The Backline: time for a review

[SBYM]

Considering Andy Mc and Laids remain in the wings...I'd say we are building towards a strong and cohesive defensive unit that plays together and knows itself like great backlines past.

And you know what they say about what premierships are built on...

 

[gbatman]

Sydney are exceptional, they have drafted a particular type of player who is powerful, fast, strong and hard at the contested footy (See Jack, Hannebery etc). They don't really have many slow players, they have a lot of strong bodies. They push the opposition wide, they close up space and push big numbers around the ball and make the game contested and tight. The key to all this is their big focus on the spread, when the ball goes from dispute into possession or changes possession they are the ones leading the way in the spread and they can really hurt you with this as well as allowing no easy options. They are great at closing up space.

We play a similar brand of footy but we aren't as good at the congested contested stuff and not as good with the spread, especially when it comes to chasing and making up early ground on the spread. Early this year we also failed at forcing the opposition to go wide. But recently we have had the opposition going wide except for moments when we get tired, we are forcing the opposition to have shots from wide and to enter their forward line from wide. Center clearances have been a problem, the big reasons small forwards have got hold of us a bit is quick forward entries coming from the center of the ground. The st kilda game was a great example of us getting beaten on the spread and smashed out of the middle. Our Contested ball and center work has been better the last month or so.

The improvement is coming this year but those losses to Richmond and especially Collingwood, games we should have won, are very frustrating. Even the St. Kilda game was disappointing, we turned up with no effort or defensive pressure and made them look like stars. The next month of footy is supre important for us, we have to beat some good teams.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

Sydney are exceptional, they have drafted a particular type of player who is powerful, fast, strong and hard at the contested footy (See Jack, Hannebery etc). They don't really have many slow players, they have a lot of strong bodies. They push the opposition wide, they close up space and push big numbers around the ball and make the game contested and tight. The key to all this is their big focus on the spread, when the ball goes from dispute into possession or changes possession they are the ones leading the way in the spread and they can really hurt you with this as well as allowing no easy options. They are great at closing up space.

We play a similar brand of footy but we aren't as good at the congested contested stuff and not as good with the spread, especially when it comes to chasing and making up early ground on the spread. Early this year we also failed at forcing the opposition to go wide. But recently we have had the opposition going wide except for moments when we get tired, we are forcing the opposition to have shots from wide and to enter their forward line from wide. Center clearances have been a problem, the big reasons small forwards have got hold of us a bit is quick forward entries coming from the center of the ground. The st kilda game was a great example of us getting beaten on the spread and smashed out of the middle. Our Contested ball and center work has been better the last month or so.

The improvement is coming this year but those losses to Richmond and especially Collingwood, games we should have won, are very frustrating. Even the St. Kilda game was disappointing, we turned up with no effort or defensive pressure and made them look like stars. The next month of footy is supre important for us, we have to beat some good teams.

Great post, pinpointed some key issues in our strategies.

Admittedly it was against GWS, but I was pleased to see alot more overlap running out of the back half.

The switch of play worked consistently well.

And we came through the middle a bit more.

Perhaps MM looked at the game as an in-game-training session?

 

[Omega Blue]

who do we think has the better kick Hendo or Watson. I know we all rate Wattos kick but Hendo can Fair Roost it aswell.

 

[BluStreak]

This year I would really like to see Watto in with both Hendo and Jamo (apprenticeship) so that we then have the options of sending Hendo forward or resting Jamo on the third tall.

 

[I LOVE THE CFC]

This year I would really like to see Watto in with both Hendo and Jamo (apprenticeship) so that we then have the options of sending Hendo forward or resting Jamo on the third tall.

You've just smashed that nail on the head. Well done!

 

[1864BLUE]

looking forward to hopefully seeing laidler soon

 

[Coona Blues]

Good or even great disposal is an obvious prerequisite to getting a gig in the Malthouse backline.
Jammo, Hendo, Walker, Tuohy, Scotto, Simpson, Gibbs, White (OK too), Bootsma is a work in progress, (OK by foot, but can be "sloppy" by hand). Watson a weapon over a journey with the boot, but has been known to be a bit suspect with the short precision pass.
Hendo shaping as an answer up forward, but can't see him being released until Watson (or McCarthy) steps up, or we recruit a ready to go KPD. The likes of McInnes, White, Bootsma and Laidler can "moonlight" as 3rd talls (2nd at a pinch).
Our biggest issue in defence is not personnel, it is the concept of team defence, in particular the workrate of the mids. In recent times many have unfairly vilified the likes of AJ who have been isolated when the boys up the ground have had defensive lapses. It is on the improve, but still a work in progress.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

Our biggest issue in defence is not personnel, it is the concept of team defence, in particular the workrate of the mids. In recent times many have unfairly vilified the likes of AJ who have been isolated when the boys up the ground have had defensive lapses. It is on the improve, but still a work in progress.

