(09-10-2023, 07:15 AM)Lods link Wrote:One of the best criteria for judging the quality and character of a player is how they stand up under finals pressure.

We have at least two games this year to make the call.
There's probably no need to call out those who didn't quite rise to the occasion.
If you don't get mentioned then you have some work to do, and a game to do it in.

I'll start with two and we can add names as we go.

Cottrell
Acres
...stood up.

(09-10-2023, 08:48 AM)ElwoodBlues1 link Wrote:Havent been a Cottrell fan but his first half was excellent...
Acres had some big moments and another of my less fancied players in Martin also did the same with some match saving efforts later in the game as well as some handy goals and gave an important one to Acres so credit where its due.
The player I would like to single out though who doesnt get much of a mention is Kemp, looked like he was heading down the path of a typical Carlton youngster, plenty of talent as a U18 player but was in limbo for a while in the twos and looked on the way out. But this year not only has he had a breakout season but he has also become Mr Reliable and has some cemented himself
in the team down back as a defender and I thought he was very steady in his first final.
Walsh, Cerra and Weitering were the players imho who provided the backbone to the win with all three showing this through the season and no surprise they stood up and was good to see Walsh back to his best.

(09-10-2023, 09:39 AM)DJC link Wrote:I think that Kempy is looking more and more like a ten year player EB.

Given that he’s being asked to take on much bigger players each week, as he was again on Friday night, Kempy certainly stood up,

Pity about the error that gave up a goal, but everyone has those moments.