Carlton Football Club: The Round Four Review

Sigh. Just when I believe I've seen all 50 shades of disappointment, my football team continues in pulling out the ugly rabbits from the hat. This time it is a choke on the back of some of the most insipid display of footy skills I have ever come to see... and in perfect conditions. When last week's loss leaves me nothing but deflated, this one goes to do the same and so much more. It has even led me to question Carlton's future and whether Bolton plays a part in it (Carlton Football Club: Rising Doubts). Like every Carlton fan, I am tired. I am bored. I am growing more frustrated by the day. I'm hearing things will change for better, but I'm only witnessing the same old results in front of me. A team of 22 so-called professional footballers, dishing up performances one could easily consider to be below-average and of a standard delivered by community leagues. Sure there were some positives here, but not very many and none which surprise me.

MARGIN

(Predicted : Real)

+11 points : -2 points

Difference: - 13

It was a reasonable prediction, made all the more reasonable when Carlton led by the exact amount early in the fourth quarter. But like all fourth quarters so far this year, the boys put themselves in holiday mode. They turn off, and show the nation how horrible they can be with ball in hand. Missing easy shots for goal. Missing targets on the run. Failing to cover the ground. Two minutes of play in the game left on the clock, four points up and I well and truly knew Carlton were going to lose the match. I saw it coming from a mile away and couldn't wait to sink it into both my brother and my parents. I couldn't wait to throw the classic 'I told you so' at them. It was the story so far. Every single soul at Carlton continues to deny it, but it's the cold hard truth. They just do not know how to win games. Not only that, they don't look like wanting to win any either. I know I'll get criticized here, but I'm not to blame for the poor system and pathetic skills.

First Quarter

It was a hideous start to the game, especially for the blues. It began a little promising with Zac Fisher snapping the first within two minutes. But for rest of the quarter (which was practically all of it), it was all about trying to turn game mode on. Not a second major registered for Carlton, with each of Zac Fisher, Harry McKay and Michael Gibbons failing to make the most of their chances. Patrick Cripps had trouble breaking through, which allowed for the suns to take advantage both the contested ball and clearance work. As the blues fumbled with ball in hand, Gold Coast thrived from the mistakes, using their pace and kicking goals from all angles. Peter Wright from one side and Alex Sexton from the other. It was Carlton in a nutshell. All the talent and all the experience, but no idea how to use it. One of the worst quarters I have ever seen. Shouldn't surprise me, as the blues now love bringing a smorgasbord of them.

Second Quarter
The blues midfielders had finally clicked with the opening two centre clearances. Both leading to fortunate forward 50 entries and successive goals from the classy duo Charlie Curnow and Mitch McGovern, the latter kicking the remaining two for Carlton in the quarter. It was overall a better term, especially from our boys. The skills although still below average, were relatively cleaner. The blues turned the pressure up a little, but were still second to Gold Coast in the congestion. It would be Liam Jones and Jacob Weitering down back preventing any leakage, and they would be the catalysts for our victory of the quarter. Carlton took the lead into half time. But there were a few controversial situations toward the end, including Will Setterfield's tackle on Wil Powell. The other being the most questionable one for me, where Michael Gibbons was unfairly pinned seconds before the siren with no prior opportunity and a player resting on his back.

Third Quarter
An even better effort, despite a goal less on the board. Patrick Cripps started to really impact on the game and the entire midfield attacked the ball to generate a few scores from inside 50's. Sam Walsh continued to shine, but copped a corkie after a courageous mark under the oncoming Jarrod Witts and was out for much of the third quarter. Carlton won the clearances and inside work but continued peppering away in front of goal, with misses from Setterfield and a struggling Paddy Dow from around 20 metres on a slight angle. Despite the small victory, the blues still made their usual costly errors through lack of communication and defensive pressure. This included a contested Peter Wright mark at the beginning and allowing for former blue Nick Holman to take an uncontested grab inside the Gold Coast's attacking 50 during the middle of the term. Luckily for us, they weren't able to convert the opportunities. Regardless, it has been a common issue for the team and one that needs fixing right now.

