The Early Tackle: All the major talking points in AFL Round 18
Carlton’s midfield has been a strength all season, but the loss to Geelong exposed areas of improvement that the Blues will have to show straight away to be a finals force.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The flailing Saints, Bont’s brilliance, Covid concerns and a mother’s amazing dedication. Herald Sun football writer Glenn McFarlane gives his take on all the big talking points – good and bad – from Round 18.
DISLIKES
BLUES FALL SHORT
This was always going to be seen as a litmus test of the Blues’ premiership credentials.
A finals-type atmosphere against arguably the hottest team in the AFL right now, Carlton came up short, but will learn plenty from that experience against the top of the table Cats.
Michael Voss won’t throw the baby out with the bathwater as we know the Blues are still bedding down their game style and connection, but there is still plenty of work to do.
The midfield, as good as it is, needs to start getting their hands dirtier.
The Blues will soon get back players such as Marc Pittonet, Mitch McGovern, Zac Williams and Jack Martin, but they must get more out of their mid-tier to make a difference.
Next stop, the Giants at Marvel Stadium.
That game must be a non-negotiable if the Blues want to show us they have a legitimate chance of not only making finals, but winning one.
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
TIGERS’ DEJA ROO
It was a case of ‘Deja Roo’ for Richmond who lost for a second time in three years to a caretaker North Melbourne coach in his debut match.
Just as was the case with Rhyce Shaw in 2019, Kangaroos interim coach Leigh Adams scored an emotional win over three-time premiership coach, Damien Hardwick, to deliver a massive blow to the Tigers’ finals hopes.
In doing so, the Kangaroos gift-wrapped an opportunity for other finals aspirants competing with Richmond for September action.
The Tigers’ woefully inaccurate 11.22 (88) to the Kangaroos’ 14.8 (92) again puts a question mark on their 2022 credentials.
This was the sixth time this year Richmond has led during a final term and failed to get over the line, storming back in the second half to grab the lead only to have it ripped out of their hands again.
They have struggled to close out matches this season and the same old disciplined issues again caused the Tigers some grief.
Richmond had several chances to close out the game late in the match but time and again they messed up in attack.
FREO’S FAIL
It was the game that could have gone a long way towards locking in a top four spot for Fremantle; instead it has them tenuously placed in the run home towards September.
Sydney executed the perfect WA raid on the Dockers at Perth Stadium and the home team paid the price.
It sets up a massive showdown between Justin Longmuir’s team and Richmond at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
This will be a crucial match for both sides with so much at stake.
The Dockers looked to have the edge at stages of the game.
But tellingly, the Swans kicked five of the last six goals to win the match with Chad Warner continuing his outstanding form with 35 disposals in a superb display.
Intriguingly, Lance Franklin was asked by Matthew Pavlich about his 2023 contract standoff with the Swans - as revealed in the Herald Sun - but he politely declined to answer the question.
SAINTS ARE SINNERS
It’s too easy to solely blame the coach when a team is as woeful in work rate and is as bereft in confidence as Jekyll & Hyde Saints are right now.
St Kilda’s players are every bit as culpable for the lack of effort we saw in the first half on Friday night.
Since going to the bye at 8-3, Brett Ratten’s team has resembled much more of Mr Hyde than Dr Jekyll and their 2022 season looks another wasted one.
Jason Dunstall called St Kilda’s early effort “mind-blowingly poor”, David King pointed to an alarming “selfishness” and Nick Riewoldt said the club “looked broken” when going inside 50m.
All assessments were spot on.
It was an unacceptable return in a week in which one of the club’s warriors Jarryn Geary reluctantly and tearfully retired.
Ratten demanded pressure as one of the pre-game KPIs, and the St Kilda players failed miserably in that measurement.
The numbers were damning, none more so than the fact 16 St Kilda players hadn’t laid a single tackle in the first half.
“We addressed that, 16 players not with a tackle at halftime is pretty average,” Ratten said after the game.
That’s putting it mildly, but his words were stronger when he referred to the number of passengers the Saints were currently carrying.
They gifted the Dogs five goals from turnovers in that first term.
Their forward pressure was almost non-existent, with Dan Butler and Jack Higgins among those who seriously struggled.
Deplorable for most of the game, the Saints turned it on in the last quarter to make the score line a little less embarrassing.
But don’t be fooled, they were comprehensively spanked when the heat was on early.
FROM BUBBLES TO TROUBLES?
The rundown to the 2022 finals might be as exciting as any season we have seen in recent times, but the spectre of Covid – as it is in everyday life – is never far away.
We’ve seen it with the players and the coaches already this season.
Now there are genuine fears at AFL clubland that – unlike the past few seasons when clubs have effectively been in semi-bubbles – key absences in September could well decide which team holds up the premiership cup. Let’s hope not.
Some clubs have already tightened up their protocols and not just with daily Covid testing, but with stricter demands on its players from social gatherings.
Family and friends weretold to stay out of the rooms at the Carlton-Geelong match at the MCG on Saturday as part of a tightening of AFL safety protocols.
