Carlton Football Club: The Round Twenty-One Review

My expectations were never great for this match. Not even after hearing the news of Dustin Martin pulling out. Richmond were simply too good against the blues and they have been on fire for much of the season's back half this year. With players gradually returning and other young tigers getting the opportunity to shine on the big stage after thriving in their dominant VFL counterparts, they are barely placing a footy wrong. The league have also given them the ultimate kiss, with seven consecutive games at the MCG and no travel before the finals series. Much of the positive stories and other topics of discussion regarding football in general surrounds the Richmond Football Club and their recent successes. Good on them I say, though I do have to admit that it is getting tiresome. I'm especially sick and tired sick of watching my team lose to this mob. Last time Carlton defeated the tigers was the 2013 elimination final. Their last finals series back when Mick Malthouse was coach and Patrick Cripps was yet to be drafted. Not to mention was studying in school at 17 years of age. Now I am 23 and trying to make ends meet for myself.

MARGIN

(Predicted : Real)

-13 points : -28 points

Difference: - 15

In a way, I saw this coming. The showers over the stadium to make things harder for Carlton's slightly older and taller group of players. Richmond's smalls having been a littler more classier with the experience of a game plan that stacks up against every team of the competition, they were always likely to outsmart the adjusting blues. People would say it's because the tigers are better in the wet, but I think it's more-so that they're a better team in just about every aspect. Most of the experience at Punt Road are at the age of prime footy. The crop of kids are very much suited to attack and quick play. And they actually have the proper depth, where Alex Rance out sees Dylan Grimes shine just as bright and the solidly built Jack Ross plays like someone with five or six years already under his belt. Even the in and out Jack Graham was tormenting the blues all on his own for most of the first half. Whether us Carlton fans like it or not, the tigers are where we wish to be.

First Quarter

Rain came pouring down to make the opening minutes an unwelcoming sight. It most certainly was as struggle for both teams, as they played end to end footy with sloppy passages and no reward. Richmond though eventually clicked into gear, with the forward duo of Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch successfully protecting the backdoor space for some easy shots at goal. Jacob Weitering couldn't curtail Lynch's early efforts, having allowed him to break away on a couple of occasions whilst also infringing some contests. The final thirty seconds became major proof of where the two sides were at in terms of class. Sam Walsh attempted a quick and advantageous entry from a stoppage to give Carlton one last chance at their first major, but kicked to a two-on-one in favour of the tigers. They collected the ball with ease and ran in numbers through the corridor, getting it in the hands of Jack Graham who would then kick truly on the run from around 55 metres out directly in front.

Second Quarter
Might as well call it the 'Jack Graham quarter'. A Richmond depth player was practically taking the blues to the cleaners all by himself, showcasing his body strength, footy smarts and quick play to extend the lead with a further three goals next to his name. There was just about nothing Carlton could do to curb his influence, and there was little to no luck in the attempts to fight fire with fire. Neither Dale Thomas or Michael Gibbons could see six points. Not even a returning Mitch McGovern after weeks of conditioning was able to hit the bullseye. Jack Silvagni's efforts to slip the ball through congestion towards the end, was looking to be one of the team's best shots at producing a major. Seconds later, Matthew Kreuzer feasted on the unlikeliest of Richmond turnovers from the kick in to slot the much-needed goal and see his side avoiding a goalless half of footy. The tiniest bit of relief for the blues, but they were still far from looking to match their dangerous opponents in any way.

Third Quarter
A small four-point victory for the clean blues, with three goals and no blemishes. The tigers though were once again first to do the damage, with milestone man Shane Edwards getting the reward from a blues turnover from 55 metres out on the run. With a fair bit of help from the usual business of superstar captain Patrick Cripps, Carlton found a way to register back-to-back goals. Fellow midfielder Marc Murphy yet again showed his love for the tight spaces right of goal, delivering another fantastic banana from a Michael Gibbons assist. McGovern intercepted a desperate Jayden Short kick in the forward line around nine minutes later. He would succesfully bend it through after nearly coughing up the chance by stepping of his mark. Tom Lynch on the back of some immense pressure by his teammates to force the turnover, managed to get his second of the game and Richmond's second of the term. Levi however, was sure to reply back in a couple of minutes at the other end.

