Carlton Football Club: The Round Two Review

After watching Port Adelaide against Melbourne last week, I feared this encounter a little. I was left thinking 'Gee, how good will they be with the home ground advantage?' (this was of course before understanding the trouble Melbourne was going through after their second poor showing against Geelong). I guess it's me underestimating my own team's capabilities. But then again, they are coming from a long way, and Ken Hinkley so far looks to have relished the new rules, reinvigorating his side with fresh faces and exciting strategies. Not to mention Carlton's record at Adelaide Oval isn't very pretty. I just wasn't as confident. But thankfully, my beloved blues proved me here that they are looking better than what most people think. They showed me they can produce some pleasant results this year, so long as they stay the course and fix where they go wrong. As a matter of fact, it has made me all the more confident about the following game against Sydney.

MARGIN

(Predicted : Real)

62 points : 16 points

Difference: + 46

Carlton overall performed WAY better than I expected them to. Not only that, but they showed some glimmers of super exciting play (the sort of play that finals teams produce). I thought the ferocity and fast pace of the power would run circles around us and see a blowout. But it was good to see the young blues surprise me with their ability to keep up, all while flashing off some brilliant control of the pill at the same time. Practically the only unsurprising thing about the match was it being another loss to add to the string of losses over the past few years. I do think it's important for the blues to produce four-quarter footy and win as soon as possible. They have to start building a winning culture. The young crop need to know how much is required for a victory and they need to demonstrate it a few times this year. More losses are only going to lead to greater frustration amongst everybody. And from a personal perspective, Brendan Bolton needs to cut down on the mixed messages. Don't say one week that you fall in love with the playing group and then say there isn't such thing as an 'honourable loss'. Here you can't have your cake and eat it too.

First Quarter

Wow! Just, wow! I mean I knew the blues had the potential to create a scare, but never did I see it happening straight away. I just adored seeing of the blues forwards creating space and taking every chance for the easy goal. The balance of speed and control was close to perfect. Although there were a few issues down back. The struggle to hold down Port's small attacking brigade as well as the little defensive pressure yet again (Jones running of the man, etc.). But what I loved was the rest of the ground making up for it by pushing forward and taking every opportunity they can to hit the scoreboard. Sam Petrevski-Seton getting in on the action early. Ed Curnow finding space. And Will Setterfield running was a sight for sore eyes. Overall, the impact was that of a finals contender. However I knew it wouldn't last, as consistency and sustainability become the major problems of 2019 so far. If this quarter is the Carlton of the future, then I am definitely all for it. Shame having to lose Charlie though.

Second Quarter
One of our predominant leaders in Marc Murphy was out for much of this quarter after coming off second best in a brutal contest for the ball. Came up okay, but when through some precautionary checks. In his absence, the blues suddenly lost a bit of their pace. The backline was starting to get upstaged by a young and promising Connor Rozee, who kicked a couple of goals for Port Adelaide in the term. Rockliff would continue dominating from the centre circle, and this time it seemed like his use of the ball was more damaging compared to his time with Brisbane. Carlton seemed somewhat uninterested in curtailing his influence. Tom Clurey took advantage of most of our mistakes as Port proved far more efficient. Nearly every inside 50 of theirs was followed by a score. The Carlton defenders just couldn't find the answers to stop the leaking. Four goals to none and it was a matter of holding on and not conceding any more up to the major break.

Third Quarter
Coming off half time, showers have soaked the ground a little making it more of a challenge for the blues to fight back. But it wasn't just a challenge accepted, but a challenge accomplished by the young Carlton team. We retrieved some of the grit from the first quarter and saw the openings to produce four consecutive goals of our own. Mitch McGovern responsible for two of them almost in the space of a minute and the first coming from a fantastic tackle on Zac Butters. This was the time when I really began to see the value McGovern brought to the team. I walked in knowing he was all about star factor, but never had a proper glimpse of him till this match (especially this quarter). He seems to love the big moments. Probably still a step away from producing some really incredible ones at his new home, but with a little more time he certainly will. Cameron Polson surprised me a little with one or two effective disposals (a goal and a goal assist) and both Sam Walsh and Paddy Dow continues to impress me with their willingness to embrace the contest.

Fourth Quarter

It was a matter of really kicking into wet-weather mode, as most of the final term was played under the pouring rain. But a serious game-ending injury to Jack Watts didn't stop Port Adelaide at all from looking more threatening with possession of the ball compared to us. The blue boys managed to hang on for roughly half of the time on the ground, as the margin remained eight points in Port's favour. And it was a battle to try and get over the line. But my expectation remained as is, with Steven Motlop coming from nowhere to sink the boot into Carlton with two crucial goals in the space of five minutes. Of course, it wasn't all bad. Alex Fasolo and Kade Simpson would help with keeping the losing margin at a reasonable 16 points, kicking one major each. And Harry McKay continued his unbelievable ways, taking one or two contested marks with a slippery ball. What makes this better is that all five of McKay's marks for this match were contested. Absolutely amazing!

PLUSES / MINUSES

1. That start really amazed me. Those few goals from quick and efficient ball movement. Something that I haven't seen in a long time. Of course it wasn't going to stay around but it was good while it lasted.
2. Even when he didn't use the ball so well, Sam Walsh knows how to find it.

3. Mitch McGovern is showing some signs of gradual improvement. 

4. Perhaps it was mostly thanks to the rain, but to not have the losing margin blow out to anything more than 16 points was great. Much to everyone's surprise, the defense is really holding up. Still some work to do when it comes to pressure though.

