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Following Round 21, here are seven key story lines that aren’t being heavily discussed that, regardless, will likely shape the remainder of the year.
7. Paul Roos needs his share of criticism
There appears to be a level of self preservation in Roos’ current handling of Melbourne’s dire run of form.
One week he blames the previous regime for crippling the mindset of the Melbourne youth, and the next week he chooses his post-match press conference to berate his players while remaining speechless to their faces.
Roos should be winning few allies with his ongoing quest to blame the past for the team’s current shortcomings, yet few within the media appear willing to call it as it is and say that Roos is not helping the Demons.
As for the decision to not speak to his players after Sunday’s loss, that may work with a veteran team who have the ability to find the answer, but this Melbourne team is looking to him for answers.
Sadly for perhaps everyone involved in Melbourne at present, the answers are not in defensive football as the modern game again prepares to grow again.
6. The current AFL game is impossible to umpire
Two decisions from Saturday’s games highlighted why the modern AFL game is impossible to umpire. Almost identical situations with almost identical stakes on the line.
Josh Hill was penalised for a push in the back preventing a last ditch scoring play; three hours later Dustin Martin was allowed similar contact to kick the match-winning goal.
What wasn’t heard was the umpires’ rooms after each match, where it is likely both umpires were told their interpretations were correct. That is where the problem in umpiring lies.
The football public will dissect every decision calling for consistency, yet each umpire’s interpretation of a scenario will be different.
5. Fifth to eighth are simply making up numbers in the finals
Geelong and Hawthorn opening the finals on Friday night and Sydney hosting Fremantle on Saturday night appear to be good bets. Also prepare for an Essendon and North Melbourne Saturday afternoon MCG clash, and Port Adelaide will face any one of Richmond, Adelaide, West Coast, Collingwood or Gold Coast to round week one of finals.
If that can be assumed as, the top four are again going to a preliminary final. Regardless of who loses and who wins, Fremantle or Sydney would be a home semi-final favourite, and Geelong or Hawthorn will likely account for Essendon or North Melbourne.
Semi-final week may again be a dud, but for three weeks of four, finals look very tasty with Geelong, Hawthorn, Fremantle and Sydney making the finals memorable in 2014.
4. St Kilda are playing a big role in September
First off they upset Fremantle in what was Lenny Hayes’ real swan song to cost the Dockers a top-two finish. Next they put in a stinker against Sydney that has swung the minor premiership the way of the Swans.
Now in the next two weeks St Kilda have the potential to be the swingman in deciding eighth spot.
With Richmond and Adelaide the final two games for the Saints and percentage becoming a factor, the eighth placed team may make it thanks to a percentage-boosting win against the lowly Saints.
It is proof that every team has a role to play in the makeup of the finals and indeed in the crowning of each year’s premier.
3. Geelong is 7-0 in two goal games
Momentum is a funny thing in football. Logic and history both say that a team should only win 50 per cent of close games; games decided by less than two goals. Yet in 2015 Geelong are 7-0 in such matches.
It is a remarkable record and one that is almost impossible to fathom or replicate. Part of it can go down to Geelong’s experience in the clutch moments, but a real big part is luck and Geelong have had a lucky season.
If cats really do have nine lives, Geelong have used seven of theirs, so can only afford one more close one before grand final day.
2. Josh Bootsma could be the worst footballer to be AFL listed in 2014
Bootsma made a claim that he was hoping for a second chance from an AFL club. While his off-field antics have been well documented, on-field he is in the running as worst listed player of 2014.
Watching him run around for Peel at the weekend it is hard to imagine a player who was on an AFL list two months ago can have such a limited workrate capacity and no feel for the game. Forget his off-field antics costing him another chance, any scout or AFL coach with a grasp of modern football should be able to tell that this guy does not have the talent to grace an AFL field.
1. Trent Cotchin, Robbie Gray and Jordan Lewis are all outstanding value for the Brownlow
In a wide open race for the Brownlow medal it seems incredible that this trio of players could all be longer then 25/1 shots.
Lewis is enjoying his best ever season as an AFL player with his second half of the season being especially impressive. Gray, though not a big vote getter, has a vote-catching style and is a strong contender in the coaches’ award. Both may not win but would have to be considered great chances of a top-five finish and therefore great value for a market which pays on top three or top five.
Yet in terms of outright winner it seems ridiculous that a player with Cotchin’s history can be a 26/1 chance. He is a proven vote getter. He has been game breaking in a number of Richmond victories. He has been outstanding in Richmond’s winning run.
If Trent Cotchin takes Charlie home next month, remember where you heard it first. Right here.
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