Carlton v St Kilda – Practice Game Match Review

Written by Nathan Sepe

Back in business! The Blues had their first hit out against an opposition for the year, putting to practice the tactical changes Michael Voss has implemented throughout the off-season against the Saints.

Firstly, how good was it to be watching these boys in person again?! The faithful certainly didn’t disappoint, turning out in numbers, possibly leaving their 9-5 job behind, just to witness a practice match. You certainly love to see it. 

The initial squad to face the Saints was certainly undermanned, a much smaller offensive line up proposed a much more unique outlook transitioning forward, testing the skills of our midfielders to lower the eyes and hit targets. 

From the first bounce the centre stoppage work was a key indicator of tactical change, with the likes of Cripps, Cerra and Hewett owning the space and opening up the corridor to explore our inside 50 options. 

As mentioned by PommyinOz on the Blue Abroad Fan Cams, the reoccurring theme within centre stoppages was one handball back and three forward, an incentive to create space on the outsides of the centre square, breaking open the forward 50 for more entry opportunities. 

Silvangi set the crowd off early, bringing the heat and applying the pressure early on to run down Joyce, going back to slot the Blues first of the day after 45 seconds of play. 

The forward pressure was sustained for the most part of the first quarter, exemplified only minutes later by no other than Silvangi who was rewarded with a high tackle after some prior tackling pressure from Philp. 

Running patterns became another recurring theme throughout the game, with the lines often running in unison when transitioning forward. Owies was able to capitalise through his own pressure in the middle of the ground in the lead up to his goal, enabling an effective inside 50 entry, soccering off the ground for our third goal. 

Our inside 50 dominance presented two more goal opportunities, both of which came off the boots of Kennedy and Durdin. The Blues went into quarter time up by 20 points, the best quarter of the day. 

The second quarter favoured the Saints. The Saints scored five unanswered goals in the quarter, a disappointing effort no matter the level of game being played, however, there are some positives we can take out of this. 

Whilst the goal streak wasn’t broken, there were certainly multiple occasions where it could have been, with efforts from Kennedy and Charlie Curnow from the 50 metre mark just missing. 

The intensity increased in times of adversity and helped decreased the Saints ability to have high efficiency with their inside 50 entries. 

Both teams played their way in the first half and ultimately presented the game styles they wanted to approach Round 1 with. 

Both teams have heavy swings of momentum, however, the Saints were able to capitalise in the first without the wind and found themselves pegging back the 26 point margin to lead by 6 at half time.

The second half for both sides was oriented by the tactical implementations of the coaching teams, with many players getting a run in different positions and different styles of game. 

The Blues presented a much more contested style of game in the third quarter, looking to utilise their handballing game to give the forwards optimal time to find space and gaps for the hit up kick. 

Cerra found his way in the forward line early on in the third and slotted his first (unofficial) goal in navy blue. 

Play of the day came halfway through the third, with a brick wall tackle from Williamson giving Saad the opportunity to dance around the Saints midfield and kick inside to a dangerous inside 50, with the likes of Cerra crumbing to kick his second off his left foot. 

10 minutes later Saad lowered his eyes beautifully in the corridor and found Kemp open just on the 50 metre mark. Kemp slotted his first and gave us a 15 point lead heading into the final quarter. 

The final quarter was a slow and sluggish affair and brought out an almost uncharacteristic performance for a team playing a practice match, ruthless and insanely physical. 

Nevertheless, whilst we held our breath in anticipation of an injury, the Saints were able to expose gaps in our defensive stoppages and claw the margin down to one point, however, with a costly 50 metre penalty awarded against the Saints, Owies went back and put the Saints out of reach.

The Blues were able to withstand the offensive pressure from the Saints and held on to be seven point winners in our first hit out of 2022. 

There were certainly positives and negatives to take out of the encounter, but we can’t complain when we’ve waited so long. 

Consistency is key this year and the task gets even bigger next week. 

The Blues face the reigning premiers next Thursday night at Marvel Stadium, facing the Melbourne Demons in a much more meaningful encounter.