The Preview | Round 8 V Adelaide Crows
Season So Far:
Back to the graveyard shift for the Blues. Saturday night primetime seems so much better when in comparison to the dreaded 4:40 Sunday twilight. But the Blues have to pay their dues considering the last couple of years, so hopefully, this will be the last time we see the Blues in this fixture for a long time.
Carlton has jumped out of the blocks, being 5-2 for the first time since 2012, and firmly stamping their name as a force to be reckoned with in this competition. Being led by their skipper Patrick Cripps, who is having an absolutely brilliant season so far. Potentially poling 15 votes in the 5 full games that he has played. He has been the star man for Carlton this year, returning to his 2019 form that has been absent from his game in the past 24 months.
The Blues were emphatic in their victory against North Melbourne, the first time they have won a match by over 50 points since 2020. This was a real step in the right direction for the Blues, as they have struggled to kill teams off so far this year, and have gotten themselves in dangerous positions countless times this year, most notably against Hawthorn and Port Adelaide.
Despite conceding three goals in a row against the run of play last Saturday, the Blues held firm and managed to stem the flow, before getting the game back on their terms after halftime. They won their first third term of the season, piling on 7 goals to 2 in that term. This was a real sign of progression, as time and time again they had failed to produce the same output as what they managed in the first half.
Playing 4 quarters of footy for the first time in a long time, this was a sign that the Blues have now learnt how to win well. Because you first must learn how to win before you learn how to win well, and now the Blues are learning how to win well.
However, something the Blues have yet to prove they can do is back it up after winning well. We all know that this Carlton outfit can respond to a humiliating loss. Even in 2019, 2020 and 2021, Carlton has always been able to respond after a bad loss. However, they have yet to prove they can keep that same motivation and the same drive to back up a performance, after a comfortable win.
The next stage of this group's development is to prove to everything that they can back up these good performances game after game, regardless of the result. Should the Blues come out against the Crows with the same fire and intensity that they showed against North, then they will prove to us that there is a sign of progression. However, should they come out flat-footed and waiting to get punched before they throw a punch back,
The Crows will be no slouch. Despite only being 3-4, things could've gone a lot different for them this season. They were a kick away from beating the Bombers and baring an unbelievable spoil from Heath Chapman, they could've been in the exact same position that the Blues find themselves in with 7 matches played.
They have been carried by the returning Tex Walker who has found the form that saw him leading the Coleman Medal for the early part of the season in 2021. As well as a rising Ben Keays who has taken the midfield burden and has carried it on his shoulders in recent times.
Despite their deceiving start to the season, the Crows will punish any team in the comp if they don’t treat them with respect. And if the Blues don’t start hot, they will soon realise that despite the Crows sitting at 2-5, they are the furthest thing from a side that represents that win loss ratio.
Considering their abysmal performance last week against the Giants, this will add further fuel to the fire for the Crows and add a bigger chip on their shoulder as they look to avenge their poor performance last week.
Team News
Carlton has escaped any major injury news coming out of last week. With Lewis Young’s suspension being overturned meaning Liam Stocker is the only certain out at this stage. Zac Williams is a test to return, as is, George Hewett, who is still recovering from a corked calf.
The Crows didn’t get away lightly, however, with Brodie Smith and Ned McHenry both entering concussion protocols. As well as coach Matt Knicks being subjected to the Health and Safety protocols, with Scott Burns stepping in as interim coach for Sunday afternoon.
