The Tackle: Mark Robinson gives his likes and dislikes from a huge Round 14

JACK Viney’s night looked done when he hurt his shoulder, but he returned to lead the Demons to a heroic win. See why MARK ROBINSON rates him so highly, all his likes and dislikes plus best tweets.

Dustin Martin was exceptional at the weekend. Picture: Michael Klein

ANOTHER week, another exceptional Dustin Martin performance.

Mark Robinson asks the question, is he now the best player in the game?

Read all Robbo’s likes and dislikes from a huge Round 14.

Scroll down to replay Robbo’s live chat

WHAT I LIKE

1. THAT’S THE THING ABOUT FOOTBALL

In a week when the greats prompted discussion about where football is and where it’s heading, football the game delivered the most theatre ever in a round of matches. To be fair, it’s impossible to really know across 100 years of footy. But we’ll take Fremantle’s Michael Walters on the siren, Sydney’s Gary Rohan after the siren, the epic encounter between the Bulldogs and Kangas, Melbourne’s Tom McDonald at Subiaco and the upset of the season for Hawthorn on Thursday night. That’s four games decided by a total of seven points and 17th beat first. And what about the coaches. The reactions from John Longmire, Ross Lyon, Simon Goodwin and Chris Scott were priceless.

2. JACK VINEY

Maybe the game of his career. It was full of character and widespread admiration. He is a Luke Hodge/Joel Selwood type and when he left the field on Saturday night to fix a shoulder injury, it appeared his night was done. He returned strapped up, probably loaded with painkillers and with the same vigour. Although Tommy Mac was the hero at the end, Viney was the warrior hero for 99 minutes before that. He had 38 disposals, including a career-high 26 contested possessions. Those hard-won 26 possessions were the second most by a player in a match this season.

Melbourne players celebrate their incredible win against West Coast. Picture: AAP Images

3. SO, WHAT OF MELBOURNE?

How can you not be impressed with a pulsating final five minutes where the Demons refused to yield? It wasn’t a normal Melbourne performance, either. It had just 47 inside-50 entries, which was the lowest of the season. Once again, though, the Demons punished the opposition on turnovers. They outscored the Eagles by 33 points from turnovers and rank No. 2 in the competition for points differential from turnovers. Viney was best but Tom McDonald, who has become a more durable and versatile player, made it all worthwhile with five goals.

SAINTS WIN: LUCKY INJURED GAZ MISSED THIS

GREAT ESCAPE: CATS COMPLETE AMAZING COMEBACK

INJURY NEWS: WILL SELWOOD FACE GIANTS?

4. MARCUS BONTEMPELLI

No coincidence the Bulldogs got the mojo back the same night Marcus Bontempelli returned to form. The Bulldogs got their contested game back, winning the contested-possession count by 15, their best differential in a game since Round 5. They generated nine scores from centre clearances, the most by any side this season. Still, they only won by a point. Bontempelli had the game-high contested possessions, clearances, metres gained and inside-50s and tilted the game the Bulldogs’ way however marginally.

5. SERIOUSLY, IS DUSTY CURRENTLY THE BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE?

It’s between Martin, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood, with Sydney’s Josh Kennedy probably next after reminding everyone of his worth on Friday night. Dangerfield was huge in key moments at the Cattery, as was Martin at the MCG. Almost every time he gets the ball the ground opens up and his ball use generally is very good. Martin finished with 30 disposals and a game-high 14 score involvements and probably another three Brownlow votes.

Dustin Martin was exceptional at the weekend. Picture: Getty Images

6. ROBBIE GRAY

It’s common belief that Eddie Betts is the best small forward in the game, but I reckon the Port Adelaide star is better at present. Moving Gray forward and Chad Wingard more into the midfield this season has worked a treat and on Saturday Gray was by far the dominant player on the ground. He obliterated the Pies in the first half. He was the No. 1-ranked player at halftime with 95 ranking points, kicked a game-high four goals and seven of his 11 disposals led to a Power score. Gray made a mess of opponent Tom Langdon and Collingwood.

7. BEN CUNNINGTON

Stupid to throw the punch and may get a week, but there’s no denying his final quarter against the Bulldogs. He had 12 disposals, eight contested possessions, four score involvements and kicked two goals. His ability to find teammates by hand when under serious heat is sometimes astonishing and when North was challenging late it was on the back of Cunnington’s intent and Shaun Higgins’ smarts. He’s a hell of a player, Cunnington, now he’s got himself super fit, but he has issues with his fist. He was fined for punching Bernie Vince in Round 9 and threw another punch on Saturday night. Suspect it might be another fine.

8. GETTING WITH THE PROGRAM

Monster performance by the Giants on the road and coach Leon Cameron introduced a run-with player not named Tom Scully. Against Brisbane Sam Reid played on Dayne Zorko for 42 minutes and kept him to zero disposals. If football was biblical, then it was a miracle Zorko didn’t touch the ball for almost two quarters. We’ll know more of Cameron’s plans with Reid when the Giants meet Geelong this weekend. If Joel Selwood gets up and Reid goes to Selwood, GWS may have found its tagger.

