The Tackle: Mark Robinson’s likes, dislikes and season predictions for every club ahead of Round 1
Essendon’s best 22 has undergone a massive transformation and it’s time for two players in particular to do the same. Robbo’s likes and dislikes for every club heading into season 2021.
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Mark Robinson has run his rule over every club’s pre-season and narrowed down his likes and dislikes from every team in a special edition of The Tackle.
Robbo analyses the “bold” move Collingwood should make to help its forward line, the young Blue ready to go to the next level, why Essendon is finally on the right path and which teams can challenge Richmond’s dominance.
Check out Robbo’s likes and dislikes from pre-season and how your club is placed heading into the 2021 season.
ADELAIDE
LIKES
Firstly, I simply can’t look at the tips and select the team Adelaide is playing.
Did that for three quarters of last season before the Crows found their game plan and confidence. Won three of the last five, losing to Geelong (28 points) and Richmond (44).
It helped rescue a somewhat dreadful season.
You would hope that stretch was the turning point.
Let’s be honest, they won’t play finals, and the youth path will continue in earnest.
That’s OK. That’s where they are. Will Hamill, Lachlan Sholl, Ned McHenry, Harry Schoenberg, Chayce Jones, Fischer McAsey, Elliott Himmelberg and others will have their moments, if not matches, this season and that’s what Crows fans should be satisfied with.
Darcy Fogarty is 21.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: ADELAIDE CROWS
It’s young for a key forward, but talent doesn’t know age. Fogarty looks good — and big, maybe too big — and this season looms large for him.
He could be king of the kids or be overtaken by them, it’s really in his court.
DISLIKES
When a team wins the wooden spoon, there’s usually a list of “dislikes” the length of Hindley St. Not so with the Crows.
The critics will come if the game plan falls apart, which will then shine the light on effort, intent and unity, and the losses will mount.
Don’t worry about who left (Brad Crouch), worry about who’s there and get excited about which kids will replace Crouch in the middle.
VERDICT
Will be in the vicinity of the spoon.
BRISBANE LIONS
LIKES
Joe Daniher will take marks, it’s a matter of if he will kick goals.
If he does, the Lions straight away are a better team.
They lost the preliminary final last year so expectations are high.
Oscar “Big O” McInerney will ruck, which leaves Daniher and Eric Hipwood to roam the forward line, with Charlie Cameron, Dan McStay, Zac Bailey and maybe even Nakia Cockatoo in the mix.
They have two finals campaigns behind them, and history tells us shooting stars don’t win grand finals, rather teams who consistently play finals.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: BRISBANE LIONS
Not a lot to dislike about the Lions. Jarrod Berry, Brandon Starcevich, Bailey and Hugh McCluggage will get better again, Lachie Neale is a special player and Harris Andrews a star.
Still, they have to be tougher for longer, which is a marginal gain for a team that lost the preliminary.
DISLIKES
Played their worst half of football for the season against Geelong to lose the prelim and there were many reasons why.
Players went missing.
Dayne Zorko, Hipwood, Berry, Jarryd Lyons — some of them young, some of them old, and the question is not about talent, it’s about mentality.
Where’s Zorko’s football? He needs to find his best after an average year.
Who is the replacement ruckman if Big O goes down?
Suspect coach Chris Fagan will be even more demanding this year to get over the hump.
VERDICT
Top four.
CARLTON
LIKES
Added speed and talent (Adam Saad and Zac Williams) between the arcs — and they needed it.
Won seven games last year and lost 10, six by fewer than three goals.
So natural improvement in the youngsters, plus recruits, plus you would hope a more consistent brand of play and finals are not beyond the Blues.
Patrick Cripps had a shoulder operation over the off-season — let’s hope he gets back to his general status — and Sam Docherty will flourish if he doesn’t get the forward stopper, and with Saad there, Docherty might get relief.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: CARLTON BLUES
Harry McKay has Travis Cloke-type traits and this season should see him elevate his game.