5. The skill level was heaps better here. We didn't look so inept.

1. The football in patches continues. Not going to be winning games with goalless quarters.
2. The communication still requires some work.

3. Marc Murphy probably didn't do as well as we would've liked. But he did cop a heavy knock to the head region. He played it out like the warrior he was, but it did come at a little cost.

4. Suppose it isn't in the plan, but the blues shouldn't have the opposition's star midfielders (like Tom Rockliff) running all over them. Ed Curnow should be doing what he is best at and that is ensuring the most influential players aren't as influential. Don't think having Ed disappear for much of the game in the forward line does anybody favours.

5. Mitch McGovern in defence was not a great idea. Especially when Charlie Curnow couldn't be there to help. Only placed more pressure on Harry McKay. Carlton shouldn't be leaving more work for others.

SCORES

1. PATRICK CRIPPS 20

2. Paddy Dow 10

3. Andrew Phillips 9

4. Sam Petrevski-Seton 8
5. Sam Walsh 7

6. Marc Murphy 6

7. Dale Thomas 5

8. Kade SImpson 4

9 = Michael Gibbons 2

9 = Harry McKay 2

9 = Nic Newman 2

12. Mitch McGovern 0

13. Zac FIsher -1

14. Will Setterfield -2

15. Lachie Plowman -3

16. Jacob Weitering -4

17. Alex Fasolo -5

18. Cameron Polson -6

19. Ed Curnow -7

20. Jarrod Garlett -8

21. Liam Jones -9

22. Charlie Curnow -10

TOTAL

1. Patrick Cripps 29

2. Nic Newman 22

3. Marc Murphy 14
4. Sam Walsh 12
5. Andrew Phillips 11.5

6 = Dale Thomas 11

6 = Kade Simpson 11
8. Sam Petrevski-Seton 9

9. Paddy Dow 6
11 = Ed Curnow 3

11 = Zac Fisher 3

12. David Cuningham 2.5

13. Harry McKay 2

14. Will Setterfield -3
15. Mitch McGovern -5

16 = Michael Gibbons -6

16 = Lachie Plowman -6

16 = Cameron Polson -6

16 = Jacob Weitering -6

20. Jarrod Garlett -14

21. Alex Fasolo -15

22. Liam Jones -16

23. Charlie Curnow -19

THOSE WHO IMPRESSED ME

Harry McKay

I can go on and on about how much I love watching this guy play. His ability to run the field is second to none. He has a good eye for where the goals are. And it seems to me he is getting better by the year when it comes to taking marks. Do I have to remind everybody that he was doing this in the rain for about half of the match? His big mitts in contests... in the WET! It tells you that the ceiling is oh so very high for this one. McKay is everything we have been looking for in a player for quite a while during our rebuild stage. And each week, he has been further proving to the coaches why he should have been running and gaining experience in the side sooner. It wasn't just this match, but round one as well. Harry is just full of confidence and he is showing so much promise. Two goals in both games so far for a total of four. With the games (and the club in particular) still adapting to the new rules, this is without a doubt a satisfactory effort for the big H. I'm craving for more of his brilliance. We all are.

Andrew Phillips

Phillips walked into the match, having to take on two strong ruckmen in Scott Lycett and Paddy Ryder, all while doing so in the rain with a loss of flexibility after Charlie Curnow went down. That to me, is nothing short of commendable. I initially crticised him for his inability to deliver on a more frequent basis. That could still be a problem at the moment, along with the trouble to keep on the park. But with the 'one week at a time' approach, Phillips' performance here was a definite pass. His presence was strong. Even though he only took two marks, it felt as if he took so much more. He might've not won the ruck battle here, but his work around the ground undoubtedly played a part in keeping the boys in it. 15 touches, 4 tackles and 5 inside 50's. A much better game from him compared to last week. Enough also for him to keep his spot in the side, as it seems the club is taking it very lightly with Matthew Kreuzer right now.

Jacob Weitering

With a target on his back, our very first puzzle piece in the turnaround has come out of the blocks and looks fitter than he has ever been. We have just got to appreciate the young defender playing to his strengths at the moment. The intercepting, the rebounding and the one percenters. He is doing everything that is expected of him and doing it well. I will admit I had my doubts at times when it came to Weiters, but little did I consider the underlying factors for his struggle to deliver over the past couple of years. Last season saw much of the backline take a hit, with roughly around six defenders with extended stints on the sidelines, dealing with serious injuries. Weitering has also been thrown back and forth many times in a swing-man role that he wasn't in any way prepared for (despite that one impressive performance against Rance in 2017). Now Weitering is looking on top of his game. For me, there are still some concerns with his peripheral vision and level of awareness, as he has been the common victim of the classic chase-down tackle in recent times. But that's a bridge to cross when we get to it. Jacob is playing his role to near-perfection and is currently in the green. Good luck to the critics in search of negatives now.

Honourable Mentions

Patrick Cripps, Paddy Dow, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Lachie Plowman, Sam Walsh

THOSE WHO DISAPPOINTED ME

Jarrod Garlett

I speak about the man again because I just find it concerning. You have Nic Newman, Kade Simpson and Dale Thomas all covering more of the ground and using the ball at an efficiency rate of 70%, then you have Jarrod Garlett failing to impact and make the most of his space, ending up with five clangers and going at around 10% less. Not to mention he gave away a couple of undisciplined free kicks at crucial times. I'm usually one to support players when they're made easy targets by public criticism. But when there is nothing for me to help support them, it makes it harder. I can't keep defending this. There needs to be some tough love here. Garlett just doesn't fit this role well enough. It requires somebody with some decent level of endurance. In these two games, Garlett has only travelled a total of 321 metres and his time on the ground in both matches was 68% and 64% respectively. That is nothing to applaud. If this continues, then he has to be dropped whether we like it or not.

