Carlton Supporters Club

With the kids I really want to see more pressure. SPS laid an equal team high of 7, but half our team laid 14 tackles between - that is just unacceptable in modern footy and that has nothing to do with skill, and everything to do with mindset.

Tackling is a definite area we need to improve.
Note: 2 doggies players each laid 14 tackles tonight.

With the kids I really want to see more pressure. SPS laid an equal team high of 7, but half our team laid 14 tackles between - that is just unacceptable in modern footy and that has nothing to do with skill, and everything to do with mindset.

Tackling is a definite area we need to improve.
Note: 2 doggies players each laid 14 tackles tonight.

Positives
Sammo soaked up a mountain of pressure and looked good before a bit of a fade.
Pickett flashes of great. Can't wait till he builds up his tank.
McCreadie was good, reads it well. Some muscle and he'll hold his own.
Smedts was good in patches. Looked like he moved well. Expect his improvement to increase quickly.
Marchbank and Weiters  ??
Crippa got through unscathed. Will be better for the run.
Sam Rowe and Kruez were solid. Looked to give 100%
Daisy kicked longer and offered more in general. Maybe that ankle's better.
Plowman was solid. He'll continue to improve.

As others noted, (quite) a few of our seniors didn't perform as we hoped. Obviously we can't expect to win under those conditions.

In all, the youngsters had a great hit out. Their learning now begins.

Smedts was fine.  He didn't Kerridge the ball for one and did some neat things by hand.

Did he get enough of the ball, no. But he showed reasonable composure in traffic and is only just getting back into the swing of AFL.

Things I learnt tonight:

- We picked up a 10year player in Caleb Marchbank
- GWS have directly and indirectly gifted us a very promising backline (Marchbank, Plowman and Macreadie)
- Once SPS is match fit he's going to light up our games
- Weitering will rarely be sighted in defence this year, and that's ok
- Our forward line actually shows promise (pity the delivery into it is scarce)
- Thomas won't hit his quota for a new contract
- Jack is a chip off the old block. Knows how to position himself and will only get better
- This is going to be a long season, full of mistakes, but the foundation for the future is really starting to take shape
- Next draft we need to stock up on as many A Grade midfielders as we can get our hands on

Nailed it tragic, well said mate.

Some of the commentary here is ridiculous, apparently we are further from a premiership after last night. We are blooding young kids, ALL who showed something last night (inc curnow) and when was the last time we could say that?

Everyone expected we couldn't find goals, but looked the most coherent heading towards goal for several years. Unexpectedly it was our backs that crapped themselves and coughed up at least 5-6.

The difference with this crop of youngsters is they take the game on and will no doubt learn from the experience.

Like I said elsewhere, Bolton could easily have move weitering back, and played loose men back but how does that help in our development? Playing players in their positions, sprinkled with some experience is the best way for them to learn their role, their limitations and capabilities.

So whilst it was a disappointing loss, there was enough in it for me to walk away feeling content that we are on the right track. Much patience will be required.

With the kids I really want to see more pressure. SPS laid an equal team high of 7, but half our team laid 14 tackles between - that is just unacceptable in modern footy and that has nothing to do with skill, and everything to do with mindset.

Tackling is a definite area we need to improve.
Note: 2 doggies players each laid 14 tackles tonight.

Murphy was a bit underdone and got caught & brutally gang-tackled a few times.

Cant tackle what you cant catch.

Cant tackle what you cant catch.

Spot on. Big difference between early 2016 and this match was the absence of Carlton players closing down opponents as soon as or before they received the ball.

By contrast, the Tigers were preemptive in closing down the Carlton players who looked like they might be in line to receive the ball - which is what our players were doing last year.

I don't reckon it has got much to do with speed - Doc, Daisy, Smedts, SOJ all had one tackle.

2 guys on debut in SPS and Macreadie made nearly 20% of the teams tackles - think about that for a second. Tackling is about intent, and too many of our guys stand back or get brushed aside too easily. I don't see how a lack of speed impacts your ability to make and stick tackles.

I don't reckon it has got much to do with speed - Doc, Daisy, Smedts, SOJ all had one tackle.

2 guys on debut in SPS and Macreadie made nearly 20% of the teams tackles - think about that for a second. Tackling is about intent, and too many of our guys stand back or get brushed aside too easily. I don't see how a lack of speed impacts your ability to make and stick tackles.