The Tackle: Mark Robinson reveals his likes and dislikes from a huge Round 22
THE TACKLE: PAUL Roos says he won’t be coaching Collingwood but keeps leaving the door open. Read MARK ROBINSON’S likes and dislikes from a huge Round 22.
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AFL DAILY: ROLLING COVERAGE OF ALL TODAY’S FOOTY NEWS
Plus, Jesse Hogan is back to his best while Port Adelaide is charging.
Read all Mark Robinson’s likes and dislikes from a huge Round 22.
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WHAT I LIKE
1. JESSE HOGAN
One commentator said Hogan just being on the ground this weekend after a season full of personal tragedy and injuries was good news. He was right, but a good news story means little if you don’t contribute. Melbourne almost secured a finals berth on Sunday, largely on the back of Hogan’s six goals. Footy is a team business, but Hogan’s matchwinning ability could be the difference between a long September campaign or a short one. Perhaps it’s unfair to place that much pressure on him, but he took nine marks on Sunday which shows his head and body are in a pretty good state.
2. CARLTON
The Blues were accused of being boring, slow and lacking flair. With five wins before Saturday night there were questions about just how far they had developed in 2017. Fact is they have escaped the wooden spoon which is a major win. By beating the Hawks their impetus grows and with another pre-season for Charlie Curnow, Jarrod Pickett, Ciaran Byrne, Jacob Weitering, Zac Fisher, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Tom Williamson, the Blues should chase eight to 10 wins next season. The attitude is there and the confidence and maturity will follow.
3. JACK STEVEN
Hasn’t been his best season but was best on ground against North Melbourne. Had 40 disposals, 16 score involvements and 11 clearances. It was a whitewash in the middle for St Kilda with Steven, Seb Ross (36 disposals), Luke Dunstan (32) and Blake Acres (30) getting far too much ball. It wasn’t a great game, but the Saints kept their finals hopes alive. Sunday’s clash against Richmond at the ’G — if Essendon loses to Fremantle — should be a ripper.
4. DAVID ZAHARAKIS
Has joined Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher in the race for the B&F after another terrific performance in the midfield. Shifting Zaharakis from the wing has been one of John Worsfold’s better calls. In a game which Essendon dominated — it had +72 disposals, +26 contested possessions, +7 clearances, +40 inside-50s and created 58 turnovers in the midfield — but did not significantly boost its percentage, Zaharakis stood out with 38 disposals, 754m gained and 15 inside-50s.
5. JOSH KELLY
We see the talent every week and we saw genuine substance after Kelly was poleaxed, blindly stepping into the lead of West Coast’s Josh Kennedy on Saturday. It was a stunning hit and when a bloodied Kelly was helped from the field many thought he would not return. Kelly, however, made it back with a bandaged head and kicked the winner. He had a career-high 43 disposals (34 effective, a career-high), 19 contested (likewise), 24 uncontested (a game-high) and eight clearances.
6. WHERE HAS THAT BEEN, TRAVIS?
The Port Adelaide skipper played his best game of the season in what could be the game that gets Port a top-four spot. Boak was fierce and won plenty of the ball. His third quarter was colossal and he was a major contributor with a goal and 11 score involvements. It was Boak at his inspiring best. He finished with a team-high 33 disposals, 22 uncontested possessions and nine inside-50s.
7. BALLARAT WAS A WINNER
How refreshing to see the game played at a new venue and, save for a final quarter blowout, it was a cracking contest. It makes you think there is greater opportunity for the AFL to use more boutique-type stadiums and not just the MCG and Etihad Stadium. Carlton’s home ground is the obvious alternative. Let’s hope the Blues continue to push the league to play games there.
8. ROD BUTTERSS
The Butterss story of alcoholism, addiction and substance abuse is not new and by putting himself back out there to raise awareness of Australia’s gambling epidemic, he was prepared to take the hits. That Danny Frawley went after Butterss was water off a duck’s back for the former Saints president. Butters rang Frawley on Saturday and, after a brief exchange where it got personal, the call ended when one of them hung up. Butterss hopes Frawley continues to criticise him, so his anti-gambling campaign gets air time. “I’m on a crusade,’’ Butterss told the Herald Sun.
9. PAUL ROOS INTRIGUE
As much as he says he won’t be coaching at Collingwood next year, Roos continues to feed the story by adding “at this stage’’. On Sunday on Triple M, he said he would be prepared to have coffee with Eddie McGuire. Could a director of coaching role be in the offing?
10. STEVIE JOHNSON INTRIGUE
Jungle drums are beating loudly that Johnson, who will retire this season, will remain in Sydney next year, albeit not at the Giants. Geelong insiders say Johnson is set to join the Swans as an assistant coach in the first step to his goal of becoming a senior coach.
