Ask Robbo: Chief football writer Mark Robinson answers your burning questions
AFL games played every night of the week? While it proved popular for some, Mark Robinson wasn’t a fan. He reveals why as he takes aim at Essendon and the big issues in the AFL, including umpiring as he answers your footy questions.
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The 2020 season is reaching the business end and while some teams are flying, others are floundering.
And what about the state of the game? Umpiring issues have reared their head again after more dubious holding the ball decisions.
Chief football writer Mark Robinson your burning footy questions.
Blu: Why is it that every other team seems to have the luxury of using the argument that they have key players out when they lose but, despite having 12 of their top 22 players out and managing to draw against a higher placed team, Essendon are simply labelled a rabble with no hope.
Robbo: They play boring football. Did you watch the St Kilda game? And you say 12 of their best 22? Essendon has excuses when they have their majority of their best 22 on the park. The injured players are good players, but when they are injured they are suddenly elevated to Carey and Judd status.
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David: It’s time for the Essendon Football Club to ask itself what have we actually done in the past 20 years? What have we actually done wrong/right? Or are we just helping to make up the AFL team numbers?
Robbo: Making up the numbers at present and set for another rebuild under Ben Rutten.
Travis: Please pass this comment on to the AFL hierarchy for me. Stop playing with the rules every week! The game is not even a shadow of its former self. Not one person watching a game can predict an umpires’ whistle and what the outcome will be. This is an absolute disgrace, honestly. Players picking up the ball and then being tackled straight away is not holding the ball. If the AFL doesn’t fix it, I for one will be pulling my membership. Have a rule and bloody stick to it!
Robbo: If you bash the game you are accused of living in the past, but it needs bashing now and then. The youth of today have suffered under the propaganda of the AFL. The game is not in good shape. We get some terrific games, but they are few. The AFL must restrict the congestion. They know it’s a problem. It’s why they introduced 6-6-6. It’s why they changed holding the ball. It hasn’t sufficiently worked. Don’t tinker. Make a radical change to spread the ground. Reduce interchange or invoke starting positions. I like the latter.
Ciaron: Will Collingwood finally address the elephant in the room at year’s end if they continue to select and play in the manner they have been doing in the past 4-5 weeks?
Robbo: What’s the elephant in the room, Ciaron? Have the conviction to say what you want to say. Write back next week and speak your mind.
Sprunga: Two changes required to clean up holding the ball rule: 1. Team prior opportunity: as soon as your team are in possession and have had a handball disposal to another player, prior opportunity is gone. Same for a fend-off. 2. If you attempt to dispose and do not connect with hand or foot at any stage during that attempt you’re done as well. Note: If it’s knocked out during a tackle it depends on prior opportunity. To protect against the ball winner – prior opportunity does have to stay. Hard to not have a grey area in that but I say protect the ball carrier.
Robbo: Agree with your philosophy, but to say your solution does not have grey areas is a stretch. The AFL has to decide if it wants prior opportunity or not. The Ryan-Casboult decision on the weekend was diabolical.
Geoff: Has the ‘dropping the ball’ rule disappeared from the game? Players just blatantly drop the ball as soon as they are grabbed by an opponent. Do you find it as frustrating to watch as I do?
Robbo: The modern game: Throw the ball as long as it keeps the game going. It’s rubbish.
Jonty: Your colleague Mick Warner implored the AFL not to explore a mini ‘festival of footy’ next year on 3AW. Surely, you agree? 2021 has to be a year of financial consolidation, conservatism and rewarding fans’ loyalty by giving them games they can attend and watch, rather than experimentation. Your thoughts?
Robbo: The footy frenzy has diluted the game. I don’t like it. The games need to breathe. At present, I feel like I have to swim to the surface, suck in air, and go back down. Would love to know how the home fronts are going. Footy every night? Nah.
Shane: What could Ken Hinkley have done to try and reverse what was happening at either end of the ground against the Cats?
Robbo: Demand more accountability from the mids to pressure their opponents, so long kicks to Hawkins couldn’t be delivered to him on a platter. You know, work harder to help your defence. Wiser people than me have suggested you play Hawkins back-shoulder so you don’t get caught under the ball.
MORE NEWS:
Mark Robinson: Essendon coach-in-waiting Ben Rutten needs to explain new slow-play Dons game plan
Collingwood has major injury and form issues, but don’t dismiss the Magpies as a contender in 2020
AFL Grand Final: Pre-season games in regional centres could be on table as compensation package
Originally published as Ask Robbo: Chief football writer Mark Robinson answers your burning questions
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