RICHO’S TOP 10: How AFL should have dealt with Willie Rioli and the one thing that is a must at any cafe

1. Willie Rioli won’t play in the Showdown after standing himself down, and then having the AFL ban him from the match anyway, but this is what I think should have happened.

The silly on-field spat with Bailey Dale turned into a silly comment post-game on social media. Stupid thing to say, yes. Do I think he meant it, no. A fine should then have been issued with the AFL stating this sort of thing is not tolerated or accepted. We all could have moved on a lot quicker. As for the past incidents I believe these could have stayed in the past and on the field. Brad Scott said as much. A lot of silly things get said on the field. 99.9 per cent of it is just that ... silly nonsense. When on the very odd occasion it goes past that it will be dealt with. The players know where that line is. Only Willie knows where he is at mentally so for him to withdraw is clearly the best decision for him and the club.

2. One completely random and off the topic of football.

Went to a cafe for breakfast over the weekend. My order was simple, poached eggs on toast. Worcestershire sauce on eggs is a must for me. To my surprise the cafe didn’t have it. Unforgivable. Any cafe without the king (or queen) of sauces should be shut down. It also means they can’t make Bloody Mary’s. I can’t get my head around this sauce selection decision from their kitchen.

3. What a remarkable week from Ross the Boss last week leading into the very impressive win over Fremantle last Friday.

The club did the right thing by backing him in after his strong words to Hugo Garcia the week before. Ross then gave the VFL tribunal a whack. His pre-game interview on Channel Seven with Al Nicholson was very stern and set the tone for an incredible start to finish performance from the Saints. Clearly Lyon had buy-in from his players. The win sets up a huge Friday night clash with the Blues tomorrow night. A St Kilda supporting mate is calling it the Tom DeKoning Cup. A Saints win might seal the deal.

4. On the flip side it was a disaster for Fremantle and Justin Longmuir.

While it’s not all doom and gloom and a win over Collingwood tonight can change the narrative quickly, they have to change their style of play. They are last in the competition for playing on after a mark and kick long down the line far too much. I would love to see them take the game on more and give a young exciting forward line a chance to see a bit more footy. If they don’t I can’t see them scoring enough against a good defensive outfit in the Pies.

5. Four coaches have now said the Match Review Officer system must change.

I could not agree more. If Conor Nash can get four weeks for a strike on Gryan Miers and Paul Curtis then gets three for a perfect tackle the system is broken. Change it now, not at the end of the year. The AFL have no issue changing things on the run so surely they can get this sorted. The MRO did get one right with Jake Melksham not being suspended for a marking contest where Jeremy McGovern was concussed. As soon as McGovern was injured, I was fearful of a suspension. It would have been unjust. Melksham and McGovern both had eyes on the ball. This was simply a football collision and unintentional. The explanation from the MRO was spot on and pure common sense. We haven’t seen a lot of that lately.

6. Prediction time.

This is a big call, but the final eight looks to be taking shape already. I remember Mike Malthouse saying always look at the percentage. The top eight as we speak has a clear percentage break between them and the 10 teams below apart from Carlton. I can’t see a lot of change in the top eight from here on in. Of the eight only the Giants look vulnerable on equal points with Fremantle, St Kilda, Essendon and Port Adelaide. Time will tell.

7. Last week I wrote about Steele Sidebottom ageing like a fine wine.

This week’s instalment of my Dad’s Army star is Patrick Dangerfield. What an unbelievable last quarter he put together against the Pies — 13 disposals, 10 contested possessions, five score involvements and a staggering eight ground ball gets. Danger has lost none of his power and it’s the reason he is still at the top of his game. While he maintains a strong presence around the ball retirement is a long way off.

8. My favourite player this week is Bailey Smith.

What a year he is putting together coming off a knee reconstruction and a change of clubs. We talk about courage in our game a lot. Bailey has the courage to keep running and trying to create for the Cats until the final siren. He must be the ultimate professional to be at this level eight games back after such a serious injury. The Cats must be pumped with their latest recruit.

9. I said last week the Dogs must re-sign Luke Beveridge ASAP and I am saying it again this week.

He is the coach of the year for me so far. His players are playing career best footy. He gets the best from his role players, shifts the magnets deftly and rejuvenates careers. Rory Lobb is the prime example. Surely a contract is in the hands of his manager from the Dogs by now.

10. What a great celebration for the Hawks’ 100 years in the competition last Sunday.

I love the history and traditions of our game. So many of the greats were there to celebrate. Since their first premiership in 1960 they have won a flag on average every five years. Just incredible. There is no reason they can’t win it this year. What a club.