It will be interesting to see if either Wood or Gorringe is fit. Against Geelong we have a fair chance of having Phillips available. But this weekend our ruckman could be??
I don't think either played last match for Northern? If not them, who? Rowe backed up by Jones? Lucky we are only up against the reigning AA ruckman or they might have their hands full. Seriously, who else? Could we upgrade Korchek if we wanted to or is he in wrong category of rookie - not that I am advocating that even if it was possible. And I don't think we have a spot to elevate anyone anyway (Byrne having been elevated and there being no long-term injury listers as far as I am aware), or am I wrong?
I know injuries are not something that can be controlled, but I do hope someone is looking into the incidents on Sunday. That we can have 2 players dealt with, perhaps their careers terminated, needs a VERY CLOSE look.
Couldn't make it to the game because of Mothers Day commitments which is a bummer as I am just around the corner, but having seen footage of the incidents I didn't think there was malice in either of them. A bit of a sling to Wilson and a crude bump on McGuinness which I'll concede was reckless but i don't think either was outrageous - just going off the footage which of course isn't like being there.
I'm warming to the idea of bringing in Casboult as the first ruck and retaining Wood as second ruck/forward. It would be good for his confidence (better than the NBs), give him some opportunities to kick at goal without the pressure of being a designated forward, and we would benefit from his marking. He's likely to be more part of our future that Warnock I'd say, and he's worth a few games at least to see how he goes.
There is something in this thought I believe. Cas is better suited to running with Martin that either Wood or Warnock both of whom would be exploited by Martin's ability o present around the ground. Even if Cas did no more than stick tight to Martina and give a genuine contest against Martin around the ground that would be better than the free reign Martin would have if "manned up"(and I use that term in the broadest possible sense) by either Warnock or Wood.
Just looking at the Carlton list and taking the AFL sites view of Carlton's best 22 as at round 1 (Jaksch being left out due to his current injury) the leftovers and rookies would allow for the following team for the Northern Blues (assuming 100% availability which is of course unlikely)
ARMFIELD WHITE JAKSCH DICK GILES SHEEHAN VIOJO-RAINBOW WHILEY BOEKHORST GRAHAM WATSON TUTT WOOD FOSTER SMITH WARNOCK HOLMAN ELLARD
INT FROM BYRNE JOHNSON GOWERS WALSH FIELDS RUSSELL
Doesn't look a bad team, but then they rarely do when you presume a full list.
Of course numerous of these players could push into the Carlton side, but replaced by those they push out so can be considered much of a muchness in terms of quality.
Then there are the Northern listed players. Whilst Northern have had a few confirmed departures only Jack Anthony would be what I consider a regular first team player (which might well be the only thing about him that could be described as "regular"). They have on the other hand picked up from "the Recruit" Tyrone Armitage and his teammate Lachie Kilpatrick coming down from Manly-Warringah Giants (the NSW premiers), Kieran McGuiness from the SANFL (Norwood) and Glenn Strachan from Collingwood VFL and these players together with numerous of the returning Northern boys (Wilson, Wilkinson, Bransgrove, Cattapan ...) will be looking to play plenty of senior VFL I am sure.
Carlton B: Zach Tuohy, Michael Jamison, Dylan Buckley HB: Chris Yarran, Sam Rowe, Kade Simpson C: Dale Thomas, Bryce Gibbs, Ed Curnow HF: Andrew Carrazzo, Lachie Henderson, Troy Menzel F: Andrew Walker, Levi Casboult, Liam Jones Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy Int: Tom Bell, Andrejs Everitt, Sam Docherty Sub: Patrick Cripps
New: Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs) Unavailable: Kristian Jaksch (foot)
Going very small in defence.
And very tall in attack - 3 genuine talls plus Walker and Menzel - only Carrazzo is a genuine small type, and I don't know about him on a forward flank. Swinging Hendo back would balance things somewhat, or if you want that tall a forward line Everitt could go back as a third tall, or as an in between Walker back as a third tall being replaced by a small up forward.
Jeffy G did a bit early but from then on was the invisible man. Warnock poor, Army busy but had a hobble up after the siren, Cripps a massive ice pack but did come back on. Lucas got a bit of it but didn't greatly impress me.
In terms of possible ins Armfield and maybe Cripps would be it as far as I'm concerned, unless Lucas was given another chance on so-so form or Garlett picked against form.
He is starting to look like that former collingwood no 1 pick ruckman that went to gold coast now retired.....
Until we are honest with our assessment we will stay bottom 4
You musn't have been watching when he was fit and firing last year he was the dominant ruck in the comp for a spell there - the question is whether his body will get right again and whether we will play him in that role.