Fourth Quarter

The tigers proved masters of the rain, restoring their half time margin and making it the final margin as it bucketed down at the MCG. Riewoldt marked the ball up forward as if it was dry. Teammate Shai Bolton on the other hand, was silly enough to give away a 100-metre penality and allow Gibbons to finally get some reward in the ugly-looking game. McGovern took advantage of Richmond's defensive blunder, wrapping up David Astbury and forcing him into illegally dropping the ball in front of the blues goal. The much-maligned recruit made no mistake and became Carlton's only multiple goal-scorer for the match. Graham continued his damage in other ways, unselfishly passing the ball over to Josh Caddy for the easiest of goals with a minute of play left. It was looking to be a 22-point win until umpires gave the all-clear for a Jason Castagna mark milliseconds after the final siren. A controversial decision that added to Carlton's pain and further sweetened Richmond's day.

PLUSES / MINUSES

1. Patrick Cripps and Ed Curnow. The perfect combination in the middle. 21 and 22 contested possessions respectively.
2. The contested work and stoppages around the ground was a pass.
3. The experienced crop and their efforts to lead the way were enough to be admired.
4. Probably his poorest game yet, but I don't care. Sam Walsh is so damn consistent.

1. The entries inside 50. The entries inside 50. THE ENTRIES INSIDE 50!!!
2. Players just lacked the pace and awareness to take the game on. I remember Nic  Newman open in the corridor at one point during the second quarter and Samo just wasn't bothered in turning his head quick enough to spot him.
3. Missing easy shots for goal. Rain should not be any excuse for this, as it is a normal occurrence in footy.
4. The umpires ignoring some obvious free kicks our way in the first half.
5. Lachie Plowman with the kicking in duty.
6. Jacob Weitering's work on Tom Lynch early in the game.
7. Only one goal in the first half.
8. 15 players going under 60% in disposal efficiency compared to Richmond's 4.

SCORES

1. DALE THOMAS 20

2. Patrick Cripps 10
3 = Ed Curnow 8.5

3 = Kade Simpson 8.5

5. Nic Newman 7
6. Marc Murphy 6

7 = Matthew Kreuzer 4.5

7 = Lachie Plowman 4.5

9. Sam Petrevski-Seton 3

10. Jack Silvagni 2

11. Sam Walsh 1

12. Josh Deluca 0

13. Jacob Weitering -1

14. Will Setterfield -2
15. Levi Casboult -3
16. Mitch McGovern -4
17. Liam Jones -5
18. Michael Gibbons -6
19. Harry McKay -7
20. Lochie O'Brien -8
21. Zac Fisher -9

22. Darcy Lang -10

TOTAL

1. Patrick Cripps 168.5
2. Nic Newman 152.5
3. Sam Walsh 143
4. Ed Curnow 135
5. Marc Murphy 103
6. Sam Petrevski-Seton 88
7. Dale Thomas 85
8. Kade Simpson 56.5
9. Matthew Kreuzer 55.5
10. Charlie Curnow 20
11. Andrew Phillips 19.5

12. David Cuningham 13.5
13. Levi Casboult 9
14. Will Setterfield 3
15. Jack Silvagni -1.5
16. Matthew Lobbe -2
17. Angus Schumacher -5
18. Harry McKay -6.5
19. Zac Fisher -9
20. Harrison Macreadie -10
21. Tom Williamson -13.5
22. Jarrod Garlett -14
23. Hugh Goddard -18
24. Josh Deluca -20
25 = Michael Gibbons -24.5
25 = Lachie Plowman -24.5
27. Alex Fasolo -25
28. Cameron Polson -26
29. Caleb Marchbank -28.5
30. Liam Stocker -30
31. Darcy Lang -38
32. Matthew Kennedy -43
33. Jacob Weitering -46
34. Paddy Dow -55
35. Lochie O'Brien -65.5

