The Tackle: Essendon's super supplements saga can't distract from Round 22's Super Saturday
EXTENDED EDITION: Essendon supplements saga, Dustin Martin's contract and Robbo's likes and dislikes. Live chat from 11.30am
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WE'VE had more Super Supplements days than Super Saturdays this season, but surely the Essendon drugs scandal cannot detract from the significance, and anticipation, of Round 22.
Round 21 was about the assertion of dominance by Hawthorn, Geelong, Sydney and Fremantle as they put daylight between themselves and the bottom four of the top eight.
Their winning margins were 35, 66, 59 and 95 points.
Tippett leads Swans to victory
Talk about gearing themselves towards their September campaigns.
The top four is 10 points clear of stumbling Collingwood and Richmond, a free-falling Essendon, and a Port Adelaide team that is in a battle royale with Carlton for the eighth spot.
Port plays Fremantle (away) and then Carlton (home) in what will be a last-man standing affair, the kind of game Ken Hinkley's boys have thrived upon.
After disposing of the Tigers, Carlton can fairly argue its resolve isn't shot, either.
It was said that after the loss to the Western Bulldogs, Carlton coach Mick Malthouse told his players it was one of the worst defeats in which he had been involved in 29 years as a coach.
The win against the Tigers wasn't one of the best in the same period, but it was one in which the Blues regained respect.
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But first things first - Super Saturday.
The results of four of the five games on Saturday will have a massive influence on ladder positions - North Melbourne versus Hawthorn at Etihad, 2.10pm; Geelong versus Sydney at Simonds Stadium, 4.40pm; Carlton versus Essendon at the MCG, 7.40pm; and Fremantle versus Port Adelaide at Patersons Stadium, 7.40pm.
Sandi, Ballantyne right for finals
The permutations are many and clearly the team with the most difficult assignment is the Swans.
They meet Geelong and Hawthorn in the final two rounds and would need to win both to be assured of a top two-finish. A one-one split would probably not be enough.
The Dockers have Port and then St Kilda (Etihad), so second is not beyond them.
If the Hawks lose to North Melbourne and then the Swans, they would almost certainly lose top spot, and perhaps a top-two position.
Clearly, the Kangas at Etihad isn't a walk in the park. Equally, playing the Hawks isn't a pleasant walk anywhere.
On Friday night, the Hawks reminded Collingwood just who are the men and who are the boys.
As Round 22 approaches, predicting the result of a single match will be difficult, so forecasting how the top four will settle is close to impossible.
The Bombers-Blues game at the 'G shapes, for Essendon, as the fifth instalment of the bloody blockbuster franchise, Halloween.
The Bombers have lost their past four matches in horror results. They have been sliced and diced and are mentally scarred as September looms.
Malthouse has been kicking the club to death in recent weeks and he will want to do the same on Saturday.
In turn, the Bombers are non-too impressed with Malthouse opening his mouth about their issues. If anything, it's a scene setter.
And then there's Geelong.
It was a systematic kill of West Coast. The Cats had 27 shots at goal to 11, they won the inside 50s 58-36, had close to 100 more possessions and skipper Joel Selwood might have helped himself to another three Brownlow Medal votes.
He, Travis Boak at Port Adelaide and Kieren Jack at Sydney have led their clubs superbly this season, and although Gary Ablett is the favourite to be the All Australian captain, that trio all have solid claims to the position.
Boak, in his first season as skipper, has been nothing short of sensational for a team that deserves the same accolade.
Dusty's future hangs in the balance
SPOKE TO Ralph Carr recently.
You might not know of him, but he is the manager of the second-most talked about out-of-contract footballer in the competition.
Hawthorn's Lance Franklin is No.1, of course, and Richmond's Dustin Martin is No.2.
Carr is playing hardball with the Tigers, just as he did with Collingwood over Travis Cloke, his other high-profile client.
Carr is unique. He is from the entertainment industry and while football is an emotional business, Carr is not an emotional manager.
He and the Tigers are at logger-heads.
It's safe to say, as the Magpies found out last season, Carr doesn't care if he loses friends.
His job is to attain the best possible deal for his client and his track-record is admirable.
He wasn't keen on talking about the Martin situation, so it's a bit of a guessing game.
Martin is on good money in the final year of his contract, which was negotiated by his former manager Ricky Nixon. It's about $450,000.
The Tigers new offer was for about the same money with incentives, which was understandable seeing as Martin finished 10th in the 2012 club best and fairest, although his 2013 season suggests a top-three finish is not beyond him.
Carr knows that. He believes it is ridiculous that Martin is having a season like he's having and the Tigers don't want to cough up more money than he's presently on which, it has be said, was overs from the outset.
Richmond's issue is that they believe Carr is telling interested people that several clubs have expressed interest in Martin, and one, namely Greater Western Sydney, has a multi-year offer worth about $750,000 per season.