The winter Covid issues have also impacted on the coaches, which has meant that by the end of this weekend, there will have been 28 senior match-day coaches so far this year.
That’s not a misprint.
Ten of the 18 senior coaches have already missed at least one game this season.
The sacking of Leon Cameron and David Noble provided caretaker opportunities for Mark McVeigh and Leigh Adams.
Covid to senior coaches across the past few months has seen Scott Burns, Ash Hansen, Blake Caracella, Jaymie Graham, Adem Yze, Brendon Lade, Matthew Knights and Nathan Bassett (who will address the Port players in Alice Springs on Sunday in Ken Hinkley’s absence) step in to take on the main senior coaching roles on match day this year.
There will likely be more coaching stand-ins in the back end of the season, too. Let’s just hope those Covid absences don’t extend into the finals – or heaven forbid a Grand Final.
If that last one occurs, it won’t be the first time it has happened.
Collingwood coach Jock McHale was home sick in bed on Grand Final day in 1930 when his Machine won a record fourth successive premiership.
SPIKE NEEDED NOW
Mark McVeigh has a great footy brain, a good team around him and plenty to coach for as he chases the Giants’ – or the Kangaroos’ coaching role – against some more experienced likely candidates.
But he needs wins – and fast – if he can elevate himself into the role.
The Giants have won three of eight games since McVeigh took over from Leon Cameron.
In fairness, they were underdogs going into the clash with the Lions but frustratingly they were smashed in the clearances 24-49 and inside 50s 31-58 in the 40-point loss.
That’s not solely the coach’s fault, but the Giants need to lift.
McVeigh has a tough task in the coming five weeks which could well decide if he gets his chance at an AFL senior coaching role next year, or if he has to wait for more time.
The Giants take on Carlton, Sydney, Essendon, Western Bulldogs and Fremantle in the last five weeks of a season
LIKES
IN DEFENCE OF THE CATS
Tom Stewart might be Geelong’s most important player structurally, but the Cats’ defence is still humming along without him.
And if it wasn’t for a freak called Nick Daicos who has the Rising Star all sewn up, Sam De Koning would almost certainly be leading the way after another defensive masterclass.
Stewart won’t be available again until Round 20. Yet coach Chris Scott couldn’t be happier with the way in which Geelong’s team defence stood up against a finals challenger in Carlton.
Quite simply, the Cats appear to be the real deal. While we will only judge them when the calendar flips over to September, they are looking as dangerous as any team in the AFL right now.
They have now won eight games in a row, having ticked off another contender.
Their pressure was elite all across the ground, and there appears to be no discerable weaknesses.
De Koning kept Harry McKay quiet; Mark Blicavs is the AFL’s Mr Fix-it with his role on Patrick Cripps evidence of his versatility; the twin towers of Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron are difficult to quell; Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood are looking fresh; and there appears to be some improvement left in the group as well.
Three of Geelong’s last five home-and-away games will be at GMHBA Stadium.
Whatever way you look at it, the Cats are going to take a power of beating come September.
ROOS ZUR-HEART
A rejuvenated North Melbourne has a very important signature to chase … and in this case we’re not about the next coach.
The Kangaroos must move heaven and earth to lock away a new deal for important forward Cameron Zurhaar, who kicked five first-half goals as well as the all-important sealer against the Tigers.
It was a brilliant performance as he helped North Melbourne break a 14-game losing streak.
Zurhaar parked his contract talks in May. But the 24-year-old showed just how important he is in the future planning of the North Melbourne Football Club.
As Zurhaar said of his matchwinning goal: “Goldy (Todd Goldstein) put it on a platter for me and I just did the rest.”
He is a freakish talent who can work in partnership with Nick Larkey – they were born 15 days apart – for the best part of the next decade.
The club’s first-year president Sonja Hood drew some criticism this week for suggesting the Kangaroos’ list was better than most people believed it to be. She might have a point, but the club cannot afford to lose players like Zurhaar.
‘MONUMENTAL MISTAKE’ WAS A MAGPIE MASTERSTROKE
When Collingwood’s recruiting boss Derek Hine was driving home in the aftermath of his first national draft in 2005, a radio conversation about his slightly surprising selection at pick five almost made him drive off St Kilda Road.
One football journalist on radio said Hine’s decision to take former basketballer Scott Pendlbury inside the top five was “a monumental mistake, (according to) industry sources.’
Hine was so angry he said later he “almost drove into a tree.”
Thankfully, he didn’t, and thankfully for Pies fans, his choice of taking a teenage Pendlebury earlier than most other clubs would have, has never been questioned since.
It was a masterstroke, not a mistake.
Pendlebury’s class, spatial awareness, leadership skills, workrate and durability have combined to make him one of Collingwood’s greatest players of all-time.
He became the first Magpie – and only the 20th VFL-AFL player in history – to reach 350 games.
He gave away a very rare 50m penalty late in the game, but played a key role in his team’s eighth successive win before being carried off by Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe.
