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.

[flyboy77]

Leaving aside the quality and speed of delivery of the ball into our F50, our biggest problem is not our "non existent" forward line, but the lack of defensive pressure applied by our mids whenever we cough the ball up.....there is simply none.

Not sure if too many of our mids are caught ahead of the ball or what, but as soon as there is a turnover, it's pretty much a guaranteed easy, no pressure goal for the other team.

That is our biggest weakness, by far imo.

[cookie2]

Leaving aside the quality and speed of delivery of the ball into our F50, our biggest problem is not our "non existent" forward line, but the lack of defensive pressure applied by our mids whenever we cough the ball up.....there is simply none.

Not sure if too many of our mids are caught ahead of the ball or what, but as soon as there is a turnover, it's pretty much a guaranteed easy, no pressure goal for the other team.

That is our biggest weakness, by far imo.

And that's been a major problem for years.

[Barbs]

Leaving aside the quality and speed of delivery of the ball into our F50, our biggest problem is not our "non existent" forward line, but the lack of defensive pressure applied by our mids whenever we cough the ball up.....there is simply none.

Not sure if too many of our mids are caught ahead of the ball or what, but as soon as there is a turnover, it's pretty much a guaranteed easy, no pressure goal for the other team.

That is our biggest weakness, by far imo.

I think you can extend that to defensive pressure everywhere on the ground. We have no pressure in the forward 50, not much in the midfield (especially late in the game) and the backline is too slow to man up and plug gaps.

[Baggers]

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.

Really good observations Capt Crash. I do think though that DVRs body has certainly gained some muscle (along with Gowers) and would be ready for the next stage of his development - a taste of the big time. Cuningham will need to work on his strength though. What I liked about his last game was his footy brain - he gave off quickly to blokes in better positions and can use his turn of speed to advantage. As raw as both boys are, they both look like footballers and IF they can continue to improve and develop will certainly give us some dash through the midfield. Much needed dash. DVRs delivery by foot really is close to elite.

[Gointocarlton]

Really good observations Capt Crash. I do think though that DVRs body has certainly gained some muscle (along with Gowers) and would be ready for the next stage of his development - a taste of the big time. Cuningham will need to work on his strength though. What I liked about his last game was his footy brain - he gave off quickly to blokes in better positions and can use his turn of speed to advantage. As raw as both boys are, they both look like footballers and IF they can continue to improve and develop will certainly give us some dash through the midfield. Much needed dash. DVRs delivery by foot really is close to elite.

Its good to hear those raps on DVR. As I have stated, I was at his first training session after he was drafted and what stood out for me was the way he moved and his kicking (beautiful left footer as most are - apologies S Grigg). He seemed to have "lost" it but from all reports seems to have got back mojo that we based our picking him on.

[laj]

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.

That's why you have other experienced players in too. I just want to change the nature of the side. Leave out players from the last couple of years and let some of these new blokes leave their imprint in a different way. Cunningham, DVR and Sumner suddenly give you alot more pace and run. If we lose so be it, just want to see something different.

[cookie2]

That's why you have other experienced players in too. I just want to change the nature of the side. Leave out players from the last couple of years and let some of these new blokes leave their imprint in a different way. Cunningham, DVR and Sumner suddenly give you alot more pace and run. If we lose so be it, just want to see something different.

See where you're coming from Jim. We have got to break the mould set by some of our older players before we can truly start to move forward significantly. At the same time we have to be wary of over exposing our current youth and demoralising them, as we have with others in recent years.

[ElwoodBlues1]

That's why you have other experienced players in too. I just want to change the nature of the side. Leave out players from the last couple of years and let some of these new blokes leave their imprint in a different way. Cunningham, DVR and Sumner suddenly give you alot more pace and run. If we lose so be it, just want to see something different.

Tend to agree...this year is about finding 2-4 good young blokes who can play senior footy at a decent standard, then the same thing next year and building a core group to take the club forward.

DVR may not get another contract if he doesnt show something this season and he need some senior footy to make some judgements on his future...Cunningham can be held back and maybe just given a taste at years end. Boekhorst is another who needs a big season IMO, being a controversial Rogers choice wont help him either and he needs to show more than what he has so far...

[Gointocarlton]

Crippa for us, The Bont for them. If nothing else I will be watching who shows more. These two will be compared for years to come as they are both excitement machines. To me it will be like the Judd v Ablett debate. Like Ablett, Bontempelli kicks more goals, Cripps does more heavy work inside. Two young guns who are unbelievably good to watch.