GWS has said no offer exists, and that no offer will be forthcoming.
So, the Tigers believe Carr is inflating the price and the interest.
In the meantime, the standoff continues.
Give or take $20,000, the Tigers might go to $500,000 but Carr wants $600,000 and won't budge.
The further problem is Martin doesn't want to leave Richmond.
He's an interesting young man Dustin Martin.
He is shy, untrustworthy of the media and reliant on a good structures in his life to play good footy.
There have been issues, and the Tigers have worked with him closely to sort them out.
So much so, that the Tigers would be staggered if Martin suddenly announced he was out of there.
They have invested in Martin, and know that Martin wants to invest in them.
If only the contract can be completed.
Either Carr buckles and drops the price, or the Tigers, under new football boss Dan Richardson, buckle and Richmond's pay scale is out of whack in his first season.
The Tigers would like to have you believe that's “take it or leave it”' with Martin, but that won't be the case.
They need Martin as much as Martin needs them.
Carr, meanwhile, plays for keeps. His mantra is: This is what we want and this is what you will pay.
In the end, Martin will decide where and how much.
It will be Richmond, but the “how much” is going to drive people at Richmond bonkers for some time yet.
Don't be surprised if all talks are put off until the end of the season.
LIKES
1. Western Bulldogs.
That's Adelaide and Carlton in successive weeks and West Coast before that, meaning the evolution is upon us. Where do you start? The commitment? The self-belief? Twenty-odd points down in the third and win by 17 in Adam Cooney's 200th is a real surge for the footy club. Cooney, Libba and Boyd in the midfield, Murphy in defence, and Cross on Sloane were all winners, yet it was the problem area -- the forward line -- which shone. Dickson kicked 6.0 in his best game for the club, and Tom Campbell four. Big Tom is a cult figure already.
2. Josh Kennedy.
He has probably not reached the consistent heights of last season, so a season-high 38 touches on the eve of the finals is more than welcomed. His best afield effort included 12 clearances, seven inside 50s, and five tackles. That's what you like about the Swans. If one mid is down, say Ryan O'Keefe and Kieren Jack, others step up, namely Kennedy and Parker.
3. Cyril.
I have been accused of being blinded by his skill and not alert to his inconsistency. Yes he is flirty with his contribution, but I have said it 10 times and will say it again: No-one gets value for possession like the Hawks’ genius. Did you see him against the Magpies during the second quarter? It's called game-breaking. It's called breaking the lines when others can't. It's called why any player who gets the job on him in the finals will have a sleepless night.
4. Joel Selwood.
I was asked at the weekend who is my Brownlow quinella. Obviously Gazza is one, and decided on Selwood for the other. Consecutive weeks of four-goal returns means Selwood is the in-form midfielder in the competition. At the weekend, he managed 29 touches, his ninth game of more than 28 touches this season. In his past five matches, he's kicked 14 goals. He had a quiet patch from Rounds 5-10, but is coming home like the Swan Hill passenger train.
5. The new Bartlett.
Melbourne's new chairman was unheard of six weeks back, but after his first match at the helm, you'd think all Demons fans would like his hymn book. You have to respect his forthright attitude "I appreciate that some people might not like this but it’s reality. There is a softer culture,” Bartlett said. "I have heard a lot of people say that we just want to be competitive, that was an honourable loss, the players tried hard. We need to build a culture for the future where nothing other than winning is acceptable. I am really tired of people making fun at Melbourne Football Club, feeling sorry for Melbourne, not respecting Melbourne.” I can't imagine one fan disagreeing with him.
6. Ed Curnow.
I will be taking huge interest in the Brownlow Medal votes from this game. There might've been eye-catching performances from McLean, Simpson and Robinson, and everyone liked Casboult's influence, but their importance did not match Curnow's. Could you imagine his satisfaction and the coach's admiration for a 120-minute shutdown on Trent Cotchin. Have seen Cotchin amass 12 touches in a quarter, and on Saturday Curnow kept Cotchin to 14 across four quarters, while collecting 17 touches himself, and six tackles. Surely he will be top of the pops in the club B&F voting.
7. Simon Black.
Fans are romantics, and we're all fans. Would love to think Simon Black did this for Vossy, his former teammate and former coach who was basically sacked during the week. The outpouring of respect for Voss was enlightening, but words are words. Footballers do their best talking by their deeds on the field. Black was close to best afield with 28 touches including five clearances.
8. Moments I.
Amid the gloom from round to round as the Essendon saga soaks up the centimetres in the newspaper, the weekend delivered the love. And Nathan Grima's first goal in footy, in his 72nd game, was pure love of the game. A hurried snap on his left foot sailed through and teammates swamped him, including his regular defensive teammates. And the smile... James Hird hasn't smiled like Grima smiled for at least month. Two post-match interviews capped it, one with David King on Fox Footy and one with the Kangaroos media guru Heath O'Loughlin, who managed to get hold of Grima's old man. Both are worth a view.
