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The Tackle: Mark Robinson’s likes and dislikes from Round 15, 2019

Nathan Buckley was scathing in his assessment of Collingwood’s loss to North Melbourne, which has exposed his team to an onslaught from rivals. And it’s only going to get worse. Robbo’s likes and dislikes.

The wounded Pies face their toughest test over the next month.
The wounded Pies face their toughest test over the next month.

But interim coach Rhyce Shaw is doing his chances of keeping the job beyond this season no harm after a brilliant win over Collingwood.

Interim North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw has rejuvenated the Roos. Picture: Michael Klein
Interim North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw has rejuvenated the Roos. Picture: Michael Klein

The Pies, meanwhile, were once one of the red-hot premiership fancies, but the shine is just starting to come off.

So what’s wrong with them?

Mark Robinson looks at Shaw’s stunning start at North and why the Pies deserved a harsh bake from coach Nathan Buckley in his likes and dislikes for Round 15.

The wounded Pies face their toughest test over the next month.
The wounded Pies face their toughest test over the next month.

SEE ALL ROBBO’S LIKES AND DISLIKES BELOW

LIKES

1 Rhyce Shaw

North Melbourne president Ben Buckley called John Longmire’s manager Liam Pickering a week ago to make an initial pitch and perhaps an offer to Longmire. Much to North’s disappointment, Pickering told the football world on radio. You’d think he probably told Longmire he was going to do it because you’d think managers would discuss these things with their clients beforehand. Buckley is no dummy and after watching Shaw and his team deconstruct Collingwood on Saturday night, he surely would start to believe the Roos already have their coach for 2020. You’d also have to think one of the selectors for the new coach, Glenn Archer, would like North’s no-nonsense and ruthless attitude under Shaw. And make no mistake, saving $700,000 on salary would be a consideration.

2 This is reminiscent of Terry Wallace and Paul Roos

In 2002 Wallace had the Sydney job — it is alleged — but interim coach Paul Roos won over the players, got some results and was appointed senior coach. The players were instrumental in that decision. Fast forward and the North Melbourne players are making a statement about Shaw. After the magnificent Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell led the Kangas to the win over Collingwood, Ziebell said: “He had a great relationship with the lads, he’s brought all the boys together and I think it’s showing.’’

3 So what is Pickering/Longmire up to?

Longmire hasn’t been as forthright in his commitment to Sydney as Alastair Clarkson has been to Hawthorn in the past week, which begs several questions. So, is he gettable? And if Longmire did know Pickering was going public about North’s inquiries, you have to ask why he allowed his manager to do it. He’s either interested in the job or there’s a bit of brinkmanship being played out. For what it’s worth, I think it’s brinkmanship and Longmire will re-sign with the Swans.

4 Eric Hipwood

Criticised for kicking woefully against the Western Bulldogs in Round 8, which arguably cost the Lions the game. Yesterday Hipwood kicked five straight in 35 minutes after halftime, which arguably won Brisbane the game. While Hipgood controlled the air, skipper Dayne Zorko and recruits Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons controlled the deck. That’s nine wins for the Lions, equal with flag contenders GWS Giants, which is a terrific result. Coach Chris Fagan won’t talk finals yet, but surely it’s close. Coach of the year thus far? C. Scott. C. Fagan. R. Lyon … take your pick.

Eric Hipwood had a 15-minute stretch as good as anyone this season. Picture: Getty Images
Eric Hipwood had a 15-minute stretch as good as anyone this season. Picture: Getty Images
Sydney Stack took a hanger and lit up Marvel Stadium in Maddie’s Match. Picture: AAP
Sydney Stack took a hanger and lit up Marvel Stadium in Maddie’s Match. Picture: AAP

5 Sydney Stack

In his first season and in his first foray forward, Stack kicked four goals, had 15 disposals and eight score involvements, which was the third most for Richmond. It’s getting real serious, this Rising Star award. Carlton’s Sam Walsh is still favourite, but Stack has jumped over Port’s Connor Rozee to second spot. Stack is rated above average as a defender and then he shows his versatility by going forward and kicking a goal. It was canny coaching from Damien Hardwick. He dumped Liam Baker and Jack Higgins while Dan Butler looks cooked. It means Stack could stay forward in the run home. Twenty goals would be an awesome return and, if he does that, he’s hands down the Rising Star winner.

