The Tackle: Mark Robinson names his likes and dislikes from Round 2 of the 2021 AFL season

Carlton is good to watch, but that doesn’t make the Blues a good team. And one stat will make for uncomfortable reading for some players, writes Mark Robinson.

Collingwood bounced back, Dusty was Dusty, the Cats survived a nailbiter and the Swans have kicked 37 goals in two weeks.

But the biggest talking points of Round 2 are an unlikely on-field war of words between Geelong coach Chris Scott and Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale and another test of the bump after a high hit on champ Nat Fyfe.

See chief footy writer Mark Robinson’s take below plus all his likes and dislikes from the weekend, including a stat that makes some very ugly reading for some Carlton players.

DISLIKES

1. Lachie Neale

Why is it Geelong coach Chris Scott can expect a “please explain’’ from the AFL and not Lachie Neale? Scott didn’t start the verbal confrontation. According to Scott, Neale invited the discussion. Scott stopped, wasn’t demonstrative, said his piece and then, with the urging of his players, walked away. It was high drama more than anything and, to be honest, was captivating to watch. So, how does the AFL deal with it? As coach, it’s accepted Scott shouldn’t involve himself with an opposition player, but nor should a player think he has the right to a verbal an opposition coach. Both should get a warning from the AFL and we move on.

2. Don’t appeal, Geelong

Gary Rohan deserves his two weeks for his deliberate cheap shot on Lachie Neale. Could’ve easily called it a dog act. Yes, he was responding, but when is it OK to a take a free hit from behind on an opposition player? The argument he was aiming for the chest is hardly a defence. His arm finished high and into the head of Neale. It’s far worse than what teammate Patrick Dangerfield did the week before. Dangerfield’s hit was a three-week accident. Rohan’s round-arm was intentional and only luck saved him from badly injuring the Lions midfielder. Neale deserved remonstration, but not like this. Instead of appealing, Rohan should publicly apologise and be relieved Neale’s jaw was not displaced.

Gary Rohan copped a two-match ban for striking Lachie Neale. Picture: Michael Klein

3. Come on, umpire, it was a mark

Nothing to dislike about Sunday’s match at marvel — it was among the best of the first two rounds — but, please, umpire, reward Liam Ryan. His fake kick, baulk and dance around a helpless Bulldogs defender in the first quarter was irresistibly full of panache. But his mark — although not paid — was even better. He flew high into pack, accepted the ball on the chest, carried it to the ground, where it was eventually dislodged. Footy’s hard enough without having marks like that being disallowed.

4. Dusty plan didn’t work

At least the Hawks had a plan. James Worpel directly opposed Dustin Martin at centre bounce and Shaun Burgoyne tracked him around the ground. Good idea, didn’t work. Dusty had a game-high three centre clearances, a game-high 11 score involvements, a game-high nine inside-50s, a game-high 16 disposals in the forward half and a game-high five score assists. Burgoyne was the opponent, but it wasn’t an in-your-face and physical tag. Maybe that’s the next ploy to subdue the champ — a niggling, annoying opponent. In an OK game where defensive intercepts were strong from both teams — the first quarter for Richmond and the next three quarters for Hawthorn — Martin’s numbers suggest he was BOG again. That would be two from two and clearly a second Brownlow Medal is in play.

Dustin Martin breaks away against the Hawks.

5. Giant fall

It began last year and it continues into 2021: The Giants are in free fall. They missed shots at goal, however three goals in three quarters is not the football of a finals-bound team. The injury-hit Dockers bedazzled them in third quarter, coming after what was supposed to be a halftime reset from the Giants. The response was poor. Forget the final quarter goals because this game was over a long time before that. GWS is no longer an on-field powerhouse, which now presents a myriad of challenges. Their time at the top of table didn’t produce a flag and a semi-rebuild is well and truly in the works. They are 0-2 and play Melbourne (Canberra), Collingwood (MCG), Sydney (SCG) and the Bulldogs (Canberra) over the next four weeks. Massive headlines loom if wins are not secured.

6. Spud would be disappointed

As the Saints would be. Very poor evening highlighted by very poor delivery of the ball. Perhaps the slog in the wet against GWS the week before took more out of the Saints than they expected, but this was pretty ordinary. Didn’t get yelp out of their small forwards. Jack Lonie, Dan Butler and Jack Higgins combined for 25 disposals and one goal against Christian Salem, Neville Jetta, Jayden Hunt and Trent Rivers, who combined for 77. Up the other end, the irresistible Kosi Pickett did more damage than the three Saints forward single-handedly. The Saints dedicated this game to Danny Frawley, the message being to look after your mates, and the Saints couldn’t get it done.