9. Moments II.
It was all over at the SCG, bar the cheering. When Gary Rohan ran on to the ground, the SCG crowd stood to its feet to acknowledge the culmination of close two season on the sidelines after having his leg snapped. And the best thing? Rohan couldn't stop running. The cameras followed him until he won his first touch, which he passed off to Ben McGlynn. It was a short stint on the ground in his return -- he finished with four kicks and one handball -- but this wasn't about kicks and handballs.
10. Moments III.
Hundreds of one-per centers to choose from again, but not one better than Will Minson's chase down of Patrick Dangerfield in the final quarter yesterday. It's taken it's time, but the Dogs are getting reward for effort, As for Minson, surely he is the All Australian ruckman.
Honourable mentions: Josh Kennedy's 12 clearances, Mitch Robinson, Jack Steven, Redden's 11 tackles, Stephen Coniglio's best game of the season, Sam Mayes’ four goals, Jeremy Cameron's unselfishness, Bartel in the wet, Steve Johnson in the wet, Levi Greenwood, Leigh Spurr's first goal, Wellingham's 10 clearances, Grant Birchall's return, Brad Sewell, Mark Blicavs,
DISLIKES
1. Thomas injury.
Returning from long-term injury, you need every ounce of luck. Thomas hurt his 'bad' ankle in the VFL on Saturday and was on crutches after the game. Needing game time, Thomas left the field during the second quarter. He will have scans today, and even if he misses just the one game, at Round 22, you'd have to say his fairy tale comeback is a goner.
2. Tigers.
Outplayed and arguably outcoached by Carlton and Mick Malthouse. If you don't win after kicking eight first-quarter goals, then something has gone horribly wrong. The Blues reassessed at the first break, clearly lifted their intensity and found match-winners when the Tigers could only find headaches. It's not all doom and gloom for the Tigers, who will play finals, but yet another reminder no game is in the bag.
3. Adelaide.
While the Dogs are applauded, the Crows should be slapped. Four goals ahead and lose by three in a seven-goal turnaround in a quarter and a half is desperately disappointing. It sums up the Crows’ season. They sit in 13th spot, a game behind Brisbane who sacked their coach, and a game ahead of Gold Coast and the Bulldogs, who are building for the future. The Crows are in between: Struggling with a rebuild.
4. Essendon.
It wasn't the effort which killed them, but the skill level. This was embarrassing as turnover after turnover destroyed any momentum they were building. It meant the Kangaroos were able run and spread and, to be honest, the 45-point margin felt more like 65. How James Hird harbours confidence in a turnaround is difficult to understand.
5. Backroom angst.
No problems if former Essendon powerbrokers are agitating for a quick resolution to the drugs saga -- everyone is -- but if you're going to make phone calls to Kevin Sheedy to enquire about returning to the club, make sure you are ringing Kevin Sheedy and not someone close to Sheedy. Complaining about the current board to the wrong ears will only end in tears.
6. West Coast.
Games like that only leave questions and not answers. The Cats are good, but the Eagles made them look invincible. The loss prompted discussion about John Worsfold's future, and whether the Eagles should look at a change of coach. I don't agree. Worsfold and the Eagles are understood to be close to an agreement, but bad losses to Collingwood and Adelaide in the final two rounds would make the discussion red-hot. Perhaps it's best if the Eagles announce a new contract this week, to avoid the unwanted spotlight.
7. Lynch on Hodge.
The Pies were happy to have Hodge go to Lynch and it's a fair bet the Hawks were happy to. The thinking was fine. Lynch could hurt Hodge in the air, and even demand Hodge stay with him and not peel off to help the key defenders on Reid and Cloke. But it didn't work. Hodge dominated from the back half, which makes you think next time they meet, the Hawks skipper might require a disciplined opponent. Liked the idea of Heath Shaw getting the job -- via Robert Walls -- especially if Shaw is tagged up his end, as he was on Friday night by Brendan Whitecross.
8. That team.
More misery for the most miserable fans in the competition, and they must be looking for an injection of enthusiasm coming with the announcement of a new coach. Let's be frank, it won't be Neil Craig, for that wouldn't be enthusiasm. My money is on Rodney Eade with Adam Simpson as the assistant and the successor. If they could talk Cameron Ling out of the commentary box, who at the weekend admitted he was huge fan of Brett Ratten, then that would be winner as well.
