Ask Robbo: Mark Robinson answers your burning football questions

There has been no shortage of animosity between Victorian and interstate clubs of late. But is the AFL inherently biased towards Victorian teams? Mark Robinson answers that and more in this week’s Ask Robbo.

5 min read

May 19, 2020 - 12:07PM

Is the door left ajar for Rance? Picture: Getty

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It’s been another massive week for news in the AFL.

After Friday’s announcement of footy’s return on June 11th, four clubs will start the season based in another state.

After Wednesday night’s bombshell letter from the South Australian government, four clubs are now starting the season based in another state.

Off the field, the cuts keep coming.

Clubs will run football departments with just 25 staff this year and the AFL could lose as much as $104 million on its next broadcast deal.

Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson answers your big footy questions below.

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GOLD COAST HUB

SR: Will the umpires be flying back and forth weekly from their homes in Melbourne or will 12-15 be sent into isolation in Queensland and NSW?

Robbo: Fly in and fly out. What would they do for five days in between matches? Suppose they could play golf if stationed at Royal Pines.

Michael: What are your thoughts on the Queensland hub and what it means for West Coast’s premiership chances?

Robbo: The hub is required for the season to start, so no issue with that. As for West Coast, and other hub teams, it’s a terrible situation and heavily affects their ability to win the flag. Probably there for six weeks, maybe longer if you listen to the WA premier. Coach Adam Simpson will find a positive, as he explained on Fox Footy Live on Saturday, and will need to. If the Eagles win the flag, or if any of the hub teams win the flag, it will be a phenomenal effort.

RANCE COMEBACK?

Phil: Surely Richmond are on the phone to Alex Rance and trying to convince him to play again in this shortened season. His personal plans must have gone out the window for this year with our current life situation. Whats your thoughts?

Robbo: Great question Phil. Richmond probably wouldn’t divulge anything — they have said it is unlikely he will play again — but what would you do if you were Richmond’s football boss Blair Hartley? Of course, you’d keep in contact with Rance. The plan would be to start him training and then play a 10-12 week season.

Tiger fans are hoping this man changes his mind. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

LIST TOP-UPS

Paul: Clubs are entering the season with existing injury lists and especially given the lack of a proper preseason will have more players out as the season progresses. If players are diagnosed with COVID-19 there will be even bigger holes in the lists. At the same time, AFL reserves teams have been prevented from training in the VFL, and the mid-season draft seems to have been cancelled. How are clubs going to top up their lists during the 2020 season?

Robbo: They still have lists of 40-odd players, so barring a Covid outbreak in camp they will be able to fill a senior team. The issue of not allowing their players to play in a second-tier competition is understandable. The AFL, nor the clubs, want their players to play at say, Windy Hill, contract the virus and bring it into the club. The issue for the players not getting games is morale, enthusiasm and finding and maintaining match fitness. Scratch matches against players from other teams is a must.

WILL WE COMPLETE THE SEASON?

Barry: Do you honestly think we will get a 17-round season? And how many games is needed if we don’t get 17 rounds played?

Robbo: Am more confident now than what I was six weeks ago. A spike in postive tests in the community, however, could derail all AFL plans if the government deems it fit to announce shutdown. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. In terms of the 17 games per club, that the AFL has not announced the need for a multiple games in a week gives me confidence. If the AFL was worried about not fitting in 17 games, they’d start with a compressed schedule. That hasn’t happened.

FOOTBALL CLUB FINANCES

Rob: With the AFL raking in so much cash over the last 20 years, and all the “profits” that some clubs declare, how do some clubs and the AFL not have any money stashed away earning interest for a rainy day like any well governed and run business?

Robbo: Haven’t got a degree in economics, actually haven’t got a degree in anything, but my take is the rivers of gold, as Jeff Kennett described it, were used by clubs to improve facilities, make investments, look after sponsors and bulk up footy departments among other expenses. A lot of profit is ploughed back into the clubs. The AFL has made profits of between $30-$40 million in the past two years and rest assured that is being used through this crisis.

VICTORIAN BIAS

Thomas: How long will it take the AFL to move beyond its present state of being a Victorian-centric competition to a truly national competition?

Robbo: Don’t listen to the propaganda from non-Victorian people because the AFL has been a truly national competition for several decades. The issue is, and it’s a fact, there are 10 teams in Victoria and two grounds plus Geelong’s home ground. That means plenty of football being played in Victoria. The MCG Grand Final agreement is an issue that deserves to be discussed, but all clubs benefited financially from that arrangement. Thomas, the best team generally wins the Grand Final anyhow.

Both West Coast and Fremantle will start the season in Queensland. Picture: Getty

THURSDAY NIGHT BLOCKBUSTERS

Hayden: Your thoughts on AFL trialling Thursday night football for the remaining 16 rounds.

Robbo: Love it. It will clash with my favourite show on Foxtel — Aussie Gold Hunters — but that’s what the record button is for.

POWER ON THE RISE?

Greg: I heard Gerard Healy say Port had the best crop of under-23 players in the comp. Rozee, Duursma, Butters, Georgiades, Marshall, Mead and Bergman head the list. Then there are four or five other first-round draft picks that have been gaining experience in the Magpies over the last few years. The AFL had better sit up and take notice because Port are about to become a top side once again. Hawthorn have proven in the past that drafting a batch of high quality juniors sets up a club for sustained success.

Robbo: Clubs are aware of what Port is building, but it means nothing if the results can’t be produced. It is a good group, potentially a great group, but potential promises nothing. If it works, Ken Hinkley, the list management team and the board which supported the the decision to inject youth, should be well applauded.