Liam Jones

I will let Jones off a little here, knowing half of the game was played in soaking conditions that would not be so suitable to a player of his calibre. But then again, it wasn't so much the marking that was the issue, but rather the usage of the ball. Jones couldn't seem to handle the pressure of the Port forwards and ended up with a D.E. rate lower than 50%. The worst of any defender on the ground. This from only nine disposals, which means that only three or four of them would have been effective. He did though have the equal most one percenters on the ground (little surprises here). Overall, it wasn't a great day for him and he was nowhere near the standard he set himself back in 2017. But again I'll say that the conditions were tough for him (probably has to learn to perform better in them, given there might be more of these sort of games in the future). If they were friendlier, I know he would've brought a little more of his A-game. The best of Jones is nothing to criticise or laugh about. 

Cameron Polson

I might be a little tough on Polson like many others. But it doesn't necessarily mean that I hate him, because I don't hate any player. As a matter of fact, it is the young kids I do look forward to seeing out there on the field. However, for some reason it is only this kid for me that has a hard time falling into the bracket. Polson did a couple of impressive things during the match, including a goal under immense pressure. But as I've been saying for quite some time already, he is still a one-dimensional player with so many other areas in his game that need some working on. I can't fault him for having the hunger and wanting to contribute. But with ball in hand, it's just personally frustrating. I am never settled when he is involved in the play. A clean disposal from Polson is nearly more of a rarity than not. Along with the fumbling is the lack of connection with his surroundings. He's been seen off in his own little world at times, failing to hear and/or understand what is happening around him (like the advantage from the Walsh free kick). Although Polson wasn't overly terrible like his previous games (he wasn't the worst on ground either), when compared to the rest of the squad he still seems somewhat amateurish. But with Carlton performing relatively better so far, I do believe he can grow with the team.

Dishonourable mentions

Ed Curnow, Alex Fasolo, Marc Murphy

OTHER NOTES

- We can be grateful that Charlie Curnow escaped the worst. That moment while not looking like much, still brought about a significant scare.
-Congratulations on the 50th AFL game to McGovern. A solid performance as well.
- Congratulations are also given to Justin Westhoff for a more significant milestone that is game 250. Little to no impact in the game (mostly thanks to Weitering), but he is a much-loved veteran of the Port Adelaide Power.
- Did anybody get the feeling Port were getting most of the 50/50 calls and we weren't? No? Probably just me. I usually avoid the umpire-blaming because it is rarely the answer, but it looks as if there were a few calls that did impact on the game and shift the momentum around. Not cool.
- Best of luck to Jack Watts in his recovery. That vision looked horrible. I can't imagine how the pain exactly felt, but I know his facial expression told me it certainly wasn't good (I don't have great pain tolerance).
- Same wishes to Karl Amon, although his injury isn't as severe. It only took a minute or two for him. A case of bad luck.
- Again it was a two-quarter performance. Will somebody inform the boys that a game consists of four quarters?
- It was nice seeing Michael Gibbons push up the ground a little in this match. Didn't use the ball all that well, but then again a lot of his teammates didn't either.

NEXT WEEK

A return to the home ground; the newly-named Marvel Stadium. The blues did not win a single game at the venue last year, which if I recall was a first in the club's history. I'm sure they do not want a repeat of this, especially when the club CEO has signed a long-term deal with the stadium (making it Carlton's home ground for another five to six years). They have a good chance, going up against a fellow winless team in the Sydney Swans. Most would probably jump on this as being yet another loss, but I think otherwise. If Carlton can rectify much of their major problem (that being the sustained effort over the course of the game), then Carlton will surprise many. I genuinely believe the blues are every chance here. Much to the point where I am tipping them. I don't understand why the odds for the swans are as short as they currently are. They are not as good as people make them out to be, especially right now with John Longmire struggling to reinvent the team's strategies.

PREDICTED LINE-UP

IN - Matthew Kennedy, Jack Silvagni
OUT - Charlie Curnow (Injured), Cameron Polson (Omitted)

FB - Dale Thomas- Liam Jones - Nic Newman
HB - Lachie Plowman - Jacob Weitering - Kade Simpson
C - Marc Murphy - Paddy Dow - Zac Fisher
HF - Sam Petrevski-Seton - Harry McKay - Will Setterfield
FF - Jack Silvagni - Mitch McGovern - Alex Fasolo
R - Andrew Phillips - Patrick Cripps - Matthew Kennedy
I - Michael Gibbons - Sam Walsh - Ed Curnow - Jarrod Garlett

E - Matthew Lobbe - Lochie O'Brien - Patrick Kerr - Hugh Goddard

Carlton Blues by 23 points

Travis "TJ" James

Carlton Football Club: A Fairy Tale Nonetheless

Let me just say this. If I had no access to the current games nor did I see the results and heard both 'Carlton' and 'grand final' in the same sentence, I wouldn't believe anybody. No matter if it were the men or women, I'd be testing myself on whether this is reality. I mean could anybody blame me here? I came into this world straight after the last pot of gold and have seen much failure, nearly to the point where anything better seems too good to be true. Some fans have the luxury of feeling confident and knowing their team can achieve certain things, especially when history is on their side. But for most others including myself, we have to see things to believe them. This is the case with the Carlton women, who have gone on to surprise all and participate in their first grand final after coming off a wooden spoon. It's only been a day or two and it still somewhat feels surreal to me. A Carlton side a step away from the ultimate prize. My beloved Carlton Football Club. It ain't the men, but it is still incredibly meaningful.

