Carlton AFL co-captain Patrick Cripps is doing just fine in coach David Teague’s view, he just needs some of his Blues teammates to lift around.
Finding out just who wants to rise to Cripps’ standard is a prime motivator for Teague over the final weeks of the season.
The Blues’ finals hopes have all but evaporated after a nine-point loss to Greater Western Sydney at Metricon Stadium on Thursday.
That defeat leaves Carlton two games behind the eighth-placed Giants with three matches to play and with an inferior percentage.
Influential leader Cripps was a peripheral figure for most of the night on the Gold Coast, picking up just 13 disposals and having just two score involvements.
Teague said the 25-year-old was struggling with a cork picked up after a collision with Collingwood’s Chris Mayne on Sunday, which left the Magpie nursing a broken cheekbone.
The Blues have been criticised for being over-reliant on Cripps and potentially running him into the ground.
Teague said while he’s comfortable with Cripps’ form and fitness he is also challenging those around him to stand up over the remainder of 2020.
“We need to spread the load and get an even spread of players,” Teague said.
“We’ve shown throughout the year that we’ve done that at times but we probably need more guys to step up and share the load when the heat’s on and the pressure’s on and that’s our growth.
“Our growth is to see, who is it? Who are those guys going to be that they put their hand up to step up when the game’s on the line?”
While it would take some kind of miracle for the Blues to make the finals now, Teague believes there’s still plenty for his team to play for over their last three fixtures.
“We’ve got three more games to get better and see what happens. Every game is important for us to improve,” he said.
“I thought there was signs that we did get better in areas today (Thursday).
“Unfortunately, again, we just didn’t do it for four quarters and that’s that’s probably our biggest growth – we’ve got 12 quarters, at least, to go and we need to show that we can play good footy for 12 quarters.”
Jeff
Guest
MR right I think Carlton will definitely give David Teague another year at the helm. Even 2 . I wouldn’t have appointed him . Can’t sack him after a year right- makes the board look like gooses. Very important next 6 mths. Will he make the tough decisions & move on some older players . Some older guys at carlton have passed there used by date- Be aggressive like Brett Ratten was last yr . Interesting where they sit right now.... Carlton are cashed up- and Some excellent trade bait McGovern- Charlie curnow- Kruezer- Dow- Jack silvagni SPS- We need some elite players - I’m the guts A few more A graders - Let’s see what the Carlton football club does next 6 mths This trade period is crucial & David Teague has a huge influence. We need genuine Goal scorers Who would you try and pick up? I like - Ollie wines- tom papley - Luke Parker- Jeremy Cameron
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Don't we all.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Jeff you seem to be reliving the memories, good & not so good ones. More interested in you informing us whether you would be keeping Teague? If not, what style of coach & for what reasons? Or are you happy enough to leave it up to Carlton management?
Kane
Roar Rookie
Why the hell would we want Buckley Pete? He’s in his 9th year as coach after inheriting a premiership list and has the team that he has built, still hasn’t achieved anything and has only 2 more wins than Teague this year who is in his first year and has only just started to build the team that he wants. What a stupid comment but it’s to be expected from you now because you’re only on this site to stir the pot.
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Should Carlton go and get another Ruckman to help Tom DeKoning and Marc Pittonett?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Will Carlton get these Players during Trade week,Tom Papley,Luke Breust and Jack Petruccelle ,I Hope so... Also Carlton will pick up Henry Walsh in The National Draft?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Should Carlton Keep Michael Gibbons,Ben and Jack Silvangi,as some people think Ben Silvangi will go?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Matthew Kreuze r will seek another club next year?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Kade Simpson and Eddie Betts to Retired...But Eddie Betts,will be offer Assistant Coach to help small forwards at Carlton?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Carlton should do a Straight Swap Mitch M.Govern to West Coast Eagles and Jack Petruccelle to Carlton?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Carlton Players who Should go are C.Polson,C.Moore,D.Lang,Lochie O'Brien,Hugh Goddard and Matthew Kennedy?
Macca
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Or in the Original VFL days minus 6th.
Boo
Guest
Macca big chance Carlton will finish about 12 th or in the old VFL days last .Don't worry about splitting hairs re accuracy or whatever Carlton does not know how to climb the ladder.Another rebuild ?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Wallsy’s last year at Coburg High was 1968 when he was a member of the Blues premiership team. He was later teaching at Coburg Primary School. I met ‘Big Nick’ when I was about 12 at Walkers Store in Sydney Road where he was doing a handball competition for young kids. His thighs were like tree trunks.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
I spent a couple of years in Coburg too as a kid (although a bit after you two as Wallsy taught my older brother at school rather than went to school with him). My uncle was a trainer at Coburg when Big Nick was coaching. I have this lasting memory of just how big he was - and I don’t mean tall. Just thick!
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
Keep Teague in a lesser role...I don’t think sacking Teague is the answer. Jeff stop and think a bit.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
We need a key forward...trade out Charlie Curnow. Where to start...
Craig Bounds
Roar Rookie
Getting rid of Charlie? Surely you jest. He and McKay are the future of our forward line. Harsh on Dow - needs to be given more of a chance to prove his worth. With Charlie, Marchbank and Newman back next year, the side will look better. Throw in youngsters Silvagni, Honey, O’Brien, Stocker and Kennedy (last 2 are the big bodies to help Crippa, Murph, Martin and Curnow). More development in Cottrell, and TDK plus Fisher, Newnes and Setters getting more settled, and retire a few if the older guard (make room for talented youngsters =!tough decisions). Establishment of a game plan that works for this team (fast, play on and up the corridor), let’s see how that looks. Get some experienced assistant coaches to help Teague. Teague should run with that game plan for the last 3 games.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
The players need support against the coaches. Run, stoppage, run to defend, block. Then run in the vain hope you might get into your forward 50 and someone might be there. You can see player blocking 50, even 100 metres off the ball. It's not the quality of the players it's the game. The poor blighters must be truly exhausted mentally as well as physically. It is a mostly atrocious spectacle.
Wayne Kerr
Guest
The Melbourne and Hawthorn losses left me gutted. I despise both teams. The 1999 preliminary final was a great day. Kennett also got voted out which made it even better,