View Full Version : Match Review - Carl vs Ess
The Captain
15 Apr 2007, 20:52
I went to this game feeling slightly nervous given the result from Round 2. Although I take comfort in knowing that one of lifes certainties is that Carlton will always make Geelong look good whenever we play them. Don't scream at me, it's just a fact we need to accept.
So, the first quarter started and ended, and my nervousness had turned into dejection....just as it has for the past 3 years. That man Lucas was everywhere, Stevens was unaccountable on Pevrill (the ugliest man in AFL history), Setanta looked like he had just stumbled out from an all day Octoberfest event, Whitnall was more worried about how he would explain to Pagan that he didn't throw the eggs rather than focus on the ball, and the forward line was non functional.
Second verse, same as the first...but a little bit louder and a little bit worse......we even managed to deliver the very ellusive Double Goal to Essendon. Then we reached the 26 minute mark....48 points in the arrears.
Enter Matty "why does the coach hate me and forget i shoulda been an All Australian in the forward line / I am Gerard Healy's love child" Lappin. Kicks a couple. Great work and good presenting. Fev also got one. Things look better but the siren rings and I am off to the pie stand .... and as my luck has it, they are out of sauce.
So, how did we get those 3 goals in a row to be within 30 points? Denis Pagan...thats how. let's start from his moves on the backline. First he moves the leagues most out of form player off the leagues most inform forward (read Whitnall off Lucas). He puts the teams best defender in Thornton (I will defend this assertion against anyone) onto Lucus.
What to do with Lance? Bench?....no...Ruck. Genious or stupidity? Well, the fat man is also a smart man. Get the ball into his hands, and watch the gold flow...and it did. A few good handballs, a couple of clearances to set up goals. Good stuff. Finally, we had Lappin playing as a leading player from the goalsquare next to Fev...and it worked
So after my pie with no sauce (oh the depair), we headed back to seat N23 in bay Q9 for the second half.
Q3 summary .... Bentick (the NEW extractor) gets 4 clearences and ends up with 7...yes 7 assists for the game. Is that Paul Roos out there....no wait...its Heath "Up Yours Collingwood" Scotland....he has found his role. Sweeper. His courage is awesome as he sits in the hole waiting for the pill to come like a trapdoor Spider waiting for its prey. Fev leads, and kicks straight. Fischer gets out of his leading space. Stevens uses the ball properly. Special mention to the mad Irishman.His background is not Irish Football ike many like to think...it is in Hurling. Google it if you dont know what it is...it is like Lacrosse but hurts more. This is not a game that involves kicking or tackling or marking....it involves hitting your opponent across the mouth with a stick. So heres a thought...lets take this beginner and put him on one of the games best ever FF's in lloydd. Guess what...it worked. We turn a goal ahead.
Q4....hard fought by both sides. essendon miss a few sitters...and Fev has a brain explosion with his handball to Stevens who hit the post.....to be fair, Stevens "I only run one way" Stevens should not have called for the pill, but that is how he plays.
SIREN...SIREN...SIREN....shades of '99.....sort of. A few tears shed....I am a very proud supporter. Just like the Tigers game, we fought back. Carlton has evidently stolen the shinboners spirit and doesn't look like giving it back any time soon.
POSITIVES
1) Pagan finally works out how to position his team
2) Carlos could be the next Dustin Fetcher.....wait another 10 rounds
3) Lance is back....its only subtle things...but you wait and see (dependant on Pagan not ever playing him in the backline ever again)
4) The Fish....Leave him at CHF...he has the hands
NEGATIVES
1) Simpson...where were you? Playing with your donkey?
2) Waite...looming as the next Whitnall. can obviously play but "Where the hell do we play him"???....same disease as Goddard
3) Ackland....will not beat many this year, but needs to learn to nullify the contest. Struggling
4) Kennedy....not ready yet. Suggest we try Hartlett (EDIT....Thanks Kooley) in the same spot
Weagles next week....Don't stress if we get beat by 10 goals....it's worth it to watch Judd and Kerr in action. Remember kiddies, taking cocaine will help you win flags.
