The Tackle: Mark Robinson looks at Round 21’s highlights and lowlights
TOM Liberatore’s fall from contested ball animal might mean another run in the VFL and a serious talk about what has happened to his career. ROBBO’S LIKES/DISLIKES
Mark Robinson
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IT was another big week in football and we’re not talking about the return of The Footy Show.
Toby Greene kicked off — no pun intended — the fireworks on Friday night, the Cats-Tigers followed on Saturday before the Saints saw their finals hopes all but extinguished on Sunday.
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Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson looks at the weekend’s highlights and lowlights. Have your saw in the comments below.
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WHAT I LIKE
1. TOBY GREENE DEBATE
It has been venomous, curious and enlightening over the past two days and there remains confusion about whether he should be suspended or not on a rough conduct charge. Clearly, the umpire had no doubt as he reported Greene for collecting Luke Dahlhaus is the face. We will find out on Monday if the MRP agrees. Suspect they will find him not guilty. But if members of the MRP are also divided on the charge — which sums up the entire football community — then wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up at the tribunal. Maybe it should.
READ: WHO IS THE REAL TOBY GREENE?
It’s a case of it being a reasonable action to defend space as opposed to it being a dangerous action by lifting the leg. And, have enough “boxes’’ been ticked to fully assess the charge. Was it careless or reckless or intentional? Some people have argued it was reckless, which is a problem because reckless is no longer in the MRP’s rule book.
2. IS IT A GREENE WITCH HUNT?
Yes it is. If it was Bob Murphy or Marcus Bontempelli, it’s a fair bet the football community would lean towards it being an accident. Agreed, it was inviting trouble to stick the boot up, and it is a rare situation, but can’t help feel the reputation as a thug people believe Greene has cultivated over previous seasons has swayed opinion. Might be wrong, but would be surprised if he’s suspended. Dahlhaus only suffered a minor split lip and played out the game which, in this time of outcome-delivered suspensions, doesn’t stack up to a suspension.
3. CAM PEDERSEN AND THE DEES’ FORWARD LINE
Coach Simon Goodwin went with James Harmes and Cam Pedersen in place of Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts and he wasn’t let down. Again, Pedersen plays some stunning football when he’s confident and fit. He had 26 disposals, kicked two goals, had 11 score involvements and took eight marks. The Demons were slick with their ball movement early, which had been a problem in recent weeks, and Pedersen and Harmes were potent up forward. Only the return of Angus Brayshaw was a better story than Pedersen’s performance.
4. COMPLETE CROWS
Week in, week out you can pick a pile of Adelaide players to highlight. At Round 21, the most pleasing aspect is the total team environment which has become the Crows trademark. The Tackle highlighted the Crouch brothers 12 weeks ago, we know the forward line is talent-laden and the defence has stoppers and creators. It all has to be brought together and executed and this is what coach Don Pyke has done. Adelaide punishes teams from turnovers like no other side in the competition. It averages 75 points per game from turnovers, which is clearly ranked No.1. Adelaide monstered the Bombers and then punished them, scoring a massive 96 points from Essendon mistakes.
5. THE KOLODJASHNIJ KID
Still 22 and might have found a new position on the wing for the Cats. Against Richmond he had a career-high 104 ranking points, 20 disposals — his second most in a game — and a career-high 12 contested possessions. Played two thirds of the game on the wing, which has been his role in the past three matches after his first 39 games were spent in defence. Has coach Chris Scott seen enough to leave him there?
6. TOM ROCKLIFF
When you look at Tom Rockliff you see a player totally invested in his footy and his life. A father-to-be, he saluted a cousin who died last week by acknowledging him after kicking one of his three goals. There’s always speculation about Rockliff’s future, but let’s hope he stays as the Brisbane Lions start to see results of the rebuild. He was terrific against Gold Coast. He kicked three goals and had 12 score involvements (season-high) from just 24 disposals as the Lions piled on 142 points, their best score since Round 17, 2007.
7. DON’T FORGET BUDDY
The choice generally is between Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin as the No.1 player, but they can’t do what Lance Franklin can. Ross Lyon clearly thought he’d give a lesson to first-year player Griffin Logue, who he started on Franklin. That lesson lasted a quarter after Franklin played high and picked up nine disposals. Joel Hamling then took the job and kept Franklin goalless in the second half. Still, Franklin roamed and finished with four goals and 24 disposals. If he did that every week, the Swans would be hard to beat for the flag.
8. RISING STAR RACE
Hawthorn’s Ryan Burton is about a $1.50 favourite, Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper has dropped away and missed this weekend’s game against Collingwood, while Essendon’s Andrew McGrath took Eddie Betts to the cleaners at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, which will prompt selectors to have a rethink. Not even seasoned defenders can contain Eddie, yet McGrath accumulated 25 disposals and kept Betts to a season-low seven disposals when, for a time, the Crows forwards were lining up to kick goals. It was easily McGrath’s best game of the season, and arguably the most accomplished game played against Betts this season. Wonder if McGrath gets points for being a first-year player as opposed to Burton being a second-year player?