Can Sam Reid become a star tagger? Picture: Gregg Porteous

9. JAMES SICILY

He’s a work in progress but it looks like he might be a defender. Coach Alastair Clarkson said it was Sicily’s best game as a backman and with Ryan Burton quickly establishing himself, the Hawks could have found their key defensive duo. Sicily looked a natural down back, having a game-high 13 intercept possessions and six intercept marks. You wouldn’t say he was a failed forward as he is just 22 and has only played 35 games, but his reading of the play and his confidence overhead suggests he could be the replacement for Josh Gibson.

10. DYLAN SHIEL

Overshadowed by media hype for teammate Josh Kelly, but Shiel continues to produce stunning football. He’s a beautiful mover and gifted player and his 100th game produced a career-best 38 possessions. His past eight games have returned 29, 28, 27, 28, 26, 31, 32 and 38 disposals and he’s the type of player that should capture the eyes of the umpires, which means he’s a chance for the Brownlow Medal.

WHAT I DISLIKE

1. WHY WERE WE DOUBTING GEELONG?

I know why because the first half against Fremantle stunk. Like high-level criticism about not coming to play against a team it was expected to beat. Down by almost six goals, two players out of the game, one of them Joel Selwood, the question was asked of the Cats. They escaped because Michael Walters missed a goal with a second to play, but this is a win-loss industry. What could have been a damning defeat ended up being a brave Cats win led by Patrick Dangerfield, two final-quarter goals to James Parsons and Mark Blicavs’ most constructive game of the season.

Geelong and Fremantle players react after Sunday’s game. Picture: AAP Images

2. BACHAR’S SWINGING ARM

Yes, Jack Riewoldt, Bachar Houli wouldn’t have hit Carlton’s Jed Lamb on purpose, but that doesn’t excuse the recklessness of Houli’s actions. When you throw your arm or elbow behind you, you sort of give up your benefit of the doubt, especially when the opponent is concussed as Lamb was. Houli is a respectful bloke and he will respect the MRP’s decision to suspend him.

3. TOMMY LYNCH AND THE SUNS

Gee whizz, they test your patience. Two wins over West Coast and Hawthorn are followed by two losses to Carlton and St Kilda and once again questions will be asked of the team, the coach and football department. It doesn’t help when your best forward, Lynch, can’t kick goals. That’s consecutive weeks Lynch has failed to score and it seems the more he’s out of form, the more spotlight is heaped upon everyone. Next week’s clash at home against North Melbourne — it’s 14th v 17th — is one of those games that simply has to be won.

4. COLLINGWOOD

This was the game when a statement could be made — at the MCG, in form, finals beckoning — and the Pies blew it. Once again it wasn’t about intent or pressure applied, that was pretty solid. They just weren’t good enough. Couldn’t score enough once inside 50m, took just nine marks inside 50m. Before Saturday, the Pies averaged 35 points a game from stoppages, but against Port it was only 16 points, their lowest return of the season. The Pies mucked around with the ball, having 80 more disposals but 11 fewer shots. The Pies were bullied by Port’s skills and speed on Saturday.

Collingwood players leave the ground after another disappointing loss. Picture: AAP Images

5. ANY BUCKLEY UPDATE?

No. It was the team’s worst loss of the season — on the scoreboard and general performance — which leaves the team in 13th with a 5-8 win/loss record. But there’s no feel for what the Collingwood hierarchy is thinking. That’s a plus because usually loose lips are everywhere when coaches are under the microscope. There’s nine games to play and finals remain a possibility. If Collingwood makes it from here, Nathan Buckley probably deserves another crack at it.

6. BOMBER BLUNDERS

The finger was pointed at Brendon Goddard, and rightly so, but plenty of others need to put their hands up in the review. Joe Daniher will hate the dying minutes. Firstly, he doesn’t get a hand on the ball to spoil Nic Newman, who kept his feet, picked up the ball and kicked the goal. Daniher took a towering mark but his towering kick (perhaps looking for Jobe Watson) drops on Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s head and he’s outmarked by Callum Mills. Then came Goddard’s smother, then Michael Hartley ran past the ball to stay with Lance Franklin at the throw-in, then Orazio Fantasia allowed Dane Rampe to get to the ball and then there was no one in front of Gary Rohan and Martin Gleeson from the throw-in. And then the game was over.

7. NO ONE LIKES STAGING

Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver fell like a tree when clipped by Will Schofield and he knew it was an issue. Good on him for addressing it immediately. What surprises fans is players like Oliver, who keep their feet when charging into packs, can’t keep their feet when incidents such as the one on Saturday night take place. But if umpires are going to pay a free kick to Alex Rance the week before, it’s little wonder players will keep acting.

Did Clayton Oliver take a dive against West Coast. Picture: Getty Images

8. CROWS LEADERS

This game was decided by three match-ups. Daniel Howe kept Rory Sloane subdued, Blake Hardwick kept Eddie Betts to one goal and teenage sensation Ryan Burton kicked two goals and his opponent ‘Tex’ Walker kicked one goal. The three Crows matchwinners couldn’t get it done. In losing to the Hawks, the Crows also lost a sense of invincibility at home. Firstly Melbourne (Round 9) and now Hawthorn were under control somewhat before the Crows wilted under opposition pressure and smarts.

