Early tackle: All the likes and dislikes from round 5 so far
The Saints bravely came home with a wet sail against the Giants, but it was all too late thanks to a disastrous start. GLENN MCFARLANE names his likes and dislikes from round 5 so far.
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We’re getting right into the thick of round 5 and there’s been some huge upsets already.
The Lions and Bombers had big wins while the Demons and Bulldogs were very disappointing in their losses.
Glenn McFarlane looks at the likes and dislikes from the action so far.
LIKES
IS THE NEXT WAVE OF ‘BABY BOMBERS’ READY TO GRADUATE?
Zach Merrett raised a few eyebrows in the pre-season when he said some senior Bombers mids might end up being turfed out of the engine room in favour of Sam Durham.
We saw a glimpse into that future on Friday night when the powerful 22-year-old took on and beat arguably the best midfielder in the competition, Marcus Bontempelli.
Trust hasn’t always been the strong suit in regard to Essendon’s young players in recent seasons, but Durham has it in spades and he didn’t let his coach Brad Scott down.
He was trusted with a role on Bontempelli, a duel that played a big role in the Bombers’ 29-point win, and he responded with 21 disposals as opposed to the Bulldog’s 17 touches.
The last quarter stats were even more compelling.
Durham had five disposals, four centre clearances and kicked a goal. The Bont had one touch, no clearances and no goals.
Jake Stringer said of Durham on Fox Footy: “This kid is going to be a superstar, I love every bit about him. He is a key from Seymour. I think he will always be a kid from Seymour, the way he cracks in. We really missed him (with concussion) last week (against Port Adelaide).”
So much has been made of Essendon’s draft misses. Durham’s mid-season signing in 2021 from Richmond’s VFL team is a massive tick, given his impact and expected improvement.
Jye Caldwell, 23, was the double act in the middle on Friday night, with Scott trusted to play on the dangerous Tom Liberatore. He more than held his own in the contest.
Scott had more experienced Bombers who he could have played on Bont and Libba, but chose two of his younger players to do the job. That speaks volumes of his trust in them.
Harrison Jones produced what was arguably his best game in red and black, not only kicking two goals but laying a big tackle that resulted in a crucial Essendon goal.
He is getting better and has enjoyed a solid month.
Essendon had nine players on Friday night who are 23 or under - Archie Perkins will be back in a fortnight - and it is clear that Scott believes in this next generation.
Let’s not get carried away. The Bombers still have a long way to go … last week’s thrashing at the hands of Port Adelaide showed us that.
But the next wave of young players is starting to take a firmer grip on the direction of this club. That can’t come soon enough for their long-suffering fans.
TOP-RANKED IZAK
If the Crows needed someone to ignite their season - and they desperately did after a 0-4 start - seemingly it was always going to be Izak Rankine.
In doing so, the silky-skilled forward/mid might well have turned Adelaide’s season with his three-goal haul, including the penultimate major which helped to engineer the Crows’ two-point win over Carlton.
His last goal was followed by the match-winner from Sam Berry deep into red time.
Rankine had 23 disposals, 11 contested possessions and nine scoring involvements to add to his three majors.
His touch of class, creativity and goal nous proved the difference between the two sides, along with Taylor Walker’s four goals and 10 scoring involvements.
The Crows have been one of the most disappointing teams of the season but with games against Essendon and North Melbourne in the next fortnight can start to make the slow climb back up the ladder.
PORT’S GREAT ESCAPE; FOOTY GODS DESERT DOCKERS AGAIN
Fremantle’s back-to-back Adelaide Ovals matches have ended the same way - in heartache and more than a hint of controversy.
The footy gods were against them in the clash against Carlton after leading for most of the game; they deserted them again on Saturday night.
Fremantle led for a total of 73 minutes against Port Adelaide in a game it could have locked away, but the home side kept coming and coming.
Charlie Dixon kicked a goal with less than four minutes left to reduce the margin to two points before a Zak Butters clearance landed in the arms of Jason Horne-Francis just outside the goal square. He didn’t miss and put the Power in front as the time ticked down.
Last week the talking point was the umpires’ missed call on a touched kick that effectively set up a double goal to Matt Cottrell and then Matt Kennedy.
