Round 5 - Carlton vs. Geelong
It was the perfect day for football: on a lovely 21 degree arvo, over 71,000 fans enjoyed an intense match on a Monday that they didn't have to chuck a sickie on to be there. And if you were donning the navy blue (as opposed to the pretty-much-navy-blue and white?), it was about to get even better.
Carlton 4.3 | 10.8 | 12.13 | 15.14 (104)
defeated
Geelong 3.4 | 5.7 | 7.10 | 9.14 (68)
Two weeks ago, our boys put up the most embarrassing display we have seen in a long time against our old foes Essendon. In a game that should have been ours for the taking, we instead looked like a side that would struggle against the win-less Bendigo Bombers. Carlton fans (and I do use the word 'fan' loosely) bombarded talkback radio and newspapers with cries for the death of Ratten.
So what did the Carlton great do? He took an axe to the side and with it he slashed a few of the previously viewed untouchables: Thornton and Waite. A message was sent out. You had to earn your place in this Carlton side.
There were more cries of outrage. They'd been replaced with inexperience, a team that on paper looked totally outclassed. Not to mention, well, short.
Two weeks on and we've not only defeated (an admittedly lesser quality) Adelaide at home, but today our boys put on one of the most impressive displays they have since the finals last year.
Last year, against Geelong it was much the same. Why do we fire up against great sides, yet have lost the past 6 matches against Essendon?
Whatever it is, our run and carry was second to none. Our legs won us the ball time and again. Walker bursting out of defense, Garlett slipping away in the forward line, Judd breaking through in the centre. And Heath Scotland, my lord was he not the unshakable master today? Every time Geelong applied the pressure, he refused to be rushed, and his calm and collected style of footy saw that the ball was delivered exactly where it should be. But it was also his assists and off the ball efforts that helped win us the game. It was one of the best games I have seen him play. Our indigenous trio up forward kicked 7 goals between them, one short of their total in the previous game. And Armfield, again showing us the amazing talent that he is going to be. His blonde hair flying behind him sadly reminding me of the days of Teague and Stevens.
We came up against our rival at centre clearances, two of the best teams in the league - and we out classed them. We owned the centre of the MCG.
However, there is no denying that Geelong weren't at their best. Some of it was due to our effect on them, but with their accuracy (lackthereof) and skill error, we were at times lucky.
There are still obvious areas that need to be worked on. The boomerang action that happens in our forward line, for one, undoing the hard work done down field. The easy misses that saw us forgo our chances to seal the game earlier on.
It also came at a cost, with Walker being taken out of the game late with an injured shoulder. Scans will confirm the extent of the injury in the coming days. The silver whistle he was sporting in the rooms today, however, does no0t bode well.
Next week, we face our oldest enemies: Collingwood. It will indeed be interesting to see how well this young side can keep up it's winning style of play week-to-week.
Carlton 4.3 | 10.8 | 12.13 | 15.14 (104)
defeated
Geelong 3.4 | 5.7 | 7.10 | 9.14 (68)
Two weeks ago, our boys put up the most embarrassing display we have seen in a long time against our old foes Essendon. In a game that should have been ours for the taking, we instead looked like a side that would struggle against the win-less Bendigo Bombers. Carlton fans (and I do use the word 'fan' loosely) bombarded talkback radio and newspapers with cries for the death of Ratten.
So what did the Carlton great do? He took an axe to the side and with it he slashed a few of the previously viewed untouchables: Thornton and Waite. A message was sent out. You had to earn your place in this Carlton side.
There were more cries of outrage. They'd been replaced with inexperience, a team that on paper looked totally outclassed. Not to mention, well, short.
Two weeks on and we've not only defeated (an admittedly lesser quality) Adelaide at home, but today our boys put on one of the most impressive displays they have since the finals last year.
Last year, against Geelong it was much the same. Why do we fire up against great sides, yet have lost the past 6 matches against Essendon?
Whatever it is, our run and carry was second to none. Our legs won us the ball time and again. Walker bursting out of defense, Garlett slipping away in the forward line, Judd breaking through in the centre. And Heath Scotland, my lord was he not the unshakable master today? Every time Geelong applied the pressure, he refused to be rushed, and his calm and collected style of footy saw that the ball was delivered exactly where it should be. But it was also his assists and off the ball efforts that helped win us the game. It was one of the best games I have seen him play. Our indigenous trio up forward kicked 7 goals between them, one short of their total in the previous game. And Armfield, again showing us the amazing talent that he is going to be. His blonde hair flying behind him sadly reminding me of the days of Teague and Stevens.
We came up against our rival at centre clearances, two of the best teams in the league - and we out classed them. We owned the centre of the MCG.
However, there is no denying that Geelong weren't at their best. Some of it was due to our effect on them, but with their accuracy (lackthereof) and skill error, we were at times lucky.
There are still obvious areas that need to be worked on. The boomerang action that happens in our forward line, for one, undoing the hard work done down field. The easy misses that saw us forgo our chances to seal the game earlier on.
It also came at a cost, with Walker being taken out of the game late with an injured shoulder. Scans will confirm the extent of the injury in the coming days. The silver whistle he was sporting in the rooms today, however, does no0t bode well.
Next week, we face our oldest enemies: Collingwood. It will indeed be interesting to see how well this young side can keep up it's winning style of play week-to-week.