There’s a bit to like about the Blues, but not a lot to love and that has to change.
DISLIKES
Carlton fans have had enough.
I say finals football is not beyond them, but fans would say finals are a necessity.
The Blues have had time, they’ve had the picks, they’re bringing in free agents, so no excuses really.
Have to fix the obscene amount of run‑on goals they give up and that comes down to the coach implementing defensive strategies, more so defending the turnover.
For example, who’s their defensive mid, a la Trent Cotchin and Scott Pendlebury?
They won’t play finals if David Teague and the team don’t correct their defensive flaws.
A little concerned about their ability to score.
McKay kicked 21 in 13 games, Levi Casboult 16, Jack Newnes 13, Jack Martin 12 and Michael Gibbons 11.
Is that a qualifying final forward group?
VERDICT
Eighth.
COLLINGWOOD
LIKES
What will transpire at the Pies this year?
They have the nucleus, but maybe not all the answers and/or personnel.
This time last year we wrote about an unfit Jordan De Goey, but that’s not the case this year, which is welcome news. He is the key to their forward line.
Brody Mihocek (25) and Mason Cox (14) were the leading goalkickers last year.
Mihocek is solid and Cox hit and miss, and the F50 was a major headache.
What changes this year?
Jeremy Howe returns — perhaps be bold and send him forward.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES
The midfield remains strong. Brodie Grundy will flourish being out of hotel lockdown.
Josh Daicos on a wing will be better again.
They lost eight games last year, five by fewer than 16 points.
They have pluck, the Pies, but need to improve the workings forward of centre.
DISLIKES
Poor management led to change in the off‑season.
Dumped regular senior players because of salary cap issues and went big at the draft. It creates depth concerns.
Would be surprised if the blood‑letting affects the players, though.
There will be headlines about coach Nathan Buckley being in the final year of his contract and that might affect the players more.
If losses accumulate, so will the headlines.
And with Eddie McGuire falling on his sword, the intrigue off‑field will be a separate storyline.
On the field, they were competitive until the last game last year, but not sure they will suit up as competitive this season.
VERDICT
Ninth.
ESSENDON
LIKES
Finally, some collective direction, led by new president Paul Brasher off field and coach Ben Rutten on it.
Brasher’s talking tough and Rutten, in his sedate manner, is doing the same.
Where does that leave the team? Really, who knows, but at least there’s been a line in the sand.
It’s a team in semi‑rebuild and a finals appearance would be a glorious result.
If the top draftees are ready, they will each play a handful of games.
There is talent — Zach Merrett, Jordan Ridley, Andrew McGrath, Dylan Shiel, Darcy Parish, Jake Stringer — but there’s also a handful of players still to prove they can be consistent.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: ESSENDON BOMBERS
Sam Draper will be one to watch, defender Patrick Ambrose will be a welcome return and what else have you got, Peter Wright and Jye Caldwell?
Still, not even Bombers fans have liked what the club has dished up in recent years, so to look for “likes” as the season approaches is difficult. Best to look for hope as a starting point.
DISLIKES
Players need to get fit (Anthony McDonald‑Tipungwuti, Stringer), they need a game plan that is predictable to them and they need passion in their intent and aggression in their style.
It’s up to Rutten to set the game plan.
He says he has, but last year was a non‑entity in terms of what the team was trying to play.
Speed is lost in the back half (Conor McKenna and Adam Saad are gone), so will it be slow and steady from D50?
So many queries hang over players. Will Dyson Heppell’s body recover, will Jayden Laverde put his flag in the ground? Martin Gleeson? Mason Redman? There are others.
VERDICT
Bottom four.
FREMANTLE
LIKES
Build the defence first and then try to nail the offence.
It looked like Justin Longmuir implemented that plan in his first year. It worked pretty well.
The Dockers are a tough team. They lost the first four games in 2020 and won seven and lost six after that, all the while with a high injury list.
