Just like that, a fundamental piece of the Carlton Football Club’s backline is gone.
The mandatory vaccination has brought debate amongst many industries across the country and the AFL has certainly taken no chances for the upcoming 2022 season.
Unfortunately this comes at the detriment of the Blues, losing key defender Liam Jones to retirement, forced out due to the mandatory vaccination rule across all 18 AFL squads.
So how will this affect the club going into 2022?
Jones started his career at the Western Bulldogs in 2010, an up-and-coming forward who offered great leads and contested ball-handling inside forward 50. Jones made the move to Carlton in 2015, slowly beginning his transition into the defensive lines, ultimately securing the spot deep into the 2017 season.
His standout game was in Round 22, 2017 at Marvel Stadium, where Jones’ defensive efforts enabled the Blues to secure their first win against the Hawks since 2005.
Jones’ main asset was his contested mark ability, highlighted through his elite ranked statistic of 4.2 intercept marks per game, along with his ability to crash the pack and spoil to create defensive stoppages, exemplified with his above-average rate of 7.3 spoils per game throughout the 2021 season.
Jones’ unique strength was his one-on-one ability, giving the opposition a hard time creating leads, winning an average of six one-on-ones per game, classified within the elite level. The lack of this will certainly be felt by the Blues.
Do they possess the depth in quality to replace the missing piece in the backline?
Caleb Marchbank holds the ability to play his role as a shutdown defender, however he suffered a season-ending neck injury in 2019, only to suffer from an ACL injury in the final preseason game of 2020. Consistency becomes the key for the key defender to maintain his spot in the 22 each week.
Over Marchbank’s 38 senior games, statistically he has matched Jones, averaging higher rates of rebound 50s, intercept possessions and ground-ball gets. Furthermore, Marchbank has proven his versatility with the ball in hand, with a higher disposal efficiency percentage compared to Jones’ over their careers, 76 per cent to 69 per cent.
Marchbank has the potential to fill the void, however his recovery and consistency will earn him the spot. The signs are good so far, with Marchbank looking hopeful to return to a modified training schedule ahead of the Christmas break.
After Marchbank, there are a plethora of half-backs, however few are equipped to suit the lockdown, key-defender role required. With the AFL seemingly unlikely to offer the Blues a priority pick to compensate for the loss of Jones in the 2021 draft, the likely proposition is a positional change.
For Michael Voss, Mitch McGovern is the man. Proven in the last round of the 2020 season against the Lions, the change brought out a much more composed side of McGovern.
Mitch McGovern can be important for the Blues. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
McGovern would bring a forward’s perspective from the positional and tactical standpoints. This is similar to what St Kilda defender Jarryn Geary did to the Blues in 2020, with the Saints utilising Geary in the forward line to outsmart the defensive structure.
This is the last resort if McGovern is unable to find consistency however.
Will Jones’ absence be truly felt for the Blues in 2022 or is there enough time for change?
Macca
Roar Rookie
You claimed to an “objective writer” in a deleted rant from last night, pretty much the definition of a journalist. And you need to lift your game considerably to stir me, at th3moment you are just a source of amusement
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Depends he also has injury problems admittedly that’s better than having cancer it does make being captain substantially harder
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Zzzzzzzz
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Cripps can be the sole playing captain as per 2019. No need to make any changes right now.
Kane
Roar Rookie
You have said before that you are a journalist so don't try to deny it.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
When did I claim to be a journalist? You have this weird way of lingering around trying to push points that nobody is interested in and aren't even relevant. I'm a hobby writer and I like to stir up Macca. Pretty far from a journalist. What does that make you, Kane Cornes?
Macca
Roar Rookie
"Maybe you should have known your star key defender was anti-vax before delisting your veteran back-up, genius?" "But you did delist him, but now you have two fewer experienced key defenders, neither of which will vaccinate." So on one hand we shouldn't have de-listed Casboult when Jones wasn't going to get the vaccine but on the other hand Casboult doesn't want to get the vaccine (and has a really dodgy knee) so wouldn't have been able to stay on the list -if we didn't de-list him - you can't even go 5 minutes without contradicting yourself.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Like Walsh, Rankine, Lukosius, and King will all cost far too much to prize out of Gold Coast and Carlton respectively. I don’t think Walsh will request a trade at least until free agency so the end of season 2026. I think the same applies to King Rankine and Lukosius
Macca
Roar Rookie
Thom you are far from objective, again a lot of words to say not much Numerous vitriolic posts at 3am, seems my previous assessment was correct
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
It depends on if Doch is any chance of making it back next season. Chemo messes with your fitness and pretty much makes it impossible to play while you’re undergoing therapy. If he’s moved onto the long term injury list I think Jacob weitering is the ideal replacement
O M
Roar Rookie
Great Clubman. Could have done a Steven May and be wearing a Medal right now.
Jordan
Guest
Thinking of Macca at 3am :laughing: that’s cute
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
He’d probably slot in seamlessly Presti. Gave up his premiership in 2010 by declaring his niggle in GF week Presti.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
But you did delist him, but now you have two fewer experienced key defenders, neither of which will vaccinate.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Exactly. See what I did there?
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Maybe you should have known your star key defender was anti-vax before delisting your veteran back-up, genius?
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
5:24pm. Sounds like Macca started drinking early.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Ok, no disrespect it didn’t occur to me he has cancer, all the best to his recovery.
nathsep7
Roar Rookie
Agree, and my bad for not expanding! Was thinking very short term when writing.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
They were good choices back at the end of 2018 when the club was at its lowest ebb. It’s nearing a time for a review but with Dochertys current illness I don’t think it’s appropriate to address right now. Voss can reassess after twelve months in the job.