The Preview | Carlton V Collingwood | AFL Round 2, 2021
Written By Ari Stamatakos
The Season So Far:
Both sides need to win this game, absolutely need to, neither team can afford to go 0-2, especially considering the fact that only 5 sides have made finals when being 0-2, taking into account the opponents, it makes this game even more important than it already was. Carlton fell away disappointingly to an always great Tigers side, whereas the Pies were outclassed by the better team the following night as they went down to the Bulldogs by 16 points.
Scott Pendlebury was the standout for Collingwood, the smooth mover had 25 disposals, 7 score involvements and 7 inside 50’s. Brody Mihocek, Mason Cox and Jamie Elliott drove the Pies scoring ability, all kicking 2 goals, whereas Darcy Moore stopped the score from blowing out further, his 12 marks, 6 of them contested just showed his class in abundance.
Sam Walsh was arguably the standout for Carlton, with 31 disposals going at 87% efficiency, 7 score involvements and 6 clearances, the 3rd year player looks to have levelled up after 2 very impressive seasons. Jack Newnes had a career-best game, despite being overlooked by many, his 27 touches, 10 marks and 7 score involvements has given many Carlton fans the confidence that he will hold his own in season 2021.
Coming into the round 2 matchup, the tension is palpable and not many fans will enjoy the build-up to this game, or even the match itself, but it will be all worth it should the Blues get over the line in what’s promised to be a cracking Thursday night game at the MCG.
The Last Time They Met
The first time in a long time that a Carlton V Collingwood games wasn’t played at the MCG and despite is being a weird feeling, the rivalry was as furious and as intense as ever. A pretty even first term which saw a slim 2 point lead for Collingwood at the first break. A much more hyper and energetic second quarter from both teams saw 8 goals kicked, which intern saw Carlton 9 point leaders at half time after a Jack Newnes goal late which nearly went over the roof at the Gabba. However, in typical Carlton fashion, a goalless second half to Collingwood’s 5 spelt doom as despite still leading at 3 quarter time, a gutless final term saw the arch-enemy run over the top of the Blues in a 24 point win. Some of the Pies standout players included Jaidyn Stephenson and Josh Thomas who both kicked 2 goals and ran all over the Carlton defence. Jamie Elliott (8 tackles, 4 clearances 6 inside 50’s) and Jack Crisp (25 disposals at 88% efficiency, 12 marks, 5 score involvements). Carlton’s standouts were Ed Curnow (22 disposals, 9 tackles, 6 score involvements) and Sam Walsh (22 disposals at 81% efficiency, 4 tackles)
Team Stats Breakdown
Similar to Richmond last week, Carlton must shut down the methodical and system base style that Collingwood deploy. Again, similar to last week, good ball movement is a massive component to breaking down the pies. The Dogs showed this last week with their 78% disposal efficiency, this led to them getting 60 inside 50’s and 11 marks inside 50. The Dogs set the blueprint brilliantly, in short, pressure from the front. The Dogs had 17 tackles inside 50 against the pies and 57 tackles overall. The Blues need to drastically improve in this area as they recorded the lowest tackles inside 50’s in round one with 2 and only 38 tackles overall. The Dogs dominated the Pies using this pressure heavy game style which is something that the Blues need to try to deploy in order to give them the best possible chance of winning.
As mentioned prior, Moore had a field day against the Dogs, this due impart to a vast majority of the Dogs inside 50’s were massive bombs deep, which in conjunction with Jeremy Howe (6 marks, 5 rebound 50’s, 3 tackles) they cleaned up. With the Blues managing 10 marks inside 50, this, in conjunction with the Blues 59 rebound 50’s, the Blues need to play a more patient style of football in order to lower their eyes find an easy target inside 50.
The Midfield battle will also be very interesting, as last week Brodie Grundy dominated both Bulldogs ruckman in the centre of the ground, with 46 hit-outs to 19, however, interesting to note is that the centre clearances was 8-11 the other way. With the total clearances being 32-38 the Dogs way, the inclusion of both Zac Williams and Jack Martin will help aid the ability for the Blues to exploit this area of the game. The pies losing total disposals, contested possessions and uncontested possessions shows that the midfield domination is something that can lead the Blues to victory
Key Matchup
Normally, games of this magnitude are played out between two star midfielders, or the big key forward vs the elite shutdown defender, while those two may be the case, there is a case to be made that this game will be played off both respective half backlines. Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore and Jack Crisp will look across and see Adam Saad, Sam Docherty and Jacob Weitering, whichever side can dominate from these players will give themselves a good foothold on the match.
Crisp and Maynard both had really good games on Friday night, Crisp having 23 disposals, 7 marks and 6 rebound 50’s, and Maynard having 21 disposals, 6 score involvements and 7 rebound 50’s. Both the above players were 2nd and 3rd total disposals getters for their team, perpetuating the importance of these players to the system that they play. This can also be said with Moore, as his 18 disposals, 12 marks and 5 rebound 50’s proved crucial in their ability to generate attack from defence.
On the Carlton side of things, Adam Saad was nothing short then electric, with his 25 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50’s and 6 rebound 50’s, Docherty was reliable as always (despite his two moments of madness in the last quarter), his 24 disposals, 5 marks and 11 rebound 50’s proved he is maintaining his brilliant form from last year. A similar thing can be said to an extent for Weitering, despite not having a brilliant game, from his 11 totals kicks, he managed 9 rebound 50’s along with his 5 marks.
Predicted In’s & Out’s
With Zac William’s suspension ending and Jack Martin fit to play, they will be all but certainties to be included. Jack Silvagni will be sidelined with a shoulder injury, and some poor performers from last Thursday would be on the chopping block such as Lochie O’Brien and Levi Casboult. Considering the inclusions and the impact that Levi can have, unfortunately, it looks likely that LOB will be omitted this week
In’s: Zac Williams & Jack Martin
Out’s: Jack Silvagni (INJ) & Lochie O’Brien (OMI)
