodquirk14: LIKE - that its september DISLIKE - Geelong offering Frawley 5 years at 500k a year. Outrageous
@MikeySchofield: Dislike -hate that at the end of the game, the camera pans to the crowd, we want to see the players interacting at the end!
@Vergops: like GWS without so many key players - dislike the doggies, going backwards
@mickobrien83: L: The Martin/Luey ruck combo for BNE.... looks a winner D: So many greats retiring this year...typified by this weekend!!
@_Willo_: like: Josh Caddy and Mitch Duncans form dislikes: saying goodbye to great players as the season finishes
@TomainoMads: love that a 360 family member (Lewis) is a chance for the brownlow dislike dead rubbers
@balmemat: Like: The Tigers! Who doesn’t! Dislike: Mum not letting me go to Adelaide, reckons YR 12 study is more important #turnitup
@jazzeejools: dislike: Geelong home crowd, every time I go down to watch my Cats, dead quiet, bit over no atmosphere #lookingforcauldron
@mcgrath3064: im a massive swans supporter and love goodes but that dive was horrible!
@Callaway_Matty: Eagles did not beat one team in the top 8 & were so close to playing finals, just proves how soft their draw was...
@Elmi_R09: NM quietly going about there business leading into the finals. Four on the trot.
@tiger4lyf: like: fairytales do exist
Originally published as The Tackle: Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson nominates his AFL Round 23 Likes and Dislikes
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