The Preview | Carlton v Gold Coast | AFL Round 14, 2023
Written By Luke Cornell
“We’ve only just begun”…
The Blues go again this week, facing the Gold Coast Suns in our first ever meeting with them at the MCG.
Woop-dee-do, it’s the round 14 preview.
“Run, Run, Run”
The Suns have risen to the occasion in season 2023.
Bolstered by a rejuvenated young lineup, the suns currently sit on an even record of 6 wins and 6 losses as they look to take that next step into September contention.
The emergence of players in Bohdi Uwland, Darcy Macphereson and Alex Davies, all questioned when drafted to the team, have strengthened the core and culture that has long been a stain to the former expansion team.
Headlined by talls in former Blue Nick Holman and Jack Luckocious (who currently averages 3.5 goals a game in the last 3 games alone), the emphasis on possession through run and carry adds another flare to this unexpected September contender.
The Suns, on the back of this mindset, rank 2nd in Kicks, Clearances and Hitouts per game; as well as ranking 1st and 2nd in Contested Possessions and Marks respectively.
Amidst the loss of elite midfielder Touk Miller, the 2019 crop of midfielders in Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell have given back in the investment the club made on them nearly 4 years ago.
It’s a welcome sight for suns fans seeing these two go the distance in the conversation for the best mids in the game, with former no.1 pick Rowell leading the league in tackles and ranking second in clearances behind only Marcus Bontempelli.
As much as this Suns side has found their mojo, they are still their worst enemy on the field.
The Suns rank 4th for clangers per game, as well as 18th for handballs per game, leaving most of their skills and decision making up to their feet with much room for error.
As they are still a somewhat developing side, Blues fans should commemorate their dedication to honing their craft with the results going a long way to their season.
What can they produce on the hallowed turf at the G?
Regroup.
The best stage of grief is acceptance.
We’re not anything close to what we want to be playing at the moment, and as hard as it is to swallow, we need to accept that this team can only pull themselves out of this ditch instead of sinking further.
So for this week, let’s accept and welcome the opportunity to possibly get 4 points on the board at home, with some fresh faces returning this week.
There’s solution when it comes to players returning, but the inclusion of David Cunningham this week on the extended bench points in that direction.
Bolstering our foot-skills across the middle and on the flanks, Cunner’s return to football after over 760 days on the sidelines is bound to add some fire to the game.
And on that note, I believe the story for the rest of the year will be at the selection table.
Though the game plan on structure on field is convoluted, the fans understand what the group is trying to achieve on field.
The onus on our players coming into fill in a roll in that system and stick to it is paramount to how we control the game on our terms, and the cracks are starting to open for many of these players.
How does our system mould around the players who we consider in our best 22? Who is rising above and driving standards, and who is failing to meet them?
The fans need to see this work sustainably, no matter what players we do or don’t see on the field.
Against the Suns, the contest will be their best friend if we don’t respond, which at our core is what our playing list should be bringing to the field.
The players hear us, as much as they love it or fear it, expect a response of some kind before we enter the bye next week.
Predictions.
Rock bottom is our friend.
No worries, and the only way is up.
The scrutiny is only and rightfully on this list for not playing to the level we know we can expect of them, and that will be all the noise at season’s end.
But for now, let’s take the risks, and take our chances…and right the wrongs for the fans this weekend.
