MATTHEW RICHARDSON’S TOP 10: AFL players and coaches exploiting concussion crackdown

1 I agree we need to look after the health and safety of umpires. But I could not agree anymore with Damien Hardwick with changing of the umpire contact rule mid-year. It’s seemingly an easy thing for the AFL to implement. Why then can’t we make changes to parts of the MRO matrix mid-year just as easily. The one I’m thinking about is a football action vs a non-football action. We have seen players rubbed out for up to three weeks for accidental collisions. Why can’t we change this? Jimmy Bartel flagged it years ago. It’s very frustrating.

2 One of Denis Pagan’s favourite sayings to his players in the 1990s was “you’ve gone down media street have you son?”. This would happen after a radio or TV interview or even an article in the newspaper. Well Denis went down media street himself last Thursday night at North’s 100-year celebration by giving the Kangaroos players an old school rev up live on TV. It’s was brilliant and passionate and I loved seeing all North’s past champions in attendance. Even though they lost the game it was a great celebration for the club. The players definitely responded to Denis’s words. North had a massive crack at the red-hot Dogs.

3 The most pleasing thing for the Western Bulldogs in recent weeks isn’t the return from injury of Sam Darcy, it’s the form of his forward line co-pilot Aaron Naughton. The Astro-Naught is back to his hard-leading, high-leaping best. When he is in this mood he is hard to stop. With Darcy back and fit and firing this is the best key forward combo in the competition. If the Dogs finish top four these two may be the difference in September.

4 Every time I hear Brownlow predictions for the Brownlow I hear the names Nick Daicos and Jordan Dawson the most. Collingwood could win 20 games so that’s a lot of three votes for Nick. But my No.1 smokey would be Noah Anderson. The Suns skipper was outstanding last week against Essendon with 30 touches and two goals. He’s definitely a Brownlow podium finisher and I can’t wait for him to go head-to-head with the Pies’ No. 35 on Friday night.

5 The Suns will need their skipper against the Magpies this week in their first-ever Friday night game at home. It will be a sell-out. The No.1 worry for Damien Hardwick is stopping Collingwood’s transition game and goal spread. They have had at least 10 goal scorers in three of their last four games and had nine last week against Carlton. That was without Bobby Hill, Beau McCreery and Lachie Schultz. This is one of the Magpies’ great strengths and it’s hard to negate. It also shows how good their system is. One out, one in. What a fun team watch and I say that through gritted teeth with my Tigers hat on . The great captain blood Jack Dyer would be ashamed of me.

6 George Stevens looked another bargain buy from the Geelong at pick 58 in the 2023 draft. The 20-year-old had eight clearances and 14 score involvements in his debut against Richmond. When you never have high picks you need to have great recruitment and development and the Cats are masters at this. Think Ollie Dempsey, Tom Atkins, Gryan Miers, Tom Stewart, Brad Close, Tyson Stengle, Mark Blicavs, Shaun Mannagh, Lawson Humphries and Oisin Mullin. All bar Stengle played last weekend against Richmond and all are bargain picks. List management 101.

7 I’m really really disappointed for Richmond’s No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor . That’s two hamstring injuries in the second half of the year. He also had a hamstring injury in his draft year. This kid is a star and the clubs must do everything in their power now to get on top of this issue. He’s their top commodity.

8 We totally understand the need for umpires to stop player when a player gets a head knock. This is non-negotiable. But we are stopping play now nearly every time a player stays down for a few seconds. They may be just winded or have a corky. Play should not be stopped for these sorts of incidents. Players are smart and this is being exploited. It’s robbing teams the opportunity to play on quickly. In a tight game we don’t want this to be a ploy to stop play. I can’t guarantee coaches won’t use this as a tactic.

9 I recently called for the Saints to do everything to keep Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. The whisper is he will commit and this will be massive for the Saints. It’s a sign of faith from Nas that the footy club is a good environment. Of course the zeroes on the contract helps. Coming off a career-high 43 disposals and more than a 1000m gained against Hawthorn, he is the weapon every club desires - a skilful running half-back who can go into the midfield. He’s an absolute weapon.

10 The finals race is down to nine teams and there is only one way to figure who misses out. That’s to do the ever-reliable ladder predictor. I’ve done it and Fremantle misses out. with Sunday’s loss to the Swans proving to be the difference. Don’t worry Dockers fans, this will most likely not happen. For the record my final eight was Pies, Cats, Lions, Crows, Dogs, Hawks Suns and Giants in that order in what looms as a tight run home to finals.