The story of the Carlton women's team so far is a short but significant one. One already with highs and lows. It started out as a remarkable initiative by Steven Trigg to lead the club in becoming more inclusive. To increase the female demographic of both the membership and regular supporter bases. To join the right and recognise the newfound opportunity that allows girls and women all around the nation to play Australia's greatest sport. It was a turning page for Carlton that was brought forward by a man who like the club, was in search of forgiveness after past mistakes (which would've made the work behind this all the more easier). This move immediately screamed success and it wasn't just financially. The club looked for any positive route. It was small steps in winning back respect. Respect from me. Respect from fellow supporters. Even respect from the league and general public. The blues gave it everything and delivered a high-quality portfolio to the AFL. Judging by the news surrounding their initiative at the time, the blues were always destined to get the tick of approval.

Things were looking very promising before the very first AFLW match. It was a chance at growing new relations and seeking new paths to glory. It was discovering the brilliance girls could offer, with some already having done so. Brianna Davey arriving from the Australian women's national soccer team, became a defensive stalwart and the first 'best and fairest' winner. Darcy Vescio, someone with a little more experience in footy led the competition in goal-kicking and also won mark of the year. The two marquee players were named in the 2017 All-Australian team. When women's footy didn't look as exciting as I hoped, the abilities of these two ladies kept me hanging around for more. I was interested in seeing how these women could dominate. Who else will step out of the shadows and bedazzle me? AFLW was raw and flawed, but it carried so much potential. Through my dear Carlton Blues, it was hope and greatness I found good enough to wait around for. The inaugural season of the Carlton women's team was one worthy of praise despite just three wins and no finals.

So what went wrong after the first-year pass mark? Well it all started with the first official off-season, when reports told us of Carlton's hard chase for Brisbane marquee player Tayla Harris and Collingwood's first draftee Nicola Stevens. A couple of highly-rated players with big price tags. What's wrong with this one would ask? It wasn't hard to see what the blues were doing here. No hesitance in sacrificing valuable draft picks. No hesitance in throwing any lesser known players in a trade. Carlton was simply wanting to add more and more star factor. It was targeting any high-profile players it could and relying solely on them to deliver the goods. Sound familiar? The idea of ripping stars away from other clubs with big deals? Reminds me a little of the outdated strategy from good old arrogant Carlton. The club with not much care for player development. The club that would much rather buy its way to a flag than build to one. From here I well and truly knew the strategy was going to backfire. They'll get the girls, but there would be a steeper price to pay than what picks and players they give up for them.

Now comes the part where I say 'I told you so'. The 2018 AFLW season saw pressure on Carlton to improve given the two new star recruits. And things looked alright... for a very short time that is. A round two win against GWS was soured by the loss of new captain Brianna Davey, having ruptured her ACL. From then onward, the symmetry between the male and female teams started to show. The loss of a star or two for teammates to depend on. The loss of communication and direction. The more humiliating defeats. Breaking the wrong records. The AFLW blues did not win another game for the season, and went on to finish dead last. Some of the girls ended up little frustrated. Some girls broke down in tears at the very end. A couple considered leaving after the disappointment. One of them as reported by the media being the captain herself. To think that I saw the tragedy coming from a mile away and the club themselves, couldn't. But I'll hand it to them for quickly figuring out that changes had to be made, starting from the coach.

Walking into year three, most of us supporters were simply hoping for better from the two squads after both finished rock bottom. I in particular was still deflated, not expecting a lot from either team. This was especially the case with the AFLW, now two new clubs were entering the competition (Geelong and North Melbourne) and raiding the existing ones for talent. With the shallow talent pool becoming even shallower, I went on to believe that it was going to be hard for the Carlton women to improve. That more disappointment and more suffering was right around the corner. But then along came Daniel Harford, proving to us all that it wasn't entirely a cattle problem. The girls were fine and many had high ceilings. They were however, anchored down by confusion. There was clear uncertainty and no proper plan in sight. What did this Carlton team want to be defined by under Damien Keeping? Was Carlton here really a team? We can now be grateful for the fact that these questions don't need to be answered. Harford has helped with putting the past behind us. He has achieved what no blues supporter expected; a grand final berth.

The short-term journey was one with a rough start. A convincing loss to a new star-studded North Melbourne footy team. Coming with the defeat were messages of ridicule regarding the expectations of continued failure at Ikon Park. The beginning of more embarrassment for the club. What ran through my mind was the stress and worry of going through the pain again. But here is where I have to praise Harford and the girls. They are much stronger than I am, mentally that is. They never dropped their heads. As each week went by, they performed better and better. When things went wrong, they immediately searched for the solutions. From the midfield stock to the conversion rate in front of goal. The evolution of the navy blue women was visible to the naked eye. So much so, that one can argue the round 1 team being something completely different from the one coming off a preliminary final victory. The ladies might not be standouts when looking at footy from the distance, but we all as people can learn a thing or two from them. They have taught me that there is always hope, even for the men. When times are tough, we prove to be tougher. With the right management, the right plan and the right people involved, nothing is ever impossible.

