The Tackle: Mark Robinson’s likes and dislikes from Round 14

THE TACKLE: DUSTIN Martin is on fire and the Saints were impressive, but Geelong’s players have big heads and Pearce Hanley let himself down. REPLAY ROBBO’S LIVE CHAT

Dustin Martin. Picture: Getty Images

THE good, the bad and the ugly from Round 14.

Dustin Martin is on fire, the Saints get a major win and the Giants continue to take all before them. However, there was nothing impressive about the Cats or Pearce Hanley.

Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson looks at the highlights and lowlights from the weekend.

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LIKES

1. Dustin Martin

That’s three BOGs in his past four games and is anyone looking for a smokie for the Brownlow? Against the Lions, and probably with only Jack Riewoldt challenging for best afield, Martin had a game-high 35 disposals, 24 uncontested possessions, 729 metres gained, 10 inside 50s, and also recorded 10 score involvements, third most of any player on the ground. He is another Patrick Dangerfield in so many aspects including being a better kick of the ball.

Dustin Martin is in career best form. Picture: AAP

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2. Alan Richardson

Richardson spoke to the Herald Sun three weeks back about maintaining the intensity and take-on-the-game attitude when the game goes against you, as it did when Geelong loomed as winners on Saturday night. From the outset, the Saints played play-on footy and even when behind, they continued to attack. Seb Ross on Patrick Dangerfield was a winner, and the game style ultimately stood up, but this was a win on the back of intensity, bold footy and character. The Saints at Etihad are a formidable team.

3. Mav Weller

Plenty of individual moments, such as Jimmy Webster’s spoil on Corey Gregson at the end, Jade Gresham’s goal from the pocket and Jack Steven’s match-winner. But in Weller the Saints have a hard-at-it half-forward who is a kind of barometer for the Saints. He had 19 disposals, an equal game-high seven tackles, four inside 50s and two goals. That doesn’t count his pressure acts in what was arguably his best game for the club.

4. Eric the Lion

The build will be long and often painful, so positives are important for coach Justin Leppitsch. He has one in Eric Hipwood. He’s 200cm and weighs 82kg and I can’t wait to see him when he’s 200cm and 96kg. A Lions academy kid, he and Josh Schache loom as the long-term key forward posts. Hipwood kicked 3.2 from seven possessions against the Tigers, but the glimpses of ability and agility could not be ignored. “The problem is we’re going see the skinny side of Eric at times, but we’re going to see the exciting times too, as he showed today,” Leppitsch said.

5. Giants midfield

Every coach will tell you it’s the midfield where dominance or meekness can decide the game. The Giants muscled the middle and from there Blues were helpless. The Giants won the clearance count by 10, and they filled their boots. They generated 16 scores from their clearances (10.6 66) and outscored Carlton by 45 points from stoppages. If there’s a debate raging about which team has the most productive midfield, simply note the Giants rank No. 1 for points scored from clearances, averaging 44 points per game.

Callan Ward could be the All Australian captain. Picture: Phil Hillyard

6. All-GWS

So how many Giants can be All-Australian? Callan Ward (33 disposals, 11 clearances) could be captain, although Joel Selwood is in the box seat. Dylan Shiel (34 disposals, nine clearances) is one of the most damaging break-away mids, not in the mould of monsters such as Dangerfield, Dan Hannebery or Steven, but is subtle with his genius. Tom Scully is having his best season. Josh Kelly is supremely gifted. And let’s not forget Stephen Coniglio, who is arguably the most improved player in the team. Another 31 touches and he must be in the discussion.

7. Rory Sloane

Would like to promise Rory Sloane won’t make the “likes” column again this season, but can’t. So much to like about the Crows, but once again it was the bloke who acts like an angel off the field and the devil on it who was the powerhouse. His second half was epic: 20 disposals, 12 contested possessions, five clearances, eight score involvements and an incredible 35 pressure points.Surely he is racking up Brownlow votes.

8. Ben Reid

Collingwood’s back group was superb, led by Reid and young Brayden Maynard, and Reid’s return has been remarkable. Had my doubts he could get back to this level, but they are long gone. His season rankings are elite ranking points (85), elite disposals (18.4), elite metres gained (319), elite intercept possessions (8.5), elite intercept marks (3.5), which has him ranked No. 2 in the competition.