The transformation in the midfield, where Longmuir gave more time to the youth, will be an even bigger success this year. Adam Cerra, Andrew Brayshaw, Lachie Schultz, Taylin Duman and Caleb Serong are the “now” and not only the future.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: FREMANTLE DOCKERS
The challenge is forward, and Longmuir knows that.
Ross Lyon was criticised for not being more attacking and Longmuir will face the same scrutiny if goals don’t come.
DISLIKES
The stats are there for all to see.
The Dockers were the third-worst scoring team in 2020, ranked 17th for scores inside-50 and 15th for points from turnovers.
And that’s with Michael Walters and Nat Fyfe hanging around the F50.
That has to change if the Dockers are to play finals unless, of course, Longmuir wants an eight-to-seven-goal type of contest.
Jesse Hogan’s gone, which was a good decision, but it means they need more from Rory Lobb (now injured) and even more from Fyfe if he is to be more a forward than midfielder.
Add a layer of dare with the pill and the Dockers could be this year’s bolter.
VERDICT
In the middle ranks.
GEELONG
LIKES
Will start 2021 in better nick than they left 2020, although Patrick Dangerfield’s groin is an issue, seeing as it apparently hampered him late last season.
Three months on it’s still not right. Hmmm.
Reckon Isaac Smith will be the best of the recruits, best because his run can put the Cats on the move.
Shaun Higgins gave up last year and he will be much better performed this season. And who knows what Jeremy Cameron can do.
Jezza likes the ball inside fast and in space, and can gallop around wherever Tom Hawkins plants himself.
Harry Taylor was a champ, but cumbersome at the end, and so, too, was Lachie Henderson. The remainder of the team looks top notch.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: GEELONG CATS
DISLIKES
Agree with Tom Stewart’s comments, it’s not “premiership or bust”, but there are very high expectations on Geelong. When isn’t there? The Cats contend almost every year and this won’t be any different.
Not sure Gary Rohan remains a best‑22 player. He just doesn’t get it done when needed. Higgins can replace him in the F50 and more goals from the other small forwards would be handy.
A little concerned at the back. Taylor was slow but experienced and now someone has to take the big boys. Is that Henderson?
VERDICT
See you in September.
GOLD COAST SUNS
LIKES
The obvious answer here is the kids, though I feel like I’ve been writing that in the pre-season for too many years.
This year shapes to be different. Let’s hope so. Still need more talent and grunt, but it’s coming along nicely, albeit slowly.
Eyes will be on Matt Rowell, Ben King, Noah Anderson, Izak Rankine, Sam Flanders, Connor Budarick, Will Brodie, Wil Powell and Jack Lukosius, and when you list them like that, you do realise half the team is so, so young. But like them we do.
Their veterans are solid footballers without being superstars, and they will help guide the kids.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: GOLD COAST SUNS
DISLIKES
From 2015, the Suns have won four, six, six, four, three and five games.
It’s a grim win‑loss record. The past couple of years are similar: Start with punch, end up in the punch.
Had two wins and a draw from their last 13 games after winning three of their first four. It doesn’t so much fall apart after the first month, but by the end, it is a mess. What is it? Personnel? Mentality? Stuart Dew’s game plan? As always, it’s a bit of everything.
Getting tired of writing they are young, exciting and plucky, because youth, excitement and pluckiness does not win them enough games.
Time to plant the flag, Stuey, with the aim to be eight wins.
VERDICT
Won’t make the eight.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
LIKES
Giants still have top-range talent and if coach Leon Cameron can change the mechanics and mentality of his team, then finals would not surprise.
It’s a big “if” because they went from grand finalists to 10th and commentators struggled to understand the Giants’ mode of football. Something has to change.
Stephen Coniglio will be better placed, so will Tim Taranto, two gun mids who had poor 2020 seasons.
Like Braydon Preuss in the ruck if he can get back from shoulder surgery, not sure about Jesse Hogan forward, and somehow the Giants need to work on keeping the pill in the forward half.
