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This afternoon’s NAB Cup games feature Carlton making the bunny-hop over to the city of churches to take on both Adelaide and Port in the triple-header which will also feature the Crows taking on the Power in a mini-Showdown. Join us for live scores and blog from 2:40pm local (3:10pm ADST).
While some clubs can afford to treat the Nab Cup at their leisure, and spend the time working on game-plans and structures, others are more inclined to take it seriously, using it to make a statement about where they are, and where they want to be.
This triumvirate of games feels like those of the ‘statement’ variety – Adelaide under a new coach will be looking to shake off a horror 2011, Port need to show that they will not be the subject of ridicule that they were last year, and Carlton with premiership glory in their sights will want to stamp their authority on two teams seen to be inferior.
Adelaide
Brenton Sanderson was a key plank in the Geelong coaching hierarchy that delivered three premierships in five years to the Cattery, and this will be the first indication we will have as to whether his Crows outfit have learned from the experience and ideas that he has brought with him.
He is on public record telling us that his players are much bigger than in 2011, which he is hoping will enable them to stand stronger in the stoppages and win more of the contested ball and clearances that have quickly become the benchmarks of success in winning matches of AFL football.
Key questions
– Will the Crows have more of a physical presence out on the ground, rather than rely on superior aerobic capacity as in previous seasons?
– Can the heavily talented key forward duo of Kurt Tippett and Taylor Walker work in tandem to cause the headaches to an opposition defence that we know they are capable of?
– With the promise of more time in the midfield and a contract to renew, will Patrick Dangerfield show that he is ready to take the next step and jump into the elite class of mid-forwards?
Carlton
The Blues have made no secret of their lofty aims this year, club officials determined to finish in the top four, and publically willing to say so. Off the back of these predictions, their champion captain Chris Judd said that this was not satisfactory – only a premiership would do.
Considering that he has already captained a West Coast side to Grand Final glory and knows precisely the combination of talent and work ethic that it takes, his claims are not to be dismissed.
Despite the absence of the dual Brownlow medalist, his words will be ringing in his teammates ears, and they should be looking to impress.
Key questions
– A premiership team needs to be ruthless in its pursuit of the ultimate success – will the Blues show a cut-throat approach in search of victory in these two games?
– Off the back of a sizzling intra-club match, is Matthew Kreuzer ready to produce his best football after struggling for impact last year due to recovering from a knee reconstruction?
– Is Chris Yarran ready to take the game by storm after teasing us with some dazzling runs off the half-back flank last year?
Port Adelaide
When you are the first team to lose to a fledgling club that has lost its initial three games by an average of 15 goals, like Port did to Gold Coast last year, you are going to be the butt of many a joke. And when it comes off the back of holding a five goal three-quarter time lead at home, there really is no way back.
So it proved for the Power, winning only one of their next sixteen games, and three overall to finish in 16th, only avoiding the wooden spoon by winning their final game of the year.
This much maligned club is a long, long way from earning the respect of the competition, and two matches of reduced time is hardly going to have an impact, but they need to start somewhere, and right now.
Key questions
– Be it through defensive pressure, attacking flair, or good old fashioned guts and determination, can Port show that there is a glimmer of hope for season 2012?
– John Butcher only played the final four games last year, but included in those were bags of six and four – can he be the salvation of an inadequate forwardline?
– The silver lining of a bottom finish is a high draft pick, and Chad Wingard is the name on every Power supporter’s lips. Can he inject some class and vitality to a limited midfield?