Trent Cotchin, Gary Ablett, umpire bashing, Ken Hinkley among Mark Robinson’s likes and dislikes

GARY Ablett is copping it for his performance in Gold Coast’s 102-point loss and the Suns must be asking themselves whether they should have let him go back to Geelong. RECAP ROBBO’S LIVE CHAT

Trent Cotchin celebrates a goal against Collingwood.

IT’S been another big weekend of football.

Mark Robinson praises Trent Cotchin, Ken Hinkley, Rory Sloane, Zach Merrett and more but first the dislikes.

What were your highlights and lowlights?

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DISLIKES

1. GARY ABLETT

This is not about money, this is about responsibility and obligation. Gary Ablett’s first two weeks have been dotted with angst and criticism. In Round 1, Brisbane players told the club Ablett and a teammate had a barney on the field. Apparently, Gaz wanted his teammates to “block” for him and after constantly demanding it, said teammate snapped back with: “Why don’t you block for us for once.” Minor maybe, but evidence there is unrest at the Suns.

Remember also, Gaz asked for a trade in the off-season and the club said no. Then follows the teammate having a crack at Gaz and, at the weekend, the commentators having a bigger crack at Gaz. They accused Ablett of being lazy and unaccountable off the ball, which isn’t the first time that’s happened. He was still getting 35 in those matches. Against the Giants, it was just 16 touches and a 102-point shellacking. Wonder if the Suns are already thinking they should’ve let Ablett go and bank the draft picks because it sure looks like Gazza is thinking it.

Gary Ablett struggled against GWS.

Suns coach Rodney Eade. Picture: Colleen Petch

2. MONEY OR THE SUN

OK, but what about the money? Ablett is owed $1 million this year and $1 million next year and has already earned near enough to $10 million under the Suns banner. What I can’t cop is people saying Ablett is probably regretting his decision. You’d be disappointed if Gazza took the $11 million and then thought he shouldn’t have left the Cats in the first place. Ablett is getting the attention — and probably because he sets high standards — but he is the poster boy in a team which lacks everything required to compete.

3. SUN BURN

If there was a ground zero for Gold Coast, this is it. They’ve had worse results — this was their fifth 100-plus point defeat in their history — but this was against the Giants, who entered the competition a year after the Suns. Concerns are everywhere and that has to include at AFL headquarters. The Suns have got a new chairman, new footy boss, the same recruiter and a veteran coach and something’s not right when this happens at Round 2. Is it the coach? The culture? South-east Queensland itself? Or is the list just ordinary? To be honest, it didn’t sound good when Rodney Eade says he can’t go to the confidence shop and buy confidence, which was exactly what Ross Lyon said four days earlier. The two long-time coaches are feeling the pinch and delivering cliches already.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

4. AND THE COACH

Still on coaches, what about Nathan Buckley? If it’s not defence, it’s kicking for goal, and if it’s not kicking for goal, it’s a lack of intensity around the ball. Spotfires in different areas across the both weeks for the Pies. There are a bundle of reasons, and perhaps even excuses, why Collingwood is where it is, but the fact is Buckley has won 11 games from the past 35 matches. At the Suns, Rodney Eade also a mountain of reasons/excuses for his 10 wins from his 46 matches in charges. It’s the worse possible start for the two coaches coming out of contract at season’s end.

Leigh Montagna has a word with umpire Chris Donlon at half time against West Coast. Picture: Getty

Swans players seek some clarity from ump Brendan Hosking after he awarded a free kick against Callum Mills for a rushed. Picture: AAP

5. #UMPDAY

New umpires boss Peter Schwab might wish he was back at club land after an extraordinarily poor weekend from the umpires. It was as if every rule in the rule book was being tested. We’ve had controversy around designated ruckmen, no ruckmen at all, in the back, holding the ball, too close to the kicker, incorrect disposal, #freekickhawthorn, #freekickbulldogs, head highs, the deliberate rule and, as usual, West Coast dominating the count at Subiaco. The problem is not the rules, it’s the interpretation of the rules and every second umpire as a slightly different interpretation. Throw in basic mistakes and it adds up to one of the worst weekends for umpires in recent memory.

6. SHUT IT, SAINTS

Stop whingeing, Saints fans. They can be annoyed with the free kick count — it was 23-8 — but reality is they lost the game in front of goal. St Kilda’s 48 per cent accuracy in shots at goal failed miserably against West Coast’s 69 per cent. That was the game. The Saints might also need to tempo their crazy intensity across four quarters. By the last quarter on Saturday they looked exhausted and West Coast’s numbers of +50 disposals, +7 contested possessions, +46 uncontested possessions and +8 inside 50s meant they outscored St Kilda by 25 points.

St Kilda players walk off Subiaco after losing to West Coast.

