AFL Rd 4 2024 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Fremantle

[DJC]

TDK is again overrated imo, I gave him a vote for breaking even with Jackson in the ruck contests but in all the other stats apart from metres gained he was behind Jackson and the disposals TDK got went at around 37% disposal efficiency, Jackson wasnt much better at 57%. For me it was a nil all draw with those two and I thought Freo shaded us in the midfield where Brayshaw was the best player on the ground and Serong very effective as well.
Thought our backline won us the game led by Weitering and Kemp plus Freo's tall forwards were a non factor and well beaten all game. Freo's defense is helped by their game plan and its Ross Lyon like both in operation and the lack of scoring which just leads to a grinding predictable low scoring slugfest. While Longmuir is coaching I cant see Freo ever being a serious finals contender...

Not quite correct EB; De Koning was ahead in tackles (5-1), inside 50s (5-1), rebound 50s (2-1), contested marks (2-1) and centre clearances (2-0).  That reflects Tom's value around the ground and not just his superior ruckwork this season (averaging 29 hitouts compared to high teens in the last few seasons).  As for disposals, most of Jackson's were backwards, hence his 27m, and not under pressure.  The same goes for most of his teammates who rarely kick to contests and thrive on uncontested footy.  In that context, it's interesting that Brayshaw and Serong wasted so many of their possessions.  In part, that was down to us allowing uncontested passes down the line, then erecting a wall across halfback (or half forward).

It's too early in the season for me to make a call on Freo.  They've got talent and a system that should make them competitive against most teams but they need to find away to score more freely and know when to go defensive.  It will be informative to see how they go against the other top eight teams.