Carlton back in the AFL finals hunt
Roar Rookie By ChrisCantatore, 21 Aug 2012 ChrisCantatore is a Roar Rookie
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- 2012 AFL season, AFL, AFL finals, Brett Ratten, Carlton, Carlton Blues
Andrew Walker and Eddie Betts celebrate (Slattery Images)
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Carlton’s 96-point thumping of Essendon has put the Blues just one game outside the top eight with two rounds remaining.
Currently sitting in ninth spot with 44 points and a percentage of 110.5, the Blues will play the Gold Coast on Saturday night followed by St. Kilda to round out the home and away season.
Carlton should comfortably defeat the Suns and will be hoping that North Melbourne can defeat Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Dockers are currently in eighth spot on ladder after defeating Richmond on the weekend. Fremantle are on 48 points with a percentage of 109.6.
The Kangaroo’s will go into their match as favourites after securing a finals berth with a huge win over Collingwood last Saturday night.
Should the results come in as expected, Carlton will return to the top eight with one game remaining.
The Blues were as dominant on Saturday against Essendon as they have been all season. Aside from the opening 10 minutes, the Bombers never looked in the game. The Blues had more disposals, marks, tackles and contested possessions.
A melee broke out at quarter time that added some extra spark and lead to a 10-goal second quarter from Carlton.
The Bombers were undisciplined at times, giving away two 50 metre penalties which resulted in goals.
Every Carlton goal kicker registered more than one major with Jarrad Waite kicking five and a further five players kicking three.
Rookie Levi Casboult kicked a remarkable goal during the second quarter and continued to provide a key target up forward alongside Waite.
Marc Murphy continued his brilliance since returning from injury with 37 disposals. Bryce Gibbs collected 28, Brock McLean and Kade Simpson both had 27 and kicked three goals.
Captain Chris Judd had 23 in his return from a four match suspension.
The only injury concern was with midfielder Andrew Carrazzo, who was subbed out at three quarter time with a hamstring complaint.
The Blues are still without key defenders Michael Jamieson, Jeremy Laidler and Lachie Henderson as well as ruckman Shaun Hampson.
Carlton will now look to build on their percentage against the Suns on Saturday night.
The win on Saturday reaffirms that coach Brett Ratten is the right person for the job.
After being criticised mid-season for the Blues poor form and having his suitability for the role questioned by several commentators, Ratten and his team have won five of their last seven contests.
The Crowd Says (49) | Page 1 of Comments
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- 2012 AFL season, AFL, AFL finals, Brett Ratten, Carlton, Carlton Blues
August 21st 2012 @ 1:18pm
Vic said | August 21st 2012 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
Interesting turn of events.
The Blues need to win big on the Gold Coast, beat St. Kilda down here and hope Freo loses against North.
Then they face the prospect of West Coast at Subiaco which they would fancy themselves to win, as they could have won the last time but were screwed by the WAFL umpires running the show. Same goes for the finals last season in fact. They certainly do get looked after in WA. Damn crooks!
August 21st 2012 @ 3:18pm
ChrisCantatore said | August 21st 2012 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
The last minutes of the final last year vs West Coast could be up there as the biggest umpriring blunders of last season. Walker should have been paid the free kick.
It’s easy to speculate but to pay a free kick in the goal sqaure to the opposition which would seal the result and end the season of the Eagles- I can’t see any umpire doing that, which is a huge shame because it was clearly there.
The Blues had their chances throughout but should be dirty over that call.
I attended the game vs West Coast this season- I can’t say the umpring was much better. Although should Carlton finish 8th and play West Coast in Perth- i don’t think it will be a walk in the park for the Eagles.
August 21st 2012 @ 3:37pm
Macca said | August 21st 2012 @ 3:37pm | Report comment
Chris – I think the blues will play North in the first week which is definitely winnable (especially if t is at the MCG), then quite possibly Collingwood in week 2 which would have Pies supporters nervous.
August 21st 2012 @ 4:28pm
ChrisCantatore said | August 21st 2012 @ 4:28pm | Report comment
I agree with you, at the MCG it will be a very different game than the one played at Etihad a few weeks ago. Carlton are in much better form than they were then (aside from beating Collingwood the week before, their form for the middle part of the season was below expectations). A Collingwood/Carlton semi-final would be a great game and could go either way depending on what Collingwood team showed up to play.
