Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson reveals likes and dislikes from Week 1 Finals
HERALD Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson reveals his likes and dislikes from every game in Week 1 of the AFL Finals.
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HERALD Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson reveals his likes and dislikes from every game in Week 1 of the AFL Finals.
PORT ADELAIDE v RICHMOND
LIKES
1. Hamish Hartlett. Team performances wins finals, individual moments reflect the team’s mindset. The game was already won when Hartlett won a 50-50 in the forward line in the second quarter, winning the ball, dishing it to Westhoff who gave it to Schulz who sent the crowd into a frenzy. It might’ve been the biggest roar of the day.
2. Angus Monfries. Other players were better, such as Boak, Gray, Wines and Jonas, but Monfries in form gives Port a different dimension forward of centre. He’s a mark and lead player and a player smart enough to double back towards goal, he effectively can be a second marking forward. Had 18 touches, eight marks and kicked two goals in a perfect high half-forward’s role.
3. The skipper. Are we getting close to discussing Travis Boak in the same breath as Joel Selwood? Both have an appetite for the contest, both kick goals — 24 to Selwood, 18 to Boak — both are humble, set the example and are adored by their teammates. Boak was probably best afield on Sunday: 34 disposals, a game-high 16 contested disposals, a game-high 12 clearances and five inside-50s. And it’s not just about numbers. Their manner sets the tone and Boak was on from the start.
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4. Tom Jonas. Dare you to pick him out of a police line-up if you’re not a Port fan. He plays half-back, was allowed to play loose for a time as the Tigers clogged the middle and Jonas played the role perfectly. Career-high 12 marks, one off a career-high 22 possessions. By the way, Tim Jonas was a test. His name is Tom and he’s going to be a ripper player.
DISLIKES
1. The back group. Not a day to collectively go lame, but three of Richmond’s back six had poor ones. Jake Bachelor had duck eggs at half-time, duck eggs in a game where the ball was mostly inside their defensive half of the game. Morris didn’t have those Morris moments, the fierce tackling/pressure moments, and Troy Chaplin seemed lost in the occasion. Booed every time he touched the ball, which was nine times, and cheered three times for his three clangers including one when he fell over in the first quarter to allow Wines. He was tried forward as well, which didn’t work, culminating in him playing his worst game in the last 10.
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2. Not all their fault, though. The numbers suggest it was close, but Port ran harder — in numbers — and used the ball far better. The Tigers tried to clog the game midway through the first quarter, pushing four forwards up the ground, and still they couldn’t stop Port kicking 14 first-half goals as defenders were continually sucked to the contest. What was going on between the arcs? There had to be, at times, 28 players near the ball and yet Port were able to stream forward.
3. The future of some. Finals uncover cracks and cracks become players. Hardwick will allow youth to feed off the experience, but he will have some concerns for Grigg (20 disposals, five contested), Foley (11 disposals), Newman (14 disposals), and Edwards just 11 disposals. He’s had a solid back end Edwards, but failed yesterday. Hardwick’s problem is deciding who to put a line through after yesterday. Am worried for Grigg and Foley to be honest.
4. Blaming Cotch. Mindset won this game, not the wind, and anyway Port kicked eight goals with it and six against it. On the ground itself, it appeared swirly and slightly favouring the city end. Let’s be honest, the wind didn’t help Port forwards find space in the first quarter.
NORTH MELBOURNE V ESSENDON
LIKES
1. The future. Ben Brown in the third quarter and Joe Daniher throughout the night. Brown was the instigator which says plenty about his character. It’s not so much winning the ball, it’s kicking the goal when you’re five goals down and Brown nailed three in that third quarter. Without him, the Kangas were out of there. Up the other end, Daniher staked his flag as a future star. He needs to work on the marking, the upper body needs muscle, but his agility is uncanny.
2. Drew Petrie. Whatever happens now, Petrie knows he won a final for his beloved Kangaroos. So-so night culminated with the game looking for a hero at the end. He kicked two in a minute to ice the game. Everyone loved the second one, the banana from 40m, but it was the first, the pick-up from the ankles, turn and execute which underlined Petrie’s ability. It was the type of goal that once was kicked by the King himself.
3. Sam Wright. If you had to watch the game again and pick one moment which changed the feel of the match, it’s a fair bet you will go with Sam Wright. It came in the third quarter and the Bombers still had control. The ball came into the Essendon half-forward, where it was two against one. Goddard let it go, and Watson (I think) hesitated, allowing Wright to come through, mark, play on and the Kangas kicked the goal. I’d have Wright best after ... Cunnington, Greenwood, Brown, Wells, Thompson. Yep, that’s Wright.
4. Ryder on the ... style. The celebration after Patrick Ryder kicked around the body and goaled from 45m was the moment when Bombers fans asked themselves: How can you leave now, Paddy? It wasn’t matchwinning, but it was defining in realising how much the Bombers mean to the ruckman. He has to make a decision. The Bombers think he will stay, but they are not 100 per cent. As we’ve said before, this is a decision for Mr and Mrs Ryder, not just Mr Ryder alone.
