The Tackle: Mark Robinson says Melbourne’s performance was as bad as we’ve seen
HAS Scott Pendlebury played a better or more dominant game for Collingwood? And are the Demons back in hell under Paul Roos?
Mark Robinson
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THIS was as bad as the bad old days.
They were supposed to have been eradicated, especially with Paul Roos in the seat, and a new game plan in the offering.
Indeed, Roos would’ve slept badly last night.
He has said the players are scarred from campaigns previous, but the coach might be scarred after yesterday’s performance.
SCROLL DOWN TO GET HIT BY THE FULL TACKLE AND RECAP ROBBO’S CHAT
It was the biggest margin loss in his coaching career, and the lowest score a team has kicked under his reign.
He at least knows what Mark Neeld went through, and before that Dean Bailey.
Sadly, so much optimism was wiped out yesterday as the Demons played merry-go-round with the ball.
It’s a strange game when Melbourne has 391 possessions to West Coast’s 386, takes 29 more marks and wins the tackle count 62-56
It’s also difficult to write about the second half, because you couldn’t watch it — and didn’t watch it.
The Demons remain a rabble.
They have excuses — when don’t they? — and when the forward line gets the full complement — if it ever does — then we might see better ball-moving enterprise.
At the moment, it’s ship, chip, chip, sideways, backwards, into trouble, short of the target, and the skills are unbelievable at times.
For all of Jack Watts’ contribution last week, it is dispiriting to see him drop chest marks. You can call it a skill error, but it’s more than that. It is a lack of complete concentration. Seeing the ball into the arms, and clamping them so-so hard that nothing can escape.
Watts’s dropped mark was one of hundreds of errors.
The effort is there, but effort shouldn’t allow 93-point defeats.
From afar, it seems the players don’t have the confidence to charge forward, to take on the game, to take risks with the ball instead of playing safe with short possession.
We can see Roos’ plan, but it can’t be good plan if the players can’t turn it into scores.
There is a sense of respectability about winning the ball, for Melbourne has been annihilated in this regard for several seasons, yet respectability comes with scoreboard pressure.
Perhaps Roos is coaching in layers, just as Brendan McCartney has at the Western Bulldogs.
McCartney taught defence first and the critical component of winning the contested ball, and has now set about turning defence into attack.
It appears Roos is teaching and imploring his players to keep the ball, which is a defence mechanism anyhow, and will demand more risk when the players have greater confidence in each other. To be honest, only Roos can answer that inquiry.
In the meantime, Melbourne fans are asked to be patient.
Gee, it’s got to be testing.
THE POWER OF ONE
THE Norm Smith medal aside, has Scott Pendlebury played a better or more dominant game for Collingwood?
In an age when coach-speak is all about the team, the structures and the importance of one player in the overall system, the power of one continues to separate the champs from everyone else on the ground.
Pendlebury’s performance against the flailing Swans wasn’t so much a typically exquisite Pendlebury game, but one engineered with will power.
It’s romantic to call it a captain’s game, but in that case Nick Maxwell played a “former’’ captain’s game.
This was always going to be a game about who — from either team — was going make a stand, and it was Pendlebury and Maxwell who stood tallest.
After three handballs in the first quarter, Pendlebury went 11, 10 and nine over the next three.
It wasn’t just that he was the best player, but the best player by the length of that grubby bog-heap ground they played on.
Pendlebury had the most disposals (33), most contested possessions (16), most tackles (10), most inside 50s (11), most score involvements (11) and was second to Sydney’s Luke Parker in clearances (9).
Not even Gary Ablett can produce such an all-round game, mainly because Gazza doesn’t tackle as much as Pendlebury.
Pendlebury had an array of opponents — Josh Kennedy, Parker, Nick Smith, Ben McGlynn and Dan Hannebery — but none of them lasted more than 20 minutes.
The Swans will most likely regret clamping down on the Magpies skipper.
It’s not solely about stats. It’s about influence with the ball and inspiration for his teammates.
Take Pendlbury’s goal in the second quarter. Trailing 38-23, Pendlebury gathered the ball on the wing, went back to Maxwell with the handball, Maxwell went back to Pendlebury, who baulked, went one-two again and ran in to kick the goal, albeit wobbly because of sheer exhaustion.
The Pies were back to within nine points and that’s when the collective belief kicked in.
Champs are in abundance in the competition, particularly in the midfield.
Gold Coast’s Ablett remains the standout and four trail him: Joel Selwood, Jobe Watson, Pendlebury and Patrick Dangerfield.
