The Tackle: Mark Robinson looks at the best and worst of AFL Round 1

DUSTIN Martin was the matchwinner yet again for Richmond on Thursday night, so what’s he doing in Robbo’s “dislikes” section? See all his heroes and villains of the opening weekend including Ablett, Buddy and the dysfunctional Dogs. PLUS BEST TWEETS

Luke Beveridge talks to his players in Canberra.

FOOTY’S back!

And so is Mark Robinson’s weekly likes and dislikes in The Tackle.

REPORT: GIANTS GIVE DOGS BRUTAL REALITY CHECK

MASTER: GAZ’S CATS RETURN DOESN’T DISAPPOINT

REPORT: CATS EDGE DIES AFTER COMEDY OF ERRORS

PROTECTED: AFL ADMITS, WE GOT 50m CALLS WRONG

Robbo looks at the weekend’s lows, including a dismal Western Bulldogs, Collingwood’s inability to shutdown Tom Mitchell and early injuries.

While the likes of Lance Franklin’s big bag, Gary Ablett’s return and Blake Acres and his Saints are among the highlights.

THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST: MICK WARNER, LAUREN WOOD AND JON RALPH REVIEW A MASSIVE ROUND 1

WHAT I DON’T LIKE

1. THE BULLDOGS

At the season launch Luke Beveridge said the romance begins again with the new season. One game in and the romance is rocky. How long has it been rocky?

Teams lose in Round 1, but it’s also about how you lose. The Bulldogs were insipid and dysfunctional. In the second and third quarters they kicked 2.3 to the Giants 13.2.

From afar, it looks like all is not well at the Kennel. The list manager went, the recruiting chief quit, the CEO’s position has been a revolving door, the president is fighting with Susan Alberti, there’s injuries and now this loss.

The Dogs lack talls in defence because of injury and lack smarts in the forward 50m. At one stage the Bulldogs had 45 entries for 5.6 and Giants 17.5 from 55 entries.

The focus turns to the coach to fix it.

Jason Johannisen looks nonplussed in Canberra.

2. LIBBA’S KNEE

Injuries compound the off-field issues and on Sunday Libba joined the list. We could give his teammates an out, that they were emotionally shot after Libba was carried from the field, but that would be too easy. Injuries can stop any team and with Libba joining Marcus Adams and Dale Morris, who are key players in defence, the Bulldogs already face hurdles. Problem is outside of those three, the list is healthy.

So, again, are there bigger problems at the Kennel? As colleague Sam Landsberger tweeted: “The Western Bulldogs go down by 82 points. That is their biggest loss under premiership coach Luke Beveridge and the club’s equal worst defeat since Round 21, 2012.’’ In the pre-match on Fox Footy, Beveridge said multiple times “we’re ready’’. They weren’t.

The Western Bulldogs go down by 82 points. That is their biggest ever loss under premiership coach Luke Beveridge and the club’s equal worst defeat since Round 21, 2012. #AFLGiantsDogs

— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) March 25, 2018

3. LACK OF COMPOSURE

The final two minutes were extraordinary at the MCG.

Clayton Oliver played on from 25m and missed. Christian Petracca hooked one left from the boundary line for another miss. Alex Neal-Bullen kicked out of bounds. Jordan Murdoch kicked out of bounds. Zach Tuohy kicked out of bounds. And Max Gawn missed from 25m to win the game. When Gawn was kicking, Cats coach Chris Scott was walking out of the coaches box. Big Max would be kicking himself. He ran Smith ragged in the second half and then let himself down at the end. He got some lip, too, from a Cats player.

Max Gawn after missing a potential matchwinning goal.

4. TOM TOMS ARE BLARING

Collingwood played a bit of Jack Crisp, Taylor Adams and Adam Treloar on Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell and they failed to curb his influence. Still, how does a player gather 54 disposals in a game of footy when there’s individual accountability around the ground and collective defensive strategies at stoppages? The structure failed as much as the individuals. Blame has to be levelled at the players and the coach because Nathan Buckley needed to find a solution to stop Mitchell.

Football teams no longer carry a complete lock down player, but Collingwood needed one on Saturday night. They will probably use Levi Greenwood in that role when he returns from injury. In the meantime, maybe Adams, who looks to have lost his spot as an out-and-out midfielder, could become the hard-nosed minder of the opposition’s best minds.

5. MITCHELL WAS THE DIFFERENCE

Buckley says his team is a “grunt team’’ and they squared the contested-ball count 166-165 on Saturday night, which is a tick. But Champion Data numbers tell us that when Hawthorn squares or wins the contested-ball category they generally win the game. So, Hawthorn wins the count by one and Mitchell has 27 contested disposals. Cut out Mitchell and Collingwood would have been in the game, notwithstanding its skill errors and forward half ball use.

