05-04-2024, 05:25 AM
Three really big problems......
(1) Absolutely no run out of the backline whatsoever - they're all too busy looking for sideways kicks so they don't have to make a big choice, and when they run out of ideas, it's a dump kick to Charlie/Harry/Tom on the wing. So easy to defend against and turnover. The inside 50's said it all last night ( 38 - 64 !). We had far more of the ball, but far less of the play......
Answer : need Saad and McGovern badly.
(2) Not only are our small forwards not getting the ball, they are physically useless - get bumped off the ball far too easily, whether it be in one-on-ones or marking contests. I have lost count of the number of simple marks defending half-backs have taken against us this year because of lack of competition. Matt Owies tries, but will never be a true marking option. Starting half-forward line for most centre bounces last night was Durdin, Owies, Fantasia, with the three big guys all standing within 15m of each other near the goal square. How does that work?
Answer : get a third mobile tall in there - I would suggest Brodie Kemp (has to be a better use of him than sending him down to the twos). Need Martin back badly, but can't expect much out of him for another 3-4 weeks. Start Charlie at 50 for some of the centre bounces to get a bigger body in there.
(3) Match Committee - WTF? Carroll and Kemp get dropped so Durdin and Fantasia get a game, and Kennedy is sent to the Sub bench? They say it about 'team balance', but Carroll or Kemp having a crack is far more balanced than two small forwards who have zero impact on the game.
Answer : pick the best 22 we can muster and go from there.
This is starting to turn into a frustrating year. We could easily lose the next 3-4 and be back in the chasing pack.
(1) Absolutely no run out of the backline whatsoever - they're all too busy looking for sideways kicks so they don't have to make a big choice, and when they run out of ideas, it's a dump kick to Charlie/Harry/Tom on the wing. So easy to defend against and turnover. The inside 50's said it all last night ( 38 - 64 !). We had far more of the ball, but far less of the play......
Answer : need Saad and McGovern badly.
(2) Not only are our small forwards not getting the ball, they are physically useless - get bumped off the ball far too easily, whether it be in one-on-ones or marking contests. I have lost count of the number of simple marks defending half-backs have taken against us this year because of lack of competition. Matt Owies tries, but will never be a true marking option. Starting half-forward line for most centre bounces last night was Durdin, Owies, Fantasia, with the three big guys all standing within 15m of each other near the goal square. How does that work?
Answer : get a third mobile tall in there - I would suggest Brodie Kemp (has to be a better use of him than sending him down to the twos). Need Martin back badly, but can't expect much out of him for another 3-4 weeks. Start Charlie at 50 for some of the centre bounces to get a bigger body in there.
(3) Match Committee - WTF? Carroll and Kemp get dropped so Durdin and Fantasia get a game, and Kennedy is sent to the Sub bench? They say it about 'team balance', but Carroll or Kemp having a crack is far more balanced than two small forwards who have zero impact on the game.
Answer : pick the best 22 we can muster and go from there.
This is starting to turn into a frustrating year. We could easily lose the next 3-4 and be back in the chasing pack.
This is now the longest premiership drought in the history of the Carlton Football Club - more evidence of climate change?