WHAT I DISLIKE
1. HARLEY DOUBTERS
Didn’t have a lot of friends when the calf muscles blew up and several observers said Harley Bennell would never play for Fremantle. Bennell back on the park in Round 22 was a significant step. He kicked two goals in the first half from just four touches. A strong summer and Bennell just might repay the faith Ross Lyon has shown in him.
2. FREMANTLE
Ross Lyon demands high standards, but his players continue to embarrass him. In the run home no team has been as poor as the Dockers, who have won two of their past nine games. The defensive fortress has disappeared. In the second term against the Tigers, the Dockers kicked one behind to Richmond’s 8.2. The Dockers escape scrutiny in the east, but another walloping should prompt questions about where the team is heading.
3. BERNIE AGAIN
Vince will get off for the Claye Beams head contact, but will be lucky to get away with a front-on fist to the face to Dayne Beams. His defence will be he was lost under a high ball and tried to spoil, but a punch flush to the head is, at the very least, careless. He plays for keeps Vince, but has lost his radar several times this year. Expect a fine on this occasion.
4. BONT BLUNTED
In a game where the Bulldogs needed a big return from Marcus Bontempelli, the Bulldogs superstar couldn’t get going against Port Adelaide. Was kept to just 12 disposals, clearly his lowest return of the season. Brad Ebert took responsibility for Bontempelli in the middle and Tom Jonas did the same up forward. Both proved major wins for Port coach Ken Hinkley.
5. THAT’S PROBABLY THE END OF THE DOGS
They sit in 11th spot and have the same points as Essendon, West Coast and St Kilda, and play Hawthorn on Friday night. They could play finals if they win and the other trio lose. The Bombers game might be the achilles heel. The post-season review should be torrid. What happened? Hangover? Bad prep from players? Attitude drop-off? Game plan worked out? Personnel issues? The one-on-ones with the likes of Tom Liberatore, for one, would make riveting listening.
6. BUCKLEY SWEATS ON FUTURE
The best player to play for Collingwood does not know his future with one game to play, which is odd. The review has been long and probably exhaustive, but surely Collingwood knows by now whether Buckley will coach next year or not. Why not announce it either way? Buckley has been asked about his future at every press conference since they lost the first two games of the year. He’s been courteous and calm, but you have to wonder if he’s not a little frustrated at being kept in the dark, especially after Eddie McGuire indicated he was the only person with visibility on Buckley’s position. So, Eddie knows and Buckley doesn’t?
7. SATURDAY DIDN’T HELP
Six goals in the first quarter, three goals in the next two quarters and just a behind in the final quarter was Collingwood’s output, prompting Herald Sun columnist Matthew Lloyd to declare Buckley “needs serious help’’ if he is to continue in the job. The topsy-turvy Collingwood performances from quarter to quarter this season — Hawthorn (Round 9), Greater Western Sydney (Round 8), Adelaide (Round 19) and Geelong on Saturday — would be a source of frustration, notwithstanding Collingwood’s ability to be in most games in fourth quarters. If any board members are wobbling on Buckley, Saturday’s performance would not deter their belief that change was needed.
8. NORTH KOREAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Was Buckley’s suggestion, and Gill McLachlan’s support, of stripping AFL accreditation from journos who are accused of lying grandstanding. Who would be the judge? The AFL? Appointed investigators? What a joke. The AFL has its own media unit and now wants to control the independent media covering the game. Mistakes are made, but blatantly writing or telling lies would not happen. If Ross Lyon was offended by his integrity being questioned, he should take legal action against Brad Hardie. And, of course, it has to work both ways. Clubs lie to the media and supporters all the time.
9. DRUG CODE
Should a player’s private health issues be declared when he leaves one club for another? It is part of the incredibly sad story of Chris Yarran becoming an ice addict and his road to recovery. That probably AFL doctors and club doctors at Carlton and then Richmond knew of Yarran’s issues, but Tigers coach Damien Hardwick and his recruiting officers didn’t know, raises questions about disclosure. Overall, footy staff not knowing about the health of their players, be it mental or drug-induced, or both, or whether a player has a drug strike against his name and it’s not disclosed before a trade, seems unfair on the club recruiting said player.
10. LAMB ON SICILY
It’s a tough game and players expect tough treatment, but Carlton’s Jed Lamb’s constant harassment of Hawthorn’s James Sicily could have easily been stopped if the umpires called a free kick for an infringement. If forwards were manhandled like Sicily was in defence, you would expect a free kick to be paid. The tactic worked because a frustrated Sicily gave away seven free kicks — the equal most by a player this season. According to Champion Data statistics, Lamb played on Sicily for 68 minutes, with Lamb having eight disposals and kicking a goal, opposed to Sicily’s nine disposals. Blues coach Brendon Bolton would be rapt, but not sure it’s a good look for the game.
