The good, the bad and the ugly from Round 6, according to Mark Robinson

ROBBO admits he had forgotten how smart Dale Thomas is and who does he say is the most underrated captain in the comp? The best and worst of Round 6. REPLAY ROBBO’S LIVE CHAT

Toby Greene celebrates a goal against Hawthorn.

RISING Giants, Daisy Thomas, horrible Hawks and ridiculous deliberate decisions.

Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson looks at what caught his eye in Round 6.

LIKES

1. GWS GIANTS

ELEVEN players scored more than 100 ranking points (surely is a record) to Hawthorn’s one. Scary good. So much to like. Rory Lobb took eight contested marks and kicked four goals. Heath Shaw might be the best defender in the comp. And Stephen Coniglio continues his exceptional season. That’s 34, 32 and 30 in past three weeks playing a sort-of shutdown role in which he wins plenty of his own ball. On Saturday, he went head-to-head with Sam Mitchell for 70-odd minutes and in that time Mitchell had 16 disposals and Coniglio 20. Finally, maybe, a run-with against Mitchell is the way to go.

SCROLL DOWN TO REPLAY ROBBO’S LIVE CHAT

2. LANCE FRANKLIN

SLOG in the wet, yet Buddy was playing as if it was dry. A one-step 55m goal in the third quarter was astonishing and he finished with five goals for the game. He and Kurt Tippett were the dominant big men. As usual, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery were ferocious against a Brisbane team that wasn’t lacking in that regard. In fact, it was Brisbane’s best performance of the year. At various times, the Swans looked as though they would march away, but the Lions responded. After half-time they kicked 9.3 to 7.4 and if they kept Franklin quieter in the first half, it would have been a huge upset.

Lance Franklin starred in Sydney’s narrow win over Brisbane.

3. ANDREW SWALLOW

THE most underrated captain the competition. In what was a slog on Friday night, Swallow and Ben Cunnington were huge in the contest as North, in the first half anyway, was up against more numbers in the midfield. People will talk of Daniel Wells’ run and Jarrad Waite’s marking and goals, but Swallow’s contest work was pivotal, 23 disposals, 14 tackles, eight clearances and four inside 50s will get him votes in the coach’s award.

4. NORTH MELBOURNE

THAT’S 6-0 with St Kilda, Essendon and Carlton to come in the next three weeks. Deficiencies aren’t apparent. Defence is strong, midfield tough, Wells gives run and three big boys up front are posing all kinds of issues for the opposition. Of course, we’ll learn more about the Kangaroos from Round 12. They play Sydney (away), Richmond (home), Geelong (Etihad), Hawthorn (Etihad), Adelaide (away) and West Coast (away). From Round 21 it’s Hawthorn (MCG), Sydney (Hobart) and GWS (Etihad).

5. BOLDNESS

OK, where to now for Richmond? The Tigers need to bring in serious young talent, so they have to trade. They need to make a bold decision, such as St Kilda did with Brendon Goddard and Nick Dal Santo. That means putting up Brett Deledio and getting a first-rounder back. Could you imagine Deledio at the Western Bulldogs? Coach Luke Beveridge says he needs more talent in the front half and Deledio would be perfect as the premiership tilt beckons. For it to happen, the Tigers need to be unemotional and do what’s best for the football club.

6. ST KILDA

WHEN they’re on, they’re hot. The Saints destroyed Melbourne with serious slick footy and Melbourne couldn’t cope. The beauty of Saturday’s win was plenty-fold. It wasn’t the likes of Leigh Montagna, Sean Dempster, Shane Savage and David Armitage who got them over the line. It was Blake Acres (28 disposals, two goals), Seb Ross (26 disposals), Luke Dunstan, Jack Newnes and Jack Billings who played major roles, which is a sign of the maturing Saints.

7. DEFENCE

THE Cats can score and now we know they are among the best defensive teams going around. Conceding 63 points a game (ranked No.2 and four goals better off than in 2015) and time in forward half is plus 12 minutes per game (ranked No.1). They have the best press in the competition. It’s why the contested ball and clearances are major factors for Geelong. Win those two, get the ball inside 50 and they keep it there. Wonder how much influence Simon Lloyd has had coming from Fremantle.

Port Adelaide players celebrate with fans at the MCG.

