The Tackle: Collingwood has its spirit broken by Essendon’s finals-intensity football
EXTENDED EDITION: THE Bombers surge, the Pies go into freefall and the Western Bulldogs thrill. RELIVE Robbo’s chat.
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ONE team is surging, the other is freefalling.
And mid-July isn’t the month to drop your bundle.
DEADEYE DONS DEMOLISH POOR PIES
BUCKS SHOCKED BY PIES’ CAPITULATION
Essendon beat Collingwood on the back of finals-like football: Intense pressure, win your own ball, numbers in support, better use of the ball and key forwards marking and kicking goals.
Jake Carlisle exposed Essendon as a dangerous team and exposed Collingwood’s issues in the back half, not that that area is its only issue of major concern.
Carlisle took 19 marks yesterday, eight of which were contested, and yesterday at least, looked as confident and powerful as North Melbourne legend Wayne Carey.
If it make the finals Essendon — which is now seventh — looms as a dangerous opponent.
BOMBERS STUNG, LEARN FROM MISTAKES
It had three of its best six players missing — Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard and Michael Hibberd — and still treated Collingwood with disdain.
The Magpies were horrible. Made to look horrible by the Bombers. And made to look horrible by their own ineptitude.
It’s the second week in a row the Pies haven’t been up for the contest.
They failed in the last quarter against Gold Coast and failed from the first bounce on Sunday.
As much as Essendon was clinical and relentless with its pressure, the Pies were equally as limp.
The Bombers had close to a hundred more possessions and 18 more tackles.
It’s not often it can be said of Collingwood, but it had its spirit broken.
The Pies are eighth on the ladder and have two weeks before they play Adelaide to try to find some identity as a football team.
Clearly, the next 12 days will require the best of Nathan Buckley to rediscover commitment to contest and confidence in each other.
And the spotlight is on the coach as much as his players.
Their issues are evident.
Who helps Travis Cloke? Where is Jesse White as a contributor? What’s happened to Jarryd Blair? Is it Jarrod Witts and White, or does Brodie Grundy return? How to resolve the tall defensive positions? How to rejuvenate Tom Langdon? And what of Swanny?
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The champ played far more high half-forward than midfield yesterday, and has done so for much of the season.
He’s not the same footballer as he was in any of the past five years. He’s a bit player.
He now seems to float and use his wits rather than examine the opposition with relentless gut-running and linking into dangerous positions.
The Bombers, meanwhile, are riding a massive wave.
Without their three strong leaders, their resolve has been terrific.
Dyson Heppell, David Zaharakis, Brent Stanton and David Myers in the middle have stood up, and young Zac Merrett in his first season is cool under stress.
Coach Mark Thompson told people before Round 1 he believed they had found one in Merrett, and not for the only time, he’ll be able to say: I told you so.
Of course, the Carlisle plan took a while to blossom, but Thompson should be chuffed.
The plan to send Jason Winderlich to half-back has also been a success.
Finally, Thompson’s team is playing how he wants them to, and for four quarters.
He has emphasised defence all season and in recent weeks has indicated it was getting to the required level.
Last week Port Adelaide kicked 60 points. On Sunday, Collingwood kicked 39 points from a staggering 49 entries.
Indeed, Paul Roos and Ross Lyon would be proud.
Paul Chapman’s eight first-half tackles was indicative of Essendon’s intent.
Another forward, Patrick Ambrose, laid five tackles, which was equal to any Collingwood player, and when Courtenay Dempsey is Essendon’s third highest tackler with six, you know the message is getting through.
In the Phar Lap movie, it was said weight could stop a train. In football, tackling can stop the best of runners.
Collingwood was broken down offensively and defensively yesterday. So much so, Essendon’s back six stopped their immediate opponents and then waxed bringing the ball out of the defensive 50.
Mark Baguley, Dustin Fletcher, Winderlich, Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker shared 52 marks, 49 of which were uncontested.
Collingwood was embarrassed by the numbers yesterday, but you didn’t need to see the stats sheet to work that out.
YOUNG BULLDOGS THRILL
DON’T you love youth.
Don’t you love youth when it wins matches.
We’ve got to be careful about the Western Bulldogs because we raved about their close last year — they won four from six — but it’s difficult not to be impressed with their past five matches.
Before that, the heat was on. They had won one from seven and Sir Gallantry had become a bedfellow.
The defeat of Gold Coast in Cairns bettered the defeat of Collingwood in Round 13, and now the clash with Essendon this weekend is a must-watch.
