Watched the reserves and actually found it to be slightly depressing given we struggled to beat a no-name Richmond side at home.
Sam Durdin was probably our best and is a solid backup if one of Young or Weitering were to get injured.
Other than that it’s Dow, Obrien, Kemp, Carroll and Cincotta, however the last three of that list continue to make a lot of mistakes that would directly result in goals at AFL level, so unfortunately there’s not a lot to turn to this week.
Whilst not like for like, it will be interesting to see if they finally give Dow a go ahead of Honey, Curnow or Fisher.
Lemmey, Binns, Akuei, Mirkov seem to be a way off, but all could develop into very good players.
What a depressing read! The cupboard is really bare.
And yet, if a team is prepared to match our apparent physical capabilities they can force a split in the midfield dominance, and we are unable to match them on the outside when they win their fair share.
We can't be reliant on winning the midfield to win the game, there are weeks were it simply won't happen and the rest of the team has to pick up the slack. We must find a way to diminish the oppositions run and spread when our midfield is less than dominant.
A lot of fans bag the shizen out of Owies and McGovern, but they were both severely missed last night for their ability to cover ground and close up space. What they do is not appreciated by the ball watchers
The problem is, and has been, that we are reliant on our midfield either winning or at least breaking even and when we are in that position other players lift and we look good.
However, when the midfield is losing we simply do not have players who can take the pressure off the midfield and we go to pieces, as against Adelaide.
Part of the problem is the supposedly good players permanently on the injured list, and added to that is the number of players who are just not up to the standard required to play top 8 football.
"Perspective isn't in the dictionary on this site. Just panic merchants."
Laj, what game did you watch last night? Had we won or put in a decent performance - which we were entitled to expect - then I'm sure we would be discussing the match in a positive light. Given the absolute rubbish the team dished up with not one winner on the night, why wouldn't fans let loose with their negative comments?
After all, we've been down this well worn track before.
That was as appalling an effort I have watched for a long time. I haven't watched Voss' press conference but I understand he made some comment about not turning up to play. I have argued a long time that Carlton's lack of success has not been about the quality of the players, coaches, football department, the CEO, administration or even the Board, though it would be good if they wood just get out of the way sometimes, I believe that the problem at Carlton is all about the Club Culture. Elliot and his cronies absolutely destroyed our winning culture and the Club has been unable to re-find it. Winners win because they win, losers lose because they lose. The Club is the most comfortable and rewarding environment for any player to achieve mediocracy. We sack coaches, change administrations and seek success from outsiders while taking no responsibility and showing no leadership from within. I think the Club was pretty comfortable finishing ninth last season. We had all summer to dwell on how unlucky we were and how we were ready to take the next step. As I have said, I don't think we missed out on the top eight last season, I think we missed out on the top four. Last night the team lacked pace, lacked skills, lacked endeavor, lacked leadership, lacked fitness, didn't play as a team, didn't run out the quarters and didn't turn up. Picking and choosing when they are going to play and have a go has been a problem at the Club since the late nineties. This is what I am referring to when I say the problem is culture. The players and coaches keep saying what an honour it is to play in front of the large and passionate Carlton member and supporter base but they regularly treat us with disrespect and contempt by simply not being bothered or prepared to have a go. When was the last time a Carlton team went on a run and won a large number of games in a row and set the competition alight. How often do we paly exhilarating games of football. Setanta and his little helpers, Geelong in 2011, the second half against Brisbane when Teague took over, the comeback against the Bulldogs, the win against the Dockers when Murphy kicked the winning goal. That is five games in fifteen years. And it is not about winning. We lost that game against the Bulldogs but the crowd was roaring. So here we are again, another season and the same old rubbish. We have the players, we have the coaches, we have the administration but it is still the same old Carlton. Time to sack the Coach and change the Board. That always works. One thing we do need is more pace in the mid-field. The only two players we have who fit this criteria are Dow and Fisher. It is interesting that the only time this season our mid-field has been effective was when Fisher was up their.
That's a thoughtful post, Blue Moon. I saw my first Carlton game 78 years ago, so I am well acquainted with mediocrity. If I remember correctly it was about 1965/66 that club culture finally developed and lasted until it was destroyed by Elliot.
Since then bitter experience has shown that regularly changing coaches and expecting a different result doesn't work. We certainly haven't done ourselves any favours with so many dreadful draft selections made this century.
I think club culture develops naturally when a club starts to win games consistently, especially after a long period in the wilderness. I don't see this list having the ability to make that happen.
Lods, McGovern is probably an essential component for our success, and straight away there is a major problem.
How can we build a reliable defence which includes a player who is more likely than not to be injured for a major part of the season?
