Blues V Tigers - Robbo's best and worst From: Herald Sun
March 25, 2011 MARK Robinson takes a hard-hitting look and the best and worst from Carlton's win over Richmond in a mini-edition of The Tackle.What I Think I Like:1. Eddie Betts. Turned Chris Newman inside out several times, kicked three goals, was involved in four others, and they were the main course. His entree was a stinging tackle on David Astbury in the first quarter. He followed it with another in the second quarter which planted Rance into the MCG turf and gave Eddie a goal. Ratten wanted ruthless over summer and he got it from Betts.
2. Richmond's third quarter. Who saw that coming? Led Blues in contested possession, marks and inside 50s. Leaders Jackson and Newman at fore, as was Cotchin, who had stunk it up in the first half. Nahas and Houli gave them run, and Jack gave them goals. In the future, if Hardwick ever wants to emphasise effort, all he has to do is replay this quarter.
3. Weirdness of footy: Look at these stats, inside 50s 69-37, clearances 49-26, tackles 80-55, contested possession 147-128 and marks 103-70. The Tigers trailed badly in every category, yet led at the 18th minute of the final quarter. Reality is you can't apply numbers to leadership. Chris Judd stole this game from Richmond who almost stole it from Carlton.
4. Bryce Gibbs. Midfield has to be his go. Asserted himself in the second quarter and looked, at times, as the designated deliverer of the ball forward of centre. Why waste him at the back when he is efficient by foot? He finds targets, creates goals.
5. Not writing obituaries. One game doesn't make a season, but the corresponding game two years ago was Terry Wallace's killer. Actually, the loss to Melburne four weeks didn't help Plough, either. For Ratten, it was a game he couldn't lose. The headlines, the twitter, the blogs, the words ... it wouldn't have read too kindly.
Apologies: Mitch Robinson, Robbie Warnick, Bachar Houli.
What I Think I Don't like.1. Brett Deledio's first half. First game, big night, leaders needed and Deledio couldn't get into the game. Improved after the break, but sometimes you have to wonder why he finds himself in a back pocket when his team needs explosion in the middle. Nahas did it last night. Deledio should do it most nights. To break any potential tag, you could perhaps play him as a back pocket rotating on-ball. Might work.
2. Chris Yarran's inactivity. Pre-season brochure had him as the creative half-back. Last night he was a lost half-back. While the Blues will stick to their guns, as they should, and play him down back next week, they should also not pigeon-hole him for an entire game. A move forward after half-time, as the Magpies have done with Leon Davis in the pre-season, might've sparked him. He certainly couldn't have done any worse.
3. Bret Thornton on the guns. Unfortunately, time and the game catches everyone.
4. Criticism of Alex Rance. OK, he hit Waite high, off the ball and should get a couple of weeks rest. But love his attitude. He tried to block Waite as Waite turned to double back. It happens 50 times in a game. The Tigers need some attitude and Hardwick would be quietly impressed.
5. Connors as the sub. People argue the sub will be the 22nd ranked player in the team. What rubbish. Connors is a better player than a quarter of the list _ they had three 18-year-old debutants for God's sake. The issue is, as the Tigers re-build: Play the kids, or play your best team? Surely, it's too early for this kind of talk.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/blues-v-tigers-robbos-best-and-worst/story-e6frf9jf-1226027887452