36. Mitch McGovern -70.5
37. Liam Jones -76

THOSE WHO IMPRESSED ME

Josh Deluca

Eh... I'll give the young lad some credit here. Josh Deluca was at the very least, trying to create something from the forward entries despite how poor they were along with the intense defensive pressure applied by the tigers. As for whether he was a good pick-up... that remains to be determined. What I thoroughly enjoy about Josh is his pace combined with his decent-sized frame. He looks like he could take on anything whilst holding the potential as a small crumbing forward. But there are many layers of his game that still require some improvement. One of them being his kicking. Wet weather or not, players would comfortably hook the ball perfectly around their body around 95% of the time. Seeing him completely miss everything with that opportunity in the final term felt like a harder kick in the guts compared to most other failed attempts. Perhaps it was because there were very few chances to score. But that makes it all the more important to nail such shots. Those ones in particular should rarely be a problem regardless of the conditions. In the end, what happened has happened. Deluca can be proud of his efforts everywhere else.

Sam Petrevski-Seton
More attention needs to be placed onto this, because I believe Samo has officially found a new home in defense. His work around the contests down back was sublime viewing. The endless pressure on his opponents to the impressive marks and other ways he was gathering the ball. He even outplayed Sydney Stack on one or two occasions. It was all for an admirable game of 18 disposals at 61% efficiency (one of only seven players to achieve that or greater) and 6 tackles in the wet. Petrevski-Seton was another of the few noticed in trying to create some effective play. The move in general has done him wonders, leading him to be as consistent as he has ever been. As each week comes and goes, I'm reminded of the change and the potential excitement that comes with it. Consider it another tick on the board for David Teague. The kid who was once a bull rider, is currently taking steps in becoming a bulldozer. Keep at it Samo!

Dale Thomas

Quite possibly the best for the blues on the wet and miserable day, with 32 disposals, 6 rebounds and 7 tackles. Was one or the cleanest players with the ball and had the drive to create some effective passages. Shame to think that the reward for this strong effort would be getting told by the club the following Thursday that his services were no longer required. Suppose it was the right move, given the rotating of players and the need to make room for possible acquisitions over the off-season. But it hurts to see someone having given their all and still looking the goods, be forced to retire and potentially miss out on some greater times in 2020 and beyond. A bold decision that has divided people everywhere, leaving much to be determined about whether Carlton will benefit from it moving forward. Whatever happens, nothing will change the fact Daisy had fought hard to win the respect of the blues faithful. A journey that began with pain and non-stop criticism, ends with tears. He will walk out as a loved figure, which does indeed prove the saying is true. All's well that ends well.

Honourable Mentions

Patrick Cripps, Ed Curnow, Liam Jones, Marc Murphy, Nic Newman, Jack Silvagni, Kade Simpson

THOSE WHO DISAPPOINTED ME

Darcy Lang

On the other side of the effort spectrum is this guy with just four handballs and three tackles. I am not one like most people to hurl abuse about (or towards) certain players, but it's hard not to understand where the frustration is coming from. The way I see it, Darcy Lang simply just doesn't work hard enough. He seems to depend a little too much on his teammates. Lang will have that one game where he does deliver, then two or three that follow see him have no effect on the results whatsoever. I want to say that there's a long term position for him, but I am seeing nothing of strong value. There isn't anything to help propel Carlton to bigger and better times. He has only kick four goals from his six games in the David Teague patch. The fact small and medium forwards are still a trade target for the blues, tells me that a few already at the club such as Darcy aren't meeting their expectations. To think he was a player of interest a couple of years ago. I'm not sure where the support for this lies at the moment.