9. Freo injuries.
The big fella, Aaron Sandilands, is in the wars again with a head knock, but he should be right, the problem is Hayden Ballantyne's shoulder. He fell heavily late and will miss some games, meaning coach Ross Lyon is yet to have his full team on the park for an extended period this season. Unbelievably, they could still finish second. Surely the coach of the year award is between Lyon and Port's Ken Hinkley.
10. Inconsistency.
Yes, we're talking the match review panel. Hamish Hartlett will likely go for his hit on Gold Coast's Seb Tape. But should he? Port reckons there wasn't contact to the head. The consequence suggests otherwise. Was their malice? Dare I say it, was it an accident, a la Lindsay Thomas?
BEST TWEETS
@V8Jack: I'll get in early. Like - Murph & the Bobdogs. Dislike - umpires, lettin' the ball go in a tackle is DROPPING IT.
@DanJarvis198: I'll get the ball rolling #thetackle loves Gary Rohan and the bulldogs prospects for 2014
@bigjacktubb: like Brodie Grundy, dislike small Sunday crowds
@cunners2287: L: Brody Grundy. 1 of few who can hold their heads up on Fri night & looks to be our 1st real ruckman since the big Monkey
@MJ_Cannata: likes: Brad Sewell back to his best #afl360family
@TheBiggsOne: L: Dogs again, spirited end to season. Cameron handing off in last 2mins despite Coleman #teamfirst D: dare I say THAT team
@nbhorse: Gibbs used forward of centre. Too damaging to be used as a lock down defender
@Tayl0r231: like: Carlton had a great win! Dislike: losing to st.kilda / bulldogs has cost us a spot in the finals
@sandellenburg: LOVE the Dogs. Had faith in Macca, wasn't sure about the cattle. They're buying in. Something happening out West! #godogs
@BennyB11: Like- Birchall back after 2 months and it's like he's never out. Dislike- Huge disparity between good/bad teams
@Joininthechorus: Nathan Grima's first ever AFL goal
@jbarresi1: dislike Malthouse starting bootsma on riewoldt but like mick acknowledging his mistake and moving Jamison onto riewoldt
@alvey5: dislike people talking Richmond up/ have done nothing yet, won't make the 8 in 2014
@jakksynn: Likes: Travis Boak finally getting recognition for the stellar year he's having. Dislikes: Hartlett getting injured again.
@M_1tch : Like mexican Dislike mexican supplements
@Kelzdab: Dislike seeing Goddard so seemingly sad. Like seeing Rohan come on to cheers, and I'm a saints fan
@BZibba: Dislike - Supporters yelling 'Kick it!', then complaining when the ball is kicked to three defenders zoning off
@shibz_1989: likes, the success of Freo senior recruit Spurr(first afl snag today)dislikes, Roos can only win under the roof
@osama_hag: like joel selwood showing why he's one of the best, bulldogs impressive again. dislike: the essendon saga still in the news
@georgieby: Like - Gary Rohan. Footy needed a good news story. Spine-tingling reception from Sydney crowd.
@BZibba: Like Jack VineyLike Jack Viney playing like a non-Melbourne player. Dislike - Melbourne players
@micknicholls: Like: Cricketers Arms after beating the Tiges, nothing better! Dislike: Mid strength beer at day games
@BroughamTom: Like: Daniel wells putting on a clinic Dislike: Melbourne lack of effort
@tzimg: like Cyril putting on the afterburners, dislike tipping against Geelong
@AFLmusic: dislike The outright disrespect for @voss03 by Lions board
@GinoSaracino: L-casboult/menzel/bell/graham/mcinnes D- hungry Bartlett tipping tigers by99 points #laughable
@dingoderek: After ditching Vossy, dislike Angus the Chairman joining in team song after GWS
Win@JasonSummers800: Like - Luke Hodge coming alive for the finals Dislike - Weak bumps under scrutiny in the MRP
@taylorwoof: Ls: Brad Sewells 1st Qtr #statement Cooneys rediscovered leg speed #jet Ds: Continuous talk about P.Roos #doesntwanttocoach
@JimTimberlake76: Dislike Geelong playing West Coast once a year in each of last three, all in Perth. 5 of last 6 over there.
@Richardsgere17: big will on danger his chase/tackle and the face rub in dirt a statement. Dislike Pears&Hooker playing in the same side
@kelloveslife: the tackle like Nathan Grima best 1st ever career goal celebration best 1st ever post game interview #tassielad#lovefooty
@DavidNew72: Dislikes 1. J.Hird's denialism 2. A.Demetriou's handling of ASADA/essendon saga 3. Sledging of R.Walls
@70_price: I am a blues fan but a lot to like about Adam Cooney, how did he get so quick
@fosty82: no Matt white, no Richmond ;)
@kleinyheraldsun: big Tommy Campbell up forward for the doggies
@hyperbenny: Dislike - Hamish Hartlett's likely suspension. Like - The Lindsay Thomas head clash defense.
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