What can you say? Clearly a very disappointing start to the season, hope we can turn it around.
But let's actually have a look at the game.
In the first quarter I thought we looked pretty good. The forward line looked a lot better and there were attempts to get some separation. I liked Baker forward, don't think he is a mid, but small forward he looked fine.
One stat I always look at is the inside 50 efficiency. In the 2017 finals series we were keeping teams below 40% in terms of scoring shots from inside 50 entries. Those days are gone and the game has changed, not sure even that back line could achieve such numbers today. But Carlton had 48% inside 50 efficiency and there was enough pressure that a number of their behinds were at least partly the result of our defenders putting on pressure (but more on pressure later). Also, when you look at the inside 50 efficiency of Carlton it is comparable with what both Melbourne and Footscray did last night. So, on that score you would have to say the defence was ok. I'm not saying they are great, there is a clear need for improvement, but not failing.
Our inside 50 efficiency was 53%. That is a damned good number. I reckon a bit of luck there and I do think Balta up forward is the way to go, but not bad at all.
Some of the other stats are, frankly, a bit confusing. We won hitouts 29 to 26? Didn't look like it. Someone else posted that we lost centre clearances 14 to 12, wow, lot closer than what I thought I saw.
Clearly though the big one is the centre clearances and that is reflected in 64 to 40 inside 50s. Wow, smashed? Totally.
As everyone here has identified, our mids were slaughtered. In the last quarter I saw instances where a Richmond player would get the ball in the middle, only to lose it to a Carlton player who waltzed away with a nice clearance. I also saw tackles broken when the Carlton player got the ball. Not only did we lose the centre clearances, Carlton were able to move the ball sideways to a player in the clear and get quality delivery forward. Our centre is a mess and needs a lot of work.
One thing I notice we seem to do less than other teams is have a player run through a pack to get the contested possession. I really don't get why we don't do this as the momentum of the running player makes them harder to tackle. Must look at this more as it is just an impression, but when I see Carlton players running through packs, and also players from other teams, it can be effective.
One very revealing stat I saw on the score board, I think it was half time, was centre clearances for individual players. The first couple were Carlton players, but the next 2 were Nank and Soldo. Sorry, but when your rucks have the most centre clearances, you are in deep sh!t.
Our pressure game was simply MIA tonight. When we were at our best the opposition would fumble even when we weren't pressuring them, they just assumed the pressure was coming. Last night Melbourne were similar, Footscray players not under pressure fumbling because they thought they were under pressure. We need to get that back as we allow the opposition way too many easy disposals.
I am going to have to say I reckon Cotchin might just be done, time to retire a triple premiership captain, and in time for the mid season draft. I reckon Shedda can get back to some form, I don't think he is as beaten up as Cotch. I have to say I noticed Martin a lot less than usual tonight, he just didn't have the impact we know he is capable of. Hopefully Martin can get back to his best but he has had a tough time of late so give him time.
I would actually stick with both Soldo and Nank. Nank definitely looked off and Soldo needs more game time. I like 2 rucks. Although, I don't get why we would rest rucks forward if we are playing 3 tall forwards, rest them back instead.
I have to say I can't see that Aarts and Ross are AFL level. Aarts is clearly not a winger, KMac to replace him there and there is no other position I can see him in. Ross, try him in the middle and if it doesn't work then gone. Ross is too slow for the wing, his only potential position is as an extractor in the middle.
We need to get game time into the younger brigade. At one point I saw Gibcus and his Carlton opponent running around near the point post, bumping etc - the Carlton player simply looked massive next to Gibcus, just a much bigger build. Gibcus was fine and competed but he is not really ready for AFL yet. I would like to see them give Miller a go. There are a few younger players who need to be tried out - RCD, Dow; now is the time to give them a go and see if they will make it. Then look at the most recent recruits in Sonsie and Brown after they have a bit of VFL experience and AFL training.
So, in summary, not a good start and looked too much like we have dropped and are not coming back, but it is only Round 1.
That said, Carlton are improving. I do wonder why they have been improving at such a glacial pace for a number of years, but they are clearly getting better.
The less said about the stand rule the better, just get rid of it. Was more frustrated with our game tonight than the umpires but still not overly impressed with them. I do think the AFL need to do something about the players who crumple forward for a free kick when tackled, it is a blight on the game and needs to be stamped out. Clearly a case of needing better guidelines for the umpires on that one - not easy to solve but something needs to be done.
One last thing. Food outlets not open, all the outlets on the lower level of the Ponsford Stand (strange spot to be, but away game) closed. Queue to the bar was so long it passed another bar . . . which was closed. There is simply no excuse for this. I know they will whinge that they can't get staff, well I call b*llsh*t, offer people the work with better pay and you will get staff. Absolutely pathetic effort. The one food place I went to had most registers closed and one poor employee trying to serve everyone. Stock low, only no sugar coke, empty shelves. Simply sub standard and completely unacceptable. We pay enough to go to the footy, it simply is not good enough.
DS
....... I think everyone has been pretty level-headed in their posts after such a shocking display first up and what's so bad about a little knicker-wetting anyway ?