For how many years have we wasted a spot on our list because we believe Marchbank, when fit, is an essential player?
While we have Martin, Williams, Cuningham and half a dozen players barely at AFL level clogging up our list we will remain a mediocre, middle of the road side.
We are not ruthless enough have too many one paced front runners and our bottom 6 are bottom of the ladder standard. Really thought we could go deep into finals and yes this is only one loss but the nature of the loss says more then just one loss imo. Really thought the embarrassing losses were over. Think again.
We are middle of the road folks and have a real lack of depth as the loss of Doc was a massive imo as we have very few that run in an attacking way he does and when you also rely on a player as fragile as McGovern you know your not a genuine threat this year.
In addition to everything you have said, we can add the dreaded last quarter fadeout. I had hoped it belonged in the past, but after last week when we allowed so many junk time goals in the last quarter and again faded tonight, it's something else to worry about.
An utter smashing, every single one of our blokes who pulled on the jumper tonight will find the review of the game excruciatingly painful and embarrassing to watch. To think we couldn't have fielded a much better side, that loss set us back a very long way IMO. The mental scares from that drubbing will last longer than the 2 losses at the end of 2022. We are pretenders.
Wish I could disagree with your review but it is spot on.
The first half of the game showed a continuation of a problem we have had for quite some time, namely, when our mids are under pressure or being beaten, they cannot rely on our small forwards to provide any relief for them.
The small forwards were rarely sighted and when they did attempt to get into the game they were just brushed aside. The North backs, with little or no pressure, ran off them, linked up with their mids and put our backs immediately under pressure.
Had our mids not lifted and brought the small forwards into the game in the second half, it could well have been a repeat of the first half.
Happy to bank the 4 points but that’s where it stops.
Terrible display of what is the highest level of AFL in the country. All jokes aside seen far better skills in a local under 18 games than that display.
How odd is it when you have the previous 2 years Coleman medalists playing together and they consistently compete for the same ball have no clue still how to separate and play with each other rather then spoiling each other and then when they get a unless it on their preferred side under 30 metres out neither of them have any sort of a regular routine to go back and nail the goal. How do you win an award like that and then have no confidence at all to do what you are paid to do.
Completely agree. Surely after that performance we should be looking for a new forwards coach. It's hard to believe that Harry and Charlie have ever played together. We got away with a win against an average side but will be made to pay with a similar performance against stronger sides.
That win will give the players a real boost in self confidence. I was impressed with Acres. He showed a cool head under pressure and his disposal was very good.
This is an important game, to be taken seriously we need to be able to beat these sides. Preseason talk about lists, potential etc is over, crap got real last Thurs. Geel may be weakened but we just got worse with Hewett out. I can't help but feeling going on with one Ruck against this mob is a mistake.
It is a mistake, but who have we got to come in? Other than Kreuzer, have we had a decent ruckman this century?
I think that's true, but I wouldn't underestimate Richmond's quality. They were 1st in points for last season and 4th in percentage. There's nothing that I can see that suggests they are worse off this season than last. If they can iron out a little flakiness and lack of polish in losing games they should win, they are still very capable IMO. That was a tough game against quality opposition IMO.
I agree with you. In addition, their midfield played with the same intensity for the whole game - which tends to highlight our problem.
In this game, as with so many last year, we showed an inability to concentrate for the entirety of the game. Lapses in concentration ranging from 5 to 15 minutes seem to be standard practice for us, and we invariably allow easy goals against us and/or bring the other side back into the game.
I don't know what the answer is but until there is a solution we won't overcome the top teams.
Yep, but that's what you get with little defensive pressure. Our game was all defensive pressure/locking the ball in. Must say the Pussycats v Dagpies game was great to watch. Very entertaining with all those goals.
The only time our defensive pressure waned cost us 3 unanswered Tigger goals... which cost us the game.
I'm more inclined to blame our midfield players for those goals. They applied no pressure at the centre bounces and consequently the Richmond mids swept the ball straight into their forward line.
Lynch, being a true full forward, took full advantage of his limited opportunities, went through a set procedure and kicked accurately.
On the other hand, Harry seems to rely on thought bubbles when taking his set shots - "Will I kick around the corner? Will I kick directly at the goal?" He is just as likely to answer the question by trying to run around the man on the mark and hope for the best.
When Lynch lifted in the third and fourth quarters he lifted the morale of Richmond. Harry's efforts with set shots in the third were morale killers.
If you were asked to list Carlton players on their ability to kick a goal from a set shot to win a match, where would you place Harry?
I'm sure Lynch would be in Richmond's top 3.
Until Carlton gets real with Harry and his kicking for goal a place in the Final 4 is likely to remain as elusive as ever.
