Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin lauds Christian Petracca’s matchwinning performance against Carlton
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says he’s never seen Christian Petracca play a game as “dynamic” as he did against Carlton as the powerful Demon looks to emerge as a full-time on-baller this year.
Melbourne
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Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin hailed his team's drive and will to win as it opened its account with a one-point victory against Carlton on Saturday.
Carlton looked to be surging towards the unlikeliest of wins as it kicked five of the last six goals of the match.
A set-shot behind by Melbourne’s Bailey Fritsch with less than three minutes to play was the final score of the match.
“I loved our contest early. I thought it was as hot as it’s been for a long time and as dynamic as it’s been,” Goodwin said.
“There’s no doubt Carlton really ramped up their intensity around the ball and we couldn't get the ball out of our half enough and we couldn't connect forward of centre.
“We probably played a little nervous in the last quarter, but our last two minutes was terrific.
“Our willingness to want to win, some critical contests through the midfield of the ground from some of our players was outstanding and we showed a lot of composure late in the game.
“Our players’ want to win, they haven't won a lot in recent times and it's important for us as a club to build that winning culture back.
“Their will to win and their desire to get the result was high, but they thought their way through it as well.”
Captain Max Gawn was instrumental in the win.
Gawn sparked the initial onslaught by giving Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca first use and impressively drifted deep in defence late to create contests and disrupt Carlton’s attacking drives.
“He's a very special player Max,” Goodwin said.
“He's got elite craft in the ruck, just his ability to lead the team, especially I thought late even in the big moments he was there for us and I think that's what really good leadership looks like.”
Petracca was the eye-catcher, bursting out of the midfield and hitting up teammates with pinpoint passes.
The 2014 No. 2 pick finished with 24 disposals including game-highs for contested possessions (11) and score involvements (2).
“He was amazing early, as dynamic as I've seen Christian and when he gets on that inside and he's a power player, his ability to get out of those contests and use the ball was very effective today,” Goodwin said.
“Today was a really good stepping stone, I think he was a touch disappointed in his game in Round 1 after a really strong Marsh Series but today I think he really showed what he's capable of again.”
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Melbourne hold on in nailbiting clash after Carlton’s horror start
Frustrated Carlton coach David Teague last night lamented another terrible start only compounded by the fast-finishing Blues’ nervous last-gasp attempt to upset Melbourne.
The Blues gave nothing out of the blocks and conceded the first seven goals of the game.
“Torn between disappointment to recognising the effort the boys put in,” Teague said.
“We tried hard but we didn’t turn up, we didn’t turn up to start the game again and it’s become a pattern.
“We’re giving opposition too much of a start, it’s unacceptable. We came here to compete for four quarters and we didn’t do that, so we let ourselves down.”
Carlton was soundly beaten at the coalface early, recorded five less clearances than Melbourne in the first quarter and coughed up two goals directly from turnover.
“To see what we did for three quarters it’s probably a mindset,” Teague said.
“We just need to continue to get better and grow it because our good footy is good … we probably didn’t finish our plays going inside 50.”
Patrick Cripps and Ed Curnow led the midfield revival after the first change, the latter putting the clamps on Jack Viney.
Cripps went head-to-head with Clayton Oliver and arguably got the better of the match-up after the first change.
Cripps and Jack Martin both hit the post in the closing stages from set shots.
Carlton had several opportunities to lock the ball inside its attacking half but squandered the football.
“We probably rushed a little bit, some really good decision making and learning will come out of it,” Teague said. “I prefer to learn when we win.”
Carlton goal sneak Eddie Betts was quiet early but bobbed up late to kick his first goal since he returned to the Blues and lurked at the feet of Harry McKay, Levi Casboult and Mitch McGovern.
“It’s the first time Eddie’s been at their feet and Darcy (Lang) and David Cuningham,” Teague said.
“We got it in there enough … probably our chemistry and the looks and some of the decision making going forward at times.”
Originally published as Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin lauds Christian Petracca’s matchwinning performance against Carlton