Ask Robbo: Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson answers your Round 3 questions
Goalkicking was supposed to get easier without the pressure of a big crowd, but it is worse than ever. Is there something to this left-field theory? Mark Robinson answers your questions on the Pies, Tigers, Cats and more.
Mark Robinson
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Another massive weekend of upheavel in an already chaotic season threw up some of the toughest questions the AFL has ever had to face.
Meanwhile, on the field Collingwood stamped itself as the team to beat in 2020 while teams including Richmond, GWS and West Coast have to ask themselves some serious questions.
Here’s how Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson answered your questions.
Anthony: Do you think the attitude and constant complaints from Adam Simpson about being away from home has put the Eagles players in the wrong mindset? Mentally are the players thinking that they have an excuse for their performance?
Robbo: As Daniel Harford said on Sunday, players will take an out if offered. Simpson is talking the truth about being disadvantaged and about the difficulty of living in a hotel room for a month. That can seep into a player’s mindset. So, is that an excuse? Yes, it is. The fact they also enjoy playing dry football can’t be ignored either. Feel sorry for all the hub teams.
Pete: Do you think the season should have been cancelled? What the AFL are trying to do is a mockery on our game. Did they honestly believe that asymptomatic players wouldn’t exist? Did they think that every single player was immune? What a balls up … your opinion please.
Robbo: Yes, the season should’ve been played, and yes, they have protocols in place for this exact situation. The whole competition is compromised, the integrity is being tested, but it’s still better than not having football. OK, some people don’t like it, but the alternative is worse.
James: Do you, like me, find it interesting that goalkicking seems to be worse with no fans in the stands? I honestly thought it would improve but is this a case of players being able to hear each other more and words spoken by the opposition have more of an effect than general crowd noise?
Robbo: Like the summation and you might be right. Maybe the verbal is getting into players’ heads. But if that’s the case, then it’s a pretty poor argument for some seriously sloppy goalkicking. Shane Warne last year said goalkicking was at all-time low, so I don’t know how he would be handling this year’s offerings. The North-Swans game on Saturday was comical at times (apologies Todd Goldstein).
John: Do you think Jack Riewoldt should be dropped to save Richmond’s season? As vice-captain, publicly coming out and acknowledging a loss of motivation to train is evident in his performances and seeps through to the team’s mentality. The performance on Thursday night was horrific.
Robbo: Dropped? Big call. Massive call, John. He is in a slump for whatever reason. The motivation debate is interesting. Been up for three years, no crowds, early in the year, teams flood his area, his teammates are bombing it on his head, his timing is out … he’s having a wretched time. But I’m nowhere near ready to put a line through his name.
Derek: There is a lot of discussion regarding Jacob Weitering’s form at the Blues, but little for Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe at Pies. Know the Pies back six collectively are getting the plaudits but think those two individually should be highlighted as well.
Robbo: Fair call. Weitering as a No.1 draft pick gets pummelled if he’s not getting a kick — which the other two avoid — so in turn probably gets overs when he plays well. Let’s not worry about who’s making the headlines. Weitering deserves what he’s getting and Howe and Moore have had plenty of pats on the back along the way. That said, Weitering will be an All-Australian contender if he keeps it going. And, yes, so will Howe and Moore.
Barry: Would you agree what Clarko said about the Cats that they aren’t a good team? GWS gave the Cats a good hiding and the Blues clearly a better team and Cats are now 1-3.
Robbo: I’m not sure I interpreted Clarkson’s comments like you did. I took it as Geelong aren’t that good to beat his team by so much. He was pointing out his team was woeful on the night and the score wasn’t indicative of where he saw his own team. Might be wrong and Clarkson thinks Geelong is rubbish, but I doubt that.
Graham: After Round 3, is there too much media speculation on who can be an All-Australian and just how good/bad some teams are? Need to play a lot more games before such calls should be made.
Robbo: Don’t read the question from Derek. Seriously, don’t fret, Graham, the media and fans discuss teams, tactics, players, coaches, umpires, anything and everything to do with this game. All-Australian discussion only reinforces how well a player is performing.
James: Who at this moment has played the best all-round brand of football this year? I think the Dogs on Friday night were exactly how I’d love my team to play. Tough, fanatic and took the game on. Defence was sound and ball movement precise.
Robbo: Pies in Round 1 against the Dogs was elite. Kangas over Giants was a cracker. Hawks over Tigers last Thursday. Liked the Pies v Saints on Saturday. Actually, like the Pies a lot. The team to beat at this stage.
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