6 Luke Shuey at the death — again

He demolished Adelaide in the final quarter in Round 10 and repeated the dose against Hawthorn. His final quarter numbers were 15 disposals, seven contested possessions, six clearances and 313m gained. That is huge and he did it mainly against Liam Shiels, Jaeger O’Meara and James Worpel. What makes Shuey stand out against other midfielders is that he’s ultra damaging with the pill and with his speed. And the return of Nic Naitanui should make him even more dangerous. They combined five times against the Hawks (tap to player). The league leaders, Todd Goldstein-Cunnington, are averaging 3.5 times.

7 Jed Bews

The Geelong defender would hope Eddie Betts never retires because as long as Betts plays, Bews will get a game against Adelaide. There’s no denying Betts is Bews’ bunny. Friday night’s match was the sixth time Bews has played on Betts and in those match-ups Betts has kicked only five goals. On Friday night, Betts had nine disposals and four score involvements and Bews 18 disposals, a goal and five score involvements. Will Bews hold his spot after playing his first game of the year or is he the Betts specialist and he goes out? Reckon he stays in.

8 John Worsfold

His team delivered and so did the coach in a game that shut up the doubters. At three-quarter time, Worsfold rallied the players and moved the magnets. The response was inspiring football. Some of the moves included Shaun McKernan from forward to ruck, Cale Hooker defence to forward, Darcy Parish mid/forward to the wing, Andrew McGrath wing/forward to defence and it looked like Orazio Fantasia played more high half-forward. It worked and was a credit to the players and the coach, who had scrutiny poured on him in the lead-up. Now to go in against Sydney with the same spirit, but fewer turnovers.

You’d be smiling too if you finished the week the way John Worsfold did. Picture: AAP
You’d be smiling too if you finished the week the way John Worsfold did. Picture: AAP

9 Oscar Allen is Nick Riewoldt

Guest commentator on Fox Footy, Shaun Higgins, was spot-on when he said, before the final-quarter slog at the MCG on Saturday, that the match would be decided by moments. There were plenty to swing the momentum, but none better than Allen’s mark. In a combative contest where every player expected body contact, Allen ran back with the flight of the ball to take what should be strongly considered for Mark of the Year. Appropriately, Riewoldt was also commentating at the time.

10 The All-Australian midfield

Cunnington is a making a huge play for a spot, and there are Patrick Cripps, Nat Fyfe, Tim Kelly, Lachie Neale, Travis Boak and, of course, Marcus Bontempelli. The Bont’s first quarter against Port Adelaide on Saturday night is best described as everyone else playing with a wet ball and him playing with a dry ball. He had 12 touches, 11 contested possessions, six clearances (Port had six overall), 316m gained and four inside-50s. He was phenomenal in a gutsy win from the Bulldogs.

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DISLIKES

1 Collingwood

Nathan Buckley didn’t want to say it — we were soft — but he said enough anyway. “It’s the first time in a long time we’ve seen some average physical efforts,” Buckley said. “It was plain for all to see. There was one side that bodylined the ball and ran hard and straight. Then there was another side that got out of the way a few times.’’ It’s as brutal an assessment from a coach about his team this season. It was demanded. And suddenly every team will follow the Kangaroos’ style and hit the Pies with everything they’ve got, believing they are vulnerable to extreme physicality. The Hawks, Eagles, Giants and Tigers over the coming month will test the Pies to the core.

2 St Kilda’s skills

The inexperienced Saints had to respond and they did in the effort stakes, but the youth let them down with their skills. The Saints were the third-youngest team this round and coughed up 75 points from turnovers. Their good work, which included a plan to hold on to the ball — they took 137 marks — was undone by sloppy ball use. It goes to show that when you have so many young players, mistakes will be made. As for coach Alan Richardson’s future, it’s not any clearer. It was a solid three quarters before losing competitiveness against a team that won the flag in 2017.