DISLIKES
1. The 30-point rule. It was said as almost fact that when a team was ahead by more than five goals the game was over. The Bombers kicked that theory out the door this season. They won and lost in leading and chasing that margin. It happened again on Saturday night. ASADA is not mentioned when the Bombers win, so not going to use that as excuse because they lost. They play burst football, which is great to watch, but in reality it lacks substance, no pun warranted. Simply, when the Kangas regrouped and took on the game, the Bombers gave it up.
2. Brent Stanton. What a quandary the club has with this bloke. If Saturday night was the first time he was disappointing in a big game, he could be forgiven. But it’s not. Had 19 touches, a solid six tackles, four clangers and just 47 ranking points. Seemed heavy in the legs and light on for the fight. When Todd Goldstein ran past him in the third quarter in a chase for the ball, the desperation clearly was not there. What are they going to do with him? He flat tracks when free and goes missing when tagged. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s now on the “tradeable’’ list, although takers might be few.
3. Bad coaching. Thought Mark Thompson’s decision to go with Gleeson over Dempsey was wrong. He’d argue the team was up by six goals with Gleeson on the ground in the third term. I’d argue he should’ve been activated early in the third and not late. Did it matter in the end? Probably not. Ticker won it for the Kangaroos.
4. Sliding rule. The Kangaroos were stiffed twice. Levi Greenwood was reported when he could’ve got the free kick and, at the death, Essendon’s Michael Hibberd won a free after he dove on the ball and into the legs of a North Melbourne opponent. If North had lost, I suspect Brad Scott would’ve gone bananas. Then again, if he did go bananas, everyone would have said, suck it up princess, your team lost, move on. Can’t win, coaches.
SYDNEY V FREMANTLE
LIKES
1. Buddy Time. Game in the balance and the big fella slots one home from 75m and another from the pocket. His opponent Alex Silvagni was quite remarkable outside of that two minutes of razzle-dazzle from Franklin. He had 18 possessions and kicked three goals, and that’s a win for Silvagni considering Franklin’s talent. Silvagni had eight touches and eight tackles, some of which stopped his rampaging opponent in his stride. Still, Buddy was the difference.
2. Winning match-ups. And the Swans definitely had one, arguably two with Smith on Ballanytne and perhaps three if you reckon Rampe on Walters for 30-odd minutes was critical. Clearly the most important was Cunningham on Stephen Hill. The Dockers trio collected 35 disposals and one goal, with Ballantyne having seven possessions, five of which were clangers, no goals and, as it turns out, a busted jaw. “I thought Ballantyne and Walters looked dangerous all day,’’ coach Ross Lyon said. Looked dangerous is different to being dangerous. Cunningham was the wildcard. He’s a role-playing mid, probably ranked about ninth in Sydney’s midfield, yet kept Hill to 16 disposals. It was a mighty first final.
3. Good coaching. Ibbotson played the third man and thwarted Franklin so coach John Longmire moved Franklin to the wing and made Ibbotson ineffective. It took only two minutes for it to work and the Swans were into the home preliminary final.
4. Don’t say Parker, don’t say Parker. OK, I won’t, I’ll go with K Jack. Perfect for him: tight, tense, win your own ball and Jack finished with 21; nine tackles, four clearances. Kennedy had better numbers. So did Parker. So did Hannebery. Together, all four of them make up the best midfield in the competition. If you threw the ball in the middle and said fight to the end, who would you go with as the winner? Reckon Parker and Jack would die with both their arms wrapped around the ball.
DISLIKES
1. Beaten midfield. Ross Lyon was right, his mids allowed Sydney the ascendancy in the first half and if not for a stoic Dockers defence, the difference would’ve been six goals. They improved after half-time but it’s too difficult playing catch-up hoping the opposition doesn’t kick goals. Hill hurt, Crowley couldn’t stop anyone and Pearce had to be subbed. That’s zip-three out of 18 positions and that can’t win you games.
2. The kid. Matt Taberner has shown he will be a player, but he also showed he will make mistakes on the way through. The dropped mark in the goal-square in the third quarter was one of those make or break moments where momentum can play a huge role. The kid missed it, Lyon shook his head, the Swans drew breath and that was the end of that.
3. Someone yelled out contact, and the bloke behind me swore. So sang Redgum in their Vietnam War classic, I Was Only 19, and it seems to have repeated itself at ANZ Stadium. Ross Lyon was touched, we know that because we saw it on the footage. But we didn’t see Lyon grab the fan by the throat, as alleged, and who knows about the language. The fact is, Lyon should not be in that position, nor should Lyon have responded by grabbing the fan — if that’s true. It’s a misdemeanour and high pressure moment. Move on.
4. Goodes booing. It was faint, but it was there and it’s a disgrace. Might be wrong, and I hope I am, but feel it’s more about him being Australian of the Year than it is for him being an actor.
