David King wants to see growth from Carlton coach Brendon Bolton in 2019
An outstanding No.1 draft pick and some savvy trades suggest there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Blues. In Footy19 DAVID KING explains the keys to Carlton’s rise up the ladder.
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Brendon Bolton and South Australian pop star Sia provide the same mystery.
I like Bolton’s messaging and I enjoy what Sia sings, but I’ve no idea what is behind the mask — their real identities.
Bolton needs to show the AFL world his “green shoots” of growth, as a coach, this season.
After a two-win season, I remain bullish that this Carlton list is significantly better than it has shown. It’s time to bridge the gap on the rest of the competition.
WATCH THE EXTENDED BLUES PREVIEW IN THE VIDEO ABOVE
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The pre-season injury toll has not helped and the loss of co-captain Sam Docherty to an ACL injury for a second season is crippling. The All-Australian half-back flanker is a key organiser, but Carlton defends by system, not individual personnel.
Barring injury, Sam Walsh is a lock for the NAB Rising Star award. The best ball-winning junior tracked by Champion Data, Walsh is an endurance beast and a certain starter in a team desperate for star factor intervention.
Patrick Cripps has shouldered the midfield contested possession and clearance workload for two to three seasons. In that time, he has won 943 contested possessions, with the next best being Ed Curnow on 553. The clearance gap is wider.
Cripps drifted forward more regularly last season, kicking a career-high 11 goals, which must happen more often. He’s a star and, when Carlton starts winning, he will be a Brownlow Medal challenger.
It is time for Charlie Curnow, 22, to become a dominant weapon.
His athleticism was a match-up headache as he improved from 20 goals in 2017 to 34 last year, but the sky is the limit.
The midfield contains classy, high-end draft selections. Acquiring Will Setterfield and Liam Stocker highlighted Stephen Silvagni’s desire to fast-track this rebuild.
There’s considerable excitement about Paddy Dow’s 20 games in his first season. Dow averaged 14 disposals, but his midfield minutes must elevate from the 50-50 midfield-forward split.
Zac Fisher went from a nice outside player to a damaging overlap runner who can hit the scoreboard. A 12-disposal average in 2017 rose to 19 last year. If Sam Petrevski-Seton can follow a similar path, then Blues fans can get excited.
Mitch McGovern delivered 1.5 goals a game across 48 matches for Adelaide and the combination of him and Curnow will allow improving Harry McKay to fly under the radar.
McKay’s ability to hit the scoreboard is stunning, with his 13 games last season returning 21 goals.
The elder statesmen continue to deliver, highlighted by Kade Simpson’s second place in last year’s John Nicholls Medal. Dale Thomas, Marc Murphy and Matthew Kreuzer will again need to set the tone as Carlton lacks depth in the 24-28 age demographic.
The Blues appeared more attacking at the start of 2018, but went defensive to save scoreboard damage, though nine losses by more than 50 points tested the patience of even the most loyal fan.
Carlton has won 15 games in Bolton’s three seasons, but I feel buoyant about 2019.
There’s enough talent. It’s time to show it, maybe even “swing from the chandeliers” Sia style.
• Footy19 is available from March 2 while stocks last at participating newsagents and IGA and Woolworths stores in Victoria/Riverina. Cost is $4.95 plus purchase price of that day’s Herald Sun.
LAUREN WOOD’S SNAP CHAT WITH ZAC FISHER
LW: What’s the one afl rule you would change?
ZF: The protected area rule.
What’s your go-to meal when the dietitians aren’t looking?
Cookies and cream milkshake.
Who is the coach’s pet?
Charlie Curnow.
Who is your club’s best Fortnite player?
I’m self-nominating.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Black and Gold, by Sam Sparro.
Who is your pick for this year’s Grand Final entertainment?
Shawn Mendes.
Most hated chore?
Cooking.
Most loved pre-season drill?
Match simulation.
CHRIS CAVANAGH’S YOUNG GUN — SAM WALSH
There is always interest aplenty in how the No.1 draft pick performs in their debut season, and Walsh carries that baton this year.
The midfield jet produced a dazzling season in 2018, averaging 32 disposals for Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup and 29 touches in the national under-18 carnival.
Those in the know say he’s ready to make an impact right away.
SUPERCOACH AFL WITH GILBERT GARDINER
1 Liam Stocker — $126,300 MID
The contested ball beast, with a big frame and classy skills out of stoppages, will provide great support for Patrick Cripps in the engine room. Monitor closely in the pre-season.
2 Zac Fisher — $392,800 FWD/MID
Third-year speedster should blossom after averaging 72 last year. He moves and uses the ball well, has a nose for goal and may well be a beneficiary of an improved Blues outfit.
3 Sam Walsh — $207,300 MID
Big wraps on the No.1 draft pick, with Blues young gun Harry McKay declaring Walsh a star. “If you guys do SuperCoach, I’d get him in early,” McKay said before Christmas.
Originally published as David King wants to see growth from Carlton coach Brendon Bolton in 2019
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