9. The old guard

Mitchell, Lewis and Hodge got the gang back together yesterday and they would finish first, second and fourth in most possessions won for the Hawks. It was a scrappy game, but that’s not the point. Every man and his dog has a had a crack at the Hawks this year, citing stats and motivation and age and injury, and yet here we are at the end of Round 14 had the Hawks sit on top of the ladder.

Tom Lynch took five contested marks for the Suns against Hawthorn.

10. Tommy Lynch

There were two players who threatened to beat the Hawks yesterday. One was Gary Ablett who had 40 possessions and 15 clearances and the other was Tommy Lynch who, a times, terrorised one of the best defensive groups in the AFL. He is as imposing a Lance Franklin in a different kind of way, Lynch. Buddy scares people on the ground and from distance with his kicking, while Lynch is probably is the best contested marking key forward. He took five yesterday and booted three goals.

DISLIKES

1. Geelong

That’s losses to Collingwood (14th), Carlton (13th) and now St Kilda (12th) — it seems they suffer from Big Head Syndrome, which is an affliction which has claimed many teams over the seasons. The Cats said they were ready for St Kilda’s intensity, but they weren’t. They responded in the third quarter and took the lead in the fourth, only for the Saints to rally again. Maybe the affliction set in again when they thought the game was won.

2. Umpire mistakes

Chris Scott bit his tongue in the post-match presser in regards to the Tom Hawkins trip — and it was a trip — while Joel Selwood didn’t bite his lip after the game when he made comments to the umpires, presumably over the Hawkins incident. It’s debatable if it was free or not. The chase down of Mitch Duncan on Blake Acres in the final minutes, however, when Acres tried to run away with the ball, was blatantly wrong. Acres had prior opportunity _ remember that rule? _ and his attempt at a handball when tackled completely missed the ball, which was clearly incorrect disposal. That said, Paddy McCartin missed a free kick for a clip to the head from Harry Taylor earlier in the game.

3. Steve Motlop

Premiership captain Cameron Ling wasn’t impressed, as 3AW tweeted yesterday. “Steven Motlop had no influence last night,” Ling said. “(And) Mitch Duncan was almost non-existent.” Agree with Motlop, disagree with Duncan who was solid in the second half. Motlop can excite and frustrate. From Rounds 6-8 he had 26 disposals and three goals, 25 and four, and 24 and four. From Rounds 9-12, he had 12 and one, 15 and two, 14 and zero, 15 and one, and on Saturday night it was 15 and one, and one major stuff up in the goal square. Gee, he remains an enigma.

Pearce Hanley cost his team 50m and a goal by arguing with the umpires against Richmond.

4. Pearce Hanley

Leadership comes in all forms and Hanley let himself down on Saturday. His poor first half, and slightly better second half, was punctuated by a minute of absolute let down. He gave away a free kick for a push in the back, abused himself, then abused the umpire, which got him a 50m penalty, which the Tigers used to kick the goal. Meanwhile, Hanley stood on the mark, didn’t defend the mark, and continued to argue, presumably with the umpire. If the Lions want to set standards, Hanley should’ve been immediately taken off the ground. He wasn’t and it was a terrible look and decision by the coach

5. Kangaroo concerns

That’s Sydney, Geelong, Hawthorn and Adelaide and despite injury issues, the fact is they have lost to the top-eight teams, which was always going to be their challenge. And they have failed. It puts pressure on everyone, not least on a couple of veterans in Drew Petrie and Nick Dal Santo. The 300-gamers are having more average games than standout games. Petrie plays an important role but has just 19 goals from 14 games, while Dal still gets the pill — he averages 23 disposals — but doesn’t seem to have the same impact with possessions as he’s had in the past. The Kangas share the load in the midfield, but against the better teams Dal Santo’s output has dropped away.

6. Shaun Hampson

Injured his knee in the final minutes and fingers crossed the knee hasn’t been wrecked. A whipping boy for several years, Hampson has taken Ivan Maric’s spot and has played the best footy of his career this season. Will never be a massive ball accumulator, but his tap work has been elite. Saturday was his 90th game in 10 seasons and it would be a real downer if he was on the sidelines for an extended period.