If Carlton can keep this current group healthy and together and continue to develop guys like Casboult, Bell and the other guys that have made their debuts this season, the Blues are going to be a premiership threat for the next five or so years.
August 21st 2012 @ 4:33pm
Macca said | August 21st 2012 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
Chris – It’s not just the form of the carlton players but the players who will be playing, Simpson Robinson & Waite all missed that game and Walker got injured in the first 10 minutes.
Casboult & Bell have also come in which make the side much better balanced.
The other thing is North couldn’t possibly kick 24 goals 6 again, could they?
August 21st 2012 @ 5:39pm
ChrisCantatore said | August 21st 2012 @ 5:39pm | Report comment
I don’t think they would kick with such accuracy at the MGC. Since the game against Carlton where they kicked 24.5, they have only played once at the MCG.
Round 21- 13.13
Round 20- 15.10
Round 19- 18.7
Round 18- 19.13
Round 17- 15.13 (MCG)
Round 16- 24.5 (v Carlton)
It’s would be fair to assume they were just having ‘one of those nights’ against Carlton. While far more accurate in front of goal than most- what impact does the roof have on this accuracy?
Carlton kicked 24.12 this week at the MCG.
August 21st 2012 @ 1:47pm
Smithy said | August 21st 2012 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
Despite the odds being in Carlton’s favour, the key factor here is they still need results to go their way. They aren’t in control.
Freo have worked hard to be eighth on the ladder, and they’re in control, and will determine whether they play finals or not. While the odds are against them on paper, it’s arguably a better place to be at this point in the season. It allows them to keep things simple and focused going into the game against North.
August 21st 2012 @ 3:22pm
ChrisCantatore said | August 21st 2012 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
Absolutley, Fremantle have control over their season and the Blues don’t.
With the way North Melbourne have been playing and taking in to account the way they play at Etihad against the way Fremantle have it’s fair to assume North willl get the win here and thus giving control to Carlton (should they beat, as expected, the Gold Coast).
As a long time member of the Fremantle Dockers I will be watching with the hope they come out and play the best game they’ve played in years against the ‘Roos’ and seal a finals spot.
August 21st 2012 @ 4:16pm
Smithy said | August 21st 2012 @ 4:16pm | Report comment
Yeah you and me both Chris! You’d expect some teams to ease off a bit having sewn up a finals berth, but I saw the muted North celebrations post-game on Saturday, and there was nothing to suggest they won’t turn up up this week. Probably a good thing really – no point making the finals if you don’t have the confidence that comes from winning the must-win games. Should be a cracking game.
August 21st 2012 @ 4:21pm
Macca said | August 21st 2012 @ 4:21pm | Report comment
North won’t be easing off, they want to get as high as they can and don’t want to mess with the form the have had for the past 9-10 weeks.
August 21st 2012 @ 4:44pm
Smithy said | August 21st 2012 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
Yep I agree totally Macca. Despite their soft draw, North clearly have a steeliness about them at the right time, which was apparent post-game on the weekend. That’s good for Freo though because there’s not much point cruising into finals (let’s see how Adelaide go). If they can get up, it’ll give them massive confidence to play whenever, wherever, riding an impressive 9-1 record heading into finals.
August 21st 2012 @ 2:36pm
Macca said | August 21st 2012 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
The win against the Gold Coast doesn’t have to be that big, as they have a better percentage then freo already and the gap would have to get wider if North beat Freo, but the bigger the better, they would want Freo to have to win by 150 point against Melb to get home.
And while Carlton’s fate does rely on North winning, the way they are going at the moment you couldn’t get many better teams.
August 21st 2012 @ 3:19pm
Smithy said | August 21st 2012 @ 3:19pm | Report comment
They are less than one per cent ahead of Freo so “should the results come in as expected”, and Freo and the Saints aren’t badly beaten by the Roos and Carlton respectively (say under 30 points in each game), then I’d estimate that if Carlton beat GC by 50+ then they should get through (on the proviso they beat the Saints). If Carlton beat GC by 30-40 points I’d estimate Freo would need to beat Melbourne (at Subi) by 60+ points to pass them on percentage, a task not beyond them if you get a clear day in Perth (and there’s been nothing but clear days this winter!).
