AFL Rd 5 2022 Post Game Carlton vs Port Adelaide

[crashlander]

Our A game is very good but is almost totally reliant on centre clearances and fast delivery to our key forwards before the opposition can get extras back to fill up spaces. McKay (in particular) is creating opportunities for small forwards even when unable to mark the ball.  However - as others have said - our A game requires high intensity running and the players are not yet able to perform at that level for 4 quarters.  I don't believe it is lack of effort, which could have been alleged in some seasons.

A reasonable effort by the match committee for a change -

Yes, they made improvements for today. Let's see a bit more of that.

- Pittonet was outstanding early - in the ruck and on the ground - and Silvagni was an excellent contributor against non-ruckman opponents - however, I think we need a better back up ruckman unless the opposition is similarly limited.

I have already mentioned this. We really need a second ruckman to give Pitto a break. He showed against Hawthorn last year that he can make goals as a resting ruck, but he rarely plays there. We were good early against the Dogs and the Tigers because de Koning rucked well against his opponents. It meant that Pitto was always fresh. Hasn't been the case since.

- Newnes performed admirably (especially early) and seemed more dangerous in attack (although he missed some opportunities) than LOB has been.

Early in the game Newnes really made a mark. He was trying to say that he wanted for game time. Yes, he made a few mistakes, especially in his disposal, but he tried hard. After half time he struggled. That might mean trouble for him if we get something close to a full list.
O'Brien has been better this year, but he very disappointing in the 2's today. He has to make a mark there, or he won't play when guys like Honey are available.

- Cottrell was good enough and earned his spot.

We used Cottrell a lot more intelligently today. We kicked it to him when he was open and he didn't let the side down. He has a way to go, but his ability to run out games should help us until our overall fitness level is enough to play our A game.

- Parks still has something to prove but we needed someone to provide an overhead spoiling option to play as a 3rd tall defender and the only other option (until Gov returns) might have been Plowman or Kemp (if he is available) so he was worth a shot.

I think we are missing Plow in a lot of ways. He isn't the super-defender we hoped for, but when he is fit and in form, he makes interceptions and he keeps his opponents honest. At the moment, he doesn't look fit. Did he get injured during the pre-season? It looks that way. He certainly has lost the self confidence he had when he was our best lock-down defender. I think he can get it back, but it might be a way off yet. Still, his form in the 2's suggests he is on the way back.
Parks hasn't got the confidence to take the grabs yet. He does that in the VFL. If he can get that confidence, he'll become a much more effective player. In the meantime, we need McGovern back.

At the moment, Oscar Mac is probably a better option that Young, as he does have the confidence to take a grab and make space. he also tends to make a few errors and is not as athletic as Young. In the longer term, Young will be the preferred option, but he isn't there yet.
I liked Young's last quarter. That little extra athleticism got him to contests, which he affected. Could have been game changing.