Re: AFL Rd 1 2023 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Reply #142 –
Did the smart thing and left Melbourne straight after the game.
Once again we weren't able to close out the game but at least we got 2 points out of the game which is two more than we got last year in those last two games.
We need to hang on to the ball but to do this you need to be able to hit your targets, handle the ball cleanly and make good decisions. None of these things are Carlton's strengths. Our players dropped makable marks in the first and last minute of the game and a number of times throughout the game. We continually miss targets and our decision making under pressure is appalling. Our players seem to have a low football IQ. While a lot of people are blaming O'Brien, the only option being presented to him was McKay surrounded by Richmond players. Where was the team mate behind him calling for the ball. If someone was there and he turned around and kicked the ball that player, the game was over. In the end his options were kick it to McKay, hold the ball and get caught or kick the ball out deliberately. All these options would give Richmond a chance. The best option would probably be kick the ball out thirty rows back.
I thought we deserved to win but when Richmond was good they were better than us when we were being good. Richmond forwards looked more likely to kick goals than our forwards except for Charlie but he looked unlikely to get the ball. Their defence did better than I expected but if Harry had kicked straight this might have been different. I thought it was good that we were able to kick a couple of goals when they were all over us in the third quarter and once again if Harry had kicked straight the game outcome would probably have been different. Our defence was pretty good despite the bone head errors. What was of concern was our inability to transition from defence to attack. The midfields were a battle of attrition.
Happy with Hollands and Cowan, disappointed in Acres, McGovern and Martin. Senior players need to do better. Newman gave Dusty a bath.
I can see what Motlop was trying to do but at that point, the better option would have been to stop and waste time. We could have did the old kick to kick and ice the clock while setting up numbers behind the ball. Once LOB received the handball, he had no choice but to run. As for the kick, plenty have potted him for it but it was bang on. H slipped other wise he would have chest marked it.