The Preview | Carlton v Western Bulldogs | AFL Round 9, 2023
Written by Luke Cornell
What a week, hey.
Turmoil, delusion, division, whatever you want to call it, the Carlton faithful find themselves in the thick of it (or in this case, the kettle), lining up against the fit and firing Western Bulldogs under Saturday night lights at Marvel Stadium.
Red, white and blue, it’s the round 9 preview.
Bont.
It’s hard to pinpoint where the Dogs sit in the hierarchy of competing teams in the AFL.
Winning the last 4 of their 5 games, the Dogs find themselves in a better position than the first few opening rounds of the season, having lost 2 of their opening 3 games of the season to two top 8 teams; with one notable win against the Lions on their home-deck.
Sitting 3rd in clearances and top 5 in defensive ranking, Footscray seem to be an outlier in the top 8 discussion with some of the lacklustre opponents they’ve faced this season.
The rise of Tim English has been frustrating but all the more rewarding for the Doggies faithful, soaring to the 1st in hitouts and ranking points in the competition, providing their engine room with first use while also moving exceptionally well around the ground.
Acquisitions in Rory Lobb and Liam Jones solve long-time list management headaches in height across their spine, while also adding mobility and flexibility to both
Yet, on the wings of one 6’4 behemoth, the Dogs kick into another gear.
Marcus Bontempelli’s 2023 campaign is one for the ages, personifying the role of a midfielder in every capacity with career best numbers in disposals, tackles, clearances and contested possessions that top the competitions best.
Running with the likes of contested king Tom Liberatore, and stat pad Jack Macrae, the Bont’s influence on this game looks ripe for another masterclass if left unmanaged.
Our own worst enemy
The last few previews hint at an exercise in brilliance through a masterful sustainable brand of football that will tear teams to shred in a display of pure genius from the 23 players who don the Navy blue. However, you need 23 players to execute said game-plan, not someone typing on their laptop.
It is simply remarkable how something so right on paper fold under the weight of expectation, adaptability mid-game, and overall mindset to execute when the time is right.
The Blues rank 16th in the competition for points conceded through intercept and kick turnovers, whilst leading the league in kicks, marks, and disposals.
As @pommyinoz would say, we’re running around like Golden Retrievers letting pugs and sausage-dogs get a sniff up our rear ends with no response.
This analogy couldn’t be more frightfully realistic coming into this week, with the Dogs having the 2nd best ratio in points for and against from turnover behind only the turnover killers in St Kilda.
Levels of composure when looking for the next kick means nothing when you can only hope for an option, with the Blues ranking 17th from points off turnover coming from the wing-side of the field (35).
It was easier for the stat-man the week before, with the Blues failing to find any opportunity sprout from the corridor.
While individual praise should be a given building a preview this week, with the return of Matt Owies bound to strengthen our front half, the awaited matchups in Cripps/Bontempelli and Jones/Curnow, and some bold calls for players like Sam Walsh and Sam Docherty, the onus this week comes on 23 likeminded individuals who are bursting to get the basics right in classy fashion.
Predictions
A little over 7 years ago to the day, former head coach Brendan Bolton remarked after a hard fought loss to the Swans that supporters should appreciate the “little sprouts” emerging from the game.
Today, most of those little sprouts have grown, yet seemingly get get caught up too often in hedges of thorns, not knowing which way to burst.
While the time is nigh for the season, and the ability of this list to go the distance, these type of games under the circumstances will always be little sprouts of concern and greatness.
The ability is there, we all know it’s been planted, it’s up to them to burst.
The Dogs have the ability to put on a clinic at Marvel…but I feel pretty Bullish about this one.