On Saturday night, it was a line-ball decision to call play on when Butters collided with Bailey Banfield, which Dockers fans thought should have gone their way.
But even after that Freo had a few chances to nail a late goal, with a Caleb Serong behind just going to the wrong side.
JAMES AND THE GIANT REACH …
If it hadn’t been for Giant sub James Peatling and his desperate mark in the dying seconds, the Orange Tsunami that has swept over the AFL might have been flattened for the first time this season.
This wasn’t the way Adam Kingsley would have wanted to keep the Giants’ streak alive, especially after being so far ahead of a misfiring St Kilda.
After conceding the last six goals of the game and with the ball sailing deep into the Saints’ forward line, Peatling had a gap on Jack Sinclair and dragged down the game-saving grab.
He had come on as the sub and ended up playing a big part in saving it.
It was enough for the Giants to hold onto a one-point margin in a game in which they lost Sam Taylor (concussion) and Stephen Coniglio (knee), but we’re about to find out in the next three weeks just how serious their premiership hopes are.
A troika of big clashes against Carlton (Marvel Stadium), Brisbane Lions (Manuka Oval) and Sydney (SCG) will be the best audit the Giants have had this season in terms of whether they are the real deal or just one of a handful of likely contenders.
They are just clinging to premiership favouritism, with the good news that Taylor has been cleared of any serious damage following a sickening collision with Saint Jack Steele, while the Giants believe Coniglio has thankfully avoided an ACL tear.
Now for the Blues ...
EVEN THE NO.1s CAN TAKE TIME
Not every No.1 draft pick will be as precocious or impactful as Harley Reid looks like being in the infancy of his AFL career.
Some take time. Others take even a little longer.
But we’re seeing the evidence of the virtues of patience … and we saw that very clearly at the MCG on Thursday night.
Cam Rayner has been a footy enigma for much of his AFL career to date.
The 2017 No.1 pick has had some big moments in his six and a bit seasons as a Lion. But for varying reasons he hasn’t quite been able to do it on a consistent basis as Chris Fagan has searched for his most suitable position.
But his explosive performance against the Demons this round shows why needs to spend more time in the midfield.
The 24-year-old set the scene for an important victory for the Lions, and provided the template for what should be his future - as a mid capable of ripping a game apart early with some forward cameos to boot.
Having spent only 38 per cent in the midfield in the first four rounds, he was in there for 53 per cent of the time against the Demons - and the Lions got the benefit.
His 25 disposals and 14 contested possessions were equal career-highs, while his 10 inside 50s and nine clearances were his highest haul.
That needs to be his benchmark. And the Lions need to play him more often in the midfield.
Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagen was the subject of some ridiculous commentary around his form early in his career.
His impact was modest in his first two seasons as he was growing into a key forward role.
Now, in year four, he is one of the most exciting, and sought-after, key position players in the game.
His three goals on Friday night - it actually should have been more - took him to 69 goals from his 50 games.
A new million-dollar deal looms at the Dogs, and if he can sort out his sometimes wayward kicking at goal, he could be the best forward in the game within a season or two.
His story would be one that will give Giant Aaron Cadman, who is learning on the job and starting to show why his club was so keen to trade up in the draft to take him, plenty of encouragement.
He’s a work in progress but he is getting better by the week.
COACHING MASTERCLASS PART 1 & PART 2
Brad Scott, big tick.
In the space of seven days, he and his assistant coaches helped to turn around a clearance smashing in Adelaide last week into what should be a template for the future against the Western Bulldogs.
Last week against Port Adelaide, the second term was the quarter that threatened to kill the Bombers’ season.
On Friday night, the final term was the quarter that should act as a benchmark going forward.
The Power smashed the Bombers in the middle last week, with a 19-6 centre clearance flogging. Essendon responded against a midfield that included Bontempelli, Liberatore, Adam Treloar and Tim English, winning the centre clearances 16-10, and the overall clearances 34-28.
Now, having gone WLWLW so far this season, the Bombers need to back that performance up with back to back wins against Adelaide on the road next week before a big Anzac Day clash with Collingwood.
Chris Fagan, even bigger tick.