As a Freo fan I’m kinda hoping Lenny Hayes will announce his retirement and get the Saints up in the final round!
August 21st 2012 @ 3:39pm
Macca said | August 21st 2012 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
Smithy – Hayes will go around again for sure the way he has been playing.
As a blues fan now the Saints are gone for the season I am hoping for a rash of surgeries to beat the end of season rush. I can’t see them risking Riewoldt again now.
August 21st 2012 @ 8:24pm
Doots said | August 21st 2012 @ 8:24pm | Report comment
Is,nt Pavelich injured ? If so l can,t see Freo kicking a big score against Melbourne !!
August 22nd 2012 @ 1:19pm
hawker said | August 22nd 2012 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
Last game of terrible season going to Perth , Melbourne would’ve started mad monday on the plane from tullamarine… Freo will beat them by 80+
August 22nd 2012 @ 1:26pm
Macca said | August 22nd 2012 @ 1:26pm | Report comment
Hawker – 80 points isn’t going to be enough, They will have to beat them by much more than the blues beat the Suns by. Despite the AFL webis e predicting a Carlton victory by 35 points (yeah no GCS bias at the AFL) most rational people would have the blues by well over 10 goals with 20 being a distinct possibility.
The papers today had the blues at about a 30 point headstart on Freo, for percentage even to matter they will have to lose to North and carlton beat the Saints, which will only extend that 30 point buffer. SO if the blues beat the Suns by even 10 goals Freo will have to get a 100 point margin to make up the difference, I can’t see it happening.
August 22nd 2012 @ 2:35pm
ChrisCantatore said | August 22nd 2012 @ 2:35pm | Report comment
Carlton v St. Killda is going to be just as important and Fremantle v North Melbourne when talking about who gets that eighth spot.
Even if Carlton win by 100pts this week and Freo lose against North the Blues are still going to have to beat St. Kilda to get in. Fremantle can beat Melbourne by a point in the last round and get through a game ahead of Carlton.
I think the Blues will beat the Saints this time but it’s not going to be a walk in the park for Carlton.
August 22nd 2012 @ 2:41pm
Macca said | August 22nd 2012 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Obviously Chris – hence my line – “for percentage to even matter….”
August 22nd 2012 @ 5:16pm
Smithy said | August 22nd 2012 @ 5:16pm | Report comment
Worth looking at the Suns last six games at Metricon:
W GWS 30 points
L Swans 72 points
L Lions 11 points
L Cats 14 points
L North 7 points
Last home game for the year with a trip to AAMI to follow – you’d think the Suns would be throwing a bit at this game. With this in mind, and their recent form line at home, I reckon a rational person would say a Blues victory by 60+ would be a very good win.
August 22nd 2012 @ 5:26pm
Macca said | August 22nd 2012 @ 5:26pm | Report comment
Smithy- You have to remember which players were actually playing against the Suns in those games, most teams took the opportunity to rest a few key players however with the blues needing percentage no one will be rested.
Also there will be no complacency, they won’t be turning up thinking a win is in the bag, they will be turning up thinking we need to make this the biggest win we can.
August 23rd 2012 @ 3:42pm
hawker said | August 23rd 2012 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
GCS have been more than competitive against Geelong, North, Essendon, Freo at Metricon. They’re a chance to lose by less than 40 pts.
August 23rd 2012 @ 3:52pm
Macca said | August 23rd 2012 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
Hawker – Geelong were missing half their side, not sure about the others but mst sides choose to rest players against GCS.
But even if the margin is 40 points, that still has Freo having to beat melb by 12 goals before allowing for Carlton’s winning margin against St Kilda and Freo’s losing margin to North.
August 27th 2012 @ 1:06pm
Smithy said | August 27th 2012 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
The contrast in mental preparation between the Blues and Freo to their games this weekend was astounding. That’s a coaching issue for me. Lyon was smart enough to speak to the players about the Suns win, rather than ignore it. By talking it through and addressing them as real people, he was able to the prepare them mentally and shift their focus to the Roos. By contrast, Ratten failed to have his players ready for the opening bounce. It’s always been a game played between the ears.