My view of the game.

Women's footy in general may not be as much of a spectacle when compared to the men. The skills are poorer, the pace is slower and the games are shorter. But what is important to remember is that these women were first denied any chance to completely grow up with the game. The most passionate of girls were forced to give footy up and find other sports that interested them around their adolescent years. This is why most of the women in this competition are code-hoppers. Some that are playing are even way older than the men, as they are basically making up for the time they lost not playing the sport. They may not have complete knowledge of the game. They're more likely to make simple mistakes. The scores are going to be lower as the women learn to become cleaner with every passing year. People complain, but little do they know the men were exactly the same around the late 19th century (a time when the game was still a work in progress). So I tell those who do so to just wait. The women are going to be so much better at footy in ten years time, especially now that young girls are getting the chances the current AFLW players never received. The competition will evolve and become better. It has already proven it's on the right track this year.

There are three types of reactors when it comes to women's football. We have the passionate people who follow the girls and support them like they do with the men. Then there are those who don't care for the women, but respect their love and interest for wanting to play. Last of all, there's the cruel minority that discriminate with no proper or justifiable reasons. All should know which category I choose to sit in. If not, allow me to further explain. Carlton to me, is not just a bunch of boys kicking a ball around. It's a family. When Trigg and the blues put forward their aim to be inclusive, they were too calling for us to do the same. Any Carlton team is one part of a much larger picture. Like every football club, the blues are a single entity with a single goal; to be successful. That's where I come in. I don't care whether if it's men, women, or even a wheelchair team (though Carlton do not have one of these). I will support anyone with a big enough heart, along with a great knowledge of the game that puts on that navy blue guernsey with the iconic CFC monogram. I will support anyone that cares about taking the family forward to experience bigger and better things.

One thing is for sure. These young females certainly don't deserve vulgar commentary from everyday people. They shouldn't have to be sexually objectified nor should they be treated any lesser compared to their male counterparts. We have come too far to still be acting this way. Take the most recent incident regarding Tayla Harris. A photo captured by Michael Wilson (further down the page), showing Harris in her goal-kicking action was posted on social media. But after a number of highly offensive comments, the photo was taken down. One doesn't have to see most of the comments to know they would've been absolutely repulsive. I only had to see one of them to feel sickened. Somebody made a joke out of these professional athletes and menstruation on the field. It led me to questioning the mentality of these people. Why do they think like this? Why do they persist in saying such rubbish? Don't they see the obvious outrage that will spark from it? As for the handler (or handlers) of the 7AFL twitter page, the initial decision to remove the photo was a bad move. It was a move that signified capitulation. A victory for the inhumane. Thankfully, the right voices were heard and the photo was posted again. The ideal move would have obviously been to moderate what's said. But personally, my approach would be a little more extreme.

If the power were in my hands, I'd actually allow for these comments. There is a freedom of speech, and one can choose to say whatever they like. Doesn't make for a pretty sight, but I don't stop here. While actions speak louder than words, both have one thing in common. They can come with major consequences. Just because I allow for these comments, it doesn't mean that I approve them. The fact is I don't. My next step is further publicizing these disgusting messages. Share them everywhere I could. I'd allow for other members of the public and social media to name and shame these people. I hope to be getting the virtuous to point the finger and serve justice. I mean, sure ignoring them is an option. But that doesn't encourage the offenders to discontinue their inappropriate behaviour. They make the choice to publish their content online. If they do it anywhere within my access, I wouldn't at all be afraid of throwing them further into the firing line. They are pretty much wanting for this. Why should I care about what happens to them? Most important lesson of social media is much like a basic arrest. Anything one says can be used against them. The shooter is more at risk than the target.

They say that pictures paint a thousand words. They aren't wrong there, because this one certainly does. Well... probably not a thousand for me, but definitely enough to make an impact. There have been many photos taken of the AFLW, but this one really does it for me. Not only does it prove the athleticism of Tayla Harris, but the athleticism of women in general. It tells us that women can play footy as well. They can do the same things as male footballers and have the potential to do them just as effectively. This photo tells me that both strength and physicality don't discriminate and that it varies between women exactly the same way it does in men. Not to mention this was taken at the perfect time. Mid-air with her right leg near the highest point. A kicking style and a level of flexibility that astonished much of the nation. It even brought about envy. I've lost count of how many responses made a hamstring reference. We also have to remember that this was taken during the time Harris kicked a goal from 45 metres out on a slight angle. Worth all the praise it gets. And these are the words from a 22-year-old male (at the time of typing this up). Amazing isn't it?

Now back to the mighty blues...

We are all seeing the story play out right in front of us. Carlton's ladies have come straight from the depths of despair to restore the faith into each and every blues fan. 2019 has been a season about joy and solidity, complete with perseverance and great belief in the process. Something that even Bolton and the boys can take notes from. This feel-good story goes beyond Harford. It was the team having seen both the mistakes and the losses, learning how to fix them and knowing where to begin. The result is a complete turnaround, worthy of all the recognition it receives. I call it a fairy tale. But perhaps the most daunting question of them all is whether the 'fairy tale' is what it is, especially given the controversial conference system and the way things have panned out. According to many, Carlton are not deserving of their spot in the big dance. Are these people right? Is the tale of the sudden rise tainted by such an idea? Well expect an interesting answer from me. Yes, and no.

