THE WRAP UP: ROUND 13 CARLTON V GOLD COAST
Joseph Addamo
Each week, Blue Abroad’s “The Wrap Up” takes a different perspective on Carlton’s post-match review. “The Wrap Up” provides insights and stats supporting the key trends, moments and patterns of the game that held most influence over the final result. This is your Round 13 Wrap Up following Carlton’s win over the Gold Coast Suns.
TERRY'S BLUE ABROAD MATCH REVIEW
MATCH WRAP
Carlton supporters across the country would have all had similar emotions leading into Round 13’s clash with the Suns; it’s a game the Blues should win comfortably, but a game that the Blues have dropped so many times in the past. However, from siren to siren, the Blues were in total control, with fans treated to a night of equanimity instead of anxiety.
Playing in Darwin for the first time since 2005, the Blues adapted quicker to the humidity than their counterparts in the early going. Michael Gibbons (2 goals, 19 Disposals, 5 Tackles) kicked the first goal of the game halfway through the opening quarter, which proved to be the only goal to quarter time. Marc Murphy (28 Disposals, 75% Disposal Efficiency, 477 Metres Gained) looked clean in the ‘soapy’ conditions, with pinpoint kicks on the edge of the corridor setting up much of Carlton’s movement going forward.
The second quarter was the ultimate catalyst for the Blues’ eventual win. Izak Rankine (1 Goal, 8 Disposals) and Sean Lemmens (1 Goal, 7 Disposals) provided some spark for the Suns kicking their only two goals for the half. However, a clean pick-up and scintillating run from Zac Fisher (21 Disposals, 6 Score Involvements, 3 Inside 50s) to set up an Eddie Betts goal brought the Darwin crowd alight. While Eddie struggled for much of the night, dropping numerous Uncontested Marks, this was a special moment. It sparked a late surge from the Blues who went bang-bang-bang with three quick goals to head into half time leading the Suns by 25 points, 5.7 (37) to 2.0 (12).
Coming out as eventual 33-point winners, the second half proved lackluster from a goals perspective for both the Blues and Suns. A total of 4 goals was kicked between the two teams to finish out the game, although it could have been so much more for the Blues. Carlton finished the game with 18 Behinds, the first time they had kicked more than 16 Behinds since Round 18, 2017. While frustrating for Blues fans, Harry McKay (2 Goals, 8 Marks, 9 Score Involvements) was the target the Carlton Midfield unit looked to for the majority of the night. With 6 total scoring shots from ‘H’, it could have easily been that breakout performance that the footy world has been waiting for.
Murphy was the clear Best-On-Ground for the night, followed closely by Sam Walsh (24 Disposals, 4 Clearances, 10 Score Involvements) and captain Patrick Cripps (23 Disposals, 8 Clearances, 6 Tackles). Jacob Weitering (9 Intercepts, 8 Marks, 4 Score Launches) completely nullified the influence of Ben King (5 Disposals, 1 Behind, Zero Marks) and once again staked his claim for inaugural All-Australian honours in 2020.
Carlton’s next task comes off a 9-day break against a down-and-out Collingwood outfit, as the Blues look to take their 2020 ledger into the positive after squaring up at 6-6 following last night’s win. When can we start talking about ‘it’, Carlton fans? That ‘F’ word…
Source: foxsports.com.au
BREAKING IT DOWN: KEY MATCH INSIGHTS
Blue Dominance Siren-to-Siren: +96 Disposals, +28 Inside 50s, 50% Efficiency Inside 50, +7 Clearance, -16 Turnovers, +33 Marks, +8 Marks Inside 50, +9 Contested Marks, +18 Scoring Shots 100% Time In Front… if that doesn’t scream dominance I’m not sure what does. A 6-goal win is not something to scoff at, but the final scoreline of 7.18 (60) to 4.3 (27) flattered the Suns. Carlton were in complete control from pillar-to-post, and even when it looked like the Suns would mount a challenge in the second and third quarters, Carlton hit back immediately with a 3 goal burst and quick response respectively. In a season where the Blues have failed on so many occasions to maintain a lead and rebound when some form of pressure has mounted, it was a sight for sore eyes. Carlton fans could finally sleep easy after that win.
Pick 1 & Pick 2: While the result didn’t go their way for the 5th straight week, the Gold Coast Suns have so much to look forward to in their young list. One player in particular that looks to have taken a massive leap in 2020 is Jack Lukosius. Taken after Walsh at Pick 2 in the 2018 AFL Draft, Lukosius had game-highs in Metres Gained (799) and Kicks (19) at 83% Disposal Efficiency and a team-high 23 Disposals for the Suns. Lukosius is staking his claim as one of the most-improved in 2020. On the flip side, Sam Walsh, 2019’s NAB AFL Rising Star, is maintaining his mantle as the number 1 player coming out of that 2018 Draft crop. Walsh was averaging 18.6 Disposals, 1 Goal, 3.6 Tackles and 3.6 Clearances in his previous 5 games leading into this clash, with a 1:1 ratio of Contested vs. Uncontested Possessions. The balance in Walsh’s game is one you’d expect of a 150-game veteran, not from a now 34-game second-year rookie. As football fans, watching the likes of Lukosius and Walsh develop into stars of the competition in years to come is an exciting prospect.
Defensive Duo: Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones have legitimate claims as one of the best defensive duos in the competition in 2020, next to the likes of Andrews-Gardiner, Blicavs-Stewart and Grimes-Astbury. Much has been said of Weitering in his best campaign to date, while Jones has been equally as good in his own right as Carlton’s number 1 AFL Player Rated Key Defender. Jones had a game-high 5 spoils and 4 Intercept Marks playing opposite Sam Day (6 Disposals, Zero Goals, 1 Mark) for much of the night, while Ben King was held goalless for only the second time in 2020 by Weitering. Weitering lost only 1 Contested Defesive One on One for the night to go with 4 Intercept Marks. Flanked by the lockdown brilliance of Lachie Plowman and Tom Williamson in recent weeks, the Carlton defence is shaping up nicely as they head into the business end of the season.
Martin Motoring: Jack Martin lined up against his old side for the first time in Round 13, and made sure they knew exactly what they were missing out on. Martin finished with 21 Disposals at 86% Efficiency, while adding 6 Marks, 4 Tackles, 3 Inside 50s and 7 Score Involvements to his performance in what is starting look like his new standard. After walking into the pre-season draft and the Blues picking Martin up for virtually nothing, he’s looming as the premier acquisition of 2020. A goal would have topped off a brilliant return to the Senior squad for Martin against his old club, with the Suns surely ruing the loss of Jack’s influence in their developing side this season.
Source: heraldsun.com.au
FINAL SCORES & PLAYER RATINGS
Carlton: 1.4 (10), 5.7 (37), 6.11 (47), 7.18 (60)
Gold Coast: 0.0 (0), 2.0 (12), 3.2 (20), 4.3 (27)
Carlton Goals: McKay (2), Gibbons (2), Betts, Curnow, Newnes
Carlton Best: Murphy, Cripps, Weitering, Walsh, Martin