August 27th 2012 @ 1:16pm
Macca said | August 27th 2012 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
Smithy – I didn’t see the game so commenting is a bit hard but I would just say this, why do players need a coach to get them mentally switched on before a game where a win is not only essential but a percentage boost is also required?
Ratten would of discussed (I am confident of this because he alluded to it in the press conference afterwards) the need to put Gold Coast down hard early, get them out of the contest by quarter time but the players didn’t respond.
At the end of the day the blues won more possessions, got more contested possessions, laid more tackles, went inside 50 more often and had more scoring shots but couldn’t kick goals and apparently turned the ball over too much, the coach can do a lot of things but he can’t kick the ball for you.
August 27th 2012 @ 2:21pm
Smithy said | August 27th 2012 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
Macca that’s what coaches do. It’s their job. I’ve seen Fremantle lose many games like the weekend’s. Hell, historically, we would have lost to Richmond the previous week. The crucial difference in these sort of games – where mental application is paramount – is the role of the coach and coaching group to keep the playing group focused and on task. In the bubble, in Lyon-speak.
Unlike Lyon, it was clear that Ratten and co. failed to properly address the context of the Suns game and get the players focused. Sure, they threw around stuff like ‘we won’t be complacent’ and ‘we respect the opposition’, but they did not drill down and address the players as people, and prepare them mentally for what was required. Carlton lost the game well before the opening bounce, probably somewhere between Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
August 27th 2012 @ 2:34pm
Macca said | August 27th 2012 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
Smithy – I beg to differ on the statement “that’s what coaches do” – coaches plan and strategise.
And were you in the room, did you see what Ratten did?
I played a lot of country football and had numerous coaches and saw many variation of the same basic rev up spray, it never worked on me. Somebody else trying to tell me how important winning was for some reason or another was just a waste of time, winning was important because that is why you play.
If a player at AFL level couldn’t figure out that the blues needed to win on Saturday night then I question whether they should be at AFL level.
If anyone should be taking resposibility it is the leadership group and Judd, Judd is the one that gives them the final message before the ball is bounced, the leadership group are the ones who upon seeing the second and third goal sail through should of been getting around the players and switching them on.
August 22nd 2012 @ 5:59pm
brendan said | August 22nd 2012 @ 5:59pm | Report comment
Dont count your chickens yet Fremantle’s played in Melbourne four times this year for three wins and haen’t lost at Etihad.North are due for a loss and Lyon’s game plan suits Etihad.
August 22nd 2012 @ 6:38pm
ChrisCantatore said | August 22nd 2012 @ 6:38pm | Report comment
Everyone says that North is due for a loss- unless you barrack for North Melbourne (and probably even if you do) that ‘due loss’ was probably expected to come last week.
The Dockers record in Melbourne this year has been better than previously- the two wins at Etihad againts the Saints and the Demons were good wins but neither of those teams are in or have been in the form that North Melbourne have been this season.
Personally, I think it is going to be a much closer game than expected and I wouldn’t be surpised if Fremantle got the win- they have a solid in form team, just they are playing a side in better form and playing at home.
August 22nd 2012 @ 8:26pm
brendan said | August 22nd 2012 @ 8:26pm | Report comment
Chris North should win all im suggesting is people shouldn’t get ahead of themselves.Not only do some posts state Carlton will grab eIgth spot they list Collingwood as the Bluebaggers opponent in week two of the finals.We haven’t had a draw this year , normally two a year, who knows this may be the game.
August 24th 2012 @ 12:51pm
ChrisCantatore said | August 24th 2012 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
That’s true, I guess a lot of people are expecting West Coast to beat Collingwood this week and possibly take fourth spot by the end of the season. I think last week might have been a huge wake up call for the Magpies and I don’t believe that the Eagles are as good as many people think.
First week of the finals should be West Coast v Carlton/Fremantle.
I think both of those teams could beat West Coast in the first week.
August 24th 2012 @ 1:10pm
Macca said | August 24th 2012 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
North could still go ahead of the Eagles couldn’t they? And if the Eagles win on the weekend won’t they go above the Pies?