Fourth Quarter

Carlton walked into the fourth quarter, having not won any of the past three against Richmond, Port Adelaide and Sydney. With an 11-point lead into the final change of a low-scoring, one couldn't be blamed for believing the blues could hold on to record their first victory in 261 days. But the team went on to show others that they shouldn't ever be shocked for otherwise, especially after the incredibly bad skill errors of Carlton's more talented individuals. The Gold Coast were taking advantage of every small opportunity and their forward pressure kept the ball at their side of the ground for much of the term. Blues on the other hand couldn't kick to save their lives. Ed Curnow missed the easiest of chances. Liam Jones was scoffed for a certain pack mark. Not forgetting one of the most experienced heads in Murphy forgetting how to kick at the most crucial moment. It wasn't long for Jack Bowes to prove me write. It wasn't a Gold Coast miracle, it was destiny.

PLUSES / MINUSES

1. No, I'm not ignoring him, nor have I intended to. It's just that I know what to get from him. 30 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 8 marks, 8 clearances, 4 inside 50's, 12 tackles and 2 goals. Patrick Cripps is a f***ing beast! Much to the point where we don't deserve him. I say 'Crippa, do yourself a favour and leave Carlton when you get the chance'.
2. The next man in line with 28 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 6 marks, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50's, 6 tackles and a goal. Surely the selectors can't look past Sam Walsh for a rising star nomination now. Another player we don't deserve.

3. Liam Jones and Jacob Weitering. Don't need to say anything about them. They are carrying the backline all on their own. Probably doing more work than they should. Kind of feel bad for them, but they continue to impress.

1. Another two-quarter performance. Perhaps I should start counting them.
2. Carlton had four tall forwards. FOUR! But teammates still somehow managed to confuse themselves. They could've sworn the smallest player in Michael Gibbons was one of them. One on one in the goal square with a couple of the Gold Coast's trusted defenders. Reminded me of Caleb Daniel a couple of weeks ago, albeit at the other end. Small man against big man. I see the blues don't take notes.

3. I'll keep bringing this up if I have to. The skill level is shocking. So many poor users of the ball today. Some stuck out more than others. Hopefully they cop the punishment. Perhaps dropped to the seconds. 

4. Charlie Curnow did get better as the match went on. But to drop so many uncontested marks to begin with is staggering. What happened to him over the off-season to come around doing this? He hasn't been the same.

5. Just 8 goals. Yes, most games so far this year haven't been high-scoring, but if this is going to be a habit (especially from Carlton), then many are not going to bother. What's even the point of investing so much time and money on an talented yet underwhelming forward line, especially when their anchored down by slow play and  poor delivery?

SCORES

1. PATRICK CRIPPS 20

2. Marc Murphy 10

3. Sam Walsh 9

4. Kade Simpson 8
5. Dale Thomas 7

6. Charlie Curnow 6

7. Jacob Weitering 5

8. Ed Curnow 4

9 = Nic Newman 2.5

9 = Lachie Plowman 2.5

11. Zac Fisher 1

12. Sam Petrevski-Seton 0

13. Will Setterfield -1

14. Paddy Dow -2

15. Caleb Marchbank -3

16. Liam Jones -4

17. Matthew Lobbe -5

18. Lochie O'Brien -6

19. Michael Gibbons -7

20 = Levi Casboult -8.5

20 = Mitch McGovern -8.5

22. Harry McKay -10

TOTAL

1. Patrick Cripps 69
2. Marc Murphy 33

3. Nic Newman 31.5

4. Sam Walsh 31
5. Dale Thomas 22
6. Kade Simpson 16
7 = Ed Curnow 15
7 = Sam Petrevski-Seton 15
9. Andrew Phillips 11.5
10. Zac Fisher 9

11. Paddy Dow 3

12. David Cuningham 2.5
13. Matthew Lobbe -2
14. Lachie Plowman -3.5

15 = Harry McKay -6
15 = Will Setterfield -6

15 = Jacob Weitering -6
18. Caleb Marchbank -7
19. Levi Casboult -7.5
20. Lochie O'Brien -12
21. Charlie Curnow -13