What we’re seeing is excitement, which hasn’t always been a term to describe Brendan McCartney’s team, who set about shelving pretty footy for the basics such as winning your own ball.
What’s happening is the Dogs are winning their own ball and then using it quickly, with skill, and with each other.
The Dogs were ferocious with their pressure, quick to rebound from half-back, and the young tearaways took it from there from about halfway through the third quarter.
Jack Macrae gathered it 16 times in the third quarter, and 43 times for the match, and when the game had to be won in the final quarter, he kicked two goals.
The kid has played 29 games and already has six 30-plus games, and a commitment to improvement.
McCartney spoke of Macrae’s defensive frailties, he was made the substitute, and then he responded.
“(I got a) kick in the bum and rightly so,’’ he said.
Look at some of the top possession winners: Libba 28, Wallis 28, Hrovat 27, Johannisen 25 and Dahlhaus 24.
Marcus Bontempelli was not among them, but he was playing key forward for large periods, beside Jake Stringer, another youngster.
There was Lachie Hunter hungry and busy and Jack Redpath throwing himself at everything in his second game.
It was a game played at high speed and high intensity, and in those type of games, always one team fades.
It wasn’t the Bulldogs.
Saturday night’s win was described by Matthew Boyd as “probably the best win I’ve been involved in for a fair while’’.
Jordan Roughead said: “We had a positive mind frame. We did our job pretty well, defensively we’ve been solid as a group for the past six weeks.’’
The Dogs play Essendon, Hawthorn, St Kilda, North Melbourne, Sydney and Greater Western Sydney in the run home.
Three wins would give them nine for the season, one more than last year.
It wouldn’t be a decisive improvement in win-loss, but clearly the improvement is evident.
Put it another way, which group would Mick Malthouse or Paul Roos like to be coaching right now? Theirs or...
LIKES
1. JOSH KENNEDY. A record 29 contested disposals against the Blues (and, as an aside, I clicked captain in SuperCoach 45 seconds before the bounce). It was a monster game which told us where he is as a player. He’s tough, strong, savvy and relentless in his pursuit of the ball. It also told me where Chris Judd is as a player. The champ held the record — 28 contested possessions — and you could imagine that game was one of Judd’s finest. He has missed too much footy this year to get to those levels again and, anyway, might only have six games to try.
2. ESSENDON. Under siege externally, or at least under heavy distraction, and without three of the best six players, yet Mark Thompson has his team hungry for the contest. It’s a credit to the coach and players. Carlisle was the standout, Heppell was the joy, it was Chappy of old and Zac Merrett of the new in their best display of the season. The key is to defend. Champion Data told us the Bombers are conceding just 74.9 points per game, ranked third in the competition. It is their first time in the top four defences since 2002 and the club’s best since 1968.
3. JOEL SELWOOD. With Josh Kennedy, probably made up three votes in the Brownlow Medal count on Gary Ablett. Quiet-ish through five games mid-season, Selwood was back being the heat-seeking missile against Melbourne. It’s about setting the tone early. In the first quarter, Selwood had 15 disposals, seven contested disposals and three inside 50s. Game over.
4. BACHAR HOULI. He often is the point of reference when the Tigers are shoddy with their application, but not Sunday. Showed plenty of bravery in marking and contested situations and I thought he was, with Boak and Rance, among the best three players on the ground. Had 23 touches, seven rebounds, six inside 50s.
5. ANGUS LITHERLAND. Who, you ask? That’s right, that bloke in the back pocket for the Hawks. You’ll hear more about this man as his career blossoms. Took Eddie Betts and held him to seven possessions and one goal, which contributed as much to Hawthorn winning as Jack Gunston’s four goals, They call him “Liquorland’’ and he’s tough, quick and would tackle his mum if she had the ball. That’s just his 10th game and his best.
6. BOOMER HARVEY. Smokie for the Brownlow? Just a thought. This is not so much about his game on Saturday against St Kilda, but more about his interview pre-match with Dermott Brereton. Most players wouldn’t give the time of day to a media man after said media man was heavily critical, yet Boomer met Brereton head-on. “I said last week I’m not a great fan (of Brereton) ... I switch off the radio when Dermott Brereton is on it,’’ Boomer said.
7. BUDDY FRANKLIN. Can’t ignore him. How can you? Buddy gives pleasure to all footy lovers and in particular to my mate who took Franklin at 80s for the Brownlow. His third quarter is what separates him from everyone else in the competition. His marking is back, his kicking is better than ever, and he’s strutting on his toes like his glory days at Hawthorn.
