AAMI Community Match vs Melbourne

[laj]

Leigh Montagna & Nick Riewoldt have separately talked about what they see as the prime mission of Voss in the preseason: fixing the inability to defend. In the Season Preview on Fox Footy, Riewoldt summed it up by saying "Carlton is a team that refused to defend". He said the behind-the-goals vision was horrible (including from Cripps) and noted Teague repeatedly stated at every press conference that this wasn't the way they wanted to defend and yet the players refused to buy in. He argued that Aaron Hamill, who was in charge of team defence at St Kilda, has presumably brought that system across and Voss will be the driver of culture & standards. Accordingly, the extent to which the players buy in will determine Carlton's year rather than the talent which isn't the problem. Montagna on SEN reviewing the last practice match said he noted that the man-on-man defence has been replaced by a system which offers more protection.

Obviously, Riewoldt & Montagna are just 2 ex-players and they just have their own opinions. But if Voss did come in with a plan to impose a defensive system the players would accept, where would Dow fit into it? It wouldn't be surprising if he turns to guys like Hewitt, Cerra, Kennedy & Ed Curnow to build that sort of system, particularly when the most hard-working mid in Walsh is unavailable. Having a guy with pace like Dow is more like the cherry on top when that system is bedded down.

Dow also lacks a bit of confidence, so allowing him to find some form in the VFL isn't such a bad idea.

Carlton buying in anywhere has been an issue for a long time. The novelty of a new coach has seen the side do pretty well in their first year then it was all backwards from there. Teague was unlucky his first season was just half a season with a 6-5 record. Might have nailed a first year final, or got close if he got the 22 games. Like the other coaches it went backwards after that as player work rate dropped off.