22. Jarrod Garlett -14

23. Alex Fasolo -15
24. Cameron Polson -16
25. Mitch McGovern -21.5
26. Michael Gibbons -22

27. Liam Jones -27

THOSE WHO IMPRESSED ME

Zac Fisher

The little Fish may not have been at peak level and he may not be impressing me as much compared to last season, but then again not many of his teammates are either. I just have to praise his ability for being there to provide the pressure. The ingenuity and passion to push forward during play, is practically why he is a favourite among all blues supporters. Zac wasn't particularly fantastic with ball in hand (having gone at 55 percent), but he was one throughout the game to never drop his head after failure. 12 contested possessions, 4 tackles and a goal next to his name is satisfactory for his standards. Along with that comes an incredible left boot, one which I can in a way relate to (I am a left footer, just not an actual footballer). I wouldn't be asking for much more from him, other than better disposal efficiency. Fisher is a class act with a big heart, and his best is certainly worth attending games for. The way he goes about it, rarely will he ever let me down. On ya Fish!

Mitch McGovern

It was only for one quarter. But given Carlton's inability to run out games, it was a quarter worth applauding. McGovern was there when most of the other tall forwards weren't. He kicked three of the eight goals to help us keep in touch and showcased some of his best work to date in the ugliest of games. That was enough to leave me content for much of the match. Now before anyone comes back at me with that killer blunder at the end, I will add that it was what it was and I agree to some extent. He probably should've stood on the goal line. However, I find Mitch to be carrying far too much responsibility at the moment. This is sort of the stuff that had left Jacob Weitering confused for a couple of years. McGovern shouldn't have to both win off his own boot and play goalkeeper. It only signifies the amount of imbalance in the team. His positioning in the last bit of play down back, was meant for a full-time defender. Where were they?

Sam Petrevski-Seton

Petrevski-Seton was just another one of those players that was quiet to begin with and got better as the game went on. Not only that, he is improving by the week and looks to be caring more. Just the 18 odd touches and 7 tackles in this match. Not anywhere near his best work load, but his ability to collect the ball is a sight of beauty. He can pinpoint targets, lower the eyes and hit teammates on the chest to perfection as good as anybody. Samo was weaving through the traffic a doing exactly this throughout the afternoon, more-so in the second half. Fans all know he can do so much more and is still a fair way off from most people's expectations. However, Petrevski-Seton and his very slow development are only the small elements of a much bigger problem. He is one of many scapegoats in a troubled side. With the right system and the right support, this kid would without a doubt flourish. So I'll take whatever positives from him I find, and there were a couple here. What I most certainly know is that a better Carlton will bring out greater confidence in him.

Honourable Mentions

Patrick Cripps, Liam Jones, Nic Newman, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering

THOSE WHO DISAPPOINTED ME

Paddy Dow

Paddy gets named again on the back of this performance of his. Again I say, the kid has his strengths and they are ones you always come around to watch. But this is the second straight week Dow has let the team down with his disposal by foot. His inside 50's are terrible. He can't lower the eyes. His awareness is fairly poor. Not to mention he made the significant mistake of hand-balling into congestion when the game was on the line. Don't get me wrong, I like the potential of this young man. I like what he can bring to the table. And he is only in his second year. However, it's time I give some tough love. These few mistakes he has made are enough to consider him dropped to the twos. In fact, I believe he has to be dropped. If he wasn't, I'd be questioning whether the club really care about improving and making a statement. I admire Dow for wanting to avoid the second-year blues, but at the moment it's not looking that way. Some time in the Northern Blues should help him out.

Matthew Lobbe

It seems to me that we have a completely different Matthew Lobbe on our hands, because this certainly isn't the one that played in the back end of last season. He got absolutely destroyed by Jarrod Witts around the ground. Just 23 hit-outs and an embarrassing 12.5 percent for efficiency from 8 disposals. Laid half a dozen tackles, but was always second to the ball and just couldn't cover the ground well enough. This was a milestone match worth forgetting for him and he might as well kiss his position goodbye with Matthew Kreuzer looking to return to the side as soon as next round. I of course, still won't consider the club recruiting him at the time a mistake. He remains one of the very few positives to come out of 2018 and nearly took all of the awards home on the B&F night. But all of a sudden, he has lost his touch. And the way the club has gone about their business, it was as if they saw this coming. Lobbe just isn't Lobbe right now. Upsetting really, but that's just the case. The VFL awaits him.

