Carlton’s defensive tactics frustrate AFL as coach Damien Keeping is taken to hospital
CARLTON’S defensive tactics in its low-scoring AFLW win over Collingwood has drawn the ire of the league as women’s coach Damien Keeping was admitted to hospital with a mystery condition.
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CARLTON women’s coach Damien Keeping — who is in hospital with a mystery condition — is in the sights of the AFL for his ultra-defensive game plan.
The AFL is furious with the tactics Keeping successfully employed against Collingwood in the AFLW season opener on Friday night and has voiced its dismay to the Blues.
In effect, the AFL has ordered Carlton to play a more open brand of football.
One opposition coach described Carlton’s game style as the return of “Rodney Eade’s flood’’, a reference to Eade’s groundbreaking but controversial tactic used at Sydney in the mid-1990s.
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It’s believed AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan spoke to representatives of several clubs on Monday and hammered home the AFL’s desire for open footy.
The Blues on Tuesday revealed Keeping was taken to hospital on Sunday night due to illness.
He remained in hospital on Tuesday night, having tests.
He won’t coach against Greater Western Sydney in Sydney on Friday night.
McLachlan publicly hinted at the league’s displeasure.
“I think we saw three really good games,” he said.
“There was one that wasn’t as open. For me it’s the openness of the footy and the attacking mindset. Scoring’s an outcome.
“I hope that all eight, rather than just the majority of coaches, take that mindset into this weekend.”
Carlton’s defence-first tactics proved successful in Round 1 and the club’s response to AFL intervention will be revealed on TV screens across the nation as it faces the improved Giants at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney’s inner west.
Carlton beat Collingwood 3.4 (22) to 2.2 (14) in front of almost 20,000 fans in what was the lowest-scoring and most-congested match of the round.
No goals were kicked in the second half.
Keeping’s football philosophy was revealed in the Herald Sun on the morning of the Pies clash.
“There is an obligation there,” he said of game style.
“(But) ultimately from a Carlton perspective, we want to win premierships and we’ve put together a game plan and a list that we think will be really competitive.
“There’s a balance to be had, but we’re in the business of winning, absolutely.”
Assistant Nick Rutley will coach the Blues on Friday.
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