He pushed Cam Rayner in the midfield to try and impact the Dees’ engine room influence; he instructed the Lions to lower the eyes going forward in an effort to keep it away from Steven May and Jake Lever; he got his players to bring a pressure game that was too much for the Demons (their 201-pressure rating was the club’s most since the 2022 semi-final win over Melbourne); and he backed the forwards to get the job done (which brought about a form spike for Charlie Cameron).
DISLIKES
HOW DID THE BLUES BLOW THAT?
Carlton’s recent reputation as the kings of the ‘clutch finish’ was loosened by a desperate Adelaide as the Crows opened their 2024 account with a memorable Marvel Stadium upset.
In a classic encounter that ebbed and flowed, the Blues led by 16 points when Charlie Curnow scored his fourth goal at the 18-minute-mark of the last term.
It looked as if it was game over; the masters of the close finish looked like getting another nail-biting in their belt.
But the Crows were far from done. With the criticism of the past month ringing in their collective ears, Adelaide stormed home with the last three goals, fuelled by Izak Rankine and co getting their hands dirty and taking some risks.
Goals to Brayden Cook (20.44 in the last term), Rankine (22.31) and Sam Berry (29.26) turned the contest, and secured the gutsy win.
As the Blues were storming forward late, defender Mark Keane took a game-saving mark with the Crows holding on to win by two points.
It could be a costly win for the Blues, with Adam Cerra a late withdrawal and Adam Saad and Mitch McGovern injured, all with hamstrings, but at least Sam Walsh made a brilliant return with 34 disposals in his first game in 205 days.
IS THE CONTRACT ‘TALK’ GETTING TO TIM ENGLISH?
The reigning All-Australian ruckman had his colours lowered on Friday night by 35-year-old Todd Goldstein in conjunction with Sam Draper.
Tim English looked off almost from the outset and was overpowered by the Dons’ double act.
He is coming off a career best year - albeit he finished only seventh in the Bulldogs’ best and fairest in 2023 - but for some reason he hasn’t quite hit the same heights this season.
Is it the contract discussions? Is he worth a million bucks?
On the first point, these things are hard to measure. On the second, the Dogs know other suitors will pay it, so if they want to keep him - and they do - they will have to cough up.
Colleague Jon Ralph has reported that there are ongoing discussions between the Bulldogs list boss Sam Power and English’s management. While the finances are still a fair way apart, the likelihood is he will stay on a deal of up to seven years on more than $1m per season.
But the sooner that deal gets done the better, with English and young gun Sam Darcy likely to form a successful partnership deep into the future.
That deal is likely to see an out-of-favour Rory Lobb looking for a fourth AFL club, as an extended stint in the VFL for a player earning more than $500,000 per season doesn’t serve anyone well.
HAWKS STUCK IN THE GATES
What is it with Hawthorn and first quarters this season?
In all five opening quarters this year Sam Mitchell’s team have been slow out of the gates and forced to play catch-up footy.
This slow start to matches has contributed to their 0-5 start to 2024, and it rolled on again on the Gold Coast on Saturday night when the Suns took control of the game from the outset.
How about these stats!
In opening terms this year the Hawks have kicked 5.14 (44) to their opposition tally of 24.11 (155) - a 111-point deficit.
It cost the Hawks any chance of beating Collingwood in Adelaide last Sunday and this game against the Suns was gone almost in the blink of an eye.
Yes, the Hawks have some serious players out injured and their midfield looks stagnant, but they must change the narrative, starting with this week’s clash with North Melbourne.
And while we are at it, we’re already paid-up members of the Jed Walter Gold Coast Fan Club. This kid is going to be something to watch over the next decade or more.
OH SO CLOSE, SAINTS
It’s hard to be critical of the Saints after a herculean effort to drag themselves back from the precipice to almost steal the four points off the Giants with a stunning six-goal final term comeback.
But what happened earlier in the game when some sloppy kicking, poor mistakes and average ground work gave the Giants the early edge will be the focus of Ross Lyon’s message to his side.
Correcting those errors could have led to a much-needed win, instead of an honourable loss.
Lyon said last week it was almost as if aliens had landed at Norwood last week for the second half as St Kilda stormed over the top of Richmond.