Consider me one of the majority who deems the conference system of 2019 both a disgrace and a major flaw to the game. My stance on the problem however doesn't in any way strike my rational thinking. It's simply going with the flow. To accept the season for what it is and follow it the way all the teams do. In an ideal world, Carlton's chances of finals participation would either be a miss with the unchanged fixture or an ongoing battle to pass the edge in a longer and fairer competition (facing every team once). But the fallout was what it was. Some teams were left to fight harder than others. With the help of a little luck, the navy blue women were smart enough to take advantage of the situation when they could. Are they deserving of this wondrous occasion that is the 2019 AFLW grand final? Of course they are. They followed the rules. They took what they were given, and delivered enough to get themselves into the position they are currently in. One thing I will accept is those responsible for the conference system weren't to know how it would play out. In fact, very little of us knew what would happen. Unfortunately, it did end up going pear-shaped. However, Carlton should be praised for the fight and smarts to reach the decider rather than be condemned for what they have no control over.

Too each and every Carlton supporter within my reach, I highly encourage to get behind the girls. Women's footy may not seem as interesting, but these young ladies are wearing our colours. Best not to look at them as girls, but as Carlton. They are a vital part of the club. They bring around new people and give more to the existing population. They would love for people to return the favour. To support them in adding to the club's achievements. They are one challenge away from potentially winning some shiny silverware that will further beautify Ikon Park. They are also one challenge away from completing the perfect 'Zeroes to Heroes' narrative. The challenge though will be tough, as it is against the hot favourites in Adelaide with one of the best female players going around in Erin Phillips. Most likely I expect them to be too good for us and take home the ultimate prize. However, the challenge is not impossible. The heart bleeds blue and beats strong. A win would be a dream come true and a loss would be disappointing to some extent (especially with the hard yards that have been put in). But regardless of Sunday's result, our lovely game changers have found themselves in a safe spot. I say this because they have already defied the odds, achieved redemption and won back respect. Anything more is just icing on the cake. A fairy tale nonetheless. Good luck ladies! We wish you the very best.

Travis "TJ" James

Carlton Football Club: The Round One Review

As predicted, it was a convincing win for the tigers. But what did the loss mean for the blues. The messages were rather mixed. Some were unable to perceive the changes in the club's strategies while others concentrated on the individual performances. Carlton's defeat by the hands of Richmond was a bit of everything. We saw the blues applying some new tactics and changing player positions, all while still displaying their severe lack of footy skills. It was the usual patches and regular turnovers. There was the classic slow play along with the struggle to move faster without error. Personally, it wasn't a game that got my hopes up. But I was satisfied that the final losing margin wasn't any larger than predicted. There were some positives to come out of the game, however the system the blues persisted with left me fearing a little. It didn't seem like something that can hold up throughout the year. The victories could be as rare as last season. We know this can't happen. There is a lot Carlton have to fix and they are left to do it whilst the 2019 season is in play.

MARGIN

(Predicted : Real)

38 points : 33 points

Difference: + 5

Just less than a goal which is impressive. And much of what I said about how the loss will come about was close to spot on. The boys ran out of legs in the final term and much of the communication throughout the entire match was pretty poor. They just couldn't seem to stick close to their direct opponents. Every time the tigers attacked, they always had the numbers. Around every receive of theirs was at least one extra man. It took much of the pressure off them and led to more effective kicks inside their forward 50. In this match, Richmond went without Caddy, Castagna, Ellis, Grigg and Townsend (all while also losing Rance towrds the end). Carlton on the other hand, missed only Docherty, Kreuzer and Marchbank. It's obvious that the tigers bat much deeper while Carlton continue to walk in raw and still a little uncertain with their setup. Nevertheless, I wasn't completely disappointed. After all, it was the reigning wooden spooners against a premiership contender.

First Quarter

I don't know about others, but all I ended up seeing was fumble, fumble, fumble. It was Carlton absolutely paralysed, unable to counter Richmond's manic pressure. Every attempt to get the ball forward ended up with the tigers immediately swarming, sprinting with ball to the other side of the field and kicking majors with ease. As soon as Tom Lynch kicked the first goal of the match, I was thinking 'not again'. Why is it Carlton he loves tormenting? Why is it Carlton that always makes him look better than what he is? With not one of the blues players finding the space with possession, the first term became nothing but trying to stop the leakage. It was the boys having to quickly work out how to quieten Richmond's core group. The tigers basically did what we did last year against them in the first quarter. But I always knew before they caught up then that they were going to do so. In this situation, I knew that it wasn't going to be the same for us. We weren't good enough for that.

Second Quarter
Again a slow start with Richmond slotting the opening goal of the quarter. But around the 12 minute mark, the blues were starting to win more of the 50/50's. It would see a couple of ex-magpies in Dale Thomas and Alex Fasolo kick opportunistic goals under some pressure. Zac Fisher also having done the same within the final minute of the term. Patrick Cripps began to shake off the rust while David Cuningham spent some time around the centre circle, showing glimpses of his slickness. Mitch McGovern made some small appearances and even kicked a major of his own after a fairly quiet JLT series. Not to forget Nic Newman rebounding off half back like Sam Docherty never left. There was still a lot of clumsy play, but luckily this time it saw a bit more damage on the scoreboard. Here, Carlton showed off a little of their newfound ability in increasing their scoring chances by keeping the ball within their attacking 50. It was something blues supporters had long been starved of.

