Levi Casboult is the best contested mark in AFL says teammate

Marking strength is in big Blue Levi’s genes – much-maligned Levi Casboult is a fan favourite at Carlton after a strong start to the AFL reboot.

Levi Casboult of the Blues celebrates a goal with Michael Gibbons during the Round 4 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at the MCG in Melbourne, Saturday, June 27, 2020. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

ONE teammate says he’s the best contested mark in the AFL and another wants him to drop some to give the Carlton smalls a chance to kick goals.

Even the coach says Blues fans who once “maligned” him would be eating this words.

Levi Casboult has become a tower of strength in the forward line for Carlton and his match-winning performance in the Blues’ one-point thriller against Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night brought him admiration of the team.

Casboult took a game-high nine marks and kicked a game-high three goals, including the goal the ultimately won the game.

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Jeremy Howe of the Magpies is assisted from the field after being injured during the Round 4 AFL Match between the GWS Giants and the Collingwood Magpies at Giants Stadium in Sydney, Friday, June 26, 2020. (AAP Image/Mark Nolan)

With eight minutes to play, Casboult grabbed a clutch mark inside 50m and converted, levelling the scores at 50-apiece in what turned out to be the last goal of the game.

After that, teammates Mitch McGovern and best-afield David Cunningham both kicked behinds, which was enough to give Carlton the edge it needed when Bomber Jake Townsend’s shot to win the game with seconds to play was touched on the line – it came off the head of Tasmanian Liam Jones.

Cunningham was impressed by Casboult.

“Levi has shown in the first few rounds that he is the best contested mark in the competition,” Cunningham said.

“When you’ve got him down there, just put it into his area, to his advantage and he more often than not he’ll clunk it.”

Blues goal-sneak Eddie Betts wants Levi to share the love.

“He clunks everything,” Betts said.

“He needs to drop a few for us smalls down forward, so I might get into him at training and tell him to drop a few for us.”

Teague said anyone who had criticised Casboult in the past should eat their words.

“I don’t think too many would be maligning him over the past 18 months,” Teague said.

At Richmond, Jack Riewoldt has lost his premiership-winning best, managing 1.3 in the loss to St Kilda, albeit kicked his first goal since the return from coronavirus shutdown. Teammate Toby Nankervis was solid (26 hit-outs, 17 touches, five clearances and a goal).

Tassie Suns Lachie Weller (15 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles) and Hugh Greenwood (7 touches, 8 tackles, 3 clearances) are enjoying Gold Coast’s unbeaten run since the break, racking up number three against Freo.

Mitch Robin was influential in Brisbane’s win over Freo, with 456m gained, 17 disposals, four marks and three clearances.