Murph - has the face and body of a 12 year old pre pubescent boy, but led by example and was BOG for mine Agree
Gibbs - thankfully kept his usual pack skirting to a minimum, impacted a few contests, a couple of dodgy disposals, and whilst not great, was still pretty good Perhaps a bit better than that
Judd - quiet, not much impact, went ok. Agree
Simmo - is he injured ? Seems slower than usual. Some good, some not so good. Agree
Jamo - battled hard against a very well drilled forward line, carrying one of the elite forwards of the comp. Agree
Rowe -if we work on the assumption that player improvements are down to the senior coach, then Mick deserves marks for Rowe. Gives 100% every week, his positioning and marking ability are more than adequate. At this point, I'm happy to have have him in the back half. Buddy has towelled up defenders much better than Rowe. A real improver. As for his disposal…………… Agree
Levi - same as Rowe, could almost be classified as a coaching success story. Big and strong, positions himself well, reasonable leap, and soft sticky hands most forwards would kill for. But his kicking…….. I will personally pay Barker's wage, and forgive him all his obvious shortcomings and past failures, if he can get Levi to kick straight. A straight kicking Levi would be something special. At this point in time, his awful kicking means that you can only play him out of the goal square if you want to get maximum return for our F50 entries. Anything outside the goal square will rarely result in a goal. Agree, but his disposal does seem to have improved markedly, his good weeks he kicks reasonably well.
2E- has gotten better as the season has progressed, but still way off his best. Looks a little lost TBH.Agree, I love the guy but he has struggled all year
Walks - this one really breaks my heart. His season has been shizen, and last night was no exception. I hope he can get back to his best. Love the guy. Agree
Yazz- we got the bad Yazz last night. Don't think I saw him once run and carry the ball more than 15m. Seemed very happy to pass it off asap. Obviously thought the trip on the plane was for a holiday. His playful jousting with Buddy is a bad look and has to stop asap. He doesn't seem to take the game all that seriously, but if so, he should save it for after the game. Needs to be given pre game injections of bacteria to induce real white line fever. Agree
Everiit - still not seeing the love for this guy. I can't work out why he's there, what his attributes are, or why he improves the team. This may be a criticism of me as much as him. Either way, not convinced. Totally disagree. He's no champ but he has height, run, versatlity, big and pretty accurate kick, can run with guys, lot to like
Docherty - also not sure about this bloke, but seems better than Everitt. Disagree. he has shown a lot, though looked tired for some weeks now and might warrant a rest
Brock - always loved Brock, but as per 2E, not having great season and seems a little lost. Took a good mark and goal. Think he might be cooked. His lack of pace just allows us to be opened up so easily that the good he does - which is getting less and less as time rolls on - is just nowhere near enough to balance the ledger Johnson - no comment to make Went missing, but a young kid who showed something last week and came up against a quality he's never seen before can be excused to some extent
Ellard - always hoped he'd do well, but struggles too much at this level. Agree
Curnow - if we could get his disposal to improve, he could find a place in our starting 22. At this point, jury's out for mine. Disagree. Like to see his disposal better but in a run with role his elite endurance is ideal - and sadly lacking across the team
BEST: Northern Blues: Wood Anthony Waite Wilson Armfield Graham Collingwood: Moloney Broomhead Williams Maxwell Gault White
This is just the things we all needed to see. Pity Reynolds continues to show so little, but he did kick a goal. 21 disposals to Waite was excellent. DISPOSALS: Cachia 26, Graham 22, Wilson 21, Cattapan 20, Cripps 20, Garlett 20
Hopefully someone was there to shed some light on the effort, but it looks good to me from here.
Garlett 14 touches in the last quarter?
YEP - played on ball and huge influence. It is possible we have seen for the first time what Jeffy could do if he got his tank up enough to play meaningful midfield minutes - outside mid with electrifying pace, perhaps forward pocket swapping with Yarran if Yaz plays wing when YAz needs a break.
Interesting best players considering Graham had about 30 possessions.
And ended up injured, along with Cachia (shoulder) and Byrne (knee - maybe ACL?). If neither Graham or Cachia come up I would have thought McInnes would be the only one likely for a call-up, although Johnson has shown a bit recently and Wood probably deserves a look at on his form over the year.
Yep Jack Anthony was a late withdrawal left the team ridiculously small. Jeffy G played a lot up the ground which explains to a point his lack of impact on the scoreboard, but on the other hand doesn't put his relatively small number of possessions in a good light. Did miss a couple and set Johnson goal up with a beautiful pass but overall not a performance that would have him knocking on the door. Cachia was again very good and his recent form must have him pressing for a shot. Not sure he is an AFL quality player but I reckon he deserves a decent run of games to show his wares. Problem is he is another slowish midfielder and we can't run too many of them. I think he needs McLean to be out before he can get a run, certainly if Graham is in the team. Other bright lights were Johnson who deserves a go at some time by years end and I wouldn't object if it were next week, Lucas whose papers may be stamped but is showing decent seconds form and McInnes who has been unimpressive of late but looked more like his old self.
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