Players like Mitch Robinson are why AFL coaches go grey.
The extremes of the Carlton midfielder’s game were summed up by two crucial incidents on Sunday in the frenetic last quarter against Richmond.
At a stoppage deep in Richmond’s attack early in the term, Robinson went second man-up and thumped the ball through for a rushed behind.
Only that’s a free kick, because the ball went through on the full.
Ivan Maric duly kicked a goal from point-black range to put the Tigers nine points ahead.
Five minutes after that monumental blunder, Robinson marked and goaled to put Carlton in front for the first time since the opening term of the pulsating elimination final.
They went on to score a memorable 20-point win.
“Robbo is the full package – he’s a great coaching tester,” said coach Mick Malthouse post-match.
“I will leave it at that.”
While Robinson tested his coach’s temper, veteran star Chris Judd reminded everyone of his brilliance.
Coming back after three weeks out with a knee injury, Judd’s outstanding third quarter was pivotal in the win.
He had 11 disposals in the quarter and also kicked a crucial goal in the final term to put the Blues 10 points ahead.
“If you play the game long enough, you know if you just stick at it and keep doing the right things, sooner or later the tide turns,” he said of the Blues’ comeback.
When Judd suffered the injury last month, there was strong speculation his season might be over.
“In footy, it doesn’t often pay to think too far ahead,” he said.
“You never know what’s going to happen, three, four, five … weeks out.”
Teammate Nick Duigan can attest you also don’t know what might happen in the next five minutes.
Brock McLean’s leg twinge in the warmup meant Duigan, one of Carlton’s emergencies, was rushed into the team.
In just his fourth senior game this season, Duigan starred with four goals.
“It was an amazing effort – he wasn’t told he was playing until literally five minutes before the game,” Judd said.
“I remember walking into one of the rooms an hour before the game and he was tucking into a big Subway.
“It’s testament to the sort of bloke he is.”
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