Lochie O'Brien

Only one mark, one tackle and three effective disposals from a possible eight (the worst efficiency of any player on the field). While there definitely has been reasonable improvement from the kid in his second year, Lochie O'Brien is still yet to show the proper combination of a solid work load and consistency. He has shown he can move into the right spaces on the outside wing, but he can't seem to do it on a more frequent basis. This was especially the case on Sunday in a game more dependent on players such as him. Lochie couldn't keep up with his Richmond opponents and provide the appropriate defensive pressure. He trailed too much, leaving him to see less of the ball than 37 other players. And the tough conditions consumed him to the point where almost every touch was pointless. I have really come around to enjoy O'Brien in 2019 and I truly believe his future is bright in the navy blue. This game however, told me there is still heaps of work to be done.

Lachie Plowman

Another thing I think Teague needs to do, is help identify some of the weaknesses from each player. One that certainly comes to mind for me and many other people, regards Lachie Plowman. An absolute warrior and possible long term figure at the Carlton Football Club. But when it comes to execution, maybe it is best not to leave most of the big jobs such as the kick-ins for this guy. Plowman was one of two defenders to use the ball below 60%, which is kind of embarrassing. Sure one can suggest the rain playing some part in the substandard attempts. One of the glaring issues with Lachie in this game against Richmond however, was his excessively wide kick-ins. A few were too wide to the point of being beyond their teammates reach. He was centimetres away from putting a couple out on the full and giving the tigers more chances to score. Plowman over the course of 2019, has also proven his lack of spatial and temporal awareness. He doesn't take the necessary risks, nor does he think quick enough. Address this part of the game, then his spot for the future edges towards safe. But now, it remains up in the air.

Dishonourable mentions
Zac Fisher, Mitch McGovern, Harry McKay, Will Setterfield

OTHER NOTES

- If you ask me, this wasn't by any means an exciting footy match. Then again, barely any of the games this weekend were. Blame the winter weather, extremely low scores and poor skills.
- Was I the only one who noticed at least three obvious free kicks for a push in the back not paid to Carlton in the first quarter?
- Maybe a better idea involved having Mitch McGovern play minutes in the VFL and probably not a match against one of the premiership contenders. Missing easy shots, giving away free kicks and taking extended breaks on the bench is not what the blues need right now.
- Don't care what anybody else says. That was NOT a mark to Jason Castagna as it was after the sound of the siren. Charity goal for sure.
- I'm glad my supervisor at work didn't give me a hard time. Heard he was a mad tigers fan through my father. Ended up being surprisingly humble and level-headed.

NEXT WEEK

If the blues are truly wanting that seventh win, then this is likely to be their only chance remaining in 2019. A Saturday afternoon clash in the penultimate round of the home and away season, between two of the three mid-year revival stories at the MCG. St. Kilda under old friend Brett Ratten, aren't quite the threat they wish to show themselves as. In ways, they still look to be a work in progress. However, the boys of Moorabbin are seeing positive results as some of them including Dan Hannebery, Jack Billings, Hunter Clark and Seb Ross reach new heights. Carlton are to treat this game like the previous two. They are to look at the saints as a finals contender and find their weakness. Any half-arsed efforts will pretty much see another certain loss. Thankfully, Teague's blues look to carry no complacency. I genuinely believe the boys can succeed here, so I am sticking by my preseason tip of two point winners. Come on Carlton, just one more!

PREDICTED LINE-UP

IN - Matthew Kennedy, Hugh Goddard
OUT - Liam Jones (Injured), Darcy Lang (Omitted)

FB - Sam Petrevski-Seton - Jacob Weitering - Dale Thomas
HB - Kade Simpson - Lachie Plowman - Nic Newman
C - Sam Walsh - Patrick Cripps - Michael Gibbons
HF - Mitch McGovern - Levi Casboult - Matthew Kennedy
FF - Josh Deluca - Harry McKay - Jack Silvagni
R - Matthew Kreuzer - Ed Curnow - Marc Murphy
I - Zac Fisher - Will Setterfield - Hugh Goddard - Lochie O'Brien

E - Jarrod Garlett - Paddy Dow - Tom De Koning - Liam Stocker

Carlton Blues by 2 points

Travis "TJ" James