6. ONE-MATCH BAN

Is the AFL real on head knocks or not? Adelaide’s Richard Douglas decided not to contest the ball and tried to hurt Zach Merrett. It was mission accomplished. Merrett took a shoulder to the head, left the field with concussion and did not return. Yet Douglas only received one week. If he was guilty, as MRP boss Michael Christian adjudicated, then surely the act deserves three to four weeks. He hit him. In the head. It was judged medium impact, but I’d argue any hit to the head which causes concussion needs more than one week if the AFL is serious on head knocks. Would argue the system is still a work in progress.

7. DUSTY’S ON THE WATCHLIST

Not for his stunning football, but for his don’t argues. Most of them are legit, collecting his opponents in the chest and shoulder areas. But some appear to slip a touch higher, around the throat area and on top of the shoulder. Players do get pinged for fending high but can’t remember too many times Dusty was pulled up.

Paddy Ryder iced up on the bench. Picture: Sarah Reed

8. BIG MAN BLUES

Port Adelaide’s Patrick Ryder will miss the next month (and hopefully it’s just a month) with an Achilles injury, but two other big men might miss because of high contact to the head. Collingwood’s Mason Cox will miss because of a wayward elbow, although his height meant contact to the head was perhaps inevitable. Cox might have to give up the bump altogether. The other is Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon. In late February Dixon was dismayed with the bump, claiming no one knows what constitutes an illegal or legal bump. It’s simple: You bump and hit them in the head, you are in trouble. I think Charlie’s in trouble.

9. CONTACT BELOW THE KNEES COMPLAINTS

Some commentators hate the rule and let their feelings be known whenever a player dives for the ball, wins the ball and collects the lower legs of the opposition. It’s not how they were taught to play football, they say. They are right, we were all encouraged to go for the ball no matter where it was, and yes it can be frustrating when instinct is penalised. But the argument is bravery versus broken bones or busted knees.

10. BRISBANE’S LAMENT

Plenty to like — won clearances 44-27 and contested ball 139-133 — but also areas not to like. They didn’t win enough of the ball and when they did win it, they coughed it up far too easily. If they kept more control, they could’ve won this game because the Saints weren’t exactly brilliant themselves. But turnovers killed the Lions, which handed the Saints victory. The Saints kicked 13.7 to 5.7 off turnover, while the Lions kicked 7.3 to 3.4 from stoppage. Strange game.

Gary Ablett kicks a goal on his return to Geelong.

WHAT I LIKE

1. RETURN OF THE KING

Gary Ablett had 39, but it was a solid 39 — if you can say that — without it being a tearaway 39. What he did, though, was be safe with the ball. His knack of going one-two with teammates allowed him to find space in congestion and his quick hands remain elite. His numbers were 39 disposals, 12 score involvements, and just two clearances, but a game-high seven inside 50s. He will be better for the run, which is frightening for opposition teams.

2. BUDDY, NIC NAT PUT ON A SHOW

Let’s not forget Buddy and Nic Nat. Franklin kicked five goals in the first half and another three in the second half and his kicking for goal was sublime. He was popping them from 50m-plus and, who knows, maybe the Swans were serious about a contract extension in four years’ time. Nic Naitanui showed once again he is the heartbeat of the Eagles, and if he played more than 55 per cent of game time, the result might’ve been different. For the AFL opener at the new stadium, it was a cracking debut.

Lance Franklin kicked eight goals.

Jeremy Cameron celebrates a kicking a goal.

3. JEREMY CAMERON

Could pick one of 15 Giants after that 82-point rout and the frightening aspect was the ball movement. Individually, it was Cameron. It was reported he was one of nine million-dollar players in 2017, which I can’t believe, but on Sunday he looked every inch the millionaire player. He kicked six, had a game high 12 score involvements and made a mess of several opponents. Some clubs are going small in the forward 50m, but make no mistake — Cameron and Jonathon Patton (two goals) will start for the Giants.

4. BLAKE AMID THE JACKS

Jack Steven is a terrific player because he breaks open teams with speed and carry and probably will get three votes from umpires. Jack Billings is smart and classy had five scoring shots from his 28 disposals. But it was Blake Acres who would’ve thrilled coach Alan Richardson. That was Acres’ third 30-disposal game in his past six games, and while he hasn’t the same speed as Steven, his ability to run and carry the ball helps the Saints on the outside.

Blake Acres was dominant for St Kilda against the Brisbane Lions.

Tom Mitchell broke the VFL/AFL single-game disposals record.

5. TOM MITCHELL

Two 50-plus disposal games and both have come against Collingwood. He’s a serious player because he goes to dark places to win the ball and is also a natural ball-winner in space. What underlined his performance on Saturday night was the value he got with his possessions. Mitchell averaged 313m gained in 2017, which prompted discussion about how much he hurts the opposition. Against the Magpies, he had a career-high 727m gained, and that’s not counting the acreage his teammates gained when they received the ball from him. Unfortunately for Mitchell, the Hawks don’t play the Magpies again in the home-and-away season.

6. TAGGING WORKS

Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert was coming off a career-best season and started the new season with the scalp of Fremantle’s Nathan Fyfe. One of the best two-way midfielders in the AFL, Ebert had 28 possessions and nine score involvements and Fyfe 22 disposals, one mark, one goal and three clearances. Ebert might be the perfect run-with/accountable midfielder alongside Greater Western Sydney’s Stephen Coniglio. They win the ball and also stop the ball, which takes strong discipline.