This is a point that Malthouse and the media have identified. In the past we have been known as a team of "downhill skiers". While this has improved over time it has become an ingrained habit for the team to take a risk and look for offensive opportunities on the spread. Of course this has made Carlton a damaging team when it works, but when it doesn't (ie: against the top tier sides, or even against like St Kilda) it makes us look like one-trick easy-beats.

Malthouse's "defence first" is slowly becoming the team mantra, but like all habitual changes it takes time to reprogramme ingrained behaviours. Like Fremantle last year, I can see us worked as team-defence in the back half of the year. As uncomfortable as it will be, I see the next four rounds as a testing ground, where we will be truly exposed and then Malthouse will have some tv vision to show the troop 'here, this is what I've been banging on about, and this is how we can remedy it." It would not suprise me if each of the next four games we saw improvement in this area.

The Essedon game is a fairly even matchup and the best side on the day will win. Hawthorn will expose us, and I wouldn't be suprised if we get thrashed. Aganst Sydney we will have learned our lessons and the team which wins will truly have to grind it out. If that it is the case, then it doesn't really matter if we beat Sydney or not. What matters is that we truly make them earn it. As a result we will thrash Collingwood in the next game.

 

[raymagoo]

This year I would really like to see Watto in with both Hendo and Jamo (apprenticeship) so that we then have the options of sending Hendo forward or resting Jamo on the third tall.

add Andy Mac to that list for me as well! But him Watto & McCarthy all probably need a few games in them this year. I am loving the way Mick gives players a full crack in a position for a week or 2 especially some of the lesser mids in the guts.

I still think boots is a bit raw & definitely gets lost at times, would be happy to see him play a few senior games here & there whilst developing a majority of games in the magoos.

We still need that lock down defender, hopefully temay will come through with that role.

Hope to see Laidler up & firing again later in the year, too smart a footballer not to be playing all year imo.

Love duigans leadership but dont see him in the team, nor joseph or davies unless we get a few injuries.

 

[Claypigeon]

This year I would really like to see Watto in with both Hendo and Jamo (apprenticeship) so that we then have the options of sending Hendo forward or resting Jamo on the third tall.

Been advocating this for a while but think if it were to happen in soon it would have happened already this season. .. Maybe in the back half of the year but then I suspect competition for spots will get harder. .. The advent of Scotland/Walker/Simmo and the improvement of White has probably prevented this opportunity for Watto. ..

 

[toomuchsparetime]

I am loving the way Mick gives players a full crack in a position for a week or 2 especially some of the lesser mids in the guts.

I still think boots is a bit raw & definitely gets lost at times, would be happy to see him play a few senior games here & there whilst developing a majority of games in the magoos.

I think alot of Carlton supporters were getting frustrated that are up and coming players were not getting any senior exposure to sling-shot their development. This may have been for a couple of reasons: a preference for team stability, picking perceived best 22, etc...

Malthouse has shown for some time that if you get the balance right, that introducing young players too early can sometimes cause them to rise to the occassion. He has said this about Menzl: that he suspects that he is 'one of those players that is only going to play his best football at senior level.'

Bootsma is the other side of the coin, he seems the type of player that needs a few games in the seniors here and there to identify what areas of his game he needs to develop. He is then given time in the 2's to work on these. It is a good sign from the MC if players like Bootsma show that they have worked on that particular area of their game that be given another chance at senior level, whereby the process begins again. THIS is a good use of process in AFL football.

Process and similar words have been bandied about in the AFL for some time. Like most words, they are hollow unless they have substance. We could process, process, process for years to come, but if that process does not improve the Carlton Football Club then it is not a good process, or it may in fact just been a load of hot air used to divert the media.

I believe that we have seen a real process begin to take place with the management of the senior side. Responsibility for winning has been moved from the few to the many. Long may this continue.

 

[Silvagnis]

If McCarthy develops after playing like he did on the weekend, then he could take CHB to release Henderson. Mobile and rangy like Boots, yet contested well and went in hard on a muddy ground. Showed good footy smarts to knock the ball onto a teammate instead of taking possession.

Methinks Watto will play White's position to utilise his left foot and vision.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

Essendons forward line is faurly tall with Hurley, Crameri an a resting ruckman.

Any chance we might have a different back six, or business as usual?