ROBBO’S TOP TWEETS
@CraigPtyLtd: Liked Brad Scott stating how desperate North are to avoid the number one draft pick.
@PeeWeePeters: Like: Nick Vlaustin & Tigers defence. Dislike: overreaction to the ‘dangerous tackle’. We need to keep the grunt in our game
@james_l_hall: I dislike Luke Darcy blaming “well meaning fathers” for poor set shot technique (during #aflblueshawks)
@randjwest: I dislike Subiaco oval. My 2 favourite memories. 1. Michael Mitchells mark. 2.Yet to come - when they demolish it! Bring on Burswood #GoFreo
@jpmorgan42: I dislike Mark Ricciutto, a Crows director, commentating on Port games.
@riffwithbiff: Like : Charlie Dixon. Criminally underrated Dislike : Umpires penalising the Ryder’s & Gawns of the world for simply being stronger ruckmen.
@gnaight: Like- pederson. Dislike- commentators who focus on conversation instead of what is actually going on in the game.
@shawry_analyst: 3rd man up banished to enhance 1 v 1 ruck skills. So @afl Umpires now penalizing skill, talent and craft. #clarification #ryder#gawn #mcevoy
@TheHBM: Dislike - half-hearted hawthorn chases.
@Dobbo67b: Like: Liam Jones rebirth in 2017. Dislike: Umpires for not calling Buddy for running too far. We are condoning cheating.
@Lazlow: Like: Josh J. Kennedy, easily the best forward in the game. Held onto the ball, slotted the goal. And Kelly for his fearlessness & fortitude
@12thManInOz: I LOVE Charlie Curnow and I feel this is going to be a bloody long romance; + I hate all the “experts” jumping the gun about Carlton #boring
@aussiemate38: Freo will get better, not sure with Lyon though.
@ajparky: Like: Connor McKenna goal just as good as Franklins, Dislike: No mention of how good Connor’s goal was by the media. #biasmedia
@omcleish17: Likes: buddy’s brilliance, hogan’s return, pedo proving doubters wrong, rooey’s farewell. Dislikes: 50m penalties today, beyond a joke.
@circularthinker: like: Josh Kelly dislike: hair ruffling.
@CamVincent91: Like: Richmond’s response after last week’s loss. Dislike: Dangerous tackle rule the AFL decided to enforce for the 1st time when it’s rd22
@johnawhistler: Ross has conned Freo fans for too long. Surely, professional pride says he should go. Who signed off on his outrageous contract?
@quackerz77: Like: Hogan’s comeback. Had one of the most nightmarish years for a player in recent history, ended up dragging the Dees over the line. Epic
@therealfitz_82: I know you won’t put this in but Channel 7’s continuously bias commentary against The Sydney Swans
@Craigos68: Likes jarrod Pickett another rising star nomination for the blues? Could be the replacement they’ve been looking for since betts left
@bronsk1: Brendon Bolton like. Apprentice beats master
@Pilko1980: how is it in 2017 we have to watch cats v pies with guernseys so hard to distinguish? Someone needs to grow up..
@CarlPay04277961: Matt Priddis and his second last game - a true champ. Vic-fans have no idea how great he’s been. Mitch said best inside mid he’s played with
@a_caminiti: Like port undefeated in Ballarat and shanghai
@_tomstapleton: Dislike- james Sicilys mental game
@William49179108: Dislike- the 29,000 that showed up to nick reiwoldts final home game for the saints, very disappointing from the st Kilda faithful
@__krsmith: Dislike: The standard of commentary. Fewer ex-footballers and more trained commentators please!
@ned7821: Like: David Zaharakis is good at footy. Dislike: bruise-free eagles midfield.
@krema08: L: Ainsworth dislike: if redpath got 3 for what he did last week there will be a lot of players in strife this week.... maybe.... who knows!
@nicestrongcuppa: L: Hogan. DL: Last day of Auskick - canteen ran out of sausage sandwiches.Where are we at as a society?
@superblueiris: Liked:Brisbane continue to fight Dayne Beams is one of best Captains in the AFL and should be considered All-Australian
@WhippingBoySEN: Like: The most complete Richmond performance of the season. Also like Jack Graham - tackling machine, future Brownlow Medalist
Originally published as The Tackle: Mark Robinson reveals his likes and dislikes from a huge Round 22
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