8. COURAGE. Easton Wood is known for bad hammies, cool hair, and a want to run. Against the Suns, he produced as courageous an act as we’ve seen all season. Some players back into oncoming players and some players absolutely sprint back into oncoming players. Wood was the latter. In the final quarter, he threw himself at the ball which was indicative of the Bulldogs’ attitude on Saturday night. You had to see it to be impressed by it.
9. LUKE SHUEY. When he plays like this — 30 touches, nine clearances, two goals, endless running — you wonder why his name keeps coming up as a possible trade option. His problem is it doesn’t happen enough. The positive is, it’s in him and he and Adam Simpson have to demand it more of him. If he is up for trade — can’t believe he will be — then several clubs will go after him, if they haven’t already. Blues, Bombers, Saints, Collingwood, Adelaide ... you name them, they’ll take him.
10. JASON DUNSTALL. A peculiar character, but there’s no doubting his standing in the game. He was elevated to legend status by the Hawks on Saturday night, which opens discussions about his elevation to legend of the AFL Hall of Fame. He is one of a group — Malcolm Blight, Collingwood’s early 1900s champ Dick Lee, Tony Lockett, Wayne Carey, Michael Tuck, Russell Ebert — vying to be made a legend in 2015. My money is on Dunstall: 269 games, 1254 goals, four B&Fs, four flags, three Colemans, 12 times leading club goalkicker, captain, All Australian.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Matty White’s goal, Ricky Petterd bobs up again, Todd Goldstein, Toby Greene’s 35, Chris Mayne better, Hawks on the road, Patrick Dangerfield in the clinches, Sam Mayes, Alex Rance, Josh Jenkins, Mark Hutchings on the run, Dustin Fletcher in defence and hands up if you like the bye weekends.
DISLIKES
1. PORT ADELAIDE. That’s four losses from the past five games and now out of the top four for the first time this season. Too easy to blame Trengove and Carlile missing as Port was beaten by Richmond’s workrate. The Tigers won the contested possession by 33, while Port skipper Travis Boak had 21 contested possessions himself. It is a major issue. “Badly beaten inside again,’’ coach Ken Hinkley said in the post-match. Wingard, Ebert, Westoff and Pittard were so-so, which makes it a couple of weeks for some of them. What’s happened Chad?
2. CARLTON. Record dislikes in The Tackle this season. Comfort comes for effort in three quarters, but it’s unforgiving to allow 10 goals to a single point in the third quarter. The breakdown was phenomenal: Disposals 112-58. Inside 50s 18-3, Contested possessions 47-23. Ten goals to one behind. Unbelievable.
3. CHRIS YARRAN. Acceptable for players to converse after the game, even share a smile, but for Yarran to enjoy a giggle with Lance Franklin after Franklin kicked one of his five goals in the third surely can’t be accepted. What was he smiling about? The Swans were torching the Blues and Yarran was giggling with the main culprit. Does it hurt Yarran enough? Does it mean enough to him? Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s axed this week, for Mick Malthouse is a lot of things and one of them is being a ruthless competitor.
4. TOM MURPHY. Dog act on the field. Dropping the knee into an opponent on the ground who is defenceless. Can’t accept it was an accident because much like Brian Lake can’t accidentally have his hands near Drew Petrie’s neck, Murphy can’t accidentally drop his knee into Jake Stringer’s body. Forget that he may come under MRP scrutiny, he should be suspended. Two weeks minimum.
5. HAYDEN BALLANTYNE. That’s three times this season Ballantyne has been reported, so clearly his behavioural issues are not behind him. It’s a shame because the discussion about Ballantyne in recent weeks has been his ability to kick goals and his ability to defend. A behind-the-play swipe to the guts won’t impress the MRP. It’s intentional straight away and Tomas Bugg went to ground, and in light of Brendon Goddard’s off-the-ball incident against Port Adelaide, the Dockers small forward can expect a holiday.
6. RAZOR RAY BASHING. He made a mistake and because it’s at Adelaide Oval, with all the crowd noise, you can forgive him. The AFL explained it as Chamberlain turning up the sound in his ear piece and he thought he heard the chime to signal the end of the game. Move on. He’s a very good umpire, the umpires had a very good weekend, and I can accept one slight hiccup more than the constant discussion about incorrect disposal.
7. ST KILDA. What a mess. If David Armitage didn’t play, the result would’ve been 15 goals and not 10. Stanley had highlights, Lenny busted a gut, Fisher was solid, and you can raffle the rest of the good players. Missed too many opportunities in a God-awful game of footy to watch. It’s difficult to assess the Saints this year. The fight was better than in previous weeks, but nothing like it was early in the season.