7. THE OTHER GUYS

Port Adelaide’s big-name recruits made the headlines, namely Jack Watts and Steven Motlop, but what will have Port as a flag contender is a bunch of largely unknown players who were among Port’s best against Fremantle on Saturday. Defender Riley Bonner, playing his fifth game, had 31 disposals off a back flank. Darcy Byrne-Jones, in game 44, had 28 possessions and 10 clearances — and he’s a defender. Dom Barry, in his Power debut, had 22 and eight score involvements. Todd Marshall, in game four, kicked four goals. Port has two critical components — depth and speed — and, as Dockers coach Ross Lyon noted in the post-match, it’s hard to tackle them when you can’t catch them.

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton.

8. WILL BOLTON KEEP HIS NERVE?

Everyone loved Carlton’s ball movement on Thursday night — although they were gifted several goals — but it was clear an attacking element had invaded the Blues. The cost was allowing Richmond to have 71 inside-50s. Only once before under Bolton have the Blues given up 70 inside-50s, against Port Adelaide in Round 5 last year, and conceded last year an average of 53. Let’s hope Bolton continues to want to attack, which means Charlie Curnow gets more opportunities, but suspect defensive adjustments will be made.

9. ADAM SAAD

Wouldn’t it be terrific for football if Adam Saad received Brownlow Medal votes for his game on Eddie Betts on Friday night. In context, there was no Tex, no Lynch, and the Crows needed a strong contribution from their small forward. He had 14 disposals and kicked two behinds and Saad 12 disposals in a clear win for the new Bomber. Last time these two teams played against each other, Andy McGrath had the role on Betts, but with McGrath relocated to the midfield this season, the task fell to Saad. Well known for his attacking attitude, he showed he also has strong defensive qualities, and against the Crows was pivotal to the victory.

10. PROTECTED ZONE

Be prepared for free kicks to be paid in every game for the remainder of season. On Friday night, the umpires got a couple wrong and thankfully the Tigers didn’t lose the game because of it. But they won’t budge on continuing to pull that free kick lever in a bid to keep the game flowing. The penalty is high, but the upside is great for the game.

BEST TWEETS

@padcleary: Hold on robbo, Richie Douglas didn’t get Merrett in the head. He bumped him in the shoulder/side region. His head hit the ground which can happen in any contest. Very unlucky to get a suspension

@tromper99: Like- Bombers never say die, Heppell best game as captain. Dislike- Doggies. Huge fall from grace. Look lost.

@DoubleDs810: Not going on that training camp will haunt @melbournefc every time they drop a game

@Glendog207: Dislike players missing easy set shots. It’s round 1 and it’s cost a team already. Goal kicking needs more of a focus at clubs

@JonoBaruch: charlies curnow

@ErinLMarie: Luke Hodge in a Brisbane jumper ... DISLIKE

@WhippingBoySEN: Like: Tigers giving a five goal head start, conceding goals from questionable 50m penalties, yet still winning by 5 goals. Dislike: Same old Collingwood

@NicksaCarr: Like — PETRACCA. Dislike — Heartbreak

@mattyb1819: Buddy playing one out inside 50. Could kick 150 if this tactic is employed!

@kevbry32: Like @BrendonGoddard9 winding back the clock and playing an important all around game for @EssendonFC Dislike — you will hear it heaps but the protected area and the way it’s umpired.

@stickers_bown: Like — the attacking style of footy being played in round 1! Carl vs. rich, geel vs. melb 2 of the better games I’ve seen in a while

@POLSJ103: Dislike Steve Smith, the biggest cheating scandal to blow up since Dean’s texts with Davina. Like Gary Ablett’s return to the hoops

@GrayNic14: Like jack Steven showing robbo up for missing his top 50 ... and the unlucky list! #barometer

@NBA2kAustralian: Like — a Geelong backline sans Lonergan, Mackie, Henderson, Taylor (for 3 quarters) weathering the storm (huge In50 discrepancy) and managing to get the job done.

@AgoatnamedWentz: I disliked people having a whinge about suns vs. north game being played in the wet. It is a wet weather game after all.

@keegancarr30: likes mark blicavs. played a massive role after taylor went off. how many players can play wing, ruck, full back in one game and look comfortable in all of them

@camburke8: A lot of despondent C’wood supporters out there. Only rd 1, but after half 2018 would love to see your thoughts on who has actually become a better player under Buckley. Wouldn’t be many. The “review” also appeared to yield very little changes. Big Q’s to ask?

@DaveTortoise069: Robbo this place has erupted! Wow what a quarter by Nic Nat

@anthonygr1985: @DanielMenzel10 game today was massive

@ronrants013: Like: Champions strutting their stuff: Mitchell, Ablett, Franklin etc. 4 debutantes goaling in Melb. vs. Geelong game. anger showing signs he’s back. Cyril chants. The high scoring. Match review for Friday done straight away. Razor being overruled and handling it like a champ