It was almost UFO 2.0 in the final term as the struggling Saints came to life, turning on the afterburners by kicking 6.2 to 1.4 to almost drag this game back from the brink.
The Saints are delicately placed after five matches, with a 2-3 ledger ahead of a massive clash with Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.
Brad Hill and Jack Steele combined for more than 60 disposals; Rowan Marshall was tireless in the ruck; Mitch Owens, Tim Membrey, Anthony Caminiti and Jack Higgins all kicked multiple goals and debutant Hugo Garcia had 11 disposals in his limited time.
It’s a building block for the Saints, but Rossy will know it is also a missed opportunity.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE BULLDOGS?
Luke Beveridge is right about one thing - the Bulldogs list is good, but it is far from great.
We might look at the top end of their best five or six players and drool, but overlook the significant deficiencies in the middle to bottom bracket of a group that needs some immediate change.
The pressure is on the Dogs now after a poor start to what always loomed as a crucial season. They are sitting at 2-3 and if the pressure is on now, imagine what will come if they cannot get over the top of Ross Lyon’s Saints in a prime-time Thursday clash next week.
Bevo knows that, and is trying to get the messaging right about how some key players of recent seasons - Jack Macrae, Caleb Daniel and Bailey Dale - have either been overlooked or made the sub in recent weeks.
High-end draft pick Ryley Sanders’ frustration was also evident when he was subbed out of the game.
Getting more bang for buck is something Beveridge will have to work on for the Bulldogs’ opportunities. They had one more inside 50 than the Bombers, yet they could only score nine goals, with their inefficiency in front of goal again hurting them.
The Dogs have to make a collective stand before the season slips away from them.
There is time, but there is only so much of that.
HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE THE DEES’ FORWARD LINE?
The short answer is … you can’t, at least not during the course of the season.
Former Crow Shane McAdam might help a little when he recovers from his hamstring injury in the coming weeks, but he won’t change the dial completely.
The Demons’ attack is a mess, and has been a serious concern for some time.
Thursday night’s loss to Brisbane magnified that fact even more so, especially with the Demons midfield unable to give the forwards the supply required to kick a winning score.
The scoreline was only three goals at three-quarter-time before the Lions’ pressure understandably eased a little in the final term, as Melbourne slotted home five final-term majors.
At one stage late in the third term, four of the key Melbourne forwards - Harrison Petty, Ben Brown, Bayley Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen had combined for seven disposals.
Petty looks seriously out of form and in a perfect world would be headed back to defence where he seems to be more comfortable. He has kicked one goal in four games this season.
He is contracted until the end of 2025, but the Crows are almost certain to make another play for him at season’s end.
Brown is 31 and has battled knee issues for some time now. He kicked 60-plus goals in three successive seasons with the Kangaroos but hasn’t gone beyond 30 in his time with the Demons.
Van Rooyen is still a work in progress and can become a serious player, but with the ball entry and current forward set up is still to make an impact.
Kozzie Pickett’s return from his ban will help, but Simon Goodwin has some work to do during Melbourne’s bye period to find a way for the Demons to be more effective in attack.
DID THE DEES MISS A CHANCE TO REST CLARRY?
The one thing we learnt about Clayton Oliver last Thursday night is that he is NOT a half-back flanker.
The Demons put ‘Clarry’ back late in the clash with the Lions after one of the quietest games we had ever seen him play.
In hindsight, given the way he played, it might have been a good time to rest Oliver - who is playing with a dislocated finger - which would effectively have given him two weeks off incorporating this coming week’s bye.
We know the issues Oliver has faced since the end of last season, and playing footy is often the best thing for him.
So you can understand why the Demons were keen to play him against the Lions.
But he started on the bench and had limited game time early as the Lions mids tore their Demons counterparts apart with pressure and intent.
Oliver had 16 disposals on Thursday night, which was the first time since his 2016 debut season that he had had less than 20 disposals in successive weeks.
He has now undergone surgery on his finger and will work hard to take on the Tigers in the Anzac Eve clash.
But if he isn’t quite right, they shouldn’t rush him.
Give him the time to recover as the Demons midfield need him firing, even if his tank won’t be what it normally is.
Originally published as Early tackle: All the likes and dislikes from round 5 so far
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