The much-anticipated meeting between archrivals Carlton and Collingwood was an unexpected display of flat and deflated footy. However, instead of harping on the negatives of the match, the rejuvenated Carlton needs to build upon the imperative lessons that derived from the outcome of the match.
No.1 – Keep playing the young blokes
Jack Silvagni’s debut saw Carlton fans young and old flood through the MCG gates to witness a third generation spark of talent. ‘SOSOS’ (Son of Son of Sergio) certainly met the expectations demanded of him, as he racked up 15 disposals and added a burst of excitement to the Blues’ attack.
With promising defender Ciaran Byrne set for a long stint on the sidelines with a ruptured ACL, it is the perfect opportunity to gift Carlton’s impressive youngsters with a navy blue jumper.
Instead of solidifying the position gaps across the ground with older players, Bolton needs to instil his faith in players like Blaine Boekhurst and Mark Whiley. They’re both showing impressive composure in the VFL and have the potential to make a big impact in the Blues’ latter half of the season.
No.2 – Forward pressure needs to lift
Inside 50s weren’t the area of dominance for the Blues on Saturday night, as they struggled to move the ball swiftly in the forward half of the ground.
They found it difficult to hold the ball in their forward line, as Collingwood were able to manipulate their way through a series of passage plays to resurge the ball back the other way.
This happened due to the lack of forward pressure laid by the Carlton forwards. The forward line seemed slow and had no match for another star performance by Ben Reid, who easily out-bodied the young Blues forwards.
Although the size of the players can’t be changed, the pressure certainly can be. All it takes is simple actions of waving both hands frantically in the air, manning the mark intently, and bumping players out of the way to claim the all-important possessions inside 50.
No.3 – Tackles need to stick
The Blues lost the tackle count 67-62, as many tackles went astray, which allowed the swift Collingwood midfielders to snatch the ball away from the grips of Carlton’s fingers. The Blues showed intent to tackle and be aggressive but lacked the poise to stop their opponents from punishing them on the rebound.
As a result, the Magpies enforced 64 Carlton turn overs, many of which derived from the Blues’ inability to stick the tackles in the middle of crucial passages of play, especially through the corridor. The opportunities were certainly evident for Carlton to apply tackles and pressure the Collingwood midfield, but their execution was dismissive of their intentions.
The week ahead
The Blues meet the Crows on Sunday at the MCG, a match that pits Sam Kerridge and Matthew Wright against their former teammates.
If Carlton are to contend for a win, they need to lift their pressure and stick the tackles in a bid to stop the rampant run of Adelaide.
The challenge will be a tough one, but the resilience of the Blues has prevailed before in many instances throughout the season and is a serious chance to expose itself again at Melbourne’s home of football.
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Maybe. I'll park it for 2 years and get back to you.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Haha, dream-on Darren L. ?
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Pumping Dougie I'm no fan of John Elliot either but the problem with your holier than thou stance is the Dogs are still not that good. You haven't even finished in the top 4 yet. Maybe worry about your own team being more than just competitive and stop looking over your shoulder - or are you trying to sink the boot quickly worried that the Blues will soon pass you again?
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Forgive me Col, but it's because when Carlton were found guilty of cheating the salary cap just three years after winning a flag with what should have been an expensive team, then in latter years was accused by its own Assistant Coach of tanking during his tenure, and despite this, during this dark period of club history your President publicly insulted our club. John Elliott was dragged through the courts accused of breaking the law at Elders IXL, vainly named a grandstand after himself at an abandoned, unwanted venue and thumbed his cigars at changing social etiquettes and yet this leader of your club and culture has the temerity to mock another organisation? Carlton is a disgrace in so many ways. That's why Doggies supporters have enjoyed watching Carlton's self-induced, "tragic", karma-driven demise across the past 20 years.
Macca
Guest
Darren L - The blues have some interesting players in the VFL at the moment, Jaksch, Smith and Viojo Rainbow all seem to have plenty of talent they just need to find the work rate to be consistent performers - the list changes dramatically depending on whether they can achieve it or not.
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Very sensible Leighton and it is what I am also liking. It shows that Silvagni has a lot to offer as he was clearly the next player ready for a senior call up and was not overawed in the slightest. From what I can gather it looks like Clem Smith is starting to knuckle down which could be a real positive as I think he has the potential to be a top class AFL forward.