See you next week......
The Captain
not bad.
it's hartlett not hartwell.
scotland has to be the most underrated footballer in the afl.
mediumsizered
15 Apr 2007, 21:26
not bad.
it's hartlett not hartwell.
scotland has to be the most underrated footballer in the afl.
Scotland is certainly a lot better than many would have us believe. His courage & non-stop run makes him one of our more vital players in setting up our forward thrusts. How good was his left foot pass to Fev in the last quarter? Gave the Essendon defence no chance. IMO Scotland was on the cusp of AA selection last year. If we had won a few more games he would have made it. He has had a great start to this season & his experience is going to be so important in assisting in the development of our kids. Keep up the good work, Scotty! :thumbsu:
bluegal1983
15 Apr 2007, 21:33
Adam Bentick is another underrated player. He was awesome yesterday :thumbsu:
trueblue_91
15 Apr 2007, 21:38
Adam Bentick is another underrated player. He was awesome yesterday :thumbsu:
I've said it for ages. He is such a good player, goes in hard and wins us the hard ball:thumbsu:
mediumsizered
15 Apr 2007, 21:50
Adam Bentick is another underrated player. He was awesome yesterday :thumbsu:
One of my faves, AB. Gives 100% the whole time he is on the field. Laid 9 tackles yesterday & made a huge difference in the midfield in the second half, ensuring Essendon got no easy centre bounce takeaways, or clearances around the ground. It amazed me that some Carlton supporters were suggesting during the pre-season that AB would be squeezed out of the side this season & that his time at the club would be limited. I would suggest he is virtually a barometer of our performances. He has certainly been an important player in both of our victories & looms as a vital player in the battle to limit the effect of the Eagles' midfield this week. I am confident AB will be at our club for several years to come.
gadj1976
15 Apr 2007, 23:48
Hey folks, I just finished watching the game (taped the delayed telecast) and noted the many positives of the 2007 version of the team. They've been mentioned in despatches on these forums, but also noted that Waite doesn't seem to have an on field sense of what's around him sometimes. He gets caught from side on, and from behind too often. Has anyone else thought this? There was an instance in yesterday's game where he took the ball in the forward line, and had a small Ess player in his line of vision. Despite this, he took off and got run down.
He's still making too many mistakes for my liking.
mediumsizered
15 Apr 2007, 23:55
Hey folks, I just finished watching the game (taped the delayed telecast) and noted the many positives of the 2007 version of the team. They've been mentioned in despatches on these forums, but also noted that Waite doesn't seem to have an on field sense of what's around him sometimes. He gets caught from side on, and from behind too often. Has anyone else thought this? There was an instance in yesterday's game where he took the ball in the forward line, and had a small Ess player in his line of vision. Despite this, he took off and got run down.
He's still making too many mistakes for my liking.
Certainly when he was run down in the last minute or so of the game I was so frustrated with him because it was so obvious it was going to happen. All he had to do was throw the ball on the boot & belt it 40-50 metres down the field. He does seem to lack awareness of what is around him sometimes, but I wouldn't discourage a player from taking on the opposition, otherwise he might become too negative.
gadj1976
16 Apr 2007, 00:14
Certainly when he was run down in the last minute or so of the game I was so frustrated with him because it was so obvious it was going to happen. All he had to do was throw the ball on the boot & belt it 40-50 metres down the field. He does seem to lack awareness of what is around him sometimes, but I wouldn't discourage a player from taking on the opposition, otherwise he might become too negative.
agree with your last comment, I'd never want him to become negative, but taking on opposition and being blinkered are going to hinder his progress longer term.
