Carlton Supporters Club

Even in that first game where he kicked 4 goals, McKay didn't look convincing. I think 3 of them were from free kicks, and 2 of those were 50/50 frees.
I'm going to give credit where it's due, 4 goals is 4 goals, but he has hardly set the world on fire in his game overall. Problem for us is, there is no one to give him an example of how he should be playing. That presents the conundrum of playing him in the 1s to learn his craft, even though he is not performing in all areas of his game, or leaving him in the 2s to learn there, and to make him realise he needs to work harder.

I suspect that there is more than form involved in the decision about whether to play McKay in the 1s. I suspect he has been told he needs to work harder, and that maybe he isnt. Whatever the KPI he has been told to work on is, I suspect thats whats keeping him out.

Tackles are not a very useful stat when a player lets their opponent run off them, or when they offer a single effort.

McKay has a cheap goal mentality, fans pump up his two goals a game but they are not like Jack Riewoldt or Josh Kennedy getting two goals a game. McKay's are cheapies, you do not see him doing 3 or 4 consecutive repeat leads across the top of the square like Riewoldt or Kennedy, but McKay has that level of mobility in him and he could have far more impact by working hard to bring team-mates into the game instead of feasting off them! The work rate from Riewoldt and Kennedy creates a structure that small forwards and mids can operate within, that is what will deliver some positive game results for Carlton!

Spin!

If you tackle someone they're not running off you as you've caught them. He was taking a contested mark or two most weeks and hitting the scoreboard. He hasn't been around like Kennedy or Reiwoldt yet. How was Kennedy in his first 3 years here? All he lacks is confidence. Not sure he'll be getting that playing VFL. I'd give him a bit more of a run in the ruck than we do just for the sake of him of letting run around freely, following the ball and taking a few marks. Touches give confidence. It was something that worked alot better for Levi, and probably others at other clubs, so I suggest we do the same here. It's a damn tough gig before a forward on our forward line if you're stuck there so more runs on the ball can only help. Fraser does that more in the VFL than the AFL.

In: Kreuzer, Thomas, Marchbank, O'Brien

Out: Garlett (ankle), Dow (managed), Casboult (omitted), Mullett (omitted)

that's an upgrade from all angles.

can't play Cas, Kreuz & Philips in the same team, and it's good to see form rewarded.

Marchbank is so much better than Mullett it's not funny.  He might need a week to get his game fitness up, but he's clearly best 22.  Same with Daisy at the moment, believe it or not.

A rest won't hurt Paddy, and Garlett is hurt, but I think L'OB is a good kid, and probably produces about the same as Garlett anyway, or maybe a touch more, even in his first year.

McKay?
Polson?
I can't see us winning this frankly.

Two ruckman and one key forward again. How many times has that worked for us. Must be close to zero. Both a terrible forward, a prerequisite of playing two rucks. Backline is way too tall against a side that can run.

Levi had to be dropped, struggled badly since he got injured... in 2012 . Therefore Mckay should be in if Kerr is still injured. Why are they making McKay do so much to play when other bananas get picked at the drop of a hat often. This week he had to play no matter what.

MC is hopeless at times.

Couldn't resist... just jokes, LAJ Old Son...