And surely the game plan can’t solely focus on stoppages.
Look forward to seeing the strategy changes and seeing the development of Tom Green, Jake Riccardi, Lachie Ash and Taranto.
DISLIKES
There’s hope more than confidence in the “likes” because so many questions hang over the coaching staff and the players.
With Jeremy Cameron gone, the F50 contest falls to Jeremy Finlayson, Riccardi and Hogan and Harry Himmelberg. Not sure there’s a consistent match winner in that group.
Experts want their small forwards to work harder defensively, but it’s more than that.
The whole team has to work and think about their roles, which automatically demands selfless football.
It’s time for Josh Kelly, Toby Greene, Coniglio and Lachie Whitfield to lead the team, not simply play in it.
VERDICT
Miss the eight.
HAWTHORN
LIKES
Horrible season after entering hub life in South Australia, and winning two games from their final 13 matches.
The Hawks hated hub life, but that’s not to say they will charge into September this year, either. Simply, they are not as dysfunctional as last season suggested.
List changes see new faces and the Hawks needed them.
Recruit Tom Phillips takes Isaac Smith’s role, Kyle Hartigan will be given an opportunity and so will draftee defender Denver Grainger-Barras, while boom youngster Will Day could be in All-Australian discussions if he improves on his 2020.
Familiar surrounds will help the Hawks, but the list will hold them back.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: HAWTHORN HAWKS
DISLIKES
This is a club, at this point anyhow, with its back against the wall.
On the field, let’s point the finger: Mitch Lewis has to impact, Chad Wingard needs consistency, James Worpel needs to find himself and Jonathon Patton needs to look at himself, that’s if he plays another AFL game.
Off the field, football boss Graham Wright departed, which will change the dynamics, and, really, where are Alastair Clarkson and Jeff Kennett in terms of the future? The Hawks look unsteady with a list that needs attention.
They will be competitive, but not sure it will equate to many wins.
And best and fairest winner Jack Gunston is already behind time because of injury.
VERDICT
Bottom four.
MELBOURNE
LIKES
Turned the corner somewhat last season, but losses to Sydney (Round 15) and Fremantle (Round 16) ended the Demons’ plucky run to the finals.
Overall, they won six of the last nine games.
Their forward dilemmas will be fixed or fixated on getting Ben Brown back from injury.
If he can return to being a 60-goal player and Luke Jackson finds his feet, maybe the forward line will be less dysfunctional. It also depends on teammates up the ground.
Kysaiah Pickett is the one to watch and I liked that Jordan Lewis said he saw Cyril Rioli-like traits in Kossie, and reckon Bayley Fritsch is set to boom.
The Demons have stars, experience and rawness, and probably need some finesse and calm amid the rampage to take the next step.
Assistants Mark Williams and Adem Yze also add craft to the coaching box and development areas. It was a busy off-season.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: MELBOURNE DEMONS
DISLIKES
The Demons are hard-nosed, but could they be too hard-nosed?
They love the contested ball but not sure they are as adept on the outside.
They dominate via Max Gawn but there’s not overwhelming capitalisation from it. If that changes, the Demons will play finals.
Was all over them coming home last year before the Swans/Dockers losses. Flaky? You could argue that.
Improved ball movement, improved connection with forwards and improved footy nous with the ball will clearly improve performance.
It would want to happen because Simon Goodwin is in that horrible phase — he needs a successful season or the club will consider a change.
VERDICT
10th, missing by percentage.
NORTH MELBOURNE
LIKES
It’s such a cliche but a new coach brings renewed hope, optimism and game styles, and David Noble was not the only significant change.
The other, of course, was the harvest of the playing list. It had to happen. And even Roos fans knew that.
It means youth is on the rampage, which Noble will continue the build on the momentum that Rhyce Shaw set rolling in his brief time at the club.
Kangas fans know the kids, so we don’t have to list them here, and the fans also know they can’t expect immediate results.