Pie_squasher
16 Apr 2007, 11:53
Certainly when he was run down in the last minute or so of the game I was so frustrated with him because it was so obvious it was going to happen. All he had to do was throw the ball on the boot & belt it 40-50 metres down the field. He does seem to lack awareness of what is around him sometimes, but I wouldn't discourage a player from taking on the opposition, otherwise he might become too negative.
Fair point BUT who was talking to him....he had no idea he was going to be tackled.....not always as clear cut as you first think. Somebody should've told him he was hot!!! I was on that wing and didn't hear anything either so a bit slack from players around him....
Bluebear
16 Apr 2007, 14:46
Fair point BUT who was talking to him....he had no idea he was going to be tackled.....not always as clear cut as you first think. Somebody should've told him he was hot!!! I was on that wing and didn't hear anything either so a bit slack from players around him....
Waite should have had the awareness that when he took that mark there was a guy right near him.......he had to see him when he took the mark......just had a brain fade. He goes back behind his mark, takes his kick to fev 1 out - you know the rest.
To The Captain:
I think calling him the next Lance is a bit much......to both players. Waite was very good in defence at times, and very good on the wing at times.....just wasn't his day to dominate.
Same goes for Kennedy. He was dragged in the second half because Fish and Fev were catching everything, so you may as well have a smaller guy onto help with supply and defend. he will make it, and Hartlett must dominate the two's to take his spot (not just a couple of goals each week......dominate!!)
Simpson was well tagged, and rightly so given that both games last year he carved up the Dons. Had some very important touches in the second half, and contested some very important packs - little harsh on him.
Ackland DID nullify the contest.......and helped us to WIN......that's WIN the rucks 36 - 34.
People should comment on what they see, not just what they think. If they don't have a good view, then take someone else word for it rather than make it up.:cool:
Apart from leaving out that we also had several chances to seal the game (Fev/Stevo, Murph, Carrazzo, Walker) I think that was a pretty good summary. :thumbsu:
P.S. My Buddy Scotland rocks..........don't forget his little chip around the cormer to spot Fisher for his first - landed between Fisher, Murph and Lance........they could have raffled ot in heavy traffic - awesome kick.:thumbsu:
Gilly1972
16 Apr 2007, 14:54
Waite should have had the awareness that when he took that mark there was a guy right near him.......he had to see him when he took the mark......just had a brain fade. He goes back behind his mark, takes his kick to fev 1 out - you know the rest.
To The Captain:
I think calling him the next Lance is a bit much......to both players. Waite was very good in defence at times, and very good on the wing at times.....just wasn't his day to dominate.
Same goes for Kennedy. He was dragged in the second half because Fish and Fev were catching everything, so you may as well have a smaller guy onto help with supply and defend. he will make it, and Hartlett must dominate the two's to take his spot (not just a couple of goals each week......dominate!!)
Simpson was well tagged, and rightly so given that both games last year he carved up the Dons. Had some very important touches in the second half, and contested some very important packs - little harsh on him.
Ackland DID nullify the contest.......and helped us to WIN......that's WIN the rucks 36 - 34.
People should comment on what they see, not just what they think. If they don't have a good view, then take someone else word for it rather than make it up.:cool:
Apart from leaving out that we also had several chances to seal the game (Fev/Stevo, Murph, Carrazzo, Walker) I think that was a pretty good summary. :thumbsu:
P.S. My Buddy Scotland rocks..........don't forget his little chip around the cormer to spot Fisher for his first - landed between Fisher, Murph and Lance........they could have raffled ot in heavy traffic - awesome kick.:thumbsu:
Thanks Mojo :D :p
The Captain
16 Apr 2007, 15:06
To The Captain:
I think calling him the next Lance is a bit much......to both players. Waite was very good in defence at times, and very good on the wing at times.....just wasn't his day to dominate.
Same goes for Kennedy. He was dragged in the second half because Fish and Fev were catching everything, so you may as well have a smaller guy onto help with supply and defend. he will make it, and Hartlett must dominate the two's to take his spot (not just a couple of goals each week......dominate!!)
