Rd 6: Post Game Passion: Carlton vs. Essendon

[ElwoodBlues1]

Jones I thought did enough to hold his spot. Chased, got involved and I think you can see his confidence growing

Agree, didnt do much in the air but was handy at ground level and got a few handpasses away...
Jaksch might come in for Weitering but he wont replace Jones at FF...

[ElwoodBlues1]

Sumner?

I think Sumner has been ok and has got both Buckley and Boekhorst covered ..bit more robust than the other two, better contested mark and bobs up with the
odd goal...no reason to drop him IMO and he has been value in the 4 for 1 deal which was essentially about Plowman..

[crashlander]

Agree, didnt do much in the air but was handy at ground level and got a few handpasses away...
Jaksch might come in for Weitering but he wont replace Jones at FF...

I was impressed with the speed and aggression that Jones used when he chased. I have never seen anything like that from him before this year. He really put some good pressure on.
On the other hand, I didn't see him leading much. But when we got the about the 50 m line, we forgot everything that got the ball there in the first place!

Casboult took some nice marks, but ..... I don't want to write it.

[Bear]

Aside from what happened in the forward 50, we controlled the game pretty well. Poor kicking in the 2nd qtr meant a 2 goal lead instead of a 5-6 goal lead.

Defensively we seem to set up well, just miles ahead of some of the rubbish we dished up last year. Plowman looks very solid and composed, Byrne backed up last week and looks the goods.

We might have found a decent ruckman in Phillips... has plenty to go, but he took some ripping marks today and slotted one from 50.  The GWS connection had a good day today.

[Gointocarlton]

Loved Byrnes game today. He takes it on and had no fear AND he hits targets.

Yes, had the ball on a string early. A good 4 qtr effort for a 4  gamer.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Nick Graham....like to know what others thought of his game today...I wasnt that impressed even though he won a bit of the ball I thought he looked slow and doesnt get much value from his disposals. contests ok but there is something missing in his game IMO.
You can be slow and think quick ie Mitchell, Diesel but NG thinks too slow IMO and I have doubts about his future as we move forward....

[Jofo]

Phillips' goal in the last was a beauty under pressure. He has a year or two to mature and he'll be very good.

[crashlander]

I think Sumner has been ok and has got both Buckley and Boekhorst covered ..bit more robust than the other two, better contested mark and bobs up with the
odd goal...no reason to drop him IMO and he has been value in the 4 for 1 deal which was essentially about Plowman..

While neither Sumner nor Lamb had big days today, they some very nice things and I liked the way they but on pressure in the forward line. While both Buckley and Boekhorst have their positives, neither tends to be as physical , as Elwood noted above.
What we really need is an Eddie Betts type of player who can make a goal out of nothing and who can read the pack well enough to get crumbing goals. Neither Sumner nor Lamb have done much of that yet, but we don't have anyone to fill that role.
We REALLY need a small forward who can kick the impossible goals: it gives our forward line so much more potential.

[Gointocarlton]

Nick Graham....like to know what others thought of his game today...I wasnt that impressed even though he won a bit of the ball I thought he looked slow and doesnt get much value from his disposals. contests ok but there is something missing in his game IMO.
You can be slow and think quick ie Mitchell, Diesel but NG thinks too slow IMO and I have doubts about his future as we move forward....

I wasnt overly impressed with him either, I'd give him a 5/10, was very bad early but improved as the game went on. Too slow for mine, can come in and fill a gap but thats about it. Still reckon he is a VFL player at best. Has time on his hands so who knows.

[DJC]

I was impressed with the speed and aggression that Jones used when he chased. I have never seen anything like that from him before this year. He really put some good pressure on.
On the other hand, I didn't see him leading much. But when we got the about the 50 m line, we forgot everything that got the ball there in the first place!

Casboult took some nice marks, but ..... I don't want to write it.

I think Casboult provided the only lead for the day, and it was honoured!  Our delivery inside 50 is still a work in progress.

I never thought Jones would play again at AFL level but I think he has earned his spot for another week and will keep it as long as he continues to present and chase hard.  Slotting a goal or two won't go astray.

Interestingly, Casboult's field kicking is pretty good as is his goal kicking at training.  If I was his goal kicking coach, I would insist that he keeps his mouthguard in when he lines up for a shot at goal.