AFL Collingwood v Carlton: Tom De Koning ‘scary good’ as Nick Daicos shines
It will be an uncomfortable watch for Blues fans if this unsigned tall plays like he did in their trial. Plus, Nick Daicos impressed in a new role. See ratings for every player
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Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps threw a scare through the Carlton camp when he limped off the ground with a rolled ankle late in the club’s 10-point win over Collingwood in a spirited practice match at Ikon Park.
But the Blues are confident the issue won’t hinder the skipper in the lead-up to the club’s Round 1 clash with Richmond next month.
Carlton is set to take on Sydney in the final practice match at Blacktown next Friday to round out its 2023 pre-season.
Blues assistant coach Tim Clarke said Cripps appeared to be fine after the game and believed his issue was a minor one.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE PRACTICE MATCH PLAYER RATINGS AND NOTES
“Crippa rolled his ankle … he hobbled off the ground but he was walking around the rooms and handing balls out after the game,” Clarke said.
“So we are pretty sure he is going to be fine.”
That would be a massive relief to Carlton fans still reeling from pre-season injuries to a number of key players including Sam Walsh and Zac Williams.
Walsh is edging closer to a return early in the season after pre-Christmas back surgery, while Williams will miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury during the club’s pre-season camp in Queensland.
Clarke said the Blues were pleased with first competitive hitout against an opposition this season, particularly with the way Tom De Koning worked in the ruck as well as in tandem with Coleman Medallist duo Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow down forward.
De Koning has put his contract talks on hold for the early part of the season as he works out where he fits in the Blues’ big man mix, with rival clubs keeping a close eye on him.
The 23-year-old was a strong contributor early in the ruck against the Magpies in the absence of Marc Pittonet, who is coming back from injury via the VFL.
“The best thing about Tommy’s game was how reliable he was in the ruck,” Clarke said. “He gave us a really strong contest early and our mids loved that.”
“He provided a really good contest, and that’s his role. He is reliable when he plays that role.
“I thought our forwards worked really well together. You had Charlie, you had Harry, and Tom De Koning had his opportunities to go and mix it with those two guys, and that’s what we have been working on all summer.”
TDK back with the flight!
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) February 24, 2023
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Practice match notes: New faces prove their worth
He’s going to be one of the most talked about Carlton players of the season for contract reasons, but Tom De Koning is certainly letting his footy do the talking.
He was one of the Blues’ standout players in the club’s 12.12 (84) to 11.8 (74) win over Collingwood before an enthusiastic crowd at Ikon Park.
De Koning has enjoyed the first injury-free preseason of his time in navy blue and Carlton looks set to derive the benefits of that.
He took charge of the ruck in the absence of Marc Pittonet (who got some time in the VFL match as he returns from injury) and was a lively contributor in the air and on the ground.
De Koning is set for a big pay day this year with his manager Robbie D’Orazio telling the Herald Sun this week the big man will delay contact talks until well into the season as he works out where he sits in the Blues’ pecking order.
But his high-flying grabs and his competitive nature in Friday’s practice match against the Magpies was a positive pointer to the season ahead.
It’s hard to believe there were some people questioning Collingwood’s early play to secure Lions forward/ruck Dan McStay during stages of last year.
They would have changed their tune if they had been at Ikon Park on Friday as McStay launched his career in black and white with three goals and a strong performance.
He spent most of his time forward and looked sharp in the absence of Brody Mihocek, who is recovering from a sore back.
They could provide the Magpies with a good double act this season, which could yield more goals and a greater attacking profile this season.
Dan McStay showing exactly why he was brought to the Pies, with a strong grab and finish!
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) February 24, 2023
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MOVING MAGNETS
Magpie assistants Hayden Skipworth and Scott Selwood will have their work cut out with the midfield magnets this season - the Pies’ 2023 on-ball brigade will be a revolving one if Friday’s practice match is anything to go by.
Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos will predominantly play through the middle this season, with cameo roles in attack and half-back respectively.
That much was evident almost from the get-go, albeit Daicos started the match on the bench before being thrust into the contest early.
It means someone like tenacious Magpie Taylor Adams could ease his way into 2023 with some extra forward stints, as he showed against Carlton, kicking two goals.
Adams will rotate between mid and forward, as will others including Pat Lipinski and Jamie Elliott, while Scott Pendlebury (who sat out the second half) will be used mid and half-back.
Adams is a competitive beast who loves to be at the cut and thrust of the contest, but his injury issues in recent seasons means he needs to be eased back.
He has only kicked four goals across the past two seasons in the AFL, but booted two in the first half of this practice match, including the first of the game.
The Blues’ midfield mix is also interesting, given Sam Walsh will miss the first game.
Sam Docherty spent much of the first half in his customary half-back role, but switched into the midfield for bursts in the second half.
RECRUIT WATCH
Suspended Magpie Jack Ginnivan sat in the stands and watched on as the man who will take his spot in Round 1, former Giant Bobby Hill, proved dangerous in Collingwood’s attack.
Hill looks a certain Round 1 starter, having shown lightening speed on occasions and kicked a goal in a sign he has already found his feet in the Collingwood forward line.
Tom Mitchell was solid in the middle for the Magpies.
The Magpies’ No.1 draft pick Ed Allan played the second half of the game and will push for early selection this year. He is a good size and showed some good signs on the wing.
Carlton’s trade acquisition Blake Acres seemed at home on the wing, while draftees Ollie Hollands and Lachie Cowan are giving Blues selectors something to think about.
NOTABLE ABSENTEES
COLLINGWOOD: Brody Mihocek, Jack Ginnivan, Josh Carmichael, Oleg Markov, Trent Bianco
CARLTON: Sam Walsh, Zac Williams, Mitch McGovern, Jack Martin, Marc Pittonet, Caleb Marchbank, Paddy Dow
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