A little bit less nonsense and a little bit more footy: GWS v Carl Match Report: Max Ford
So, then. Following on from advice from readers last week, I’ve decided to tone down the waffling a bit, and slightly dial up the football analysis. After all, you guys don’t read this publication for random Mel Brooks references and tangential metaphors, do you? You want proper footy analysis. So, that is my solemn promise to you in regard to this GWS v. Carlton match report. Less nonsense (but still a little bit, naturally). and more footy. Let’s get into it.
Q1:
GWS: Ball movement: The Giants are moving the ball with reckless abandon through the corridor, and though it doesn’t always pay off, it proves to doubters that this is an outfit not short on confidence and willing to take the game on. The highlight is undoubtedly a Brent Daniels running goal from 50 following a slick chain of possession.
GWS: Hogan: Jesse Hogan is making it appear that he makes everything up as he goes along, kicking two very different goals from very similar positions. The first is a rudimentary snap around the corner, but on the second, Jesse opts for a drop punt, in which he runs to a wholly unnecessary extent out to the right. Someone might want to have a word with him about establishing some consistency in his routine, because I can’t imagine the GWS supporters, wherever he may be (haha, get it?), are too keen on such a patchy approach from their main tall up forward.
GWS: Defence: Whilst things are ticking along offensively, defensively, there are some problems. Failure amongst the back six to communicate with each other has resulted in a goal out the back for the Blues and cohesion appears to be lacking.
Carlton: Cerra: Why the hell are no Giants players tackling Adam Cerra? His stiff-arm is almost puny, resemblant of what Dusty’s might look like if he had the bone marrow sucked out of him pre-game, yet no one’s been able to prevent Cerra from releasing the ball. Either Cerra’s much better in contested situations than I expected or the Giants’ tackling technique needs a fair bit of work.
Carlton: Silvagni: Jack Silvagni has an exceedingly influential first quarter, taking several important marks in the forward half, and capping one of them off with a goal. His overhead strength is seriously impressive. It’s good to see that SOS was kind enough to pass down some of his footy traits to at least one of his kids. Selfish bugger. Could learn a thing or two from Peter Daicos.
Q2:
GWS: Sharp handballs: It seems very clear that GWS have worked on handballing over the preseason. Perhaps Barassi has been hanging around Blacktown imparting some of his wisdom. Some of their handballing is awesome to watch. Fast, low and accurate. It’s attractive footy and it’s a bit of a travesty that it only yields one goal for the term.
GWS: Tom Green: The junior T. Green(e) at the Giants is having his way with the Blues, bullocking through congestion and hitting his targets. My Supercoach team is loving it, and I imagine Adam Kingsley is too.
Carlton: Acres the Egyptian: Blake Acres is doing everything sideways in an attempt to protect his banged-up right shoulder. It’s an unorthodox strategy, but it comes off, no better exemplified than when he takes a one-handed sideways mini hanger. Excellent work, Blake. Cleopatra would be proud.
Carlton: Super Cripps: The Carlton co-skipper is dominating, gathering 12 disposals for the term, setting up possession chains, and terrorising the Giants midfield whenever he gets the chance. It’s remarkable that his back remains at such a high level of functionality after carrying the team throughout those nadir years.
Carlton: Opportunities galore: Carlton definitely have the better of the play, but it yields mixed results. Sam Docherty capitalises on a charitable 50m penalty with a lovely long bomb, and Charlie Curnow wins an enthralling game of ‘who has the slightly better turning circle’ against Jack Buckley to convert from 50 after gathering a ground ball. But these moments of quality are interspersed with poor deliveries inside 50 and wasted kicks that bely the two goal half time gap between the teams.
Q3:
GWS: Inability to lock the ball in: On repeated occasions, GWS’ tackling technique and positioning lets them down as they fail to lock the ball in in situations where they really should. Carlton don’t quite reap the benefits of this, but it’s an aspect of concern for the Giants that will hurt them this year if not rectified.
GWS: Riccardi a class above: The only goal for the term from either team goes to Jake Riccardi, who converts a shot from the top of the square. Based on some of the other examples of set-shot kicking from players of both teams, the goal is far from a sure thing, but he makes it count.
Carlton: Charity syndicate: The 1920s gangster-sounding forward trio of Harry, Charlie and Tom for the Blues do not live up to their fearsome names, kicking 4 behinds for the term between them and ultimately failing to convert opportunities which could’ve put the Giants… out of action, if you know what I mean. They’d do well to reconvene with big cheese Mickey V at three quarter time and reassess their MO.
Carlton: Good structure, poor execution: But the rest of the team are far from blameless. The Carlton setup is sound, they’ve defended in transition far better than they did in the first quarter, and there is often an outlet kick or handpass. Yet there’s always one disposal in a chain that doesn’t quite hit its target and allows an orange guernsey in with a sniff. At the risk of sounding like a Channel 7 commentator, my observation is that they’re going to want to dispose of the ball more efficiently if they want to win this game.
Q4:
GWS: Toby stirs from his slumber: The man who polarises the footy world like no other has had a dirty day to this point. However, when his team needs him, he pops up and plucks an extremely courageous grab in the face of oncoming defensive traffic. He then makes no mistake with the shot, putting his team back within a point.
GWS: Show us your navy blue shirt, ump: A couple of iffy umpiring decisions go against the Giants in this quarter. First, a non-free kick to Jake Riccardi inside 50 for front-on contact, and then an incident which I’m sure won’t be discussed and scrutinised to within an inch of its life; a dissent free kick against Stephen Conglio, resulting in a Jesse Motlop goal from point blank. I’m all for umpire protection, but a call like that is ridiculous. Such a harsh penalty for a genuine question from a player in the heat of the moment. My professional opinion on the matter can be summed up thus: Me no likey.
Carlton: Composure under pressure: Unlike last week, the Blues don’t need to rely on opposition blunders to get them over the line. Despite constant pressure from the Giants, Carlton keep a cool head, hitting their targets and making sure to never panic. I’m sure Carlton fans are loath to say that the mental demons of those final quarters last year have been exorcised, but it’s an undoubted positive that they are able to finally hold their nerve in a close one. Some tangible hope for those Blues fans that haven’t succumbed to heart attacks over the duration of their last four matches.
Carlton: Charlie gets the last laugh: Sam Taylor has done a splendid job thus far, but Curnow’s judgment of a high ball to the boundary line in the dying minutes is superior to both Taylor, who tries to spoil as the third man up, and Jack Buckley. Curnow makes no mistake with the resultant snap, and the game is more or less put to bed.
Come final siren, Carlton are 10 behinds to the goods, 9.20.74-9.10.64. It was dour, it was tough. Though Carlton fans will undoubtedly be delighted with the result, most neutrals would probably deem any celebration more energetic than a mild ‘yay’ in the ilk of Monty Python’s Holy Grail as over-the-top. It’s fair to say that amongst the AFL world after this one, there was not very much rejoicing.
