Integral Impacts: Round 7 V Essendon

Written by Nathan Sepe



Defence – Luke Parks

An underrated star in this team, Parks is finding his groove in our halfback line, asserting a grit and dominance throughout the side that is highly valued across a side that can lack assertiveness and pressure throughout the game. Parks has still not lost a game of AFL in his career, being involved in all three of our wins this season. Memorable moments from the game from Parks include his massive run down tackle of McDonald Tipungwuti, smashing him to the ground, lifting all Blues fans out of their seats, especially when the momentum seemed to have turned the Bombers way. Parks played his role perfectly on the afternoon, as he has all three games he has been involved in this year and is making it increasingly difficult for the likes of Newman and Williamson to find a spot in the side. 

Parks played his role perfectly and extremely effectively with nine disposals at 100% disposal efficiency. Parks totalled four contested possessions along with six-intercept possessions. Parks pressure was terrific again placing continuous stress on the Essendon forwards to get quick releases, which ultimately lost the Bombers the game with the high amount of turnovers. Parks totalled 14 pressure acts, the best of the Carlton backline. Parks totalled four tackles, towards the higher end of the scale as well as four one percenters, fourth for the Baggers come the end of the match. Parks had four spoils, a low stat; however, Parks stood up to crash the pack when the Bombers would seek to find Hooker or Jones. It was a stand up performance for Parks who is gaining some significant confidence in his role, proving an instrumental asset to conforming the backline. 

Midfield – Ed Curnow

Ed was tasked with the role of tagging Merrett and that he did perfectly. Whilst Merrett may have matched Curnow near identical in stat tally, Merrett struggled to have any scoreboard impact, which is what he is known most prominently for. Whilst previous weeks have been carried by the likes of Walsh, and still Walsh dominated again this week, it was great to see some confidence restored in midfielders such as Curnow who have struggled to play their role effectively against top eight oppositions in past weeks. Integral Impacts looks at the players who changed the game from an obvious point of view or sometimes an insider point of view, and Ed’s role in the side against Merrett played a bigger impact than perceived when watching the game. 

Ed totalled 26 disposals, going at 77% disposal efficiency and 60% kicking efficiency. Ed was prominent around the contested ball and had eight contested possessions, however was terrific with his off ball efforts, finding himself in the right positions at the right times, finding 19 uncontested possessions. Ed’s pressure was best on the ground yet again with 28 pressure acts, best of both teams on the afternoon, his running ability still on the elite level, able to match it with anyone in the league he comes up against. Around the ground, Ed had six tackles, two tackles inside 50 and three rebound 50s. Ed managed to get himself on the scoreboard slotting one goal and one behind, whilst also keeping Merrett scoreless on the afternoon. Curnow played his role perfectly and complimented the likes of Walsh and Cripps around the middle, who have desperately needed others to stand up under pressure, and Curnow provided that at the times of need.

Forward – Matt Owies 

First game in for the season for Owies and he made a massive statement to many Baggers supporters, who doubted his inclusion and whether his role would fit into the side. The small forwards ultimately fed off each other’s energy with Owies, Betts, Cunningham and Fogarty all combining to kick ten goals, the best effort all season. Owies stood out for many reasons, not just his ability to play his role well, but also dominate his opponents all day, something our younger players have struggled to establish when making the VFL to AFL switch. 

Owies, similar to Parks, was low in stats, however, extremely effective in what he did and made it count significantly come the end of the game where every disposal made a difference in such a tight, high scoring battle. Owies tallied seven disposals, having three contested possessions at 86% disposal efficiency. Three goals straight for Owies on the afternoon certainly improved his stats with 100% shooting efficiency, extremely important and influential with the scores being particularly close throughout the entire match. Owies had four scoring involvements as well as three marks inside 50. His pressure inside forward 50 was prominent with two tackles and another two tackles around the ground. His pressure acts stood out, tallying significantly high with 18 for the afternoon, a key asset for a pressing small forward. His celebration after his third quarter goal was brilliant and the passion showed was all the Baggers fans wanted to see against the scum.  In only his second game of AFL, Owies was an integral impact in defeating the Bombers.