St Kilda have savaged a severely understrength Carlton at Ikon Park, winning by 92 points.
The Saints, themselves missing several key players, dominated every facet of the game from the final moments of the first quarter onward, with Jack Steele, Jack Billings and Josh Bruce standing out in the win.
The Blues actually started the better of the two sides, having most of the early chances. But they struggled to convert and began to lose confidence, in what was to become a theme for the afternoon.
When St Kilda began to win their fair share of the ball, they were much more direct and ruthless, and extended a narrow quarter time lead at every change.
The second half was particularly one-sided, with the Saints kicking ten goals to two, as the young Blues found it almost impossible to string together possessions particularly when rebounding out of the backline.
With Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson and Sam Docherty all missing, and Patrick Cripps not quite playing a half, Carlton just didn’t have enough quality ball users or experienced leaders to implement any kind of strategy in the back half.
Still, they’d have to be disappointed in the performances of those who did play. It’s hard to identify a Blue who genuinely impressed, but Caleb Marchbank, Lachie Plowman and Jacob Weitering were impressive at times in an overwhelmed backline, while David Cunningham worked hard.
The output of veterans like Dale Thomas, Simon White, and recruits Billie Smedts and Rhys Palmer was underwhelming, especially as all of those players surely have yet to solidify their spot in Carlton’s round one team.
On the other side, there were several major positives for the Saints.
Jack Steele was one of the best on ground, with 25 possessions, eight tackles and two goals. The former Giant worked hard through the four quarters and played a genuine midfield role.
Josh Bruce tuned up for what will hopefully be a big year, taking advantage of the amount of supply with seven goals.
Billings and McCartin also had good games, while youngsters Long and Gresham showed some positive signs.
As a unit, St Kilda’s defenders were highly effective, forcing Carlton to play wide and indirect when the Blues did have chances.
Inasmuch as there’s anything to get out of this game against such weakened opposition, Alan Richardson would have to be happy about how his team performed with Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Tom Hickey, Maverick Weller, Dylan Roberton and Jarryn Geary to be added back to the side before round one.
There’s no reason for Carlton to panic given the players they left out of today’s team, but they’d certainly want to play better in their final pre-season game in Perth after two ordinary efforts so far.
Don Freo
Guest
Bolton seems like a smart boy, then. Would have been a great challenge for one of those future All Australians.
Macca
Guest
This time of year it is hard to keep up. I would also suggest that C Curnow would play more forward and less midfield in round 1 with the blues fielding a stronger midfield and SPS might even push his way in to the team and play mainly across half forward.
Macca
Guest
Thanks - Col, I was working off a radio broadcast which seemed to forget it was raido most of the time and spent a lot of the broadcast doing presenting the callers opinion and "analysis" rather than actually calling the game as well as the roar and afl blogs.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
It was actually Simon White who spent most of the game on Bruce.
Slane
Guest
Blah. How could I forget about Casboult!
Macca
Guest
It wasnt any one person, Weitering, Marchbank, Plowman, Rowe even Macreadie all played on him, the days of one on one battles all day are gone Don, especially in a pre- season match.
Don Freo
Guest
Which one was it? Must have been Wietering for that answer.
true blue
Guest
I am happy with Bolton. If you are doing a proper rebuild you have to play the kids to expose them to football at the highest level. The Saints are a good team and will be knocking on the door of the eight. I have no delusions of how we will go this as I have picked us to get another spoon. I just want to see us compete and get plenty of game time into the likes of SPS, Curnow, McKay, Cunningham et al.
Macca
Guest
Don - when your midfield is minus 14 at the clearances and time in fed half in 63-37% against you it isn't the defenders fault if someone kicks a bag.
Macca
Guest
Douglas - those players more than nullify Gibbs, Murphy, Simpson, Docherty, Wright, Casboult. Kreuzer, Phillips Silvagni and Cripps playing les than an half? You must really rate them. Between Gibbs, Docherty, Simpson and Cripps alone the blues were down 100 possession on their 2016 averages.
Macca
Guest
Slane - I would say Silvagni, Casboult and Wright would come in which is a pretty big change, throw in paying in front of a better midfield and running defenders and we should see an improvement.
Douglas Coelho
Roar Rookie
Saints were missing Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Tom Hickey, Maverick Weller, Dylan Roberton and Jarryn Geary. They more than nullify the players Carlton had missing. Very early days and just trial games ao far but the Sainters are showing some good signs
Macca
Guest
FWIW - the Bulldogs have 8players under 183cm (6ft) compared with the blues 16 - not sure how that means the blues are too tall.
Slane
Guest
Who do you think comes into the forward line in round 1, Macca? I figure Silvagni but struggling to think of anybody else.
Macca
Guest
ET - completely agree as Bolton said the only way to develop these young blokes is to expose them, now they can go back to the VFL with some understanding of what it is like at AFL level.
Macca
Guest
Mattyb - could you explain what you say is a proper rebuild and how it is different to what the blues are doing? And if you think how the blues went today with their 3 best mids playing a half between them, the three best rucks sitting out, their best 2 running defenders (both of who made the extended AA squad last year), their leading goal kicker from 2016, their best marking forward and their first pick from the 2016 draft plus one of the successes of the 2015 draft in Jack Silvagni (or probably 11 of he best 22) gives any indication of how they will go this year you have less idea about football than I thought (and I didn't think you had much in the first place). As for success or failure- winning games isn't what will define that in 2017.
Don Freo
Guest
Which of Weitering or Marchbank played on Bruce? Not much use getting touches if you don't touch the ones that count. ...or did Bolton not try to challenge either? Bring back Mick!
Lofty
Guest
No doubt Macca. I resisted mentioning that. Whatever we do will be wrong. That's fine. I will not be losing sleep over it.
Macca
Guest
Lofty, he will have an issue with Judd replacing Gleeson for some ridiculous reason.
Lofty
Guest
Have you got anything original to say. This is just a reworking of the same crap that you have served up over a long period to get an argument with anyone who will bite., in this case me. We get it that you hate Carlton, SOS and McKay but mate, come up with something slightly different than the same old rant. As for Carlton getting talked up, the most optimistic thing i have seen is one supporter thought me might jag a few games and finish 12-14th. The rest of us supporters know we are in for are year where wins are few and far between. I am not interested in getting into a argument that goes on and on with you repeating the same old lines over 2 days so do not waste your time trying to get one going. Yes, you are entitled to your opinion but when i read your comments regarding other clubs you have a completely different attitude. You will be happy to know that Gleeson is stepping down from the Carlton board