Travis Cloke returned for Collingwood last week. But will he keep his spot? Picture: Getty Images

7. Travis Cloke debate

Looks like another week of discussion about whether he keeps his spot or not. If Darcy Moore returns, which is expected, then it’s likely a forward has to make way. Cloke played his best game of the season against the Dockers with his ability to push up and back well identified. And his numbers were solid: 14 disposals, seven marks, two contested marks, four inside 50s and two goals. The debate will be: who goes between Cloke or White (who was quiet)? And after Friday night it should be Cloke on performance. But will Nathan Buckley reward one performance or stay with White who has been pretty solid? Reckon Cloke is in trouble again.

8. Danger hunt

The TV commentators do their job and replay any incident with a touch of controversy, but surely Patrick Dangerfield’s accidental knee into the head of Jarryn Geary won’t require too much attention from the MRP. Yep, see it, it was an accident, move on. The bigger issue was Dangerfield being stranded for too long on the bench in the final minutes. Commentator Brian Taylor said: “I am stunned at how dumb some of these people are. It is beyond belief.”

9. Fremantle

Several weeks of positive football was forgotten with a nightmare against the Pies. Defender Sam Collins was the highlight, so was Lachie Neale’s re-signing, so was Michael Walters being up and about. But it’s games like this which put a line through careers. Chris Mayne and Zac Clarke need miracles to be in Ross Lyon’s plans.

10. Racism

To the bum in the Launceston crowd who appeared to racially abuse Aaron Hall, you are a pathetic individual. Hope you were frog-marched from the ground.

BEST TWEETS

@teacher2leader: Like: Gresham’s gem of a goal. Dislike: Bye round means free to air TV shows barely any games!

@mickobrien83: Pearce Hanley Robbo.Geez I hope you give the Irishman a bake in the tackle.That was a disgrace.Lions supporters are fuming

‏@Jantje_14: like @LachieNeale27 re-signing with Freo & Sam Collins’ game on Fri. dislike 1-goal halves in the cold

@dalbs4141: like: the Growth of the crows midfield - Sloane now top 10 midfielder, M Crouch and Atkins making a mark.

@demonman: the Dee’s didn’t loose = Like, Fairy Floss Pink and Poo Brown don’t go = Dislike

@1983AKF: Like- Clarko publicly backing his 4 oldest players, and all responding in great style against the Suns

@au_glenn: Like: Tenacity by St.Kilda with 3 winable games coming up Dislike:Remonstrating with the umpires by players

@joshcunno: dislike these half arsed bye rounds. Can’t get into the footy with only a couple of games a weekend

@henricky79: like James Sicily the new Dermie dislike no FTA footy on Sunday :(

@DGarrood: dislikes Selwood whinging to the umps instead of shaking hands with the Saints players

@marty2304: like lions heritage jumper dislike: Hanley’s performance

@Stephen_Tighe: Jack Steven. Last Qtr effort was amazing

@daniel_hood11: how many times can you have @rorysloane9 ? His last qtr was out standing once again

@breenos: L: Jack Steven’s moustache. Attitude meets ability. D: Shepherding on the mark now there’s a protected zone.

@bradh35: Like: Jack Steven-Saints best & game winner. Dislike: Lowest Pie crowd at G since before WW2. SidebySide??? Nup

@andrewsmcneil: Dylan Shiel’s smooth moves in last quarter @GWSGIANTS goal. Supreme athlete hitting his prime

@OztBeach: Dislike: Did a 4th umpire make the slightest difference? Still plenty of “X happened, the umpires missed it.”

@joshthorp23: LIKE: Luke Hodge straight back in too silence the doubters with 28 touches. Expect bigger outings to come

@dingoderek: Likes:Saints. Dislikes:Kangas supporting journo complaining North coming off 6 day break v Crows coming off bye

@jaydeybaby87: Like- Thurs night footy, dislike- bye rounds in general, one game on Sunday.

@richorichoman4: Likes-Saints without Fish, Demp, Lee, Goddard, Carlisle - Dislike still more Danger focus than credit for Saints

‏@pluckyloser: Stop me if you’ve heard this one before Likes: GazJu magic. Dislikes: Freo folding like a cheap tent at the G.

@staners23: the bye rounds ....they stink. Its like footy is on drip feed and it absolutely reeks. How about just having one week off.

@jimmythesqueala: what do you think the afl would do next year if the lion women’s team won more games next year then the men

@DanJarvis1980: constant articles about mid/lower table log jams - just label them as “wasted season and crap daft pick”

Originally published as The Tackle: Mark Robinson’s likes and dislikes from Round 14