McGuane’s mid-season report card: B+ for Carlton, but Blues aren’t the whole package yet

The Blues are a team on the up, sitting second on the ladder at the bye. But MICK MCGUANE writes Carlton fans need to be calm, they’re not the full premiership package just yet.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 09: Patrick Cripps of the Blues celebrates during the 2024 AFL Round 13 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at The Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 09, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Carlton’s hot form, signified by their victory over Essendon has them in the top four at the bye, but are they truly ready to contend?

Mick McGuane grades the Blues’ first half of the season.

MICK’S MID-SEASON REPORT RATING: B+

After 13 rounds last season, Carlton sat 15th on the ladder with a myriad of problems.

After 13 rounds this season, the Blues are second on the table and look a team on the up.

Let’s be clear, Carlton fans: You’re not the complete package just yet.

The Blues’ defensive profile is still in need of some work if they are to make a strong charge to September and beat the best teams.

Michael Voss’ side ranks 14th for scores against this season, giving up an average of 86 points a game.

As good as Jacob Weitering and Nic Newman have been down back, one of Mitch McGovern, Brodie Kemp or Lewis Young must stand up as the second tall to support Weitering.

The Blues’ defensive profile still needs some work. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Carlton’s inability to defend opposition stoppage wins has also been a concern, which comes back to the midfield group.

The Blues are good at scoring from their own stoppage wins, they rank third-last in the competition for points against from stoppages.

That’s not where you want to be.

Carlton is also lacking a little consistency within games, winning just 54 per cent of quarters played this season.

All that said, there have been some clear positives — most notably the side’s ability to score.

The Blues are averaging 94.5 points a game, ranked second in the competition.

You might expect that for a team boasting in-form key forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, but there have been others in that part of the ground who have also impressed.

Zac Williams has booted 10 goals in four weeks since being switched forward in a brilliant coaching move, while I’ve liked the growth of Elijah Hollands.

The former Gold Coast Suns recruit is a smart midfielder-forward who regularly finds himself in dangerous space and impacts the scoreboard, having kicked 10 goals along with logging 10 score assists this year.

Through the midfield, Carlton has got back to its brutal best, ranking first in the competition for contested possession differential.

The Blues have also found a tagger in Alex Cincotta, which is another reason why they can contend this year.

If you can minimise the impact of the opposition’s best midfielder, it goes a long way to winning games of footy.

TOM GETTING IT DONE

Ruckman Marc Pittonet is expected to be available to return from a finger injury after the bye, but I wouldn’t be rushing him straight back in.

In Pittonet’s absence over the past three weeks, Tom De Koning has found the best form of his career as No. 1 ruckman.

The 24-year-old was huge against Essendon last week with 24 disposals, 19 hit-outs and 11 clearances in what was the best game I’ve seen him play.

If I were Voss, I’d be taking a horses for courses approach with the ruck going forward.

Against a strong two-pronged ruck combination or a formidable opponent like Melbourne’s Max Gawn, Pittonet might be needed.

However, De Koning looks capable of going at it alone most weeks, with a little back-up help from Harry McKay.

Tom De Koning has made the ruck role his own. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

NOT MY NO. 2

The Blues might sit second on the ladder at their bye, but they are not my second seed behind premiership favourite Sydney.

I’ve still got Collingwood ahead of Carlton — a team which beat the Blues in round 9 and still has significant upside to come when key players return from injury.

The Blues’ next 10 games all look winnable, but at the same time I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some losses in there.

Carlton will be eyeing off a top-four finish for the first time since 2000, but still has much work to do to achieve that.

Originally published as McGuane’s mid-season report card: B+ for Carlton, but Blues aren’t the whole package yet