7. FREMANTLE

The want for teams to move the ball quickly, which is unquestionably helping with scoring, means the labouring ways of Fremantle stand out even further. Take the first quarter on Sunday, Port Adelaide led 32-1. At that stage, Fremantle had 68 possessions for five entries inside 50m, while Port had 52 possessions for 11 entries. Lyon has never been a coach too concerned about the look of the game, but in these exciting times, the Dockers are the single most boring team to watch - and by a long way. They had 21 points at half-time and that kind of score in the women’s competition drew wide condemnation.

8. CHEAP SHOT

Exactly that from Scotty Thompson on Sunday when he slammed his forearm/elbow flush into Patrick Dangerfield’s face. That Dangerfield was on the ground and defenceless made it a cheapie. They played with menace, the Roos, led by the Thompson and Braydon Preuss whose knee to the back Jackson Thurlow was more the Electrifying Eighties than 2017. His clumsy tackle on Horlin-Smith, who kicked the winner, made it two significant errors in a close game.

9. MEMO PLAYERS

No point throwing the arms in the air after being tackled and dispossessed of the ball because clearly the umpires have been instructed to ignore you. Time and again over the first two rounds, players have pleaded for free kicks and the umpires allowed the game to play on. Big tick umpires.

LIKES

1. CHARACTER

Yes, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood were enormous in the final quarter on Sunday with 11 touches each, but this was a quarter of contributions from the Cats. Goals to Lachie Henderson, Daniel Menzel, Darcy Lang and the go-ahead from George Horlin-Smith arrested a four-goal margin at three-quarter time. Don’t think Horlin-Smith the hero has been written before, so good on him. The Kangas seemed harder and hungrier in the first three-quarters and their ball movement was slick. But the Cats stuck fat. Dangerfield and Selwood are probably leading the Cats B&F at the moment, but would like to have money on Andrew Mackie being third. He’s had a cracker start to the season.

2. STEVEN & BIRCHALL

Two players in two losing teams who refused to put up the white flag. St Kilda’s Jack Steven played out the game with a punctured lung suffered late in his game, while Hawthorn’s Grant Birchall also completed his job despite having a crack in his jaw. AFL players are critiqued to within an inch of their lives, but there’s no denying their bravery and team-first attitude.

Jack Steven in action against West Coast.

Grant Birchall hugs Jarryd Roughead

3. CHRISTIAN SALEM

Finally, it arrived, a blinding quarter full of poise and efficiency from Christian Salem. It was his best game for the Demons, starting with double-digits in the first quarter in possessions and finishing with a career-high 31 possessions overall. It must be noted, Salem and Dom Tyson had 63 disposals combined and they were players Melbourne received for pick No.2, which the Giants used to secure Josh Kelly.

4. THE BOLTER

Harry Taylor back where he made it happen. The coach will probably say it’s horses for courses, yet Taylor’s return to the defence after yet another so-so performance as a key forward gives Chris Scott something to ponder. Taylor looks lost as a key forward, as he was against the Kangas and was moved to defence during the third quarter. Then in succession he marked over Majak Daw, spoiled Daw and then marked in front of Daw. The query will be Taylor’s pace, but gee he looks as ease as a defender.

5. ZACH MERRETT

Listed a couple of players last week who were the best kicks in the game and left out Merrett. In golf parlance, he is the best 100m chip in the game. His kicking across the body is sublime and his first two weeks have further enhanced his standing in the game. It helps, of course, having better players around him, but what is noticeable is Merrett’s want to the move ball forwards and not sideways. He is averaging 702m in the opening two rounds after averaging 444m last season. The kid sits behind Marcus Bontempelli as the best midfield youngster in the game.

Rory Sloane shrugs a tackle from Josh Gibson.

6. RORY SLOANE

Kane Cornes rates Sloane among the three toughest players in the competition, although he didn’t name the other two. At a guess, Joel Selwood and Callan Ward, hey Kane? Sloane suffered a busted eye socket/cheekbone before the season started and, in his second game of the season, he had 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight clearances, 15 tackles and 105 pressure points, which is the second most by a player this season. Shout out to David McKay who’s career rejuvenation since a poor 2015 continued with three goals against the Hawks after half-time.

7. STEVE JOHNSON

It was a free-for-all in Sydney’s west on Saturday and Johnson didn’t miss out. Johnson, who kicked three goals, had 14 touches and 13 of them were score involvements, which not only is an incredible contribution but indicative of the slack opposition. Still, Toby Greene might’ve had a more productive day. The All-Australian had 22 disposals, 14 score involvements and kicked 5.3 from the other flank.

8. LIAM PICKEN

Had Picken in the Top 50 at No.48 and despite a rollicking finals series last year, punters still thought he was overrated. They’ve got be kidding. After the most fashionable player of the past decade, Lance Franklin, threatened to swipe the game from the Bulldogs on Friday night with three spanking goals, the most unfashionable player of the past decade — Picken — won the game for the Bulldogs. From when the Swans hit the lead at the 12th minute of the last quarter, Picken’s last 17 minutes produced five disposals, four contested possessions, four score involvements, two goals and 57 ranking points.