August 24th 2012 @ 5:18pm
ChrisCantatore said | August 24th 2012 @ 5:18pm | Report comment
If West Coast win this week they will go into fourth spot. They will need to hope that Essendon beat Collingwood next week to stay there as it’s unlikely the Eagles will beat Hawthorn in the last round.
North have GWS next week- assume that’s a given and they win this week against the Dockers the would be in fifth spot, West Coast could drop as low as seventh depending on other results.
If the Eagles win one of their next two games then North would need to make up percentage to take over fifth spot from West Coast.
August 24th 2012 @ 5:23pm
Macca said | August 24th 2012 @ 5:23pm | Report comment
Thanks Chris. Either way it looks unlikely the blues will go to Perth if they get 8th as North should make up a lot of percentage.
I made a call early in the year that as Carlton had lost a final in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth in the last 3 years they must be on track to lose a tight one in Adelaide this year, the way things are shaping up it is a possibility.
August 27th 2012 @ 4:05am
Bee Bee said | August 27th 2012 @ 4:05am | Report comment
Sunset was unusual this afternoon. Very Dark Blue.
August 27th 2012 @ 8:37am
Ian Whitchurch said | August 27th 2012 @ 8:37am | Report comment
BeeBee,
Coulda sworn that was a sunrise, not a sunset … but in any case, it denies the AFL some quality finals.
August 27th 2012 @ 11:10am
ChrisCantatore said | August 27th 2012 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Fremantle v West Coast is a better win for the AFL than West Coast v Carlton in Perth.
With the way both sides are playing, it wiill be a better game too.
August 27th 2012 @ 2:34pm
Ian Whitchurch said | August 27th 2012 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
Chris,
Im just taking the piss out of Macca’s whiny article.
August 27th 2012 @ 3:02pm
Macca said | August 27th 2012 @ 3:02pm | Report comment
So that is another thing you aren’t too good at Ian, taking the p*ss, I’ll put that up with answering direct questions and supporting your argu ments with fact.
And again the article was discussing the quality of teams in the finals, if anyone can make the case they are the same or higher quality than the previous seasons good luck to them.
Oh and by the way have you noticed that your Man Karmichael played 18 games this year for 1 win, he has missed the last 3 and the suns have won 2 of them, it’s amazing what happens when you get the list cloggers out of the side,
August 27th 2012 @ 3:08pm
Ian Whitchurch said | August 27th 2012 @ 3:08pm | Report comment
Macca,
So, which quality finals did Gold Coast deny the AFL when they knocked a soft Carlton out of the finals ?
Regarding Hunt … a win. Which he won off his own boot. After the siren. After beating his man by leading to the perfect spot.
August 27th 2012 @ 3:24pm
Macca said | August 27th 2012 @ 3:24pm | Report comment
Again Ian, completely missing the point. Even if the blues had made the finals they weren’t going to be even the same quality as they were the year before with some key defenders missing. None of the finalists are.
And while the Suns won, the blues beat them in contested possession, tackles, clearances, total disposals, inside 50′s and scoring shots. It wasn’t the blues being soft that lost them the game it was turnovers and poor goal kicking (plus losing Mcinnes didn’t help).
And on the list clogger Hunt, kicking the winning goal and winning a gmae off your own boat are 2 completely different things. And from memory there were a couple of other Suns players in that same spot.
But what ever you say about the nature of the win the Factts remain, play Hunt and win one from 18, dump Hunt and get someone who can play in their and win 2 from 3.
You still haven’t answered how hunt can be doing all the hard work for the team and have such poor contested ball, clearance and 1 percenter stats?
August 27th 2012 @ 4:19pm
Ian Whitchurch said | August 27th 2012 @ 4:19pm | Report comment
Macca,
The point about ‘disposal efficiency’ clearly went past you.
Hunt has a disposal efficiency of 74%, which is pretty good by AFL standards – its better than Marc Murphy’s 70%.
As to why disposal efficiency is important, watch the last quarter of the Gold Coast-Carlton game.
http://www.smartreplay.afl.com.au/?round=1106&match=10342206&videoQuality=high
August 27th 2012 @ 4:38pm
Macca said | August 27th 2012 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
Ian – Hunt handballs 2/3′s of the time. Considering it is far easier to be “efficient” when handballing 74% is quite low, he is 15th for disposal efficiency at the club.
