Hidden Gems | Round 23 v GWS
Written by Zac Assouni
And just like that we have reached the end of the 2021 home and away season. The blues finished with a record of 8 wins and 14 losses with the 14th loss being at the hands of GWS by 14 points funnily enough. Nevertheless here’s three players who flew under the radar and had an underrated performance in our last game of the season.
BRODIE KEMP
His first team debut which saw the blues go down to the power by 95 points after filling in for an injured Liam Jones and against the giants we saw Brodie Kemp certainly looking more at home and comfortable in the Carlton defence. Getting two games in before the end of the season for experience was perfect for Brodie Kemp’s development and to possibly help him get used to football at AGFL speed. He collected 14 disposals at 50% capacity as well as 3 score involvements, 6 marks and 263 metres gained. While those stats aren’t exactly the best in the world they were still so much better than the Port Adelaide game in Round 22. Sometimes coming in because of an injury to a first team member for example Liam Jones can help create competition. With Kemp coming in now there’s certainly going to be a healthy competition for places with guys like Lachie Plowman and Tom Williamsons places in the senior side not entirely safe.If Kemp can keep up this frame of mind where we are a desire and a need to get into the first team then there’s no reason why Brodie Kemp can’t have a massive impact on season 2022.
LACHIE FOGARTY
Of all the on field positions at Carlton it’s safe to say that the small forward position certainly looks interesting. With the retirement of a blues legend Eddie Betts it’s now time to see Carlton’s future at the small forward position. With youngsters coming through like the exciting Josh Honey , the speedy Corey Durdin and possibly Lachie Fogarty as well. The former pick 22 in the 2017 draft was picked up by the blues during the 2020 trade period before the 2021 season. A lack of game time and injury have contributed to the second part of the season for Fogarty however his surprise inclusion ahead of the giants game was possibly exactly what he needed. He notched up 20 disposals at 75% efficiency, 6 score involvements , 2 goal assists, 4 tackles , 7 marks as well as 3 clearances and 263 metres gained which is a fantastic effort and definitely his best performance in a blues shirt so far. The future of the small forwards position is looking bright especially if we keep getting guys hungry and determined to play in the first team then we can certainly see small forwards impacting the game like we see Eddie Betts do every week.
LIAM STOCKER
It was certainly a tough season 2020 for Liam Stocker. The former pick 19 in the 2018 draft has shone in his opportunities in season 2021 and has certainly earned himself a spot in the senior side as a half back flanker that is also decent when it comes to playing in the midfield. Stocker is often dubbed as the perfect teammate by Carlton fans due to him putting his body on the line and always sticking up for his teammates which is exactly what blues fans want to see week in and week out to help build a better culture at the Carlton footy club. Stocker had 23 disposals at 74% efficiency as well as 1 tackle , 2 score involvements, 4 marks , 2 clearances and a whopping 527 metres gained which is showing that certainly do the job of a half back flanker with those kind of numbers. The next big step for Liam Stocker is consistency and if he can maintain good performances most weeks to benefit the team even further. He’s been promising with an interrupted off season so let’s hope that with an uninterrupted off season and hopefully a fresh state of mind for the team in general that we can see even more of what Liam Stocker can do and possibly even integrate him into the midfield group as well.
