In the part one and two of this series we looked at the Crows and the Lions.
So far we’ve looked at the likes of Eddie Betts, Taylor Walker, Josh Green, Lewis Taylor. Each player examined isa top two forward for their team. I’m sure that others may think that there other players earn those stripes, but I’m looking at statistics from 2014 and 2015 such as Goal Accuracy, Goal Assists, Marks and Marks inside 50m, Goals, Goal per game Average, Tackles and average Behinds per game.
In this edition we are looking at Carlton.
Carlton
Until this year Carlton did have Jarrad Waite, who was there top goal scorer, but he has now left to play at North Melbourne, with Jeff Garlett departing to Melbourne. So who is their best forward out of the ones that are left?
1st – Lachie Henderson: With Waite gone, Henderson now becomes the Blues’ most valuable forward, with a average of 1.6 goals per game last year and a goal accuracy of 62.2 per cent. He is the second most accurate of the forwards at Carlton.
His major drawback, and it is by no means that bad, is his tackles with only 33 for 2014 at a average of 1.9 per game. It shows the lack of forward pressure that has plagued Carlton.
For the first part of the 2015 Season it does look a little like the pressure is getting to him with a drop in accuracy to 42.9 per cent, and only kicking three goals in the first three games. He’ll need to up his game if he wants to hold down the full forward job.
2nd – Chris Yarran: With the third highest goals for the Blues players that are left, his ability to find the ball within the 50 area, with 3.5 inside 50s per game for the 2014 season to go with his 21 goals over the 21 games, he has shown that he is a consistent player for the Blues in their forward line.
To start of his 2015 he has move into the midfield more for the first three game, so has had less time in the forward line with only one shot on goal that was a point. He may have a new job in the Carlton line up once he comes back from his three-week holiday.
To finish out the top four we have Levi Casboult in third. With some work on his kicking and accuracy he will be a good half forward for them but still needs to learn how to kick straight.
Fourth is Troy Menzel, with 26 goals last year and two for his first two games this season. He just need to work on his skills and needs to make an effort to get more of the ball in the forward 50.
If Carlton is to win games this season they need their main forwards to step up and to be able and to increase the amount of the ball they get. It’s that simple.
Macca
Guest
I think you have highlighted a move that would make the BLues forward line much more potent - Yarran going forward. Buckley should be a permanent feature off half back ofr the rest of the season and with the likes of Docherty, Touhy, Walker, Everitt, Simpson and even Thomas when he returns capable of playing as rebounding defenders Yarran's abiulity to go forward and be dangerous is too good to waste. The other positive about the BLues frward line is their age - if we were to say the Forward line consisted of Henderson, Casboult, Jones, Menzel, Yarran & Bell the oldest player is Henderson at 25 and 4 months, there is plenty of development left in those players. I would also say one of the bigget areas the blues need to work on is accuracy - Jones has 5 goals 6 for the year, Casboult 2.4 (plus more out of the full), Everitt has 5.7 and Henderson 8.5 - we are creating the shots just not getting value.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
WILSON! I'd wondered where you'd got to. Cut to the chase laddie.
Don Freo
Guest
I had to put a comment here. I don't think anyone can make a case. Carlton's forward line is made up of players that couldn't get a gig in defence or the midfield. A bit cruel to Henderson but...you get my drift.