Rd 4: Pre Game Pressure: Carlton vs. Western Bulldogs

[crashlander]

Cunningham apparently did alright. Had 21 disposals, 12 contested, 9 hardball gets, 3 clearances, 7 handball recieves.

COACH'S VIEW
"First possession around stoppages was impressive, his ability to move away from clearances and stay involved in the contest was good especially for a young player."

Like you said, give them all a run. Sumner too soon, as he seems to be going alright, once he gets more match fitness.

Our team looks sh1t right but at least there's a bit waiting in the wings. Get them in I say.

I must admit I would be loath to bring them along too quickly. They are developing and I am very happy to see that after years of having nobody develop at all.
Both DVR and Cunningham have one thing that may get them in sooner rather than later: their pace. Our centre structure is very much under construction at the moment, but both of these guys managed match-ups that allowed them to get a few really significant break aways from the centre. Then, with decent kicks, they managed to get the ball into dangerous positions very quickly.
They also used that pace to run guys down in the middle, where Murphy, Gibbs and Cripps would struggle to make something similar with their lesser speeds.
Physically I don't think either DVR or Cunningham are ready yet either. A guy like Josh Kennedy would bury them. And both lads can get lost for some periods of time yet. But they have shown enough to suggest that they are not that far away.