Brisbane great Michael Voss and former coach and player Terry Wallace were asked on SEN Radio on Saturday to rank those four.
Voss went Selwood, Pendlebury, Watson, Dangerfield. Wallace went Pendlebury, Selwood, Watson, Dangerfield.
Voss and Wallace described their inner strength, will power and an immeasurable ability to pick up their teammates and elevate them to greater powers.
Pendlebury’s game against the Swans later that day could not be summed up any better.
The power of one is also alive at St Kilda.
Without skipper Nick Riewoldt in the first two games, the Saints would be 0-2. Because of him, they are 2-0 and Riewoldt should be rewarded with six Brownlow Medal votes.
The Saints versus Melbourne and the Saints versus Greater Western Sydney were evenly played out — except there was Riewoldt.
Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands exerted similar dominance against Gold Coast.
He was credited with 58 hit outs, 20 of which were to advantage. It was a cast back to the glory days of tap ruck work.
And then there was Brent Harvey.
Boomer busted open a mundane and defensively natured game at Etihad with a dazzling second half, and a matchwinning final quarter.
He kicked two goals as the Kangas swamped the Bulldogs, and at 35, remains the club’s most creative runner.
Don’t know if that’s incredible acknowledgment for Boomer, or despairing for the Kangaroos.
Still, it was a glorious weekend for the game’s greats.
No. 1 WITH A BULLET
Scott Pendlebury’s highest SuperCoach rankings.
Season Rd Opposition Win/Loss Pts
2014 2 Sydney W 182
2009 5 Essendon L 170
2008 6 Essendon W 167
2012 1 Hawthorn L 166
2011 2 North Melb W 162
2013 6 St Kilda W 161
2011 16 North Melb W 160
2009 18 Brisbane W 159
2011 19 Essendon W 159
2013 1 North Melb W 159
Source: CHAMPION DATA
10 THINGS I LIKED
1. Brad Ebert. Might’ve been third BOG behind Hamish Hartlett and Chad Wingard, but there was something nostalgic about an Ebert on Adelaide Oval. Growing up, Russell Ebert, who played 391 games for Port Adelaide, was this legendary faraway footballer and only seen in Victoria for one season, 1979. Russell’s nephew, Brad, son will never reach the heights of his uncle, but he doesn’t have to. Twenty-one touches, 10 marks, nine tackles, six inside 50s and 18kms of run tells us Brad is making a huge name for himself. And so is his team.
2. Collingwood. Went north with all eyes on them and played with ticker and presence. Kicked 7.12 to 3.7 after half-time and while Pendlebury was mighty in the midfield, the contributions from Elliott (three goals), Goldsack (two), Jack Frost and Ben Sinclair in defence and Brodie Grundy in the ruck were influential. Liked Sinclair’s game especially. The one-time small forward now looks after them, and it’s been a winning coaching move from Nathan Buckley.
3. Stevie J. A Tackle hall of famer and he can do it in the wet and dry. Has started the season with 31 and 37 possessions in his two games and we know he is an umpire’s favourite, so a ‘’fiddy’’ on Johnson for the Brownlow Medal might not be a waste of money. It’s time he gets a shutdown, but who will get him from Collingwood in Round 3? Brent Macaffer is the man and while Joel Selwood will be a consideration, Johnson is my tip to get the tag.
4. Tom Hickey. Billy Longer would be one hell of a player to kick Hickey out of the No. 1 ruck spot at St Kilda. Thought Hickey had promise, didn’t realise he was so athletic, and despite it early going, the trade out of Ben McEvoy might be a win-win. Hickey had 19 possessions, 20 hit outs, took eight marks and kicked three goals. Was beaten the rejuvenated Shane Mumford, but made up for it around the ground.
5. Shaun Burgoyne. Flexibility is the buzz word in 2014 and as Al Clarkson offered on Saturday, Burgoyne can play forward, midfield and back flank. Is it possible Burgoyne is playing the best footy of his career, notwithstanding the brilliant clearance player he was under Brendon Lade at Port Adelaide. Was mega in the final quarter against the Bombers and the plop to Jonathan Simpkin, when cornered by four Bombers near the behind post, was as stunning a play in the whole match. Finished with 30 touches, five tackles, seven clearances, seven inside 50s, and seven marks.
