The Tackle: Mark Robinson reveals his likes and dislikes from week 1 of the 2017 AFL finals
AN unsung Tiger’s bravery, the Crows double-act, the Cats under heat and the Bombers’ capitulation. MARK ROBINSON reveals his likes and dislikes from week 1 of the finals.
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AN unsung Tiger’s bravery, the Crows double-act, the Cats falter under the heat and the Bombers’ capitulation.
There were plenty of highs, and some teams suffered forgettable lows in the opening week of the AFL finals.
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WHAT I LIKE
1. NICK VLASTUIN
Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Alex Rance and Dion Prestia were the high-profile performers, but Vlastuin’s efforts at the back typify what Richmond is all about. He had 19 disposals, kicked a huge goal and took a game-high 10 marks. What the numbers don’t describe is Vlastuin’s bravery and willingness to compete. He’s the kind of player who inspires teammates with his blue-collar work ethic, rather than out-and-out individual brilliance. Can’t think of a defender who runs back with the flight as much as Vlastuin does.
2. JOSH KENNEDY (SYDNEY)
His omission from the All-Australian team beggars belief. Dustin Martin, in his first interview before he was drafted, said he was born to play AFL. Well, Kennedy was born to play finals football. He was awarded the best finals player in 2016 and was again the No.1 ranked player against Essendon. He had a game-high 18 contested possessions, game-high eight clearances and a game-high eight score involvements.
3. THE CROUCH BOYS
Fears Rory Sloane’s absence would be defining were allayed pretty early, led by the Crouch brothers. Matt Crouch was No.1 for Adelaide in ranking points, disposals, clearances and uncontested possessions and his brother Brad was No.1 for Adelaide in metres gained and inside 50s. Maybe it’s time the opposition stopped Matt Crouch dictating the way he wants to play.
4. MATT PRIDDIS
This bloke was dropped towards the end of the season and arguably was best afield in their first final. Football is about ball movement and speed and time in forward half, but you have to win the ball before clicking all that into gear. Priddis is similar to Kennedy in terms of playing trench footy and he was enormous against Port Adelaide. He had 33 disposals (season-high), 17 contested possessions (season-high), 10 clearances (season-high), seven inside 50s (season-high), and 99 pressure points (season-high). Wonder if he still wants to retire.
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WHAT I DISLIKE
1. CATS UNDER HEAT
It must be the blueprint: Pour on the pressure and the Cats are fragile with the pill. The Tigers pressure was through the roof on Friday night, recording a pressure factor of 209, their highest amount of pressure recorded since 2012. Once again, the Cats failed the test. They coughed up 68 points from turnovers, their most in a game this season, and recorded a kicking efficiency 48.9 per cent, their lowest efficiency ever recorded.
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2. DELIBERATE DEBACLE
The decision to pay a deliberate free kick against West Coast’s Andrew Gaff in the final quarter on Saturday was ridiculous. Under immense pressure, he found a sliver of space and threw the ball on to his foot and kicked it down the line, where it narrowly beat a pack of players and went out of bounds. The scores were level and thankfully, it didn’t help decide the game. Like the rule, but in this play, it was far too harsh.
3. RANCE AND THE TRAINER
The effervescent defender copped a hit to the head and seeing his player in distress, the trainer did what trainers do. He delivered the magic cloth to help stem the blood flow, but unfortunately for him, Rance didn’t like the enthusiasm in which the trainer did his job. Rance lashed out verbally and the body language was too severe. Yes, it was heat of the moment, and yes, it could’ve been handled better.
4. BOMBERS CAPITULATION
The respect for making the finals the first year out from the drugs suspension was somewhat lost in the 30 minutes of the second quarter when the Swans kicked 10.3 to 2.1. Essendon buckled under the Swans intensity, fumbled and tumbled when they had the ball and the defensive efforts, in the air and on the ground, were of a team way out of their depth. Essendon’s game style is exciting, but in the crunch of a finals game, it wasn’t allowed to flourish. Maybe less zing on the outside and more commitment to the contest is an adjustment for next season.
Originally published as The Tackle: Mark Robinson reveals his likes and dislikes from week 1 of the 2017 AFL finals
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