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Nailed it Col, they make the finals and suddenly they are world beaters able to pontificate on the plight of the downtrodden.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Col, I think the delay in publishing my response is due to The Roar vetting my post with its lawyers. ?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
What is it with Footscray/Western Bulldogs supporters having to always try to be funny on a Carlton article? Maybe it is because the situation that the Blues are currently in reminds them what their club has been like for 95% of it's time in the big league.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Lesson 1: we're crap. Lesson 2: we're lucky we play all the other struggling sides twice and get a chance to pretend to our supporters we're competitive. Lesson 3: our first year, young players look better than guys we've stuck with for years. Which means we're crap.
Macca
Guest
Col - I am not as pessimistic about seeing McKay at senior level if he can play the next 6 weeks in the VFL that would leave games against Melbourne and Essendon at the MCG for him to get a taste. Hopefully Cuningham gets a few games around that time too - if he can get an injury free run at things in the next month we should see it. On the 8-10 that is possibly on the high side for me, if we think Jones, Wood, Tutt, White, Jamison, Armfield and Walker you have 7 which would be enough for me - the other you list all deserve another year to see how things shake out - Jaksch still looks promising for me - he is yet to turn 22 and has been pretty good in the 2's this year.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Macca, I doubt whether we will see McKay in the seniors this year. I think they need to let him get his body 100% right and wait for him to do another pre-season. I think you are right with Curnow and I would imagine we might see him play the last 4 matches along with Cunningham. They need to see whether players like Jaksch, Whiley, Tutt, Smith, Dick and Foster are worth keeping as I think they need to turnover another 8 - 10 players this year.
Macca
Guest
He has deserved a bit of luck.
Wilson
Roar Guru
No Argument about Gibbs, Murphy and Kreuzer Kreuzer I will admit was a surprise he has been able to keep himself fit and uninjured this year.
Macca
Guest
The blues made Silvagni string together a month of good football and hopefully as Cat suggests they give him an extended run (based on last week he deserves it). I think the blues are getting this part of the development right at the moment - I expect that McKay will have to spend at least a month in the VFL, Curnow might get back a little quicker given he has already demonstrated he can play at AFL level.
Cat
Roar Guru
You make some good points. I'll just add that when successful clubs bring kids up they tend to give them longer runs. Too many bottom teams tend to call up a youngster then drop him after a single game. If a side is going to call up a kid, they have to be ready and willing to live with the ups and downs. A young player will lack confidence if a club continually drops kids after single games.
Leighton
Guest
A thought on the first point. Playing the young players is often posited as a way of improving. After all, what better way to learn and develop than having a go at seniors? This I believe misdiagnoses the problem faced by many AFL clubs, including Carlton. Bringing in a young player is all fine and dandy. But if they are not learning how to play seniors in the VFL, then they will be of limited use. I see Carlton, in making a whole of club effort, changing and aligning their criteria for playing AFL and VFL. Bringing in an inexperienced player into a poor senior team is a great way to teach bad habits. Melbourne, Carlton and others have been deplorable over years because of this. Bryce Gibbs was put in the leadership group in his first year! What a terrible way for a young, impressionable fellow to start out, getting diet tips from then captain Lance Whitnall. As a Carlton supporter liking what I see so far, I would rather see Boekhorst put in another few weeks of strong performances at VFL level, developing his game to a point where he is not 'having a crack' at AFL, but a player with the confidence to play consistent AFL footy, and importantly, the confidence of his teammates. Carlton is building a whole club approach. The strength of the Box Hill Hawks and their coaching program (hello B. Bolton) is a foundation for their success at AFL level.
Macca
Guest
True - I wouldn't be against it (although I would be aiming for closer to 22 than 25) but it all depends on what it costs. Also the blues would be hoping that Viojo-Rainbow or Boekhorst take a big step forward next year which should help. Finally the blues aren't building for next year - they are building for 2019 and beyond when Weitering, Plowman, McKay, Curnow, Silvagni, Cuningham, Docherty, Cripps and this years top draft pick are coming into their pomp and Gibbs, Murphy and Kreuzer are still quality contributors.
Wilson
Roar Guru
Fair Call. But having that extra person that can do the outside run with experance for If Murphy is injued would be good.