9. THE CHAMP AND THE KID
Eagle Josh Kennedy will be All-Australian, and maybe even the Coleman Medal winner despite missing five games with injury. He kicked six against the Blues in what was pretty good game from both teams, although the tackling coach at the Eagles needs to ramp it up. While Kennedy was dominant, it was Charlie Curnow who continues to headline the Blues story. Dermott Brereton said, to some astonishment, Curnow will be the best player in the game in two years. He mightn’t be that far wrong, Derm.
10. JACK GUNSTON
Another strong game from the former 50-goal-a-season goalkicker and another argument why he should stay as a defender under coach Alastair Clarkson. It’s difficult to conjure major excitement when two teams meet who won’t play finals, so it’s all about the future. Gunston and James Sicily as defenders are clear ticks and for North Melbourne it was Braydon Preuss, Cam Zurhaar (two goals), Ryan Clarke, Trent Dumont and Declan Mountford.
WHAT I DISLIKE
1. ST KILDA
Big game, season-shaping game and the Saints panicked. No other way to describe the first quarter, which ultimately decided the game. The Saints’ turnovers were frightful and allowed Melbourne to have 22 inside 50s, just two off the most inside 50s recorded in a game and that was North Melbourne. We know what happened in the first quarter, but the question is why. Why was the moment too much for them? They settled and came hard, which is the major positive, but coach Alan Richardson will burrow down on the start in the review and not the end when the Demons skipped away again.
2. RICHMOND
Did enough to suggest it will still be a serious opposition in September, but what we saw on Saturday was sloppy ball use. If that is repeated in the finals, Richmond will have a short September. Richmond’s pressure factor was 198, which was top of the range, against Geelong’s 184. The Cats, however, punished Richmond’s mistakes. They scored 56 points from turnovers, while Richmond managed just 24. Richmond’s kicking efficiency has been poor the past three weeks. It has gone at 56, 56 and now 57 per cent. In the final quarter on Saturday it was a miserable 46 per cent. They had the heart, but not the talent.
3. COME ON, DIMMA
Have a look at the free kick count, Damien Hardwick said in the post-match. His point might be valid, but it smacked of being a sore loser. Apportioning blame to umpires — and them being influenced by the crowd — for what happened on Saturday was the emotional Hardwick speaking. The free kick count was 28-17 after being 20-7 at halftime. The “noise of affirmation’’ might have been in play, but the Tigers had greater problems than the umpires.
4. FREMANTLE
Ross Lyon said it was learning experience, but what else can he say? He’s not going to name names in a record-breaking loss as coaches don’t do that. If he did, he’d lament the performances of Lachie Neale (nine disposals), Brad Hill (eight disposals) and Michael Johnson (seven disposals), three players who have served him strongly this season. The Dockers are young and at the end of a difficult second half of the season. Still, that was pathetic.
5. LOSSES CREATE RUMOURS
Brownlow Medallist Brad Hardie went on Perth radio at the weekend saying Ross Lyon had contacted Collingwood about coaching them in 2017. Hardie had his reason for going public and you have to wonder if he stands by his story. Hardie did not answer calls or texts on Sunday night. The Dockers, who have caved in the second half of the season, were furious. “Such an erroneous and reckless claim should be exposed for what it is, a complete fabrication and a falsehood,’’ Lyon said. Over to you, Brad.
6. MEEK MIDFIELD
The Bulldogs can’t beat the Giants when Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae, Mitch Wallis, Luke Dahlhaus and Caleb Daniel either play below their best or don’t contribute at all. Three players stand out; Liberatore’s career is at the crossroads, Dahlhaus hasn’t been consistent and Jake Stringer is still in the wilderness. The game plan works — look at the inside-50 count — but the Dogs don’t capitalise. It was a strange game if you look at the numbers, but it’s time to look at the personnel. Libba’s fall from contested ball animal to so-so midfielder might mean another run in the VFL and a serious talk with the coach about what exactly has happened to his career.
7. WHERE’S THE OUTRAGE ABOUT BALLARAT?
The level of hypocrisy about Geelong hosting Richmond at home will be revealed this week when absolutely no one — and that includes the Richmond mafia in the media — will kick up a stink about the Bulldogs hosting Port Adelaide at Ballarat, which has a ground capacity of 11,000. How many fans will miss out when the reigning premiers meet a finals-bound team? If it’s about numbers then every GWS-Swans game should be played at the SCG because Spotless has a capacity of 24,000. The argument the AFL should’ve moved the Cats-Tigers game to the MCG was ridiculous last week and will be even more ridiculous this week when Ballarat won’t even be seen as an issue.
8. GOLDY’S PROBLEMS PERSIST
Just four disposals and not a single mark for a player whose footy has deserted him. It’s sad it’s come to this. He was the best ruck in the game two years ago and he looks like he’s playing his first year of footy, He’s been dropped once already this season and coach Brad Scott might have to pull the trigger again.