8. EDDIE v SYDNEY. Houston we have a problem. McGuire versus Longmire and McGuire versus Andrew Pridham, the Swans chairman, is the biggest stoush off-field, save for the Bombers court case. And it’s getting personal. Pridham called McGuire the Clive Palmer of the AFL, which would infuriate McGuire. Perhaps Gil needs to have the presidents come around the house for brandy and cigars and not the coaches.
9. THE DEMONS. It’s difficult to single out individuals because there’s too many. Thirteen players had 12 or fewer possessions and you ain’t winning the NAB kick at half-time with that return. Kicked 5.6 and 4.10 in their two most recent outings and there’s spotfires across the board. Their next play at trades and drafting must be for a small or mid-sized forwards. It must be.
10. THE BT AFFAIR. Not going to throw rocks because everyone makes mistakes. Taylor’s issue is that he didn’t know what he said was offensive to gay people. I had the same thinking when I believed the use of the word “homo’’ was acceptable. It’s not and I was an idiot. As for BT, and to slightly rework a Ross Lyon favourite, if one man’s pain can educate 1000, then so be it.
BEST TWEETS
@tim_michell: D: Blues woeful third quarter L: Josh Kennedy’s superb contested possession game. Big Brownlow hope
@mfagan18: the master coach Bomber Thompson timing his finals run to perfection. Ray Chamberlain just shut up and umpire.
@JacksonGrant15: like: Boomer is ageless! Dislike: the Pies poor disposal and lack of workrate
@dtrain29: check out the average ages and stats of Libba, wallis, Macrae, stringer, hunter, hrovat, dal, JJ and bonti.
@ACTIONJ4CKS0N: split rounds suck!!
@leahshaw_: dislike BT. If he’d dropped a racist comment he’d have been fired. Surely the same should apply to homophobic comments?
@PAFC2014: Like: Dylan Grimes checking to see if Robbie Gray was ok after being knocked out. Dislike: BT. Enough said.
@KevinMillar3: Like: The way teams are fighting out the season trying to win not tank Dislike: Pies lack of fight and god awful coaching
@AlanLove03: Like — The Bompt and his late dash for the Rising Star Award. Dislike — Does it matter if Thorpe is gay? #aussielegend
@iBuzman: dislike Germany kicking more goals than Pies and Saints..
@TommoMike: dislike — there was no ED TV for the coll v Ess match
@thecheese01: hope Buckley doesn’t get off lightly as usual. Gifted a GF side. Fell to 4th then 8th and may miss 8 this year
@Nickdafox1: Demons back to the drawing board,party over and Freo clinical strong and decisive
@AvramovMary: Like Jack Riewoldt giving shout out to his cousin starting chemo today in post match interview.
@julzagu: dislike: the media love affair for Buckley has got to stop. Pies kidding themselves again #derekhinecanonlydosomuch
@kerry_lambert: likes Ian Thorpe’s courage. Hope others can now feel free to do the same. Dislikes Brian Taylor. Just plain ignorant.
@twadz1: The tigers could be the most dangerous side to play on the way in. Pressure off and free balling
@Mattlevy74: The bombers tackling pressure over the last two weeks...have made good teams panic into rushed decisions
@BomberBliss: L Angus Litherland, surely in the hunt for a Rising Star nom soon #greasedlightning D Port Adel, season unravelling #cooked
@TonyFanfulla: the resurgence of Richmond giving all their supporters hope that 9th position is a real possibility
@Ruley35: Like: Luke Parker, will be a top 5 midfielder in years to come Dislike: Collingwood, the team is not playing for Bucks
@b0ycee: like Brad Crouch, only his 19th game of footy and he’s already cracked the 40 disposal mark.
@R32Jay: dislike: Blues and Pies’ pace like: The Hawthorn Hawks’ soldiers stepping up.
@Gollytas: typical Richmond winning when you don’t want to, better off getting draft picks now
@jimmycrumbler: L: Swans 3rd quarter D: The buck stops with Bucks — everything about the Pies is disgusting and he’s the bloke in charge
@ljzblake: Anthony miles from the tigers, what a find !!
@chrismartin938: Like — getting in for a round at Moonah Links and hitting them well. Dislike — missing a stirring Tiger win for it
Originally published as The Tackle: Collingwood has its spirit broken by Essendon’s finals-intensity football
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