 

[slashin_velvet]

Essendons forward line is faurly tall with Hurley, Crameri an a resting ruckman.

Any chance we might have a different back six, or business as usual?

I think business as usual. Crameri is the same height as White.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

The backline went alright last night... but we lost.

What tinkering do we need to do to stop teams scoring when they start dominating general play?

 

[#BeNavy]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with our backline at the moment. They have been excellent all year.

Our defensive efforts from our mids on the other hand, have been nothing short of horrible. And it showed again last night when we let the drug cheats back in it.

 

[pinot]

Reading between the lines I tend to think White will not be part of MM plans as he severely buckles under big pressure.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

Reading between the lines I tend to think White will not be part of MM plans as he severely buckles under big pressure.

Thought White quashed Crameri when he played on him... but that missed tackle that lead to a late goal, unfortunately that on hurt us alot.

Bacline is looking pretty settled:

Touhy Jamison Simpson
Walker Henderson White

Of the six, White is playing for his spot week in, week out. It is good he has been given a long stretch of games to prove himself. But if he does get dropped for someone like Laidler, Bootsma or Duigan then similarly he may be out of the side for a long while, as he doesn't seem to be as creative up forward as he is dour down back.

Laidler on the other hand has been showing a bit of presence up forward and has definitely showed what he can do down back when in good form. I am starting to lean with Mick when it comes to Laidler: in that he may be our best option when it comes to the third tall up forward.

Since losing Walker to the backline we have gone very small up forward. Not sure if this works in high pressure games against well organised backlines. We need one of our big guys leading up oto the wing, which only leaves the other double or triple teamed when we predictably move it along the boundary. A player like Laidler (or Menzl if he can perform consistently at senior level) offers a smart 3rd tall marking option. Ether of these two guys read the play well, so would be able to offer a target to split the opposition defence.

This strategy probably would mean that White is safe. For team balance I suggest at this stage that Mitch Robinson is the player who will probably get dropped. We are not using him much through the middle and he hasn't proved to be a genuine threat up forward. Mitch has never been given much time as a backman, so it is nclear where Robbo fits in Malthouses game structure?

Carrazzo is the only genuine best 22 player currently out of the side. If he's fit next week:

ins: Carrazzo, Laidler
outs: Robinson, Curnow

Curnow is stiff as he's been performing his role, but he doesn't offer much to the side considering his disposal skills, decision making and game awareness. In my view Cachia is performing significantly better in much the same role. With Carrazzo back in youcan't have three midfield taggers.

 

[dnbassador]

Jamison is a Absolute Gun

 

[Claypigeon]

Jamison is a Absolute Gun

Sarcasm? He had a poor game at times last night particularly losing his feet in the contest. .. Cost us Hendo's run who had to go back on Carlisle and got drawn away from the contest. ..

 

[dnbassador]

Na mate

Sarcasm? He had a poor game at times last night particularly losing his feet in the contest. .. Cost us Hendo's run who had to go back on Carlisle and got drawn away from the contest. ..

Not at all mate talking about in general admire the way he goes about his footy back men are the last to get credit

 

[le dominateur]

Our backline is the one area of the ground that is consistently good, was impressed with Simpson's game on Davey, Tuohy has improved out of sight and White is going ok as well, would hate to see him dropped. Walker, Jamo and Henderson have been great all year. Unfortunately our midfield don't defend sometimes and the ball comes down under no pressure making our backs look shithouse. We need 2 new players on the wings as Scotland is just about done.

 

[mediumsizered]

ins: Carrazzo, Laidler
outs: Robinson, Curnow

Curnow is stiff as he's been performing his role, but he doesn't offer much to the side considering his disposal skills, decision making and game awareness. In my view Cachia is performing significantly better in much the same role. With Carrazzo back in youcan't have three midfield taggers.

Curnow will have an important role to play against Hawthorn with their strong midfield, particularly given Carrazzo is highly unlikely to come straight back into the seniors after missing for so long. It would be a massive gamble to risk an underdone Carrazzo against one of the best/strongest teams in the competition.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

Curnow will have an important role to play against Hawthorn with their strong midfield, particularly given Carrazzo is highly unlikely to come straight back into the seniors after missing for so long. It would be a massive gamble to risk an underdone Carrazzo against one of the best/strongest teams in the competition.

Agree Carazzo unlikely against Hawthorn. But when he is back and firing is it at the expense of Cachia or Curnow.

Lucas is a different type of player atogether so didn't consider him. Robinson perhaps?

The rest of the midfielders have been dong ok... or at least you'd be dropping class for a next tier player.