A fit Ben Cunnington will be enormous, but so, too, will be a less arduous game style.
This mob under Noble needs to gain respect, competitiveness and, with it, the joy of young players making their mark. And Jy Simpkin is an AA smoky.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS
DISLIKES
The Kangas must find the passion, leadership and competitiveness that deserted the club about Round 14 last year.
It ended a truly unremarkable, if not distressing season.
Of course, they have problem areas, which they have tried to alleviate: running players, such as draftee Will Phillips, are exhibit A.
A major problem is finding a game plan to aid personnel to kick goals. Cam Zurhaar (18) and Nick Larkey (14) were the only two players to kick 11 or more last year. Defence, too, is going through a rebuild.
VERDICT
Bottom four.
PORT ADELAIDE
LIKES
It’s so close you can feel it. The energy. The belief. The club. Port is riding a wave and it would be foolish to suggest it will break before September.
A losing preliminary finalist to a generational team such as Richmond is no shame.
The shame would come if the wheels fell off in 2021. They surely won’t.
The Power plays the modern game with aplomb.
It is tough, together, wins the ball, moves the ball, defends the ball and has ageing stars and young tearaways.
Orazio Fantasia could be a boom recruit and I’m still surprised Aliir Aliir departed Sydney. Both should be in the best 22. And Connor Rozee will find more consistency.
For Kenny Hinkley, it’s time to make hay as the sun shines.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: PORT ADELAIDE POWER
DISLIKES
So close last year to the GF — it lost by six points to the Tigers — there’s always a fear the opportunity might not present itself again.
The challenge, which it failed last year, was being tough for long enough.
Externally, the expectation is Port will be top four again, but right now Hinkley is not looking beyond Round 1.
Do Travis Boak and Robbie Gray continue their output, Boak especially? And do they need to be less predictable in regards to Charlie Dixon?
That’s not a home and away issue, that’s a finals issue, because when the pressure is there, Dixon always seems to be the target. Over to you Todd Marshall.
VERDICT
Have to be top four.
RICHMOND
LIKES
What’s not to like? What a team the Tigers are. Tough. Mentally robust. And what a player Dustin Martin is.
Yep, someone one day will find a strategy and a player to quell him, but if that doesn’t work, really who will complain? We are amid historical greatness.
Still, the Tigers have weapons everywhere.
Their back six is the best in the comp, and their back running three — Bachar Houli, Jayden Short and Liam Baker — are the best of their breed. Midfield remains disciplined and key forward Tommy Lynch is in his prime.
Jack Riewoldt will continue to play his role, which allows Lynch more freedom from two‑on‑ones.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: RICHMOND TIGERS
DISLIKES
The so‑called relationship counsellors in footy media are tipping an implosion.
If the team slumps, they opine, it will be because coach Damien Hardwick went looking for greater happiness in his life. What rubbish.
If the Tigers slump it will because of hunger, or Martin is injured, or the opposition simply gets better.
This Tigers outfit looks out for each other and just maybe they go to another level this season. Four from five is better than that famous dental advert that spruiked “fwee from fwee”.
Hard to beat again.
VERDICT
Book them into the preliminary final.
ST KILDA
LIKES
Jack Higgins comes in for Nick Hind, Brad Crouch adds class to the midfield, Max King is a year older, Bradley Hill won’t be as poor and belief can only help.
There are more positives, such as Nick Coffield and Hunter Clark — and Rowan Marshall when he overcomes injury — young fellas who are playing huge roles but will be required to become better leaders.
The Saints are a good team, but the jury is out about whether they can be a great team. The midfield depth will be a weapon and Brett Ratten will continue to oversee a fast brand of football.
The development of King will be a key.
He needs to develop stickier fingers and, when that happens, it will give him more shots at goal. Fifty goals is not beyond him.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: ST KILDA SAINTS
DISLIKES
Nothing screams out about the Saints and how they go about it.
Speed is their key, but with that comes turnover issues.