6. Luke Shuey. Virtually disappeared last year because of injury, a poorer West Coast team collectively and tighter tags. Subbed first week and then 30 touches, nine marks, six clearances against Melbourne yesterday. Yes, the opposition was disgusting, but it’s Shuey’s running prowess which is the standout. In two weeks, the likes Gaff, Shuey, Masten, Rosa, Naitanui, Cox, Selwood, Priddis and Wellingham have re-emerged as a midfield force. Liked that Nic Nat ran has a ruck-rover yesterday.
7. Brad Scott. OK, the first half was brain sore from two teams who were embarrassed the week before. Just four goals, heaps of numbers at the contest, both teams wanting a scrap and scared to let the ball on the outside. The game opened up when Brent Harvey took on the game in the second half, and he was clearly best afield. Must have missed the criticism of Harvey last week, but Scott didn’t. ‘’If anyone comes after Brent Harvey, they have to come through me,’’ Scott said, with that glint of killer in his eyes. Give Scott credit. He faced two weeks of criticism, answered all the questions, and his team did the same in the second half yesterday.
8. Liam Picken.
Might just be the most unheralded bloke playing the game. Got Lindsay Thomas again and got the chocolates. Kicked four last week did Lindsay and held to just four touches yesterday. Picken got under Thomas’ skin too, which more than likely angered coach Brad Scott. It happened moments before half-time. Daniel Currie took the mark and was lining up for his first kick in the AFL, when Thomas grabbed Picken around the neck 30m off the ball and the umpire reversed the kick. There should be a simple instruction when playing against Thomas: Annoy him to his frustration boils.
9. Gaz v Crowley. This is great for footy. Ryan Crowley probably holds the baton between these two, and there’s not another player in the competition who could warrant that comment against the game’s best player. Kept Gaz to 24 disposals and eight clearances which oddly is considered a win. Crowley loves it and took to twitter to share the joy. ‘’Gee I'm glad that's over I've got a headache. Poor start again but grinding win tonight. Not a bad ruckman that Sandilands. See ya next time Gaz.’’
10. Smothers. They’re back and back in a big way. Congestion helps, but players still have to throw themselves at the contest.
Honourable mentions: Levi off the pine, Dylan Buckley, Eli Templeton’s goal on the run, Daniel Currie’s first game, Ellis on Gibbs, Mackie in his 200th,
10 THINGS I DISLIKED
1. Bad kicking I. Still trying to work out who was worse on Thursday night — Garlett from near the square, Warnock off his leg or Waite generally? Have to go with Warnock, although I’m not sure who would’ve had the worse night’s sleep, Garlett or Mick Malthouse. It’s not about making fun of players, but it can’t be ignored. If the three of them kicked the goals, the Blues win. Now they are 0-2, Malthouse is grumpy, Bryce Gibbs is in the gun, Chris Judd is out, Matthew Kreuzer might miss eight weeks, Brock McLean sits in the dugout ... and they have the Bombers on Sunday night at the G.
2. Bad kicking II. The Jason Johannisen miss in the final quarter didn’t lose yesterday’s game against North Melbourne, but when coach Brendan McCartney talks about ‘’hanging in there’’, it’s shots at goal like Johannisen’s which must grate. Final quarter, game alive, 30m out tops, straight in front and Johannisen pushes it to the right. The Kangas then swept it downfield, where Jack Ziebell marked and goaled. Hanging in there became that much harder.
3. Bad kicking III. This is not at goal, this is directed at Rhys Shaw. Had shocker against the Pies, with several of his kicks resulting in turnovers and goals. Was credited with seven clangers, one behind the game-high eight from Heritier Lumumba.
4. Sydney. Pointed out concerns in Saturday’s Herald Sun, and while they kept Collingwood to 20 fewer possessions, won tackles 74-65 and narrowly lost contested possession 146-141, the Swans failed on several fronts. Pendlebury won too much ball, Maxwell was too influential as a loose man in defence, Harry gave too much drive from the back half and more worrisome, when the game was up for grabs, the Swans weren’t mentally strong enough.
5. Podsiadly and McKernan. Not working. Needs change. Time to give a spot back to Josh Jenkins. A combined six marks and one goal versus Geelong in Round 1 and a combined four marks and one goal versus Port Adelaide on Saturday is not a healthy return. Who knows how long Tex Walker is out, but immediacy is needed from coach Brenton Sanderson. Would stick with Pods for another week, so it’s Jenkins in. McKernan out.