3 Port Adelaide

No point finding the necessary criticism when coach Ken Hinkley delivers it on a platter. “The criticism is we’re not reliable and that’s a fact,’’ he said. “Probably the word is untrustworthy, that’s what we are.’’ Port’s record this season is WWLLWWLL-WLWLWL, which are the dance steps to the Pride of Erin — forward, back, forward, back. Port didn’t take its chances on Saturday night. It won contested ball by 21, inside-50s by 20 and kicked 5.11 to 10.6, but the Bulldogs tackled them into submission (109-77). The positive is Port can play very good football and when that consistency is found, be it this year or next, it will be a dangerous team. In the meantime, frustration abounds.

Beat Geelong one week, lose to the Dogs the next: Meet the ‘unreliable’ Power. Picture Sarah Reed
Beat Geelong one week, lose to the Dogs the next: Meet the ‘unreliable’ Power. Picture Sarah Reed

4 Dishonourable finals fixture

Money over the integrity of the competition is the AFL’s go, which is unfair on Geelong. If the Cats earn a home final in the first week and are playing an interstate team, it should be at Kardinia Park. The AFL acknowledged on Saturday it should have a definitive ruling on the finals schedule and it would border on scandalous if Geelong wasn’t rewarded. If it’s the Giants, Crows or Eagles, the game should be at the Cats’ home ground. If it’s choosing between an extra 20,000 at the MCG and finals integrity, surely integrity wins out.

5 Giant failings

For a team fighting for second position, GWS goes about it in a soft manner. Did it believe it had the game won or did it lie down when the Bombers got going? From the 11th minute of the final quarter — or the final 22 minutes — the Bombers had 16 inside-50s to two and kicked 5.1 to 1.0. In that time, the Bombers had the ball in their forward half 81 per cent of the time. When coaches talk about leaders standing up, surely it’s at times like this. Essendon’s leaders did, the Giants leaders didn’t. In that same stretch, the Bombers had nine players with four or more disposals to the Giants two (Zac Williams, Tim Taranto).

6 Jeremy Cameron

He’s either still carrying a shoulder injury or has become incredibly lazy with his defensive efforts. He competes for marks, but when the ball is on the deck, his opponent, in this case Michael Hurley, gets it too easy. It’s a widespread issue in the Giants’ forward 50m. All three key forwards, Harry Himmelberg, Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson, rate below average for forward-half pressure. To make matters worse, Toby Greene and Brett Deledio are also below average. It is why the Giants have won the fourth-fewest forward-half intercepts this season. Tackles aren’t everything, but they help and the only key forward to average fewer tackles a match than Cameron is Fremantle’s Jesse Hogan.

Is Jeremy Cameron injured, or just lazy? Picture: AAP
Is Jeremy Cameron injured, or just lazy? Picture: AAP

7 The wrong diagnosis

Patrick Dangerfield took a heavy hit in a marking contest on Friday and Geelong coach Chris Scott was wrong with his summation of the incident. “He got front-on contact in a marking contest. That’s a free kick, isn’t it?’’ he said. Admittedly it was just after the match and he might not have seen the replay. The fact was Dangerfield came one way with eyes on the ball and Crows defender Daniel Talia the other way with eyes on the ball. The courage from both was absolute.

8 The right diagnosis

Sydney’s Nick Blakey took a heavy hit in a marking contest and the Fox Footy commentators were all over it. Blakey had eyes for the ball coming one way and Gold Coast’s Jarrod Witts came the other way with eyes on Blakey and a raised forearm, which hit Blakey in the head. Witts should be suspended. Blakey got to his feet, adding toughness to a growing CV.

9 The score review

The best intentions when it was introduced have been replaced by mass frustration. At least the AFL has acknowledged the results can be embarrassing at times. It has its issues, no doubt, but the backlash after the Shaun McKernan goal was out of whack. Many observers said the ball was definitely touched, led by an enthusiastic Jonathan Brown. Others weren’t so definitive. So, how could you say it was touched beyond reasonable doubt? It would be less onerous if it was used at the goal line and leave the “touched ball’’ calls to the field umpires.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/expert-opinion/mark-robinson/the-tackle-mark-robinsons-likes-and-dislikes-from-round-15-2019/news-story/9d4fcb9e98d4217b6f2020024c706cb2