05-10-2024, 08:53 AM
We really only got towelled in the last 10 minutes of this game, not the whole last quarter. At the 25 minute mark, we were still 20 points in front when they fluked the goal after Viney's knock-back from the behind line. Then we went into panic mode.
Until then, we were pretty much in control and Melbourne's lack of a forward line meant they needed Petracca to have a career-high 5 goal game to even get close.
Observations.....
* Weitering was great, but had virtually no opposition all night - it won't always be that easy.
* Curnow's best game for the year, I thought - really exposed May's lack of run. Would have been even better if he'd kicked straight after his screamer
* Harry's quietest game for the year. I was a bit disappointed with how easily McDonald out-muscled him - and Harry needs to stop playing for free kicks.
* Cincotta is a fast-developing shut down defender. The best part about this is it should mean that Saad can get more of a free run and not have to worry so much about the other side's best small forward when he returns.
* Crippa was great, but that annoying habit of trying to do too much seems to have returned. Sometimes, banging it on the boot is the best answer (especially when the game is greasy like last night).
* Walsh - need say nothing more
* McGovern's kicking out of the backline was a welcome sight to see. He's probably the best kick in the team.
* Martin didn't do a lot, but he has x-factor in spades. A very hard match-up for defenders.
Over the last 3 weeks, we
- had more scoring shots than Geelong and got umpired out of the game
- should have beaten the reigning premier
- beaten another top-4 contender
All with several key players missing.
Improvements are needed, but if I had offered anyone on this site a 6-3 line after Round 9, I don't think there would have been too many who wouldn't have taken that, especially with Walsh and Weiters missing the first month.
Until then, we were pretty much in control and Melbourne's lack of a forward line meant they needed Petracca to have a career-high 5 goal game to even get close.
Observations.....
* Weitering was great, but had virtually no opposition all night - it won't always be that easy.
* Curnow's best game for the year, I thought - really exposed May's lack of run. Would have been even better if he'd kicked straight after his screamer
* Harry's quietest game for the year. I was a bit disappointed with how easily McDonald out-muscled him - and Harry needs to stop playing for free kicks.
* Cincotta is a fast-developing shut down defender. The best part about this is it should mean that Saad can get more of a free run and not have to worry so much about the other side's best small forward when he returns.
* Crippa was great, but that annoying habit of trying to do too much seems to have returned. Sometimes, banging it on the boot is the best answer (especially when the game is greasy like last night).
* Walsh - need say nothing more
* McGovern's kicking out of the backline was a welcome sight to see. He's probably the best kick in the team.
* Martin didn't do a lot, but he has x-factor in spades. A very hard match-up for defenders.
Over the last 3 weeks, we
- had more scoring shots than Geelong and got umpired out of the game
- should have beaten the reigning premier
- beaten another top-4 contender
All with several key players missing.
Improvements are needed, but if I had offered anyone on this site a 6-3 line after Round 9, I don't think there would have been too many who wouldn't have taken that, especially with Walsh and Weiters missing the first month.
This is now the longest premiership drought in the history of the Carlton Football Club - more evidence of climate change?