With a year to run on a contract, Pendlebury remains a serious chance to push on longer and chase that 400-game barrier.
How blessed are Collingwood fans right now!
They are getting to see the extension of Pendlebury’s career – at 34 – at the same time as they are witnessing the emergence of 19-year-old Nick Daicos, who again showed against the Crows why he is not only going to win this year’s AFL Rising Star, but why he is already a star.
The on-field connection between Pendlebury and Daicos is elite which helped to bring about a few crucial Magpie goals against the Crows.
Daicos had 40 disposals and kicked three goals in another polished display.
Could he win the Copeland Trophy in his first year? Such is his current form, Daicos is not without a chance.
Scott Pendlebury kicks a ripper in game 350!#AFLCrowsPiespic.twitter.com/iDsUupuN5j
— AFL (@AFL) July 16, 2022
MUM’S THE WORD
When one of your son is about to make his AFL debut against another son, it is understandable you would go to any lengths to be there to see it.
Deslie Seton, the mother of Collingwood debutant Ash Johnson and Adelaide’s Shane McAdam, made the 10-hour drive from northern Western Australia to Darwin before flying to Adelaide to watch her sons play against each other in a classic encounter at Adelaide Oval.
The brothers come from Halls Creek, which has a population of around 1500, a town that boasts seven players on AFL playing list.
The trip was well worth it.
Johnson – who was picked up in the mid-season rookie draft last year – kicked two goals and had 11 disposals in his first game, looking comfortable at the level.
McAdam kicked one goal and also had 11 touches.
Josh Carmichael, the Magpies’ selection in this year’s mid-season draft, is making his own mark, too. He had 24 disposals – all of them kicks – and booted an important goal.
THE WIN THE LIONS HAD TO HAVE
Brisbane is back in the hunt for a top four spot as it overcomes injury and Covid obstacles to score a much-needed win over Greater Western Sydney.
This loomed as a danger game for Chris Fagan’s charges, having lost four of their past seven games and missing a few key players.
But the Lions answered the challenge in the right manner off the back of an extraordinary game from Hugh McCluggage, who kicked an equal career-best four goals from his 30 disposals.
The run to the finals for the Lions doesn’t look easy, but at stages of this clash, they looked to have some of their mojo back.
It starts with the Q-Clash next week against the Suns at the Gabba, then Richmond (MCG), Carlton (Gabba), St Kilda (Marvel Stadium) and Melbourne (Gabba).
CAN SUPER BONT SAVE THE DOGS?
Marcus Bontempelli, at the top of his game, is almost as watchable as any other player, as we saw again on Friday night.
But the Western Bulldogs skipper will need to don the Superman cape again in the next three weeks if his team is to play finals this season.
After winning what was effectively an early elimination final against St Kilda, set up by Bontempelli’s best game of the season, the Bulldog now meet Melbourne, Geelong and Fremantle across the next three weeks.
The reality is the Dogs probably need to win two of the three to stay alive before winnable games against the Giants and the Hawks.
Time to don the cape again, Bont. It might come down to his brilliance.
BUKU BRILLIANCE
THE Western Bulldogs’ long-running search for an intercept defender may be over.
Coach Luke Beveridge pulled a surprise against St Kilda on Friday night when he switched Buku Khamis down back.
The results were splendid.
All season Beveridge has needed support for Ryan Gardner and Alex Keath, and Khamis showed he could be the man he’s been after.
Khamis finished with 18 disposals and seven marks for the night, and you get the feeling it won’t be the last time we’ll see him down back.
The coach has used him forward out of necessity this season, but that looks over now as he and Ed Richards are giving intercept pressure.
The other exciting performance for Bulldogs fans was the eye-catching performance of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who should gain plenty of confidence from his hitout at Marvel Stadium.
The one-time No. 1 draft pick kicked a career-equalling three goals and showed flashes of brilliance. Now can he back it up next week?
More Coverage
Originally published as The Early Tackle: All the major talking points in AFL Round 18
Why not Port, Ken? Swans show exactly why with finals lesson
Ken Hinkley asked his side pre-game, why not us? The answer was shown on the field at the SCG, which is as simple as they’re not good enough to take that last step, writes Matt Turner.
‘Embarrassing’ scene puts NRL to shame
In a battle of the footy codes on Friday night in Sydney, the AFL has claimed a huge victory in the heart of the rugby league world.
Emphatic Swans crush Power to leave no doubts, book GF spot
They’ve been the best team all season. Now, the Swans are set to play for the AFL premiership after dismantling the Power at home to book their ticket to the big dance.
Rampant Swans lock in GF berth, end Power’s season
They’ve been the best team all season, now the Swans are into the AFL grand final thanks to a comfortable win over Port Adelaide.
Port fans go scorched earth on Ken Hinkley
The Swans have marched into another grand final, but Ken Hinkley was the name on many lips after he fell short yet again.
Player ratings: Delayed flight? Port’s prelim no-shows
Port Adelaide’s season ended in Sydney on Friday night – and there will be a few big names who will like their time again. Every player rated as a star Swan heads towards greatness.