6. Where are all the people? Always thought the game could survive everything, yet 2014 is presenting the AFL with the large problem of small crowds. It’s a combination of reasons: The Essendon saga which has lost the people and the people’s faith in the AFL administration, the drawn out first round and, perhaps most importantly, the price of tickets to attend football. It seems families have had enough of paying for footy and paying to eat and drink at the footy. This issue will only get bigger, despite the AFL early this morning spruiking the Round 2 crowd was the third-highest Round 2 crowd in history. Still, it was 35,000 down from Round 2, 2013.
7. Brock McLean. Liked McLean’s offerings on twitter, despite some of it upsetting the AFL. He spoke his mind without fear or favour. Disappointed to see his twitter account closed down after Thursday night’s loss to Richmond, which ended with McLean on the bench. It was controversial because McLean did not join the huddle at final break, which prompted criticism from some commentators. Fair to say the criticism from the commentators would have been sedate compared to the probable vile comments directed at McLean on twitter.
8. Melbourne. It’s got to be the players, because Bailey, Neeld and Roos all can’t be blamed for the absolute inadequacy.
9. Disrespectful fans. Fancy bellowing worthless words during the minute’s silence for Dean Bailey at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Just once, think of someone other than your dumb self.
10. Goal review. Can’t believe we are still talking about this. Like the AFL’s decision to try to determine the correct result, but hate the haphazard approach to doing so. Might as well ask fans in the crowd to record the footy on their iPhones to go to them for consideration.
BEST TWEETS
@scott_thompson1: Like: Crowley beats Ablett again. Dislike: KB sooking about umps again, Lindsay Thomas a flop against the Dogs.
@st_mickconnell1: likes- st.kilda young guns. Dislikes- mick malthouse’s attitude in press conferences
@Piwikie: Nick Maxwell’s 200th summing up his career perfectly. #tDependable
@Matt_Groves: Likes — Geelong playing 3 ruckmen in the one side. Dislikes — Swans letting Pendles run amok for 3 quarters
@will_tilley: dislike: Adelaide’s apparent lack of ticker. Not to mention the 30 goals they’ve given up from turnovers in rounds 1 & 2
@FeathertopDT: dislike McLean. Sooked after being subbed and played poorly. Should be dropped to allow Cripps or Graham to play
@djleech70: like — that AFL refuse to admit they have a prob with low crowds. #losttouchwiththepeople
@TateSpitta04: like matt thomas and liam picken doing things the old fashion way. Dislike having to watch boomer run rings around my team
@B1ZK3Z: Like: Port more than just a fit side. Dislike: whats happened to the ‘bloods culture’
@ayle_williams: why didn’t Dylan Buckley get a game last round? Great preseason and took on the tigers from the first bounce
@SidebySide; L: The Showdown & The Adelaide Oval. Just Brilliant. D: Packs around the ball. Ugly part of AFL
@RileyG_94: people yelling during minute silence for dean bailey, disgraceful no matter what the occasion, only low light about the day
@TheMightyEmu: If anyone other than Boomer Harvey gets the 3 votes for that game i will eat my north melbourne hat #BOOMER
@BrentonMenzies: A six day break from 35 degree Perth vs a team that played in Melbourne last Friday determined the outcone #crapfixture2014
@TheBlackCat1859: Likes: J Selwood had 13 clearances from 25 possessions on humidity at the Gabba.
@JudithMcCarth18: David Armitage’s mark against GWS. Never been a high flier so was totally breathtaking
@unclescothie: Like: My man Cyril Rioli Dislike: Need more than140 characters to describe how much
@gdigiovanni_: Footy back home @TheAdelaideOval where it belongs! Electrifying atmosphere! One of if not the best ground in Aus
@srahul_35: D: Frawley’s poor chase leading to WCE 1st goal of the match. Where’s the leadership? He should be setting the standard.
@PaulZauch: like — unheralded effort by Cassisi yesterday. His efforts huge but unrecognised by many. 17 contested possessions. #leader
@anthonyperovic: Like: Bomber Thompson doing what he does best. Dislike: Malthouse/Sticks/Swann continuing to avoid scrutiny
@LaurenceBradley: Like: Seeing Port, WCE and Freo top 3. Dislikes: Hinkley and Hart not having a punch on, would’ve been a great spectacle.
@byfc_fez: Like: A full round with real blockbusters, ie rich/carl, showdown. Dislike: Buddy. Getting beaten by a 4th gamer is a worry
@mighty_west: Dogs not playing Talia is baffling, 2 weeks in a row now when we clearly struggled against the opposition height up fwd.
@nottherealwiz: like: The Lions having a genuine crack again, the blockbusters living up to their billing. Dislike Boris getting hurt.
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