Simpson was well tagged, and rightly so given that both games last year he carved up the Dons. Had some very important touches in the second half, and contested some very important packs - little harsh on him.
Ackland DID nullify the contest.......and helped us to WIN......that's WIN the rucks 36 - 34.
People should comment on what they see, not just what they think. If they don't have a good view, then take someone else word for it rather than make it up.:cool:
Apart from leaving out that we also had several chances to seal the game (Fev/Stevo, Murph, Carrazzo, Walker) I think that was a pretty good summary. :thumbsu:
P.S. My Buddy Scotland rocks..........don't forget his little chip around the cormer to spot Fisher for his first - landed between Fisher, Murph and Lance........they could have raffled ot in heavy traffic - awesome kick.:thumbsu:
Good points. I will take the opportuntiy to reply....don't you just love forums ?
1) My point on Lance and Waite is NOT that they cannot play...it is Where do they play? Goddard had the same issue for 2 years at the Saints. Waite at Full Back in a Scarlett type roll, and Carlos at CHF...that would excite me!
2) I stick by my assumptions on Kennedy....I don't think he has showed many signs of being ready yet. With Fev, Whitnall, The Fish, Kouta...where is his place at the moment?
3) Stats don't mean much re: Ackland. Winning the hitouts does not mean winning the contest. The Essendon taps were excellent...ours just fell at the feet of the packs. A better stat to look at would be taps to advantage. Ackland has his work cut out for him. I like the Cloke or Whitnall ruckma where they can rove their own hit outs and become a good onballer...ala Goodes
4) Yes, there were several chances for us to steal the game...I did mention the Fev / Stev brain explosion
5) Scotland the Brave does rock.....his run own the wing and left footer to Fev on the lead was a better kick IMO
murphster
16 Apr 2007, 16:55
One of my faves, AB. Gives 100% the whole time he is on the field. Laid 9 tackles yesterday & made a huge difference in the midfield in the second half, ensuring Essendon got no easy centre bounce takeaways, or clearances around the ground. It amazed me that some Carlton supporters were suggesting during the pre-season that AB would be squeezed out of the side this season & that his time at the club would be limited. I would suggest he is virtually a barometer of our performances. He has certainly been an important player in both of our victories & looms as a vital player in the battle to limit the effect of the Eagles' midfield this week. I am confident AB will be at our club for several years to come.
AB has become the new Ratten/Diesel now that Ratts is at the club, his stats on the weekend where so team oriented it is unbelievable, look at these for impressive: 14 Possesions, 6 contested, 9 tackles, 5 clearances and the most impressive of all 7 score assists, including 4 in the last quarter, the most score assists by anyone so far this year. Well done young man, has learnt to work around his lack of leg speed with the help of Ratten no doubt.:thumbsu: :D
9 tackles is very impressive.
sticks74
16 Apr 2007, 17:24
AB has become the new Ratten/Diesel now that Ratts is at the club, his stats on the weekend where so team oriented it is unbelievable, look at these for impressive: 14 Possesions, 6 contested, 9 tackles, 5 clearances and the most impressive of all 7 score assists, including 4 in the last quarter, the most score assists by anyone so far this year. Well done young man, has learnt to work around his lack of leg speed with the help of Ratten no doubt.:thumbsu: :D
Lets hope he becomes half the player those two were...One of the best games ive seen him play!
The Captain
16 Apr 2007, 17:38
Lets hope he becomes half the player those two were...One of the best games ive seen him play!
Let's not get too carried away.
Yes. It was a good game...but he has had much better games.
Using traditional stats as a basis for comparison is fraught with danger.
His 7 assists is grea. Tackles means nothing as he is credited with a tackle after evey secondary ball up....he is just the guy who is there!
gadj1976
16 Apr 2007, 18:34
Waite at Full Back in a Scarlett type roll, and Carlos at CHF...that would excite me!
it might excite you but it scares the living daylights out of me.