Ask Robbo: Mark Robinson answers your burning football questions

As footy edges closer, the crystal balls are coming out to predict what will happen in this weird and wonderful season. Mark Robinson has forecasted who will make up the bottom six, and it’s bad news for two Victorian clubs.

Tom Mitchell in action in Round 1.

The finish line is in sight. We are less than two weeks away from footy returning.

And as we get closer to Round 2, the news continues to come in.

Some of the biggest stories this week included:

– The debate around shorter quarters and how long they will be in the game.

– How many players will be on the interchange bench in 2020.

– The prospect of the Cox Plate and Grand Final being played on the same day.

Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson answers your burning footy questions.

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Dustin Martin celebrates last year’s premiership win. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Joe: If Richmond wins the grand final this year will they get compared to the best teams of the modern era?

Robbo: Come on, Joe, you know the answer to that question. If they win, it will be three flags in four years, which puts them on par with the Carlton team which won in 1979, 1981 and 1982. The Blues were beaten by Collingwood in the semi-finals in 1980 under coach Percy Jones, who was then sacked for David Parkin. A Tigers flag would rank them with Hawthorn (premiers 2013-15) and Brisbane (premiers 2001-03) and if I had to choose the best team of those four, I would choose Brisbane.

Greg: I heard you supporting the AFL in relation to rule changes it has implemented in recent years. I would suggest they have not studied the consequences of some of these rule changes. Rule changes on the run? One example, the 2nd ruckman contesting a boundary throw in. A ground player was hit in the back of the head by a misguided throw in. Was it a free kick to the opposition? Something the AFL hadn’t considered!

Robbo: Come on, Greg, you’re clutching there mate. Can remember a player being bopped on the head at a boundary throw-in, but it hardly warranted a pile-on on the AFL. My point was coaches have manipulated the game and the AFL, quite rightly, has introduced rules to try to make Australian rules a more pleasant sport to watch. Mauls, rolling packs and 70m bubbles is not traditional Australian rules.

Sid: Why do the media constantly bring up night Grand Finals when every year the majority are against it? Most night games are a slippery, skill-error ridden, low-scoring affairs which I would not like to represent a true reflection of our game on the world stage. The dry afternoon Grand final is a fast, highly-skilled spectacle which we can be proud of.

Robbo: Agree with you about day games and skill level, but don’t agree about the media’s dominant involvements in the night GF debate. It is asked every year because the AFL generally doesn’t announce the timing of the GF until well into the season. This year, it is even more pertinent because it appears we’ll be having our first night Grand Final.

West Coast has the best midfield in the AFL according to Mark Robinson. Picture: Getty

Ben: Who do you think has the best midfield in the competition and why?

Robbo: West Coast. And why? Just read these names — Shuey, Yeo, Gaff, Tim Kelly, Naitanui, Sheed, Redden, Jetta. It’s potent offensively, Yeo can win the ball and be accountable to the opposition’s best mid which makes him extremely valuable, Redden is hugely underrated, and Kelly and Shuey are damaging with the pill. And Nic Nat is a ruck/midfielder.

Maureen: The loss of football and netball in country towns around Australia has been devastating for small communities. Many of the AFL players come from these towns. What can be done by the AFL to ensure these clubs survive to play in 2021?

Robbo: They have to get back to training and then playing, which is starting to happen, which will add morale to those country communities you are talking about Maureen. I don’t know if the AFL can simply give money to clubs and leagues. That said, the AFL, to my knowledge, has not announced exactly what support it will give. Like many, I’m looking forward to the AFL’s contribution when it comes.

Steven: With the talk of the WA and SA teams getting a run of home games at the end of season, plus the likelihood of having some fans attend, surely they are the winners. Not just for home ground advantage but also in terms of sponsors, members etc.

Robbo: Fair call, Steven, because so much might open up in August/September/October. But those possibilities are off-set by an estimated six weeks in hubs for those WA and SA teams to start the season, which is not ideal.

Tom Mitchell in action in Round 1.

Benjamin: We all love a smoky prediction. Who do you think can bounce this year and be a real surprise packet for the premiership?

Robbo: By beating Brisbane in Round 1, the Hawks made observers take notice. I don’t mind North Melbourne either. Whether those two teams can beat Richmond, West Coast, Collingwood is another matter.

Paul: You must admire how the NRL got up and running 2 weeks prior to the proposed AFL start. Do you believe if the AFL can learn anything from the NRL from this weekend leading into the start of the AFL?

Robbo: Yep. Even the use of muffled crowd noise in the NRL got a thumbs up from the AFL boss.

Mark Robinson is predicting another poor season from Melbourne.

Kevin: Can you give us your predicted bottom six for the 2020 season?

Robbo: Please, Kev, is there a reason to pick a fight before Round 2? Anyway, here goes: Gold Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Carlton.

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Originally published as Ask Robbo: Mark Robinson answers your burning football questions