Carlton | 2020 Season Review

Written by Joseph Addamo

SEASON SYNOPSIS

From the minute the AFL season restarted after a COVID pause, Carlton took themselves and their supporters on 2020’s biggest rollercoaster. The 40-point comeback to ultimately lose by a solitary point vs. Melbourne in Round 2 foreshadowed what was to come. The Blues conceded countless 30+ point swings and lost 6 games from winning positions. Their ledger in games decided by under 10 points was 5-3 for the season, proving they could win the nailbiters. Although Carlton won only 7 of their 17 games, they were ranked 4th for total quarters won. In addition, a percentage of 94.3% was their highest since 2013, showing how much more competitive this outfit was than in recent seasons. Even with all of these improvements, there was still so much left to be desired by this Carlton outfit, which promised the potential of achieving so much more.

WHAT IMPROVED IN 2020?

Competing for longer periods in games as well as showing an ability to score in bunches were obvious areas of improvement for the club. In games against Port Adelaide and Geelong, fast starts and 4 quarter efforts accentuated the attacking style of play that David Teague is instilling in this group, starkly contrasting against the defensively-stoic Bolton era. The Round 6 win vs. the Western Bulldogs was the gold-standard that this football club has now shown they can hold themselves to. Leading for the entirety of the game with a 6-goal finish in the final quarter to bring up the ton, the Blues blew the Bulldogs off the park in an emphatic 52-point win. Taking this type of performance into 2021 on a more consistent basis will go a long way in continuing their rise.

WHAT NEEDS IMPROVING IN 2021?

A lack of quality decision-making and ball use, especially entering Inside 50, as well as constant lapses in multiple games frustrated fans across the season. From the beginning of Round 14’s second-half capitulation vs. Collingwood to the end of Round 15’s equally disappointing result vs. GWS, Carlton scored 1 goal from 56 Inside 50 entries. It emphasized the mid-forwards’ inability to lower their eyes and hit targets in Harry McKay, Levi Casboult and Mitch McGovern at crucial moments in games. Coupled with their apparent weakness in mentality to give up 6 losses from winning positions, more quality in decision-making and improving their composure in tight contests should be the main focus areas heading into 2021. Slowing any opposition momentum and getting the game back on their own terms will be critical in this football club making the next step.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT | DOCTOR, DOCTOR, GIVE ME THE NEWNES!

Arguably, there are a few candidates for Carlton’s most memorable moment in 2020. The thrilling win at GMHBA Stadium against Geelong and a Liam Jones falcon to hold out arch-rival Essendon by 1-point deserve honorable mentions. However, there’s only one moment. There’s only one man. There’s only one highlight that trumps them all, and it is all thanks to Jack Newnes. The final 2 minutes of Carlton’s clash with Fremantle in front of a crowd (yes, a crowd!) at Optus Stadium in Round 12 was sporting drama at its best. McKay and Jones both missing shots at goal in the dying stages. Fremantle’s Matt Taberner gifting Sam Docherty a deliberate out of bounds for one last roll of the dice with 18 seconds on the clock. ‘Doc’s out-of-bounds clanger, and the confusion and chaos that ensued due to the down-field free-kick for a late shirt-front by Andrew Brayshaw. And then the siren. 2 points down, one kick to decide Carlton’s fate. Cometh the moment, cometh the man, and that man was Newnes. 45m out behind the boundary line, with cameramen in his way and 76 Fremantle players on the mark, it never looked like missing off his boot. An after-the-siren miracle sent fans around the country into a frenzy. This is a moment that will not be forgotten by the Carlton faithful for many years to come.

LOWLIGHT | ADELAIDE? SERIOUSLY?

A second-half fadeout to the Pies followed by a final quarter collapse against the Giants in two straight games looked to have shut the door on Carlton’s already dimming Finals hopes. A win vs. Sydney kept the dull flame burning, but the non-existent desire to keep it alive to the bitter end was infuriating. Round 17’s dismal effort vs. Adelaide was disappointing and flattening. Giving up a 53 to 9 headstart in the first half against the competition’s wooden-spooners was unforgivable, and too much to bear for Blues supporters. The lack of effort and desire to compete somehow trumped the heart-break of Robbie Gray’s after-the-siren winner earlier in the season. Performances like the one against Adelaide cannot creep into the 2021 season if this football club is to be taken as a serious contender.

PLEASE NOTE: The following are not Blue Abroad’s official awards for 2020, purely my own personal ratings and thoughts.

SURPRISE PACKET | JACK NEWNES

Crossing from St Kilda in the 2019 off-season as a Delisted Free Agent, the Newnes acquisition looked like one to just make up the numbers. Similar moves for Billie Smedts and Rhys Palmer in recent seasons spring to mind, for instance. However, playing in all 17 games, kicking 13 goals (including that goal) and averaging 13.1 disposals per game at 69% efficiency proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Newnes has starting 22 credentials heading into next season.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER | WILL SETTERFIELD

Missing only one game in 2020, ‘Setters’ took his game to another level as a contested animal for the Blues in the middle of the ground. Averaging 15.5 disposals, 2.2 clearances, 4,1 tackles and 16.9 pressure acts placed Setterfield as the 2nd ranked most improved player in the competition by Champion Data, behind the Bulldogs’ Bailey Williams. For deeper analysis into ‘Setters’ improvement, take a look at Ari Stamatakos’ take on his season here.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER | JACOB WEITERING

It would be remiss of us to not give an honourable mention to second-year sensation Sam Walsh. Taking out the AFLCA’s Best Young Player award, Walsh proved to the Kane Cornes’ and Garry Lyon’s of the football world that he, in fact, holds the rightful crown as number 1 among his fellow draft crop. However, Weitering’s 2020 is one that had Carlton fans salivating at what is to come… and he’s still only 22. Among Key Defenders, he ranked 7th for Metres Gained, Intercept Possessions and Marks, 4th for Spoils and 7th for Contested Defensive Wins. He gained a nomination to the All Australian 40-man Squad as well as a place in the 22Under22 Side for the third time in his career. It would be no surprise to anyone if Weitering took out his first John Nicholls Medal for his outstanding 2020.

2020 REPORT CARD RATING

B-

The Wrap Up | Carlton 2020