Third Quarter
Third quarter was a continuation of the second and a little bit more. Enough to see Carlton win the battle and further narrow the margin to as much as 10 points for a minute or two. The blue boys got around to showing what they did best during the preseason, scoring from stoppages and forward chains. Adding to this was some scoring from play instigated at the defensive 50. Harry McKay covered much of the ground in unbelievable fashion and kicked an incredible set shot goal on the 50-metre line on a fairly tight angle. Charlie Curnow tried to leave at least a small mark on the game with a fortuitous goal out the back from a rushed inside 50 by Fisher, who too impressed with a tackle on unlikeliest victims in Dustin Martin. Milestone man Murphy made most of the few seconds he had, with a hurried goal thanks to Sam Walsh's brilliant vision. And Newman with his booming left foot screamed 'bargain' to blues fans everywhere. Another exciting display of the future to all.

Fourth Quarter

The blues couldn't seem to take advantage of Richmond's need to readjust their defensive setup (having lost Alex Rance late in the third quarter to a knee injury). Instead, it was the tigers taking advantage of the Carlton's inability to hit forward targets. The boys could not spread out, follow the speed of play and deliver it effectively enough to the forward line. They weren't even able to feast on the open opportunities created from Richmond's occasional clumsiness. It felt as if each blue had the ball and chain at their ankles, rendering them slow and sometimes stagnant. The tigers much like the first quarter, were attacking in streaks. Extra numbers everywhere, even to recover immediately from any mistakes. It even seemed like luck was on their side, as every bounce and ground ball was in their favour. All I can say is that it was a good thing Lynch was sloppy during the final few minutes because if he wasn't, the final margin would have easily been much worse.

PLUSES / MINUSES

1. Forward 50 pressure matched the tigers. Don't think I ever seen such effort last year. Of course, we just need to be both calmer and smarter when the ball is in our hands.
2. Many of the younger players look to be making strong progress. 
3. Glad to see our strategies in taking on Dustin Martin having worked. Zac Fisher with those couple of tackles on him was simply delightful.
4. Harry McKay is so bloody agile. And he is over 200cm tall. Doesn't make sense.
5. An impressive debut from Sam Walsh. Nothing more to say.

1. The skill level. THE SKILL LEVEL! WAY below par!
2. The communication is not so great either.
3. Defensive pressure needs working on. Boys have to stop allowing opponents to sneak out the back.
4. Perhaps it's best that Ed Curnow is given his usual role. He was involved in many passages of great play, but occasionally hesitated and took too long in making decisions (especially in the third quarter).
5. Just about every player kicked the ball out on the full. Even Cripps. What's going on here?

SCORES = TOTAL

1. NIC NEWMAN 20

2. Ed Curnow 10
3. Patrick Cripps 9
4. Marc Murphy 8
5. Kade Simpson 7
6. Dale Thomas 6
7. Sam Walsh 5
8. Zac Fisher 4
9 = David Cuningham 2.5
9 = Andrew Phillips 2.5
11. Sam Petrevski-Seton 1
12. Harry McKay 0
13. Will Setterfield -1
14. Jacob Weitering -2
15. Lachie Plowman -3
16. Paddy Dow -4
17. Mitch McGovern -5
18. Jarrod Garlett -6
19. Liam Jones -7
20. Michael Gibbons -8
21. Charlie Curnow -9
22. Alex Fasolo -10

THOSE WHO IMPRESSED ME

Patrick Cripps

Is anybody surprised here? It doesn't feel as if the captaincy has had any negative impact on Cripps' ability to win the contests. He's still the beast that his is known to be. Like the rest of the boys, Cripps did start off very slow and sloppy. Even had a couple of forgettable moments around the ground. But our beloved co-captain is a player that is always guaranteed to make up for his mistakes and it does not take very long for this to happen. Just another ordinary game from him. 32 disposals (21 of them contested), 7 clearances and 6 tackles. More wins on the board this year and there is no denying the ever so glaring possibility that one of the most exciting midfielders in the game can take home the highest individual accolade there is; the Brownlow medal. Of course, it is only the first round and there is still a long way to go. Not to mention that the superstar needs to keep on his feet for much of the season. But this performance could be a good start for his chances.

David Cuningham

No sneaky goals from Cunners this time. His presence around the centre of the ground however, was a sight for sore eyes. It was almost as if the ball was attracted to him during the middle of the match, especially when Carlton were starting to pick up the pace. Although 7 clangers (equal most of the game) and a few other clear mistakes, I never felt disappointed by his presence. I guess it's due to his lack of opportunity, with all the time spent off the field over the past few years battling many injuries. I was growing frustrated, not getting to see him progress. My joy for his potential wasn't getting to be proven worth it. In this case, it seems like patience was virtue. Now it not only appears Cuningham is fit and firing, but he has suddenly shown himself taking his game up to another level this year. Once again, I take everything back that I said about him in the preview piece. I am back on the Cuningham bandwagon.

Nic Newman

I'm not afraid to go out on a limb and say that this 'new man' can become recruit of the year. He managed to take one step towards that last night. While Docherty is no easy replacement, Newman looks to have brought a game that would help relieve much of the pain from Doc's absence. It was like he was everywhere down back. And when he kicked that goal... I felt a sudden rush of excitement. Out loud to my parents, I'd say how brilliant of an acquisition he was. Newman ended up with 26 touches, 9 marks and 12 rebound 50s (the most of any player on the ground). Could nearly have been considered the best for us. As time went on, I became less and less unsettled every time I saw the number 24 with ball in hand. Sorry? Aaron who? Cam who? This is someone who has come to help save us from greater humiliation. Don't honestly know what Sydney were thinking in letting him go. Newman could easily take a further few steps in his own game with the mighty blues this year.

