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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2024 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne
Last post by DJC -How are we 'horribly out of form' while they are in good form ??
I’m not sure that we’re out of form but we’re not playing our best footy for four quarters.
Of the teams in the eight, Melbourne’s defence is the most miserly. Our defence has conceded the most points, about 23 more than Melbourne each game.
We have kicked the third highest point score of the teams in the eight. Melbourne is one three teams in the eight that have scored around 650 points. That’s around 15 points per game less than us.
Part of that comes down to gamestyle but Melbourne’s defence is working much better than our unsettled, injury depleted defence. At the other end of the ground, our very inefficient forward line is scoring more heavily than Melbourne’s cobbled together forward line that relies heavily on small and medium forwards.
Our defence worked much better with McGovern in the mix (including when Weitering was out). Given Melbourne’s lack of forward line firepower, can a returning McGovern improve our ability to generate scores from defence?
Our forwards will be under the pump with Melbourne’s in form defenders. However, the addition of De Koning and the return of Martin should make for a more potent forward line that restricts the ability of Melbourne’s defenders to zone off and double team.
We haven’t been able to apply scoreboard pressure and, unlike the second half of last season, our ability to win close games isn’t as good. If we’re going to win this one, we have start well and build a decent lead to keep Melbourne’s defence under pressure.