AFL Rd 6 2022 Post Game Permutations Carlton vs Fremantle

[ElwoodBlues1]

Watched the game again last night, hopefully with a more objective view.

Probably stating the obvious but a few bad habits from years gone by were on display - playing safe, bombing it out of defense and bombing it into the forward line from the wings... hence landing around the 50m arc rather than deep into the forward line to give the small forwards opportunities.

Saad seemed to be the only defender trying to launch attacks after gaining meterage and breaking lines.

The wings were playing safe.

Missing (in fact the last 3 weeks) was the boldness and quick ball speed of the first three weeks.

Parks, the Gov replacement, seems enthusiastic to spoil whereas the Gov intercepts and launches attacks. Newnes is another safe selection.

Player availability has probably affected our ability to be bold. Gov, Willo, LOB, Stocker, even Dow are all risk takers who run and carry and have dangerous/penetrating disposals.

We'll probably be able to sustain bold meterage gains once we've regained blokes who can deliver on this rather than safer selections of blokes with limited abilities/experience. For starters, would prefer to see blokes like LOB, Willo, Walsh or Dow on the wings.

Saad is great but like a lot of our other defenders needs to have cover for his man when he does launch attacks, Richmond mastered the art of having Grimes, Vlastuin ,and Broad rotate over and look after players like Houli's, Short, Bakers man etc so if the ball came straight back quickly you dont get players like Schultz, Walters and Switzkowski being hit up all alone.
We need a Grimes type who can play on a variety of players and read the play well...