Lochie O'Brien

No doubt, a better performance compared to last week. But I don't know, I personally found O'Brien to be ineffective for a majority of the time. Most of his possessions were just unimportant chain passes out in open space. There were a couple of effective one percenters in the second half, but his ten touches were still enough to have me forgetting he was on the field. He simply needs to do more. I suppose I'll take it lightly with this young man. It was only game number 20, and there are still more things for him to learn about his role moving ahead. But I can only go by what I see, and what I am seeing is someone struggling to make their presence felt. Someone that is having trouble in providing themselves as the option when they are needed the most. Despite all of this, I reckon his spot is safe in the line-up for now. He'll receive another chance, but only because there are not many left in the Northern Blues shouting 'pick me'.

Dishonourable mentions

Levi Casboult, Ed Curnow, Michael Gibbons, Harry McKay

OTHER NOTES

- Hurry up Matthew Kreuzer! It appears that we still need you.
- Will Setterfield's tackle didn't look malicious. It was however, very dangerous and it did leave Wil Powell concussed. The incident will get looked at and Setters might be watching from the side for a week or two, whether we like it or not. Hope Powell is 100 percent soon.
- Seconds away from half time saw one of the most ridiculous decision ever. What was rightly 'in the back' to Gibbons was instead paid as 'holding the ball'. And with no prior opportunity. Was that umpire drunk or something?!
- Want another perplexing decision? How was Jones not given that mark in the last two minutes of play? Talk about pathetic.
- Again I say this. Patrick Cripps needs some assistance in the middle. Whether Ed Curnow is pushed up the ground or Matthew Kennedy is brought in. Just give it a shot. As good as he is, he shouldn't have to be doing the work all on his on. Please Bolton, EXPERIMENT!!!
- Congrats to the milestone men, but there isn't much to cheer about. I'm sure they're thinking the same thing.
- 59 games since triple figures.

NEXT WEEK

A return to Marvel Stadium to face the Western Bulldogs. A game that will all but surely tell the tale. Not only will this game be a chance to rectify the simple mistakes. The question throughout the week will be whether or not Carlton can overcome the anguish of a snatched victory. Will Brendan Bolton or anyone for that matter, be able to ease the growing pains? Or will the blues suffer further? From where I'm standing, I just can't see any winning score. It's getting to the point where a 60-point loss makes more sense than a 10-point win. When one thing goes right for my blues, another thing goes wrong. We just cannot seem to get all the dominoes to stand up. If the fourth round skill is replicated, the dogs will easily account for us. As a matter of fact, I think they will win comfortably regardless. Their stars are on top of their game. Marcus Bontompelli is returning to form and Tom Liberatore brings forth game-changing pressure. I hope not, but I see a big loss coming our way.

PREDICTED LINE-UP

IN - Matthew Kennedy, Matthew Kreuzer, David Cuningham, Patrick Kerr/Jarrod Garlett, Jack Silvagni
OUT - Will Setterfield (Suspended), Matthew Lobbe (Omitted), Paddy Dow (Omitted), Michael Gibbons (Omitted), Levi Casboult (Omitted)

FB - Jacob Weitering - Liam Jones - Nic Newman
HB - Kade Simpson - Caleb Marchbank - Dale Thomas
C - Sam Walsh - Matthew Kennedy - Lochie O'Brien
HF - Sam Petrevski-Seton - Harry McKay - Marc Murphy
FF - Charlie Curnow - Mitch McGovern - David Cuningham
R - Matthew Kreuzer - Patrick Cripps - Zac Fisher
I - Ed Curnow - Lachie Plowman - Jack SIlvagni - Patrick Kerr/Jarrod Garlett

E - Paddy Dow - Michael Gibbons - Andrew Phillips - Cameron Polson

Western Bulldogs by 42 points

Travis "TJ" James