HAWTHORN V GEELONG
LIKES
1. Hill and Smith. Wish I had more courage in picking my All Australian team and instead of going with midfielders on the wing, I should’ve gone with wingmen on the wing. I should’ve gone with Isaac Smith as one of them. The pair are the best wing combo in the game, supplying both speed and endurance and together they helped chop the Cats. They had 54 disposals, 12 inside 50s, and 14 marks. With Mitchell in the middle, it was the equivalent of the famed Richmond centre line of Bourke, Barrot and Clay.
2. Mitchell and Selwood. One is inspiring (Selwood), the other is clinical, and both are superstar exponents of the game. Not going to talk about Selwood — am Selwood-ed out — but Mitchell was outstanding. What a calming presence he is amid the clamour of a game of footy. Is he the most underrated superstar of the past 10 years?
3. Talk about underrated. Liam Shiels arguably is the most underrated player in the AFL. Has replaced Sewell in the middle and abandoned the run-with role last year and goes out every week and knocks out possessions and tackles. On Friday night, it was 27 and 10. Last year he laid 54 tackles in 17 games. This year it’s 116 in 19 games. He is Hawthorn’s silent assassin in the middle.
DISLIKES
1. Tommy’s dropped marks. It might’ve been the difference, who knows, but coaches and players talk about momentum every week. Hawkins dropped two marks inside 10 minutes and he never really got another chance against Brian Lake. Maybe next time.
2. Hurt Cats. They are wounded, they may face MRP scrutiny. In order, it’s Stevie Johnson, Motlop, Christensen and Hawkins, the latter in the MRP sights. The jumper punch seems to worry me more than it did on Friday night, but his good record might save him. As for the others, we’ll have to wait and see. But if they go in with too many sore bodies, they are inviting trouble.
3. Are we delusional or are the Cats delusional? Admire Geelong’s self belief and confidence, but don’t share it as much as they do. They’ve been smashed twice by the Hawks in their second halves in recent weeks and still the Cats argue that with a little tinkering, a little improvement, the premiership can be won. I disagree, for whatever that’s worth.
BEST TWEETS
@leigheustace: Like: an Ebert, donned in prison bars, on Adelaide Oval, part of a dominant Port Adelaide side in September #parforcourse
@KRUDLER62: Richmond skippa won the flippa. Decided to kick against the breeze and Port won with eeze.
@Lacticacid11: likes 3 out of 4 competitive finals games week 1 — dislikes no more Bomber press conferences
@happyoldgrump: Like- Hamish Hartlett’s commitment to the contest that created one of the best team goals of the year.
@warrhead3: like: the ambition of the lions in going at 2 genuine A graders. Dislike: H Lumbumba pursuing the Noble Goose Prize
@mikeloose19: dislike C. Scott refusing to admit Hawks played better. Suggesting he’d love to play them in the GF. #missionunaccomplised
@JPK_III: Like: Nick Smith. Dislike: He’s a defender and thus never a chance of winning the Brownlow.
@A_HowieHoward: AFL Finals, footy at its absolute best Dislike: Rance and Cotchin cracking the says at being beaten by a better team
@OwenLangley19: like Luke Parker’s effort vs fremantle. Dislike: Ross Lyon saga and Alex rance tantrum in the last quarter vs port
@GOODO71: Two words — GOOD BRIAN
@stonedemon: like: the fact Mitch Clark might return to football; dislike: the fact he probably will not play for Melbourne
@J0ffA: L: Luke Parker so damn good. Buddy — freak! Hill & Smith’s gut running. Boak! D: ANZ over SCG, Jersey fiasco.
@Leasey94: like- Ben Brown arriving on the big stage. Dislike- Richmond failing on the big stage twice in a row #dreamover
@kazstar99: likes: the Hawks getting it done, Buddy being Buddy, Kanga’s & Port power dislikes: non performing Tigers & end of Bomber T
@Matthew_Dower: Surely Daniel Wells is a like. Has missed majority of the year but turned it on in a cut throat match
@andrewwburton: Like: Pav’s record in finals, champ. Dislike: Freo not playing Crowley on Parker
@mickobrien83: Like: All the dads out there who have contributed and sacrificed so much for the players to help them realise their dreams!
@paulfring: likes big game players Selwood, Mitchell, Franklin, Boak, Heppell. Dislikes Richmond not firing a shot.
@PaulSCousins: Dislike Bomber refusing to man up North’s loose behind footy in the 15 minutes that changed the game.
@Bootz79: like; ziebell attack at the ball dislike; greenwood report which should of been his free kick
@GeorgiaLove71: L: Many great stories from North’s brilliant win, narrowing it down to four — Greenwood, Petrie, Wells & Brown
@SDJungy: Geelong loss to Hawks will have severe ramifications. Kangas match up well. Cats out in straight sets.
@Mitcho1992: dislikes essendon giving up another 30pt lead. and brent stanton where is he at surely career is at the crossroads
@smiffys4: Jake Neade, what a little legend. And Chad Wingard for mark of the day x 2
Originally published as Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson reveals likes and dislikes from Week 1 Finals
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