The Wrap Up | Round 9 V Hawthorn
Written by Joseph Addamo
Each week, Blue Abroad’s “The Wrap Up” looks to take a different look at Carlton’s post-match review. “The Wrap Up” will provide insights and stats supporting the key trends, moments and patterns of the game that held most influence over the final result. This is your Round 9 Wrap Up after a disappointing loss to the Hawks.
Like it’s 2018 all over again… well, not quite (2 wins for a whole season was diabolical). Yesterday’s loss to Hawthorn was the first time we as Carlton supporters have seen that level of effort since David Teague took over as head coach. The first quarter was breathtaking with blistering ball movement and forward half pressure that broke the Fox Footy pressure gauge. But then Clarko pulled one out of the hat, as he has so many times against Carlton. After the first quarter, it looked eerily similar to last year’s capitulation in Tasmania. What we didn’t realise is that the end result would become even more embarrassing.
The ‘Baggers came steaming out of the blocks in the first quarter again, piling on 5.1.31 to 2.0.12 leading into the first break. It was party time at Optus, and for many Carlton fans, the “F” word was whispering in our ears. Patrick Cripps led the way after a horror week with 11 disposals in the first quarter, with a brilliant soccer effort by Jack Newnes for his second goal to round out Carlton’s best quarter of football for the season. But it was doom and gloom after quarter time.
Source: afl.com.au Round 9 Match Gallery
It was the Hawks’ big guns that were the firestarters in the second quarter. Liam Shiels and Isaac Smith both contributed with 2 goals each as the Hawks mid-field ran rampant over Carlton. Cripps toiled all afternoon, trying to put the Blues on his back as he always does. But it proved too much in the second quarter, with a set shot brain fade turning into a Hawthorn goal up the other end. Moments later, with options in front of him inside forward 50, a running shot for a behind sucked the air out of any momentum the Blues were trying to claw back. Hawthorn’s 6 goals to Carlton’s 1 goal in the quarter was only the beginning of the end for the Blues. The Hawks would go on to kick another 6 goals to 3 in the second half, setting up a 31 point win in 2020’s biggest margin turn-around so far.
Tom Mitchell (28 disposals, 8 tackles, 5 clearances) was left to do as he pleased after quarter time. Jack Gunston (3 goals, 7 marks, 7 score involvements) proved too much for Lachie Plowman to handle after quarter time as the Blues defence was bombarded. Cripps (27 disposals, 8 clearances), Jacob Weitering (14 disposals, 7 marks, 5 intercepts) and Jack Martin (15 disposals, 2 goals, 4 tackles) were only a handful of Blues that left the ground with their heads held high. A bitter and disappointing day for this football club in 2020.
Source: afl.com.au Round 9 Match Gallery
BREAKING IT DOWN: KEY MATCH INSIGHTS
Blistering Blues! Wait… Where’d They Go?! As they did last week, Carlton finished the first quarter with 5.1 (31) in a blistering start to the game. What was it that happened after the first quarter that has left Blues fans scratching their heads? Carlton’s midfield was battered after quarter time, with Hawthorn’s ability to increase their pressure around the contest turning the tide. In addition, after watching the footage back, another Clarko coaching masterclass was also unfolding before our eyes. Carlton were given space in between lines to launch from their defensive half as they have for much of the year in the first quarter. This gave repeat entries inside 50 and allowed for Carlton’s small forwards to bring the heat when it came to ground. The Hawks’ structure changed tact from quarter time onwards. A zone cutting off Carlton’s entry through the corridor closed these attacking lines down and forced slower ball movement from the defensive 50. The defensive corridor zone was then able to crowded packs on the wings and gave Hawthorn extra numbers at these contests. This hampered Carlton’s ability to take contested marks or bring the ball to ground.
Midfield Missing: The likes of Will Setterfield (8 disposals, 50% efficiency), Sam Walsh (12 disposals) and Matthew Kennedy (11 disposals, 54% efficiency) have come on in leaps and bounds in recent weeks. When the pressure lifted this week, however, it proved too much for the inexperienced midfield brigade. The lack of effort from this midfield unit can be summarised by a Sam Walsh play in the last quarter, being told, “play on” by the umpire three times, yet putting no pressure on the mark on his Hawthorn opponent. This led to a Jack Gunston goal and the nail in the coffin for the Blues on the afternoon.
Stats Never Lie (Or Do They?): Carlton lost the disposal count 245-287, as well as the hit-outs by an absurd margin of 18-42. Looking at these numbers you’d think there was no chance for the midfield to get their hands on the bull at stoppages. However, Carlton won the clearances 35-23, 12% above their season average to date. Patrick Cripps and Ed Curnow together led the clearances for the Blues with 8 each. If you did not watch the game, on face value you’d be led to believe they dominated the afternoon against the Hawks. However, digging deeper, 1 and 4 inside 50s respectively highlight a bigger story. Getting hands on the football and sharking Hawthorn’s ruck taps were not the problem. A lack of execution from the stoppage that disallowed scoreboard impact instead proved to be the downfall.
Tall Timber Cut Down: The absence of Mitch McGovern was felt this week in Carlton’s forward 50 and up the ground. For the second straight week, Carlton did not finish the game leading Marks Inside 50 (8-12). Callum Moore tried early, but his influence was obsolete for the majority of the game. Harry McKay also looked promising early, but was not given a chance to build on his first quarter as Carlton’s midfield dissipated. Levi Casboult was a shining light (yet again) with 3 goals, but was forced to stay deep inside forward 50 with an inability to clunk in those wing contests. Does Teague need to change structure and strategy based on personnel moving forward?
FINAL SCORES
Carlton: 5.1 (31), 6.2 (38), 7.4 (46), 9.4 (58)
North Melbourne: 2.0 (12), 8.3 (51), 11.4 (70), 14.5 (89)
Carlton Goals: Casboult (3), Martin (2), Newnes (2), Cripps, Cuningham
Carlton Best: Cripps, Weitering, Docherty, Casboult, Martin