Preview 2023 Round 7 Carlton vs West Coast Saturday 29th April 7.30PM AEST @ Optus Stadium

[Aphrodite]

Team is in …



IN: Sam Docherty, Brodie Kemp, Adam Saad

42

Adam Saad

Age

30

Ht

178cm

Wt

79kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.5

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

7.5

5star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.7

4star

MG

349.1

5star

D

20.7

5star

K

12.0

5star

HB

8.7

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.4

3star

MG

388.3

5star

D

17.6

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

7.2

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.2

3star

OUT: Lachie Cowan (managed), Jesse Motlop (suspension), Matthew Kennedy, Lochie O’Brien

AFL team selection: Docherty returns

Two All-Australian defenders are back for Round 7.

www.carltonfc.com.au

Backs:	Nic Newman	Jacob Weitering	Brodie Kemp
Half-backs:	Sam Docherty	Mitch McGovern	Adam Saad
Centreline:	Sam Walsh	Patrick Cripps	Ollie Hollands
Half-forwards:	Ed Curnow	Charlie Curnow	Jack Silvagni
Forwards:	Corey Durdin	Harry McKay	Zac Fisher
Followers:	Marc Pittonet	George Hewett	Adam Cerra
Interchange:	Blake Acres	Alex Cincotta	Josh Honey
	Lewis Young
Emergencies:	Lachie Cowan	Tom De Koning	Lachie Fogarty
	Matthew Kennedy

 

[JustaBattler]

So lets give TDK the opportunity 46 games as a ruck hes still got 2 seasons before he gets near his best .....future.

TDK has the potential to be an AA ruck/forward - needs to put on some size, learn to kick at goals, and be more impactful one on one against the bigger ruckmen - there are teams were you play both Pitto and TDK as altermnating rucks, and there are teams you dont need to- if TDK was a better forward he would play every game regardless - but Pitto has him covered for now as a first ruck - by a fair margin.

 

[Accidental genius]

I thought he had a pretty good year last year and his tank would have been alright for the position. Our mids certainly have the heat on them at the moment, strange after the year that group had last year

Good mark And good kick. Imo his best role is as Centre half forward…but even then I fear he would be a bit on the slow side. his lack of pace and tank are big issues for him imo. The game is bloody fast.

 

[windows1]

The only viable role and valid debate in my view for Dow is him Vs Hewett. Dow would now beat Hewett in a run (please recall I watch them run during pre season). Hewetts transition running is every bit as bad as Dows. Maybe worse. Hewetts ball use is a lot better. Dows ability to burst to space a lot better.

Carroll may be a more likely short term replacement for Hewett.

I’m keen on giving Hollands Centre Square time. His hands are first class. And he’s obviosuly an awesome two way runner. I think his body holds up better than we think and he wouldn’t play inside mid (Cripps or Doc most likely, followed by Cerra). He could be first receive / link olayer like Walsh. Doesn’t need high minutes there. That would create a role for Cotts or Binns in the coming weeks.

Worth thought.

 

[SurreyBlue]

So lets give TDK the opportunity 46 games as a ruck hes still got 2 seasons before he gets near his best .....future.

Bingo. We all know it takes most ruckman 5+ years to be able to do the job, ie. English, Marshall, Jacobs, etc. etc. etc.....

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Then we draft Hewitt to add another to the mix lol. Beggers belief.

At the time we got Hewett (free agent, not draft), we had Cripps, Walsh, Curnow and Dow as our main inside mids. Kennedy had been demoted to rookie. There was a need to strengthen that area. We didn't know that all would look good in 2022 and demand a spot. We haven't done anything to add a lot of genuine pace to our side however. Binns maybe the main one but he needs to get bigger. Relying on Cuningham to get back was a bit of a stretch.

 

[Beyond Blue]

Just to be clear, the required level of a mid sized forward is 435 career goals and 3 flags?

He’s doesn’t have to be as good as Gunston but he needs to improve his current goalkicking output which is a below average for his role. Granted he played ruck for parts of last year but Bailey Banfield kicked more goals than Jack. 30 goals a season would be great.

He is in his 8th season now so its a worry that once again he couldn’t take his opportunities last week. If he hasn’t improved his goalkicking accuracy and volume after 100+ games then how much longer can we hold onto hope that he gets better at consistently kicking goals?

 

[thechamps1974]

At the time we got Hewett (free agent, not draft), we had Cripps, Walsh, Curnow and Dow as our main inside mids. Kennedy had been demoted to rookie. There was a need to strengthen that area. We didn't know that all would look good in 2022 and demand a spot. We haven't done anything to add a lot of genuine pace to our side however. Binns maybe the main one but he needs to get bigger. Relying on Cuningham to get back was a bit of a stretch.

Yeah sorry my correction here I meant we went after another slow midfield uet we knew we needed pace we needed pace.

 

[thechamps1974]

He’s doesn’t have to be as good as Gunston but he needs to improve his current goalkicking output which is a below average for his role. Granted he played ruck for parts of last year but Bailey Banfield kicked more goals than Jack. 30 goals a season would be great.

He is in his 8th season now so its a worry that once again he couldn’t take his opportunities last week. If he hasn’t improved his goalkicking accuracy and volume after 100+ games then how much longer can we hold onto hope that he gets better at consistently kicking goals?

We could say the same about most of our forwards. Again our putrid style of play chip chip chip chip then bomb long to a crowded forward line aint working for any of our forwards. Until we address this we wont be scoring much

 

[Pablito]

If Saad or Doc are underdone or re-injure themselves it's safe to say heads will roll. I doubt we'd take such a risk though.