Dan Butler couldn’t get into the game against Melbourne.

7. Medical sub is a mess

Week two and Lions coach Chris Fagan and Geelong Chris Scott had to defend the integrity of Lions doctor Paul McConnell. It’s not right. In fact, it’s a disgusting character assassination of any doctor. The AFL invited this scrutiny because it hastily introduced the medical sub as opposed to a concussion sub and, oddly, asked the doctors to try to assess if an injury would recover in 12 days time to effect the sub. Players have an incredible ability to recover and a doctor cannot be expected to know how any injury will respond to treatment. The AFL has lined up doctors — and coaches — to be questioned about injuries, which is unedifying at best and downright unprofessional at worst.

8. Same old Essendon

If it’s easily accepted lowly Adelaide can pounce on Geelong on the back of pressure, work rate and speed, then its equally unacceptable the Bombers can dish up such meek resistance against Port Adelaide. Coach Ben Rutten spruiked a “blue collar’’ attitude in the pre-season and of the eight quarters played by Essendon this year, six of them have been pedestrian.

The midfield was beaten again and the whole team was opened up from the D50. In the first half, Port kicked eight goals from defensive-half transition. Overall, the Bombers were -22 contested possessions, -67 uncontested possessions and -11 clearances. It doesn’t matter if Rutten is coaching from the bench or the box because without consistent effort and a better defensive mindset, the losses will pile up. This year’s top-end draft selection has to prioritise a bull midfielder.

Sam Docherty has laid one tackle for the season. Picture: Michael Klein

9. Same old Carlton

Too many down hillers at the Blues. They want to play nice, attacking footy without applying near enough the same intensity when the don’t have the ball. Analyst David King always subscribes to the theory the best teams can be observed when they haven’t got the ball. Until the Blues can fix that they won’t be among the best teams. All teams are adjusting to the brave new world of ball movement, but not the Blues.

Their pressure rating across the two weeks is averaging 161, which is mediocre. Their tackle numbers — 41 v Collingwood and 37 v Richmond — are worse. Last year, they averaged 53 tackles a game in 16-minute quarters. They are good to watch, but that doesn’t make them a good team. The culprits? Gibbons, Docherty, Fisher and Newnes have laid one tackle each in two weeks and Petrevski-Seton just two tackles.

10. Stop bashing North Melbourne over Logan McDonald

The Kangas had a plan. They would rebuild starting in the midfield and it’s why they chose Will Phillips (pick No.3) and Tom Powell (No.13) in last year’s draft and left McDonald (No.4) for the Swans. It’s plainly obvious Nick Larkey needs support and the Kangaroos surely will target a young key forward in this year’s draft with their likely No.1 draft selection. In the meantime, pain rumbles through North Melbourne and will do so for much of this season. That was frightfully poor against the Suns and coach David Noble was justifiably disappointed. His reaction will be telling at the selection table.

LIKES

1. Heroes don’t have to kick goals.

The moment came from Bailey Williams in the final minute of Sunday’s throbbing contest at Marvel. The ball arrived at West Coast’s half-forward line with Williams opposed to three Eagles inside a 10m area. If he doesn’t spoil the ball, the Eagles mark it and score, if he doesn’t win the possession, the Eagles score. Williams did both and the ball travelled to the other end where Marcus Bontempelli marked and kicked the game-closing goal. It was a massive moment among many, but this moment came at the death. What a magical game it was. Bont was best afield in the Dogs win and if the Eagles won, Nic Naitanui’s masterclass in the ruck would’ve been impossible to ignore. You reckon footy is fun again?

How would Spud have liked that Golden Fist? Bailey Williams with the spoil on Liam Ryan and the poise to win the 1 v 3 in the dying seconds Astonishing. Leads to the Bontempelli sealer pic.twitter.com/pcPbBSRYLK

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) March 28, 2021

2. Run down tackles

Marlion Pickett ran down Liam Shiels on the Southern Stand wing and the roar of appreciation was as loud from the crowd as Dusty’s goal from the centre square. Pickett is widely recognised as Richmond’s best tackler, but he comes in 15th across the competition in terms of how many of his attempted tackles are effective. Across last season and two rounds this season, the No.1 tackler in the AFL is Hugh Greenwood, who rates at 75 per cent for attempted/effective. Next comes Brodie Grundy (74 per cent), Marcus Bontempelli (72 per cent), Touk Miller (72 per cent) and Will Setterfield (72 per cent). The man with talons as hands at Tigerland is at 67 per cent.

Errol Gulden juggles a mark.

