2018 Rd 15: Pre Game Pressure: Carlton vs Port Adelaide

[crashlander]

Pointless dropping Poulson after a game, O'Brien is the one who needs a rest, he's been ordinary 3 of the last 4 games.

I wonder if Poulson got a game due to last weeks training emphasis, that could explain things? Poulson had more tackles in one game than O'Brien has had in three weeks!

Garlett is a big worry, pre-season he looked like a tackling machine, since the shoulder problem he's tapered off, yesterday exactly zero, zilch, nada! But then again, even SPS only had 2 and he normally has many more!

Polson didn't have a great game, but he did put his body on the line. He needs to get a few possessions and get some confidence in himself. I wouldn't drop him after one game.

I would think of 'resting' O'Brien. he does have a nice tank, but he hasn't been great lately. The question is, unfortunately, who do we bring in for him?

SPS had a good first half with clearances and run. After half time he was barely sighted. That was disappointing.

Garlett is lucky to be there at the moment. He is not showing the intensity that he showed earlier. And it is clear from his numbers, which are ordinary at best. Also earlier in the season his snaps were going through. Now they are not getting close.

In fact, our small forwards are not doing a lot at the moment. Wright's form has been poor and, while he tries to put pressure on, he is often too slow to succeed. Mick Malthouse brought him up especially after yesterday's game. Garlett hasn't been with it at all. Jack is too slow to run guys down from behind and still shows more in the midfield rather than as a forward.
Yesterday we had nobody at Curnow's feet: he either got it or it passed from defence easily. Our small forwards really need to up their work rate.