8. RESPONSE

PORT Adelaide players whinged because the president dared to say what everyone was thinking: They were a disgrace. Not so Saturday night. Matthew Lobbe axed, Chad Wingard and Robbie Gray missing, and on the road against Richmond, the players simply had to respond. Hamish Hartlett, Travis Boak, Jared Polec and Matthew Broadbent led in the midfield, while Justin Westhoff and Charlie Dixon took nine contested marks between them. It was ugly, but Ken Hinkley will take an ugly win any day of the week.

9. DALE THOMAS

STILL doesn’t have the depth of kicking, but the depth of his skill is back on show. It was Daisy circa 2010-2011 at the MCG on Sunday, all run and competitive, and it might have been his best game for Carlton. Finished with 31 disposals, a game-high 14 contested possessions, six marks, seven tackles and a goal. Had forgotten how smart a footballer Thomas is.

10. MARK LeCRAS

GONE AWOL a little this year. Just four goals in five games before Sunday, but turned it around in the first half with three goals and gave off another two. Has been playing a bit of midfield, but most would admit LeCras in form inside 50m is where he is most dangerous.

DISLIKES

1. HAWTHORN

WHO’S going to say it’s over? Anyone? Of course they won’t. That said, this was an annihilation. Lost contested ball 153-114 and clearances 47-29 and the scoreboard 158-83. Jordan Lewis is in a slump, Issac Smith is below his best, Brad Hill the same and the forwards, James Sicily and Tim O’Brien, are still making their way. What stood out, and has for the season, is Hawthorn is being denied use of the fat side. It means the run and spread is diminished. That is one problem. Another is the intent. The Hawks are playing soft football.

2. GOLD COAST

THE good vibes of the first three weeks lay in the gutter after the conceded 20 goals to three after quarter-time against the Cats was as shambolic as it gets. They were uncompetitive and lacked skill. Talk about witches hats. “From about 10 minutes into the second quarter onwards it was just appalling, just not acceptable ... it was embarrassing,’’ coach Rodney Eade said.

Lachie Hunter gets up after being coat-hangered by Lindsay Thomas. Picture: Michael Klein

3. LINDSAY THOMAS

SPLIT-second reaction to tackle and he mucked it up. Suspect he will be penalised. It wasn’t a strike. It was a reckless approach to Lachie Hunter, who had the ball. Not so long ago, would’ve thought it was a free kick and move on. The game has changed. It was a coathanger that Marcus Bontempelli said was done with malice and Hunter felt it. One week I reckon.

4. MELBOURNE

DIDN’T look like winning from quarter-time, despite leading by 13 points. So much has been said about Melbourne’s ability to defend, but it was back to the bad old days pre-Roos. Gave up 14.7 in the second and third quarters. Overall, the Dees lost the contested ball and got murdered on the outside and on the rebound, making the Demons look horribly slow. If not for Jesse Hogan (seven goals) and Jack Viney, the result would’ve been 69 points.

5. RICHMOND

THAT was horrible. Seem disinterested, lacked passion, didn’t run defensively. Port wasn’t chock full of matchwinners, but it was consistent in everything it did. The Tigers had 22 more possessions, won contested ball and lost by 35 points. They are a team going in all directions with the ball without going anywhere. It’s a so easy to say the players lack confidence, but that’s what it looks like. No dare. Play safe. And without Alex Rance, the defence was brittle.

6. PLEASE UMPIRE

DELIBERATE out of bounds seemed to loosen up as the weekend progressed. Pity Friday night was a howler of a start. Scott Thompson was pinged for trying to tap a ball to Nick Dal Santo. Thompson made a mistake. And so did the umpire. The next was Luke McDonald’s courageous spoil and then gather at full tilt that carried him over the boundary line. Again, a mistake. If the AFL says otherwise, we have a major issue.

7. GOAL REVIEW

RIDICULOUS situation at the Gabba on Sunday when Lance Franklin’s snap for goal was sent to the goal review umpire. Problem was there was no goal-line cameras to help. It was a pointless exercise because the review umpire had no hope of making a decision. Why oh why can’t all grounds have the same technology?

8. THANK HEAVENS FOR EDDIE

TRIED to watch the Adelaide v Fremantle game. Tried really hard. But it was one of those games in which highlights were rare. The Dockers had three goals to three-quarter time and the Crows just nine. Not for the first time, Eddie Betts was crucial to victory and kicked four goals, but he wasn’t best afield. That was Sam Jacobs.

Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts celebrate a goal against Fremantle.

9. FIGHTING WITH LEIGH MATTHEWS

NOT so much fighting, but querying the great man. North Melbourne officials were taken aback when Matthews wondered if the Kangaroos might find the MCG testing later in the year. They might, but their previous outings there suggest their game style stacks up. They have won five of their past six matches there, which includes three finals wins over Essendon, Geelong and Richmond.

10. COLLINGWOOD FIRST QUARTERS

OTHER than the Essendon game (8.4) and St Kilda game (4.3), the Pies can’t impose themselves in first quarters. On Sunday it was 1.1 against the West Coast Eagles. The other first-quarter scores this season have been 1.1, 2.1 and 1.2. They have been competitive in games after the first break, but playing catch-up football is not fun.

BEST TWEETS

‏@cantkickpies: the big 4, Collingwood, Carlton, Richmond & Essendon all to miss finals. AFL feeling that in the hip pocket.

‏@peteismaximus: Like depleted Blues no Cripps or Weitering defeating Bombers Dislike Damage caused by Wanders fans at Adel Oval

@Cam_Biggs: Dislike: Swans stopping the game with stretcher in dying seconds in Lions 50 & the bloke not even using it....

@Wally_NMFC: Like: North winning in different ways. Shootout, come from behind, defensive strangling, not just one trick ponies #6Zip

@magleeson: Like: Dayne Zorko. One of the most underrated players in the comp

@CalvinDT: like: Brendon bolton’s in game walk offs. Dislike: not knowing where his going.

‏@tonycarlston: dislike MFC , - 50 years of mediocrity , again and again

@mickeyemmerson: Lobb growing as a serious player and they have a lot of serious talent at GWS...They have arrived!

@AlexWard64: like : GWS (I picked them in my tips Yay !) dislike : bloody Richmond buggered my tips - again!!!

@Twiggyflow: Like Henderson. Finding his confidence with each game and proving he is worth the 1st round pick we gave up

@MC_Berwick1: Like: GWS look the goods. Dislike: BBQ Shapes.... If it ain’t broke...

@chrispyy84: dislike dees not picking up Riewoldt again! He’s only been the best forward in the comp for 15 years!!

@Sportscola: Like: Leppa in the post-game conference. Didn’t mince his words Dislike: Inconsistent umpiring, again!

@StephenRobert12: dislike Dee’s & playing a home game at Etihad vs an Etihad home team. Like St Kilda, harder, faster, better

@herbie0809: Like- Rory Lobb and Nathan Wilson combo. Dislike- Salty Victorian supporters towards the Giants.

‏@hessianJocks: Daniel Menzel having a chance to showcase the talent is still there after the 4 knee recos

@mfagan18: Stevie J still mixing it with the best the King of the kids. Tigers mids where’s the gut running?

@AFLlols: Dislike: Loving tigers as a kid and therefor choosing Richmond. Like: The empty seats on the train home at 3/4 time.

@bradh35: Like-Aliir Aliir debuts against all odds Dislike-the ridiculous Hawthorn jersey designed by Kim Kardashian?

@blackiemoustafa: Like: Daisy back in form just in time to knock off the pies!! Dislike: Late outs. Supercoach killers

@Hegs22: L- Luke Parker D - Essendon, Carlton and Richmond, deplorable outfits

@shayne1963: Darling should get signed up by home and away , very poor acting . Frost nothing to worry about

@zane_seoud: L: C Byrne, got love from the HSun this week and backed it up with a superb performance. only played 5 games!

@Mafrooo: Dislike: Richmond’s dead weight, Players like B.Ellis, Batchelor, Morris need to stand up.

@AdamTurner31: like: Chautauqua goes boom, GWS endless talent. Dislike: Hardwick is not a genius!!!

@LLowndesy888: like: the rise and rise of the giants (as much as it pains me to say). Dislike: Stratton knocking out frawley

@aidanpauna: Like: Tippett close to BOG and silencing doubters. Dislike: Christensen constantly rewarded for ducking.

@MattTurfie: Like: North fans filling Etihad on Friday Night. Kangas sitting pretty. Dislike: Too many shallow throw-ins!

@D_lunn: like: Travis Boak. Had a brilliant captains game against Richmond. Still an underrated leader in Victoria