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They are two of the most dominant performances by a key forward in recent AFL seasons. Both just happened to be produced by a much-maligned former defender – in consecutive weeks, no less.
Essendon youngster Jake Carlisle proved against the Western Bulldogs on the weekend that his 19-mark effort against Collingwood in Round 17 was not an aberration.
It could well have been. Carlisle had labored in the forward line all season and was widely considered very fortunate not to have been dropped.
I was skeptical whether he could again go close to matching his output against Collingwood. Why? Because every season an undecorated footballer plays a match at a level which previously seemed impossible. They utterly dominate a game, drastically exceeding the expectations of not just football followers but also, seemingly, their own teammates and coaches.
Their form on that particular day is so far beyond the norm that it seems unsustainable. It often proves to be just that and they quickly return to being a run-of-the-mill performer.
A former Bombers player makes a good case in point. In 2001, Gary Moorcroft had been in and out of a mighty Essendon lineup as he battled for consistency.
The 173cm forward booted only three goals in his first nine games that season despite spending a lot of his time in attack. Then, in Round 14 against the Western Bulldogs, he played like a diminutive superhero.
Moorcroft slotted six goals before half time, with even champion Bulldogs defender Brad Johnson powerless to halt his astounding momentum.
The exclamation point was added to this display when his sixth goal came from perhaps the most spectacular mark in AFL history.
Moorcroft scaled Johnson’s frame and then flung himself backwards through the air to pluck the ball while almost horizontal.
But after that night he never reached the same altitude, figuratively or literally. He kicked just 21 goals in his following 24 games and, two years later, his AFL career was over.
Carlisle looks unlikely to suffer such a swift descent from grace. Where Moorcroft was significantly undersized and had to try to make up for that with skill and nous, Carlisle is a giant of a man with supreme physical gifts to complement his generous ability.
The 198cm Bomber is just 22 years old. Very few key forwards reach their peak by that age. One man who clearly recognised the upside in his forward play that was not so apparent to the general public was his coach Bomber Thompson.
Thompson has been stubborn in continuing to play Carlisle up forward predominantly this season despite the footballer’s difficulty in adapting to that new position.
Carlisle had been sensational in defence last year, claiming numerous big scalps and staking strong claims for an All-Australian berth.
But Bomber had a hunch. Essendon desperately needed a reliable marking target in the forward half and he believed Carlisle was that man.
The punt did not pay dividends initially. Carlisle could muster just ten goals in his first 14 games this season while switching, on occasion, between attack and defence.
Bomber did not waiver and finally has reaped the rewards for his persistence and faith in Carlisle. The rangy utility was supreme against Collingwood, roaming the expanses of the MCG to haul in 19 marks, amid his 26 touches and four goals.
It was as complete a performance as you are likely to witness from a 198cm player. Yet his display at Etihad Stadium on Sunday was every bit as influential.
Essendon faced a robust challenge from the improving Bulldogs and it was Carlisle who was the clear difference between the sides in a close match.
He slotted eight goals – it could have been double figures had he not given a couple off to team mates – to go with 19 possessions.
Carlisle enhanced his offensive potency with tremendous defensive endeavour, laying seven tackles – but the highlight of his play was, once again, his marking.
He snared ten marks inside 50m, the highest number ever recorded by statistics company Champion Data. Carlisle’s ability to take one-grab marks is truly rare.
Combined with his height it makes him a terrifying proposition for opponents, particularly when Essendon move the ball forward quickly enough to isolate him in a one-on-one contest.
Watching him the past two weeks, he looks capable of becoming the best key forward in the competition. But, before we get too excited about Carlisle’s prospects, we have to see how he copes with the considerable extra defensive pressure he will encounter in the coming rounds.
He now has the attention of the entire competition. Future opponents will be conjuring ways of stopping his run at the ball and double teaming him where possible.
Essendon’s next match is against league leaders Sydney. The Swans have one of the most experienced, canny and efficient defensive units in the AFL.
They will not allow Carlisle the latitude he has gleefully exploited in the past two rounds.
Carlisle is a remarkable talent. Over the next month we will see how he handles the pressure of being a star forward.