9. FEEL FOR THE SKIPPER

Dayne Beams can’t get a run at it. This time his season was derailed by a power-packed bump from Shane Mumford. He is a serious midfielder and his exploits go under the radar because he plays in a losing team. Yet, his career continues to stutter. He played just two games last year and has missed two games this year because of injury before injuring his shoulder in the collision with Mumford.

10. CLOSE CALL

We have the rub of the green with free kicks, but we can’t have the rub of the green with the 30-second shot clock. Charlie Dixon was done on the button of 30 seconds at Geelong, while on Saturday Shaun Higgins had 38 seconds before the umpire called play on. Thirty and 38 seconds? It’s not on. To make it more perplexing, the umpire who called play on in the Higgins incident wasn’t the officiating umpire. No wonder Higgins didn’t hear it because the umpire standing near Higgins said nothing. No shot clock on the scoreboard adds to the inconsistency of adjudication.

BEST TWEETS

@talesfromzac: Like: Tommy Mac!!! Dislike: Demon injuries perhaps hurting the miracle

@JB_1050: Love the Freo youngsters gave Cats. Fair scare.

@BartramClass: Like equalisation. Is there a more even professional sport league in the world? No sure things. Fans win.

@paulfilakis: Like: Cunnington last qtr brilliance Dislike: Horrible biased umpiring

@gus_f_: Jack Billings. Well and truly playing up to expectations of a #3 draft pick.

@smiffys4: Like: Gray skies, shining on me. Nothing but Gray skies do I see. Robbie Gray that is.

@ffyfey: Dislike forward being allowed to wrap arm around defender & fling him.

@ljrocca: Like: An ugly win for St Kilda is still a win. Dislike: West Coast - 1 W in 6 games, but haven’t seen much flexibility/change from Simpson.

@croweyrocks: Dislike- Oliver diving, having a crack at an ex cricketing legend and changing his Twitter profile pic to the “incident” says a lot....

@JyeSellings: Like: Melb, STK, Tigers, Port all winning season defining, tough games. Dislike: AFLX.. money grabbing, Pointless idea. Games in great shape

@timrosen35: Like: Jack Billings. Copped it for so long with the Bont comparisons, but now he has arrived as a genuine star of the game!

@heavehojo: Like: the thrills, surprises, heartbreak & joy of the current season. Dislike: the end of each round.

@PeterWaldron9: If St Kilda don’t stop McCartin playing again then the AFL need to step in and stop him for his own good and the good of the game.

@DPitt06: Like: Geelong have made Simonds Stadium a fortress. Can’t be beat. Dislike: Umpiring... I am as confused as ever with some of the decisions

@dingoderek: Likes.Beastmode stepping up after losing our captain in 1st minute. Dislikes.BT’s obsession with Fantasia

@Bart_JE_13: Dislike- Olivers act was very poor, don’t care how young and tuff he is.... like - Cunnington’s last qt.

@SherJeremy: Like: dockers spirit, they’ll be back soon enough. Sean Darcy, what a debut! dislike: WCE’s lack of leadership / resilience.

@10lengthslast: Like-Selwood running off. Dislikes- Houli’s elbow

@dobbopd: Dislike the cheap off the ball crap Jason Johanissen is copping . Play hard but play the ball .

@michael__spry: Like: Tom Papley and that smother #onepercenters

@natasem150: Likes - hawk’s win. Dislike - umpires guessing

Dislike - Olivers faking could had started a ugly brawl

@Jcolosimo6: Like: Richmonds win over a hot Carlton. Dislike: Shaun Grigg continuing to be underrated by the media. Very consistent performer

@stickers_bown: Like cunnington what a player Dislike 50 against brown free was there but he marked the ball and wasnt to know a free was paid

@chevalierjimmy: Like: lots of close matches going either way this season. Dislike: Brendan Goddard’s kick-out. He’s not a rookie.

@clogwithablog: Like: Dusty fwd 50 1v1 contest. Dislike: stubborn coaching Pike allowing two Hawks behind ball killed their forward forays

@MattAdamson75: Like maybe even love Goodwin! Dislike flogs picking on a 19yo who was gutsy enough to speak already @damienmartyn should know better

@CJM_013: Dislike - Channel 7s commentary team. Why the need to be so self indulgent and patronising.

@davidsffs: Like: Viney and Plugger McDonald. Dislike: nothing, Dees won in Perth and are going great guns even without important players most weeks.

@AnneHar95645887: Dislike: Chris Scott acting like he’d won a flag rather than get a lucky win over a team of nobodies at home.

@bennymoss20: Like: Connor McKenna and his ability and courage to take the game on, star in the making

@Dees_Man: Dislike - the slaughtering of Clarry Oliver. People forgetting he actually did cop a swift elbow. The kid is a gun and loves the hard ball!

@Crocka1976: Love the passion from Chris Scott after a win like that. The new era of coach

@webmody13: Footy needs to decide whether ko’d players are hailed for running off the field. TV commentary on Selwood was disturbing.