9. NO BRAINS, WASTED BEER
Someone out there is feeling like a hero after throwing a plastic cup of beer at Toby Greene at the end of the game on Friday night. That’s Victoria Park, Moorabbin and Windy Hill behaviour, not 2017 at Etihad Stadium. Hope there’s footage of the man or woman who did the throwing so they can be fined and/or banned. It’s not on.
10. CROWD FIGHTS
Anyone who listens to SEN Radio would know of Trout, a diehard Richmond fan. Trout allegedly was spat on by a Cats fan on Saturday — according to Trout’s son who called 3AW on Saturday night with the details — which sparked a punch-on in the crowd. Really, spitting? If true, said Cats fan should be banned for a period of time. That’s just looking for trouble.
ROBBO’S TOP TWEETS
@Glendog207: I like Richard Douglas, would have to be the most underrated player going around right now
@whity700: I like Angus Brayshaw — been through hell and back and got rewarded big time today.
@SamuelHunt_: Like: Toby Greene, Excitement machine
@ByrneCammo: Dislike Toby Greene... Absolute grub and it was not accidental at all.
@Glendog207: I like Richard Douglas, would have to be the most underrated player going around right now
@Kingclivemc:: Like: Luke Parker. Back to 2016 form. Stepped up in the absence of JPK. Big finals series ahead.
@razorsharp1983: Dislike, Being ‘obliged’ to pay tackling free kick. Before tackling player must place a pillow under head of opposition. What is going on?
@BartramClass: 53k at the G for the Welcome game. Dees getting creative with their outreach, and paying off. Peter Jackson worth every penny.
@BartramClass: Dislike: Free kicks against Gawn for being too strong. Art of ruckwork being lost. Can’t just be about jumping highest.
@beartorius: Likes: Brayshaw’s return. Dislikes: Can you find out if there was more to Watts, Salem etc being dropped than just because of ‘form’ ...
@Stevemcbricho: Dislike Richmond winging about everything. Like Motlop return to form and the cats absolutely courage in the face of potential obliteration
@carn_the_nmfc: Likes: Ryan Clarke and Cameron Zurhaar from @nmfcofficial Dislikes: impatient nmfc fans.
@wilco_noblepark: Dislike Saints first half, like Saints 2nd half. Still not good enough but showed signs. Bring on 2018
@JyeSellings: Like: Josh Kennedy. Hauls of 6,6,5,6 in the last 4 weeks.. Nobody talks about him! #Star
@SMQ91: dislike Olly Wines — Lucky Langdon didn’t stay down.
@Aunty_Patnose: Dislike Dockers pathetic performance- why isn’t there a Bunsen burner under Ross’s backside?
@P90Walsh: Like: Brodie Smith, back to his All Aus form.
@BruceMundell: likes -Swans best defence in league. dislike — not one of them will get recognised in AA squad.
@ned7821: Like: Cale Hooker has 39 snags and sits 13th on the leaderboard. Still not a forward, hey?
@StephanieAfrica: Like: Andy McGrath keeping Betts to 0 goals and winning his own ball. Dislike: media having s crack and joe for showing some character
@AndrewR94994450: Dislike. Too much hoo hah around the tigers. Need to earn their stripes. Likes. Lids back on the ground albeit in the wrong colours.
@DangerMonkeys: Like — Pickett getting some fitness and confidence Dislike — honourable losses for Blues
@EyPaulie: Like: Cam Pederson Dislike: That he’s out of contract..
@reach_around101: Like: Rance playing on a opponent for once and getting whooped.
@deaths_on: Sorry to say but the pies need to change the way they attack the goal so sad @CollingwoodFC silly mistakes
@christoc77: Like: Geelong’s Intensity. Like: Geelong’s Crowd. Like: Taylor’s domination of Rance. Like: C.Scott’s coaching
@Hirstwah23: Like: Dayne Beams, imagine the attention he would get if he played in Victoria
@Bootz79: Like that Richmond are the same as the Dallas cowboy, you just know that they will fail one way or another
@ricktreadwell: I love Jesse Hogan n Pederens a lot older, but I know we function better with pederson as he earns his kicks, Jesse doesn’t
@brenton_quinn: Dislike: Anyone who defends anything that grub Toby does. Record on and off field speaks for itself.
@borris_k: Like Port Adelaide for standing up to their critics... oh wait they beat a bottom team again. Most over rated finals team in history of AFL
@liamkelly05: LIKE- ANGUS BRAYSHAW! Kids going to be a star. DISLIKE- the dogs spectator who thought it was okay to pour beer onto a footballer. Ban him!
@m24jones: I like Charlie Curnow! That guy is a jet and doesn’t get the #NAB Rising Star love that Burton and McGrath get! He’ll be the best!
@rmktid: Like Dougal Howard making his AFL return and kicking a goal after over a year out with an ACL
@CarlPay04277961: Priddis back in Eagles side. 10 tackles for Matty. He’s a genius inside mid — the superficial fans miss so much.
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