Rd 11: Pre Game Patter: Carlton vs Brisbane

[malo]

Casboult has only played one game as a ruckman this year but when he played as a full time second ruck last year he often got taps in double figures until he went back forward. Don't think you have any sample size for stat comparison. They don't compare as footballers either.  Essentially many are having a wank over one game with looking back further. Didn't watch the Collingwood game 3 weeks ago? Casboult was a wrecking ball all over the ground, took 11 marks, 7 contested, smashed bodies and kicked 3 goals from 5 shots. Kreuzer went right up a notch too once Phillips got injured. Both we suddenly alot better. I've said it for years and again got proven right that game. If people haven't seen that over the years then they simply haven't watched football, or struggle to think back beyond one game.

We are not a better balanced side with Gorringe. Much better with a genuine forward there, for me Jaksch, with Kreuzer rucking and Casboult key forward and rucking. Let's not pretend otherwise based on one game. Gorringe went ok on the weekend but isn't that good. We've seen that. Let's not get blinded by one game. He's been damn ordinary for the NB's and was ordinary against North. Casboult would simply add more in the ruck by what he does around the ground, way more important to me. Not interested in a few extra taps here and there if they actually were to occur.

We have seen for a number of years that our best rucking combination is Kreuzer rucking most of the day with help from Casboult. Kreuzer plays way better when he has the ruck to himself, doesn't go anywhere near as well when he has to share it. Casboult performs alot better when he's both our forward and has a run in the ruck. He gets a run around the ground, gets his hands on the ball that that seems to help his confidence alot when he goes forward. He does much better in that role than when purely a forward. Like I said we saw this only only talking about this 3 weeks ago after the Collingwood game and most conceded that was the case. One game won't change that. We are a much better balanced side with Krezuer rucking  with help from Casboult. We can pick a genuine key forward as well as one smaller/medium type to start with giving us more run and mobility. Much better balance. Other wise we have a ruckman resting forward taking up a key position if Casboult is the only other forward, not so good, or two ruck and two key forward, which can hamper our mobility.

The only way I keep Gorringe in this week if Casboult's leg isn't ready to ruck.

Where does that leave Phillips ?  I thought he absolutely showed enough to warrant his place before injury, his kicking for goal & strong forward marking was a notch above Kroozes, and his tap ruck work was certainly competative.  But as you say, Krooze works into the game better if he's the main man.......interesting dilemma.