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From ODN.net
On a bizarre afternoon of football, Carlton were devastated by the loss of Lance Whitnall, entranced by a David Neitz training drill, bewildered by the men in white, laid out by the Colonial surface and inspired by returning star Anthony Koutoufides.
When all was said and done however, a Kouta positive and crying foul over umpiring decisions were not enough consolation for fans hoping for a miracle as the remaining games dwindle and the sun begins to set on an almost inevitable wooden spoon.
A brief flirtation with our best game in the first quarter also coincided with the first deserved question mark over the Blues inexperienced defence in a long time. Where fans preseason had been asking what we could do to stop the likes of Brad Ottens with our supposedly undersized defence, it turned out to be Demon skipper David Neitz on long and strong leads that has uncovered Carlton's soft underbelly. ODN staffer Shane Thiele posed the possibility in his preview, of a Fanningesque type performance by Neitz. Well with a rampaging midfield meaning he never had to get out of third gear, Neitz slotted a leisurely nine majors. Blues fans might argue that nine goals in a seven goal Dees victory combined with the sorry sight of Lance Whitnall being driven from the ground in an ambulance spoiled what looked like being an enthralling contest at quarter time. But with 16 of the 21 Demon goals coming from three Demon forwards, the positive work of a lot of Carlton players was destined to barely rate a mention.
The second quarter was were it all went awry for Carlton as Melbourne booted seven goals to nil and used momentum to their advantage. The Carlton players buoyed by their good first quarter showing were overwhelmed by Demons running through the centre in numbers and some inexplicable inconsistent umpiring that made it impossible to stem the tide. Whitnall copped a errant knee in the shoulder and was gone but the impact was softened by the emergence of Koutoufides onto the field. Early signs of rust had the knives out for the Blues selectors and at half time boundary line medico Dr Peter Larkins, who had been critical of Kouta's selection, not surprisingly had the welcome mat ripped out from under him by frustrated Carlton insiders.
The Blues battled hard in a third quarter arm wrestle but inaccuracy and David Neitz meant once again that they had nothing to show for their work. Kouta took a mark only to have it taken off him by the umpires while Corey McKernan went off with a suspect knee. Typical of a rather emotional Corey tonight, he managed to take a strong mark on one leg before leaving the field while Fevola took his kick and goaled. The unerring accuracy of Neitz had meant the game was not going to produce any fairytales but on the three quarter time siren, the script writers put pen to paper for long suffering Blues supporters as Koutoufides marked and goaled.
Goal number two for the big #43 started the final quarter on the right note and the Blues had their tails up with the margin reduced to 5 goals. Russell Robertson kicked his fourth as only he can and when Walsh floated across the pack to mark and then finished it off, we were looking ahead to next week and possibly next season. Corey McKernan had returned to the field, giving us some hope without Whitnall next week against the Saints, and his ability to contest gave Kouta his third goal and the hope that he may yet provide some value for the remainder of the season. Four more Demon goals including more of the Neitz lead, mark, kick exhibition (nobody closer than five metres all night), meant Carlton were facing a 10 goal defeat, a poor reward for the effort some had put in. Three late goals added some respectability for the Blues but we didn't walk away without creating plenty of questions.
While we can find positives with the form of Murphy, Camporeale, McKernan and youngsters Wiggins and Campbell, we can also readily foresee worrying times for the remainder of 2002.
No doubt we have the makings of a magnificent side in the future and maybe as soon as next year if we can shore up our ruck stocks. The issue as to whether we can avoid a wooden spoon this year has just taken on a touch of surety. Unlikely is the verdict. For a team that has yet to see its best side on the paddock this season, it is ironic that our brightest star came onto the field at the expense of another star that can confidently stand aside him on the upper echelons of stardom. Make no mistake Carlton are weakened from here on in. A tentative Koutoufides will not make up for the loss of our leading mark taker and nor will an out of sorts Brett Ratten be able to rise sufficiently to cater for the loss of Big Lance's football smarts. The spoon may well be on the line next week as Carlton tackle the improving Saints. With a tough run home, a loss means curtains for the Blues while a win keeps us alive for another week.