But as the game plan and discipline continues to evolve, the Saints become harder to beat. They will compete, there’s no doubt about it.
Lost four games by six points or fewer last year, so they are ready to challenge.
It’s a team effort, of course, but it’s up to the midfielders to stamp themselves on the competition.
The midfield is good without being great and Hill, for one, and Sebastian Ross and Jack Billings need to go to another level again. Ross is a defence‑minded mid, a la Scott Pendlebury, and could be a go.
VERDICT
September beckons.
SYDNEY
LIKES
Smoky for the eight with the big guy to return — that’s Lance Franklin — and Isaac Heeney, who only managed five games in 2020.
Really noticeable the team tried to move the ball quicker and central, and with Franklin and Heeney forward, this quicker style should pay off.
Games from this duo will be a bonus on top of what John Longmire has been developing.
Probably won’t crack September, but have more youth through the door in draftees Logan McDonald (pick 4), Braeden Campbell (5) and Errol Gulden (32).
Plus Tom Hickey, Dylan Stephens, James Rowbottom and Nick Blakey between the arcs will be exciting.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: SYDNEY SWANS
DISLIKES
It takes time to find pace and capability in the midfield. Before the 2020 season, the Swans were concerned about their ability to get from contest to contest in the midfield.
It’s still a work in progress. Ollie Florent has to elevate in that area if he’s going to reach the levels expected of him.
As said, the Swans are a work in progress, and need injury-plagued Franklin’s 55 goals now Tom McCartin is in defence.
They will worry teams because every time they step out, they give their all.
VERDICT
Need Buddy to stay on the park.
WEST COAST
LIKES
After a restless year in the hub and with injuries, I think the band is back together for 2021 and the Eagles will be strong contenders.
List changes were minimal, so the Eagles are confident with their squad.
Elliot Yeo back for a full season (hopefully) is a huge plus because he is a warrior and (hopefully again) Liam Ryan gets even better as a forward‑mid. Keep ’em out of a hub and the Eagles will be tough to beat.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: WEST COAST EAGLES
DISLIKES
They would love another small forward because they didn’t find a consistent replacement for Willie Rioli.
The Eagles get enough of the ball inside 50, but are there enough scroungers underneath Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Oscar Allen? Is three talls still the right mix?
Probably, because the Eagles like to go long.
Age is on them and with that can come injuries, so that could be an issue.
But that’s the case for most clubs.
Expect the Eagles to be rocking at home.
VERDICT
A contender for top four.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
LIKES
Arguably had the best midfield in the competition in 2020 and have added ball magnet Adam Treloar and ruckman Stef Martin.
And Bailey Smith will be better again, which is super exciting.
The roll‑on move by recruiting Martin allows Tim English to play more minutes as a key forward, which straight away stretches the opposition defences.
Martin, too, will play forward, and the kid, Jamarra Ugle‑Hagan, will see time, so questions will be asked of Josh Bruce.
If he rescues his career and becomes a threat then maybe Aaron Naughton heads back to D50. Am excited about the Dogs, but have been saying that every March since 2017.
FULL SEASON PREVIEW: WESTERN BULLDOGS
DISLIKES
The time’s come to stop calling them the young Dogs and, anyway, the age profile lifts with Martin and Treloar.
Three Saints talls — Paddy Ryder, Tim Membrey, Max King — kicked six of their team’s 10 goals in the elimination final, so there is concern at the back.
Does the coach persevere with Ryan Gardner or pull the trigger on Naughton? Maybe Bruce back. Maybe Bruce doesn’t play at all.
They’re the biggest tease in the comp, the Dogs, and only have consecutive elimination finals losses to their name in the past two seasons.
Time to play consistent big‑boys footy again, not that circle work we saw against the Saints at the Gabba.
VERDICT
Yep, like them. Push top four.
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Originally published as The Tackle: Mark Robinson’s likes, dislikes and season predictions for every club ahead of Round 1
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