Kemp for Cowan is a big tick albeit a week late.

Ed holding his spot is very poor. Carrol and Dow would be livid, this is reminding me of the selection integrity issues under Ratten.

 

[KnaveyBlue]

How does Fisher do it?

 

[Ockhams razor]

The forward setup, structure and work rate is rubbish. Until this is addressed we aren’t going anywhere.

Whilst there are deficiencies in many areas, until the forward structure and work rate is addressed we will struggle.

 

[GoBlues!]

How does Fisher do it?

Maybe they’re hoping he’ll fire up being a WA lad, and possibly boost his trade value in the process.

So much so he’ll be the Fish that the West won’t reject…

 

[Blue By Blood]

How does Fisher do it?

Realistically the cabinet was pretty empty with Motlop missing and Owies still out injured.
Fogarty the only other small option but he is limited given he lacks any real penetration by foot- injuries seem to have cruelled him.

With Motlop a forced out, Fisher and Honey were always holding their spots this week. Martin (calf), Cuningham (calf), and Owies (hamstring) are all listed as 2-3 weeks away so there isn't much we can do outside of a) backing in Fisher and Honey or b) making some makeshift move and playing a player in an unfamiliar position and possibly putting the team balance out of whack.

 

[The Toad]

How does Fisher do it?

I'm starting to think he has pics of Voss with a goat !!!

 

[peakie]

What about Dow. Explosive!

Greg Williams was slow too but possessed football nous- a bit like MK.

 

[HereComesJuddy]

Hewett is very average as a defender. Kennedy we don't seem to want to use forward for some reason.

Because the ball whips out of our f50 quick enough. Adding an exceptionally slow player to this area is nonsensical.

And yes, everyone says he is a great mark. Well with how our midfield is bombing it in, let's see how effective that is when Charlie and Harry already are going for the same ball. Plus he won't get any seperation leading to the ball carrier. Playing Kennedy as a forward will only harm our forwardline.

 

[TENACIOUS]

Stoked with Kemp getting another game, hope we use him as an attacking option...
He will free Young up to play KPF/B & 2nd Ruck...

Confused how Docherty is back 3-4 weeks earlier than expected,
and why we would take/risk both him and Saad on the long flight west...

Peeved that we continue to ignore Dow, at worst he would offer much more, than what E.Curnow is...

Not surprised that untouchables Fisher, E.Curnow, Honey, Silvagni & Hewett, all get another chance to stink it up...

If Docherty and Saad are 100% fit to play and were not an act of desperation from the MC... Than I like the changes...

If we keep ignoring the continually performing VFL players and playing senior underperforming players for weeks on end...
Then we will start loosing our depth to rival clubs opportunity...

 

[Azzurro]

The forward setup, structure and work rate is rubbish. Until this is addressed we aren’t going anywhere.

Whilst there are deficiencies in many areas, until the forward structure and work rate is addressed we will struggle.

Good to see you OR. Any word making its way to you about whether fixing this is on the agenda? Is it Hansen's wheelhouse or a collective thing?

Feels like connection all over the ground is appalling in both phases of the game: with the ball, players don't know what to do with it regardless of whether they are deep in D50 or F50 or anywhere in between; without the ball, opposition are finding space and carving us up whether from the kick-in or turnover, out wide or through the corridor.

Not enjoying watching us this year at all.

Hope to see some changes to the method starting this week.

 

[windows1]

Hewett continuing to get games is pretty remarkable really. 6 kicks a game. Less than 100m gained per game. Zero goals. Well below average score involvements, score assists. Terrible defensive runner. Average pressure act player.

His 5 games this year = totally impotent.

Scratches head. Logs off for the night.

 

[WalshYouLegend]

With the return of Saad and Doc, surely we can make a statement in the West with some accountable 4 quarter football. If we cruise and only win narrowly it will be disappointing. If we lose, God help us. We won’t lose this one though.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

 

[Stamos]

Why?

Because he couldn't play a position he's never played?

Because the coaching group in all their wisdom, couldn't see that he is a much much much better mid/HF/3rd forward?

Because the aforementioned coaching group can't see that he is a good mark overhead, is a neat and accurate kick and has footy nous

Because our fwd line is laden with so much talent and they're really sharing the goal kicking load that he is superfluous to needs

Regardless of whether he is a late in or the sub, his demotion is man-management negligence

Because if there's not a spot for him in the centre square (and given he was moved to half back last week, there's currently not), then he shouldn't be in the team. Kemp should have played instead last week. And now that's rectified.

 

[Cringle]

Team looks a lot more balanced.

Honey gets a reprieve due to lack of small forward options.

ECurnow chosen over Kennedy as he’s probably a better candidate to rotate on the wing with Acres and Hollands plus can generally play the high half forward role to better effect. (Albeit was useless last week)

Really like Young being used as utility and a second ruck. Can play either end of the ground and should be dependant on how the game is going.

Stoked Kemp has forced his way in.

 

[Juddrockz]

With the return of Saad and Doc, surely we can make a statement in the West with some accountable 4 quarter football. If we cruise and only win narrowly it will be disappointing. If we lose, God help us. We won’t lose this one though.

Maybe they bought Saady and Doc back in to make sure we dont lose? Imagine if we do/did lose this game.The pitchforks are already out throughout the media and supporters,lose this game and the club would be in dangerous territory once again.

 

[myblueroan]

What about 12, several of them as sub?

Fair point.