Post Game Prognostications!: AFL 2021 Rd 7: Carlton vs Drug Cheat

[Thryleon]

I was starting to feel quite despondent as the first quarter progressed; our inside 50s were haphazard, ill-directed, shallow and, when they were directed to a target, it was usually on the head of one of our smalls.  At the other end, our lack of defensive pressure up the ground created opportunities for the Essendon forwards to get clear and they were hit up with pinpoint delivery.  It really seemed like we were in for a dismal day.  In fact, it's hard to believe that we won the last three quarters.

Walsh was outstanding ... again!  Cuningham was very good and it is easy to see why the MC persist with him when he has quiet patches.  Curnow did a number on Merrett and showed that he is still one of the best run with players going around.  Weitering was in AA form again and was well-supported by Saad, Docherty, Stocker and Parks.  Jones had one of those games where he was just that bit off in his judgement and positioning.

Samo's poise and ability to distribute the ball made a huge difference in the second half.  McKay lifted in the second half after what could have been a gastro-affected first half and he is unstoppable when in form and getting decent delivery.  Betts turned the clock back and Owies may have provided a glimpse of the future.  I have been a bit critical of our very small small forwards but you can't complain when they have a crack and finish well.

It was great to see Cripps finally nail that goal.  I suspect that the relatively simple shots that he's missed may have dented his confidence.

It was also good to see Casboult work his way back into some form.  Four telling marks around the ground was a good contribution, particularly when Pittonet couldn't get near a marking contest.

Hopefully, Dow's eye injury is just a shiner and he won't have to miss.  McGovern's hammy seemed a bad one and that's a shame because he seemed to working into some form too.

Tend to agree.  Felt a bit flat at the end of the game despite the win for it.

That was the biggest positive.  We would have lost that one 2 years ago.