3. Oh Errol
Draft gems are found in the 30s selections, such as Sav Rocca, Simon Black, Todd Goldstein, Dan Hannebery, Max Gawn and Elliot Yeo, and Sydney has uncovered another one in Errol Gulden. It’s frightening how accomplished the young Swans player has been in his first two games. Let’s not be too presumptuous, but this kid could be a special. As a high half-forward, he has been Sydney’s No.1 ranked player in both his games and has had 20 score involvements in two weeks. That’s extraordinary for an 18-year-old in a position where rookies can scratch around for 10 possessions. Against Adelaide, he had 22 disposals and 11 score involvements. The week before he kicked three goals. Taken at pick 32, he shapes as the bargain of 2020 national draft — and by a long way.

4. Ollie Wines

He’s changed his game, Ollie, which makes him an even more destructive midfielder and it’s why coach Ken Hinkley predicted in the pre-season Wines was ready to go to the next level. He had 38 on Saturday against the witches hats to follow his 30 from the week before. The difference this year is he’s getting involved offensively to complement his contest work. Last year, he averaged four score involvements. This year, he had 10 score involvements in week one and eight in week two. For those who like the punt, a fiddy at $81 for the Brownlow Medal would keep you interested.

Ollie Wines has had a fantastic start to the season.

Jack Crisp is a prime mover for the Magpies.

5. Dockers at home

If they kicked straight, the Dockers would’ve severely embarrassed the Giants. They did a decent job, anyhow. Veteran David Mundy and Cerra and Brayshaw made a mess of the GWS midfield — a 35-year-old and two 21-year-olds against the big names of the Giants. Their only issue was the concussion suffered by Nat Fyfe. He was collected off the ball by Sam Reid. It’s a tough one because Reid only had a moment to react and, as it turned out, his reaction KO’d the Dockers champ. What else could he have done? Maybe not jump off the ground and into Fyfe would’ve helped. My tip is Reid will be suspended, the Giants will appeal and the tribunal will dismiss the appeal.

6. Jack Crisp

Everyone thinks he’s still a half-back flanker. He’s not. He’s now a midfielder/wingman and on Thursday night played the second-most midfield minutes of his career in the midfield. It makes sense. The Pies need run and spread and because he’s a ball winner and runner, he’s often a 70m per possession player. Against the Blues, he had a career-high 783m gained. In defence, the Pies look to have settled with Quaynor, Howe, Maynard, Noble, Moore and Roughead, meaning Crisp is not required there. As for Moore, is he Collingwood’s best player? Kudos to Bob Murphy, who in the pre-season tipped Moore to win the Brownlow Medal. He probably won’t win it, but Murphy’s sentiment is proving profound.

7. Tommy gun at the back

If Geelong persists with using Mark O’Connor as a stopper in the middle, Tom Atkins looks like his replacement down back. He’s an intriguing player, Atkins. At times, he looks hurried, he slips over and looks untidy, but in his first two games in defence this season, he has got the job done. His spirit for the contest reminds me of Campbell Brown. He had 100-plus ranking points against the Lions and in what was his best game, he opposed Dayne Zorko, Linc McCarthy and Tom Berry. He could be another of those players who starts his career as a forward and makes a name for himself at the back.

Jack Lukosius can win the footy in the air and on the ground.

8. Ed Langdon v Brad Hill

They opposed each other on a wing for half a game and Langdon was the more damaging player. Guessing here, but one of these players is paid $400,000 and the other $750,000. In their time opposed to each other, Hill’s kicking efficiency was 38 per cent and Langdon’s was 73 per cent and kicking penetration and creativity was supposed to be Langdon’s worst club in the bag. It doesn’t say a lot about Hill’s performance. Langdon had 22 disposals on the night to Hill’s 21 and would be surprised if Langdon doesn’t get a vote from the coaches, or at least Simon Goodwin. His fitness levels rival the best in the game and that includes teammate Clayton Oliver, who’s start to the season has been exemplary.

9. A wing with a difference

Hill is 179cm and 79kg and Langdon 182cm and 78kg and Gold Coast’s Jack Lukosius is 195cm and 85kg. All play the same position. Lukosius’s switch from half-back to the wing is creative coaching from Stu Dew, much like Geelong moving Mark Blicavs from key defence to the wing/ruck position. Lukosius’s point of difference is in the air — he took eight marks — and he has a delightful right foot. He had 21 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency and a game-high 12 score involvements. Teammate Noah Anderson was the standout young player on the ground, but the emergence of Lukosius as a wingman could be a master move by Dew and one perhaps the All-Australian selectors can’t ignore if this sort form continues throughout the season.