Mick McGuane: Carlton’s transformation under David Teague suggests bright future
How do you assess a team which transformed so dramatically from the midway point of the year? MICK MCGUANE analyses what went right and wrong for Carlton in his season review and who needs to lift.
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It was almost a tale of two seasons within one for Carlton — and certainly one of two coaches.
But there is no doubt the Blues have shown plenty of upside under new coach David Teague in his short time in the chair to give them hope for the future.
The Blues averaged only 67 in the 11 games under Brendon Bolton, they had an inability to score and were too role focused.
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They lacked dare with their ball movement. They were too slow and were very boundary-centric from defensive 50, which limits opportunities for your forwards to be creative in front of the ball.
But what was hurting the Blues most was players out of position.
Initially it was Paddy Dow, Sam Walsh and Zac Fisher through the midfield — lighter frames and inexperienced — alongside Cripps.
As soon as Teague got in the chair, he put Marc Murphy back where he plays his best footy. Ed Curnow was playing as a small pressure forward, but he went back to the action where he could either be accountable for an opposition’s best mid or get the footy and be a clearance winner himself.
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Getting players back to their best footy was really pivotal.
I was critical of the Blues playing Charlie Curnow as a high half-forward high among the junk because I don’t reckon he has the 360 degree awareness to play that role.
When he kicked his seven goals against the Bulldogs, he was a deep forward.
It really simplifies his strengths. He likes to be the deepest forward coming up and using his athleticism, his jumping ability and detecting space.
The Blues’ transitioning the ball out of defensive 50 has also been an issue.
But that has the upside to change in the view that it is be personnel based.
They have clearly missed Sam Docherty (0 games) and Tom Williamson (two games) and they will complement Nic Newman, Lachie Plowman and Kade Simpson.
Liam Jones has been in pretty good form and Levi Casboult has been reinvigorated.
By moving to defence it changed his mindset, it’s rejuvenated him.
The appointment of Teague has just brought a fresh approach. I just like it when coaches can identify what players strengths are and where they play their best footy.
Cripps is clearly in the conversation of Brownlow Medal contention this year even though they haven’t won a lot of games.
He stands out, he has gone forward at various stages and he hits the scoreboard off the back of that.
There is an argument does he run hard enough, long enough or spread from clearance well enough compared to some other midfielders? I think his GPS data would support that answer as being no.
From a recruitment standpoint, what they need to look at is to get another running back into the team. There is talk that they are into Jack Martin.
Karl Amon from Port Adelaide is another one that has shown interest in coming home to Melbourne. He would be an ideal running back to complement that back six.
Stephen Coniglio as a free agent would be an enormous acquisition to their midfield group to complement Cripps and the future generation midfielders going forward for the next six to eight years.
There is clearly interest in Tom Papley and he’s another one they could entertain to give them some forward pressure, but also creative nous to kick 30 or 40 goals from that small forward role.
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