Honourable Mentions

Harry McKay, Marc Murphy, Will Setterfield, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering

THOSE WHO DISAPPOINTED ME

Charlie Curnow

It seemed as if the much-hyped Charlie took his underwhelming preseason form into this match. Absolutely quiet throughout most of the first half, only to come around later dropping sitters, giving away frees and creating numerous turnovers. Sure he kicked a goal when the game was turning our way, but nearly every other moment of his last night was worth forgetting. It's very unlikely to happen, but these recent performances from C. Curnow, have made him look worthy of omission. What could be the problem? Don't believe it is fitness, since no problems have been reported to us. Supposedly it's the external media pressure and the comparisons to 'Kouta'. Then again, maybe not. Whatever it is, Charlie isn't Charlie at the moment. Not too sure blues fans have even witnessed a spark of his best in 2019 so far. Fingers crossed he can get back to doing what he is known for as soon as possible. Otherwise the public criticism will really start to break through.

Alex Fasolo

I do believe that we brought him in too soon. From the outside looking in, Fasolo wasn't a convincing inclusion to the round one line-up. He may have won the respect back from the team after the disgraceful behaviour on Australia Day, but it didn't exactly mean he won a spot in the side. Fasolo for most of the night looked sluggish, and more often than not performed a disappearing act. There was nothing about him that caught my attention. Just the 5 disposals, 1 tackle and 1 rushed goal off the boot. Rarely was he seen making his presence felt up the ground and rarely was he providing the necessary pressure on the opposition. Fasolo's immediate call-up to the seniors was one coming from little merit. What's a bit more disheartening about this is that he was number 1200 in the line of debutants. Undoubtedly the poorest performer of the half-a-dozen newbies. Probably no surprise as he was the one I didn't expect as much from. That's not saying though he couldn't get better from here.

Jarrod Garlett

A lot of blues supporters had an issue with Garlett being named in the squad, and it was for one reason. That reason being the exact same one he showcased on the night. The sloppiness. Much like Cameron Polson, Jarrod Garlett struggles to balance his agility with his control of the ball. Nearly every time on the run, he was unable to hit targets. His disposal efficiency of 44.4 percent from 9 touches says it all. Nowhere near good enough for a defender. Adding to this was the lack of presence and easy exposure. He was arguably the ghost of the backline last night. Garlett though will likely keep his spot in the side due to the lack of small defenders knocking on the door for his position. It is also round one, and just about everybody started off a little rusty (this is pretty much a normal thing). So it is only right to let him off just for now. But let's just say that this was the first of many strikes. Another performance like this one won't be so welcomed next time.

Dishonourable mentions

Michael Gibbons, Liam Jones, Mitch McGovern

OTHER NOTES

- Congrats to Jack Riewoldt, who like Marc Murphy played his 250th game. Probably not a solo performance he was proud of but he did play a small part in getting his team over the line.
- The worst came true for Alex Rance, having torn his ACL last night. Best wishes to him in his recovery and hopefully he is back and performing well as soon as possible. Nobody deserves an injury, especially a season-ending one such as an ACL.
- Can somebody remind Brian Taylor that the name is Sam Walsh and not Sam "Welsh"?
- Make that number 56 in games since the blues last scored triple figures. Six goals off from the feat last night.
- That was the only prime time game for the year. Be prepared for Carlton to primarily be banished to Saturday and Sunday afternoons on Foxtel for the rest of the year, and deservedly so.
- A $2000 fine for Liam Jones for reckless conduct against Riewoldt. A bit over the top if you ask me. Seems like they were so close to giving him a one-match ban. Far out the MRP can be absurd.

NEXT WEEK

For the blues, it's off to Adelaide Oval to face the Power Saturday week. Am expecting one or two changes for this match. Perhaps Kreuzer back in for Phillips. And as much as I hate to accept it at the moment, Polson in for Fasolo. Polson would seem more prepared and much fitter for selection. Not much can be said about Port given they're yet to play their first match for premiership points this season. But it looks as if they are taking a very tiny step backwards by bringing forth a younger crop of potential future stars with the likes of Butters, Drew, Duursma and Rozee. Like every game there is a chance for us, but once again it's a small one. It's Port's home game and recent encounters against the Power haven't been so friendly. Their star players are expected to work together more effectively as we continue our very patchy ways. There will likely be more skill errors from us, which will lead to greater losing margin here. All I can do is hope for the opposite.

PREDICTED LINE-UP

IN - Matthew Kreuzer, Cameron Polson
OUT - Andrew Phillips (Omitted), Alex Fasolo (Omitted)

FB - Liam Jones - Lachie Plowman - Dale Thomas
HB - Nic Newman - Jacob Weitering - Kade Simpson
C - Sam Walsh - David Cuningham - Marc Murphy
HF - Sam Petrevski-Seton - Harry McKay - Zac Fisher
FF - Michael Gibbons - Charlie Curnow - Mitch McGovern
R - Matthew Kreuzer - Patrick Cripps - Ed Curnow
I - Cameron Polson - Jarrod Garlett - Will Setterfield - Paddy Dow

E - Andrew Phillips - Alex Fasolo - Hugh Goddard - Lochie O'Brien

Port Adelaide Power by 62 points

Travis "TJ" James