Ken Hinkley has rejuvenated Port Adelaide in the opening two rounds.

9. KEN HINKLEY

No coach had more pressure on him to perform this season than Hinkley and after two games, it appears Port Adelaide has responded with strong and exciting football. The first week was Sydney which was a major win, while Sunday it was Fremantle, who admittedly were as poor and non-threatening as any team we’ve seen for five years. Wines has jumped a cog, Brad Ebert is at the top of his game and the spread of goalkickers would please the coach.

10. TRENT COTCHIN

No other captain in the past three years has wore the flack as much as the Tigers skipper. A non-threatening, no-risk game plan might’ve tempered Cotchin’s influence because Richmond’s reworked game style seems to have reinvigorated the skipper. He was inspiring on Thursday night, his team-high 26 disposals went with seven clearances, eight inside 50s, 11 score involvements and 53 pressure points.

TOP TWEETS

@chrstianguerra: Likes 1) great w/end of footy 2) Blues’ courage 3) Blues back 6 Dislike 1) Lewis decking Cripps behind play, no need for it

@LukeDark93: Sam Powell Pepper, greatest start to a rookie season? That is all

@Roundy1981: Like: Lachie Plowman, going to play a lot of games as a key defender

@P90Walsh: Like: Andy Otten, he was huge yesterday. Dislike: Umpiring as a whole was awful.

@MattSull67: Is Ross Lyon the most overrated coach??

@EverythingSC_: Dislike: Ross Lyon, time to go Like: Sam Powell-Pepper. Glimpses of Dusty Martin in that man. One 4 the future.

@lessutherland: Dislike: Deliberate rushed behind, when it rewards a player (Picken) for NOT contesting the ball

@zane_seoud: Dislike Jordan Lewis continually doing dirty acts, Like Marchbank, Macreadie and Plowman, a promising key defence without Weitering.

@ShaneZanatta: like: Razzle Dazzle Fantasia 9 goals in the first 2 rounds.

@chookie94: Dislike: inconsistent umpiring. they can’t pay something against one team if they aren’t going to pay it against the other 30 seconds later

@mcpharlap77: Hard to disagree.So Many including ross the toss they don’t care.I get we are terrible but at least have a go and try. It’s disgraceful

@mjboyle1980: Dislike - The never ending saga of whether Ablett will return to Geelong.

@mjboyle1980: Like - Underdogs taking it right up to more fancied opponents. Saints, Blues and Kangaroos all a touch unlucky to not cause big upsets.

@tce71: If that umpires decision in the hawks/crows game isn’t #1 on the hate list then the list is a joke!!

@TheNick777: Zach Merrett possessions - last 10 games: 36, 34, 34, 31, 25, 38, 35, 34, 37, 32. Not bad.

@TimmyRob1991: Like Dayne beams leadership as the new captain. Dislike Gold Coast suns quickly becoming a crisis

@Bakerspups: Like Libba’s tackling. Dislike Brendan Boltons selections

@Hood007: Like: Powell-Pepper. Physically imposing against grown men. Impressive. Dislike: Scott Thompson. Gutless act on Danger. Must get weeks.

@matthew_galer: Liked: Puopolo getting Mark Of The Year. Disliked: Puopolo getting Free Kick Of The Year.

@DeLuca_JD: Like: Robbie Gray. Dislike: The lack of recognition given to Robbie Gray by football media. Hate: Poppy “free kick”

@AnnaWillis: Like: Chris Fagan giving Lions a rev despite great fight back. Dislike: Amateur refs. Pay them full time wages or accept amateur mistakes

@pockt_rockt: Like: dogs gathering large pack of club legends for flag unfurling Dislike: Gary Ablett hobbling around the footy field

@mike_ballem: LIKE: Ross Lyon to magpies after Buckley sacked for not making finals.Dislike: How you cant play on when on the angle but everywhere else ok

@NedFlandersMOT: Like: Carlton’s kids, Pickett, SPS, Marchbank, Macreadie all impressive Dislike: Overzealous Umpiring taking defenders out of the game

@emydura5: Likes: Carlton’s potential plethora of developing KP players. Dislikes:Hogan’s & other Melbourne player’s tantrums when not going their way

@jonoburton: Like Liam Picken. The dogs answer to Shaun Burgoyne- break glass in emergency

@21keno: Dislike umpires love for the bulldogs. Enough already. Watch the people turn against them if it continues

@PeteWest_: Like: J.Selwood, what a warrior. Dislike: Pies dysfunctional​ forward line.

@zamp11: Like- Clayton Oliver backing up from last week!

@daz_gun: Like.. Cotch gritting his teeth and dragging his side over the line.. Career defining game

@lynchy4610: Like - Nankervis- Cotch- J Selwood- Fantasia Dislike : A.Swallow, Tyrones turning circle- Freo- Pies

@BD_09 4h4: Like Shaun Higgins....dislike north giving up the lead in last few minutes after leading all day.