News Fev was the difference.....

[Mister Carlton]

NINE-goal hero Brendan Fevola may have stolen the spotlight in Carlton's hard-fought win over Richmond, but coach Brett Ratten saw plenty of further positives in Saturday's performance.

The spearhead's career-best goal haul drew plenty of praise from the coach after the match, but he maintained there was a lot to like about his team's effort despite the swirling wind making it a dour, often error-riddled, contest.

"Brendan kicks nine goals and you'd have to say he was probably the best man on the ground because of that performance," Ratten said.

"There are some [other] pleasing aspects of the game. I thought a guy like Aaron Joseph really stood up, Adam Hartlett got his first crack at it for the year and he looks like he can get over the ground a lot better than he has in previous years.

"Jordan Russell's performance, as well, I thought was pretty encouraging.”

It was not just Fevola’s scoreboard statistics that pleased Ratten, who praised him and small forward Eddie Betts for their efforts in keeping the ball in Carlton’s attacking zone.

The Blues' ability to will themselves across the line in a match where they aren't playing their best football is a character trait that hasn't been prevalent in recent years. Ratten thought the 20-point win in trying conditions was a sign of his group's continued development.

"When it hasn't always gone right for us [in the past] we have just fallen away as a group," he said.

"I think there have been patches of that [this year] and that's probably one really pleasing aspect of today.

"Even though it's not [a player's] day or it's not happening for [someone], our ability to just keep chugging away and grind it out has improved dramatically.

"Juddy probably helps that and sets the benchmark just to keep working extremely hard, but that then becomes contagious and I think our group is learning to be a mentally better team."

Carlton led by 38 points early in the final term before easing to the line, but Ratten didn't think his charges had become complacent.

"I put that down to a bit of the travel, but to Richmond's credit they kept coming," he said referring to his team's short turnaround from their trip to Perth to play Fremantle last Sunday.

"By the time you put your head down its three o'clock Monday morning and it does take a bit out of the players.

"We were making some errors and not running across the ground as good as we had been in the past.

"I just think we squandered some opportunities and made some errors in our back 50 from simply just missing the free man and that hurt us.

"Whether that was the wind conditions or not, I'm not sure, but to come away with the four points is pretty pleasing."

Don't like how he smooth talks...

 

[blues_gibbzy]

lol he does speak alright. MC your becoming the new Alpha breaking the news articles.

 

[Sin City]

More praise for Joseph, good to see. Seems to be getting a bit more of the ball now, reading the play a bit better.

 

[blue gunslinger]

If Hoops had been FF like another poster wished Hoops would have had a baker's dozen!

 

[Chism]

If Hoops had been FF like another poster wished Hoops would have had a baker's dozen!

lol

 

[coke_zero]

well fev kicked more than half your goals so of course he was the difference.

 

[blue gunslinger]

He kicked more than half our score against Hawthorn as well. Next...

that is giving him some sugar Thy!

 

[Jatz]

was outstanding

 

[Blue Dawn]

well fev kicked more than half your goals so of course he was the difference.

Certainly made absolute ****ing mince meat of your backs the big boy.

 

[parrot]

well fev kicked more than half your goals so of course he was the difference.

Well he made Thursfield and McGuane look like lemons. Those 2 are now etched in history for giving Fev his biggest goal kicking return in an AFL game.

 

[coke_zero]

Well he made Thursfield and McGuane look like lemons. Those 2 are now etched in history for giving Fev his biggest goal kicking return in an AFL game.

so you dont think he can kick 9 or more again? and its not like fev has never kicked a bag of goals before, its just that they play for richmond that you are picking on them.

 

[celtic_pride]

so you dont think he can kick 9 or more again? and its not like fev has never kicked a bag of goals before, its just that they play for richmond that you are picking on them.

And it feels great

 

[Bluebear]

Imagine if he had got one of about 4 free kicks that should have come his way. Apparently only 1 forward a day can have frees in F50, and the chook wheel in the umps room came up on Nahas.


My classic "idiot supporter" moment of the game:

They guy behind me was the young idiot type "You suck Fev, your crap Judd"......blah blah........

Just as me and my friends were discussing whether we had good Fev or bad Fev for the day, Garlett took off up the outer wing.

As the ball was kicked towards Fev the guy behind me yelled out "You crap Fevola".....thinking that Thursfield had him covered.

Fev kicked goal of the year.

I turned to look at this kid with the one raised eyebrow look.

10 mins later he and his dad moved......or maybe they left......he wasn't there for the sequel in the third Q.

I love Tiges fans.