2018 Rd 2: Post Game Prattle: Carlton vs Gold Coast

[crashlander]

He has never excelled in man-on-man contests in his limited time as a defender.

Jones' main defensive strengths are having the speed to get to a contest; adjusting to the ball in flight and punching the crap out of it if he can't mark it. 

These strengths are taken away or reduced when our midfield imposes so little pressure that their opponents can deliver the ball to the advantage of their forwards. Pressure in the midfield leads to higher, more erratic kicks, which plays to the advantage of Jones as well as Marchbank and Weitering.

Indeed. And teams have become more aware of Jones' strengths and weaknesses as a defender. Last week Richmond shepherded him out of most marking contests, often well before the ball was 50 m away, not just 10 or 15 m.

This week he was one out against Lynch a lot, and often left in the position where he had to judge whether to go for the ball or stay with his man. He was caught out and Lynch got easy goals. In fact, Jones kept Lynch to 4 marks for the day and only 1 of those was contested. (And Jones should have got a free kick for having his head removed, but that is another tale.)

There is certainly a place for Jones, as he still can produce some of the best inspirational play that we see each week. But he is now a marked man.

If we had a bit more choice in our defence, things would be easier. But form and fitness have robbed us of our defensive flexibility. With either Alex Silvagni or Sam Rowe in, our tall defence then has the options. Both of those are better at the body on body stuff. That frees up Jones to take the 2nd forward and be a more attacking option and/or 3rd man up without being shepherded out as much.

Eventually Weitering will take that role, but he needs to rediscover himself and not be the primary defensive defender.

At the moment Plowman seems off the boil and Marchbank isn't being very physical. His interceptions are great and his game against Richmond was good, but he has to work on beating an opponent. Too many of our defenders are 'run off' types. We need a 'lock down' defender as well.