On a bizarre afternoon of football, Carlton were devastated by the loss of Lance Whitnall, entranced by a David Neitz training drill, bewildered by the men in white, laid out by the Colonial surface and inspired by returning star Anthony Koutoufides.
When all was said and done however, a Kouta positive and crying foul over umpiring decisions were not enough consolation for fans hoping for a miracle as the remaining games dwindle and the sun begins to set on an almost inevitable wooden spoon.
A brief flirtation with our best game in the first quarter also coincided with the first deserved question mark over the Blues inexperienced defence in a long time. Where fans preseason had been asking what we could do to stop the likes of Brad Ottens with our supposedly undersized defence, it turned out to be Demon skipper David Neitz on long and strong leads that has uncovered Carlton's soft underbelly. ODN staffer Shane Thiele posed the possibility in his preview, of a Fanningesque type performance by Neitz. Well with a rampaging midfield meaning he never had to get out of third gear, Neitz slotted a leisurely nine majors. Blues fans might argue that nine goals in a seven goal Dees victory combined with the sorry sight of Lance Whitnall being driven from the ground in an ambulance spoiled what looked like being an enthralling contest at quarter time. But with 16 of the 21 Demon goals coming from three Demon forwards, the positive work of a lot of Carlton players was destined to barely rate a mention.
The second quarter was were it all went awry for Carlton as Melbourne booted seven goals to nil and used momentum to their advantage. The Carlton players buoyed by their good first quarter showing were overwhelmed by Demons running through the centre in numbers and some inexplicable inconsistent umpiring that made it impossible to stem the tide. Whitnall copped a errant knee in the shoulder and was gone but the impact was softened by the emergence of Koutoufides onto the field. Early signs of rust had the knives out for the Blues selectors and at half time boundary line medico Dr Peter Larkins, who had been critical of Kouta's selection, not surprisingly had the welcome mat ripped out from under him by frustrated Carlton insiders.
The Blues battled hard in a third quarter arm wrestle but inaccuracy and David Neitz meant once again that they had nothing to show for their work. Kouta took a mark only to have it taken off him by the umpires while Corey McKernan went off with a suspect knee. Typical of a rather emotional Corey tonight, he managed to take a strong mark on one leg before leaving the field while Fevola took his kick and goaled. The unerring accuracy of Neitz had meant the game was not going to produce any fairytales but on the three quarter time siren, the script writers put pen to paper for long suffering Blues supporters as Koutoufides marked and goaled.
Goal number two for the big #43 started the final quarter on the right note and the Blues had their tails up with the margin reduced to 5 goals. Russell Robertson kicked his fourth as only he can and when Walsh floated across the pack to mark and then finished it off, we were looking ahead to next week and possibly next season. Corey McKernan had returned to the field, giving us some hope without Whitnall next week against the Saints, and his ability to contest gave Kouta his third goal and the hope that he may yet provide some value for the remainder of the season. Four more Demon goals including more of the Neitz lead, mark, kick exhibition (nobody closer than five metres all night), meant Carlton were facing a 10 goal defeat, a poor reward for the effort some had put in. Three late goals added some respectability for the Blues but we didn't walk away without creating plenty of questions.
While we can find positives with the form of Murphy, Camporeale, McKernan and youngsters Wiggins and Campbell, we can also readily foresee worrying times for the remainder of 2002.
No doubt we have the makings of a magnificent side in the future and maybe as soon as next year if we can shore up our ruck stocks. The issue as to whether we can avoid a wooden spoon this year has just taken on a touch of surety. Unlikely is the verdict. For a team that has yet to see its best side on the paddock this season, it is ironic that our brightest star came onto the field at the expense of another star that can confidently stand aside him on the upper echelons of stardom. Make no mistake Carlton are weakened from here on in. A tentative Koutoufides will not make up for the loss of our leading mark taker and nor will an out of sorts Brett Ratten be able to rise sufficiently to cater for the loss of Big Lance's football smarts. The spoon may well be on the line next week as Carlton tackle the improving Saints. With a tough run home, a loss means curtains for the Blues while a win keeps us alive for another week.