Murphy on the other hand kicks the ball 56.8% of the time and gets double (13.13 compared with 6,4) the contested possessions a game hunt does which will lead to less efficiency. You should stop trying to isolate 1 good stat for Karmichael and look at them all together, he doesn’t get a lot of it, he does get a lot of contested ball, he doesn’t tackle a lot, he doesn’t get a lot of clearances, he doesn’t gain them a lot of metres, he doesn’t score many goals and his disposal efficiency is only about average despite the fact he doesn’t kick the ball much.
And Ian Hunt has 41 clangers in his 264 possessions, Murphy has 33 clangers from his 401, so 15% of Hunts possessions are clanger but only 8% of Murphy’s are, for the importance of this you should look at the Carlton Suns game on Saturday night.
I am aware of Carlton disposal issues in the Suns game hence my comment above “And while the Suns won, the blues beat them in contested possession, tackles, clearances, total disposals, inside 50′s and scoring shots. It wasn’t the blues being soft that lost them the game it was turnovers and poor goal kicking (plus losing Mcinnes didn’t help).”
August 27th 2012 @ 4:48pm
Brewski said | August 27th 2012 @ 4:48pm | Report comment
Just a guess, but seeing you are so argumentative on here, when quite clearly you are wrong, i reckon your missus would wear the pants ? …… come on Macca, be honest !.
August 27th 2012 @ 4:55pm
Macca said | August 27th 2012 @ 4:55pm | Report comment
Brewski – Quite clearly wrong Brewski – how on earth do you come up with that?
Look at hunt’s stats, they are ordinary, low possessions, low contested possessions, low tackle count, average disposal efficiency, high clanger rate, low clearances, low 1 percenters. I know stats can’t show everything but christ when they are this clear you can’t keep hiding behind the “it’s the things you can’t see line”. So if I am wrong show me where!
And you would want to be careful, those sort of comments would get you suspended in the AFL
August 27th 2012 @ 5:01pm
brendan said | August 27th 2012 @ 5:01pm | Report comment
Let him have a win Brewski his footy team and there coach sure cant.Oh im sorry Macca for the grammatical errors only doing you a favor to keep your mind off the Blues.
August 27th 2012 @ 5:14pm
Macca said | August 27th 2012 @ 5:14pm | Report comment
Brendan – We have had 11 of them for the year and I think it is time you built a bridge over your issues with me pointing out your use of made up words. I never mention your spelling mistakes or lack of punctuation.
If you want to weigh in though how about you point out why Hunt terrible stats fail to recognise his brilliance?
August 27th 2012 @ 6:11pm
brendan said | August 27th 2012 @ 6:11pm | Report comment
Seriously who do you think you are .Correcting grammar, incidentially im a qualified teacher, and spelling.You put some stupid article up about how the expansion sides are ruining the finals and after numerous posts when i suggest your just disenchanted over Carlton and looking elsewhere for fault you say i am beaten because i have changed tack.On numerous occasions i have dis-agreed with Ian Whitchurch but generally his contentions are supported by statistical evidence or web -sites rather than the rambling bias you provide.Everyone is entitled to there opinion but facts are facts and if you want my opinion on Karmicheal Hunt without doing a lot of research i think he has been fantastic and has improved game by game and has been a success.
August 28th 2012 @ 9:11am
Macca said | August 28th 2012 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Brendan – As I said I corrected you on one word, let it go.
On Hunt, if you want stats look at all the ones I have put up on other threads. He is supposed to be an inside Midfielder but only gets about 6 contested possessions a game and is at least 10th on the suns list and just beats Bryce Gibbs who is constantly criticised for not winning enough of his own ball. He only gets 2.6 clearances a game, again poor for an inside midfielder and lays 3.5 tackles a game again poor for an inside midfielder.
Only 43% of his possessions are contested which makes a mockery of the claim he is doing the hard work and dishing it out to his lighter team mates.
He is 19th of disposal efficiency at the suns despite only kicking about 1/3 of the time and next year will have at least 9 other midfielders better than him with another pre-season under their belts.
The facts are he has to improve dramatically to hold his spot in a improving midfield and the only uninformed bias is yours.
And if changing the topic to something completely irrelevant and wrong isn’t a sign of being beaten then what is?