The Preview | Carlton v Brisbane | AFL Round 8, 2023
Written By Luke Cornell
We’ve got our groove back.
The Blues are back under the roof of Marvel Stadium this week, taking on the Brisbane Lions in Friday night lights in an effort to truly stamp their names as September contenders,
An amazing opportunity indeed. One that involves not hearing the embarrassing rendition of “La Marseillaise” after a Brisbane win.
Allez les bleus! Here’s the round 8 preview.
Top of the food chain
The Lions have found their roar.
After much speculation surrounding their midfield rotations, defensive matchups, and forward lineups, Brisbane seem a bit too comfortable in season 2023.
Not only have they solved their issues that’s lead to some remarkable form in the last 4 weeks alone, they’ve found a way to dismantle and degrade their opponents week in and week out.
The Lions rank top 5 per game in goal assists, inside 50s, and turnovers for, while also ranking 3rd in points per game and 1st in clearances. This team simply continues to reach new heights ever since their resurgence in 2019.
It’s a very similar system that Voss is trying to implement into the Blue’s playing group, with the Lions ranking 18th for Handballs but ranking top 5 for kicks and kicking efficiency. Combined with their inside 50 numbers for the year already, Brisbane’s attack feels as though it can only be stemmed rather than stopped.
A perfect problem for the Lions to have solved, with Daniher and Hipwood up forward looking more dangerous each week, paying off the Lion’s tall-order line up. In reality, their presence up-forward does it’s job regardless if both combine for 2 goals; providing space to smalls in Zac Bailey, Cam Rayner, and, of course, leading goal kicker Charlie Cameron.
In Nick Newman’s case, pick your poison.
Their additions in Dunkley and Ashcroft are causing a real headache for coaches when combined with an already highly touted midfield. Both currently average 22 and 23 disposals respectively, with Dunkley ranking elite in tackles (5.8) and Ashcroft continuing to go beyond what’s expected of him at his age. The sky is the limit for this kid.
Conor McKenna adds an urgency to the Lion’s back half when transitioning the ball up-forward, leading the team in kicks
Lachie Neale is having one of the many unsung seasons of 2023, leading the league in clearances at career best numbers (8.6, elite). It’s a very Cripps like role for Neale under the similar style of team systems, with both players leading their respective teams in handballs by a significant numbers while their co-midfielders rank higher in kick tallies, food for thought.
It would be remiss not to mention the contribution of veteran recruit Jack Gunston, young general Keidan Coleman, and Captain Harris Andrews, but that’s just it, isn’t it. This team never feels undermanned when the chips are down. One of the few teams with an emphasis on “no-passengers.”
The Blues will be counting their stars with the omission of Dayne Zorko and Daniel Rich, as the Lions look to extend their win-streak out of the confines of their Gabba abode.
“I think [they’ve] got it! By George [they’ve] got it!”
No matter the chat that came out of the St Kilda game the week before, it was always a perfect standard held by coaches, players and supporters when the main concern was whether this playing group could win by over 100 points.
Wherever the concern lies this week, rest assured, Voss’ game can work.
That of course doesn’t tick off it’s effectiveness against contending teams, but unlike the by-gone Teague era of “confusion” around the system, the West Coast game showed that their is a real investment by this playing group to master this style of play; highlighted by our kicking efficiency jumping to top 2 in the league (68% to Melbourne’s 70%)
It’s a system that invites players to make an impact and fulfil their role on the ground, highlighted by Brodie Kemp’s 2023 season debut; with 18 of his 22 disposals being kicks whilst still going at 72% efficiency, adding an unprecedented piece to our backline for hopefully the rest of this season.
It’s no longer a case of “fantastic, great move, well done” or any other “pass-mark” for our debutants this season, the contribution of Alex Cincotta proves that there is an integral role for each player to buy into and perform at a high standard, rather than just playing players for the sake of playing them.
Against the Lions, however, there’s a level of patience to this game. Brisbane rank 2nd least for opponent inside 50 entries and efficiency, negating flimsy options and long kicks into their defensive 50.
Unsurprisingly, this week is another test for our forward half, with the focus primarily on our incoming smalls and the role of Harry McKay.
Amidst another selection headache, expect to see both Matt Owies and Jesse Motlop in the squad. We’re yet to see the signature pressure and bite from our smalls this season, but off the back of some key forward brilliance, and now against a top tier defence, you can sense their impact makes or breaks our ability to pile on a significant score against the Lions.
For Harry, he’s finally assumed the role he’s been struggling with all season long, creating space. It sounds like a broken record now, but isolation is key when it comes to both Mckay and Curnow playing in the same forward pack. Charlie’s masterclass is a credit to his ability to play one-on-one, sitting very deep to incentivise clean targets up-forward when he creates that space for himself.
What good is having two Coleman medalists if they only mold into one option upfoward?
Midfield rotation seems to be a key talking point this week, with Voss having found the rotation that executes best; seeing the likes of Adam Cerra and Sam Walsh go to new levels each week, with the sacrifice of Matt Kennedy’s role as he moves to our back half.
Predictions
This next month of football will prove to be a staple of our season no matter what the result, with a scalp of the Lions on our home-deck giving us the boost we need.
Since the Neale era, the Blues’ record against Brisbane at home stands at 1-1, with both lists changing significantly over time, but still an advantage on our front when you compare it to the Lion’s dominance at the Gabba.
Contrary to popular belief, this is perhaps the most like-for-like matchup Carlton have faced all season, with both teams having very similar strengths and weaknesses across the ground.
Sure, it’s Brisbane’s season and we’re just playing in it…that doesn’t mean their can’t be a sprinkle of Blue.
Blues by 14
God, their song sucks.
