Carlton Blues
Carlton Culls Cats With Blue Burst
Blues On The Rise
By Shane Thiele
February 24 2002
Carlton bounced back to some sort of form in the round 2 Wizard Cup clash with Geelong at Optus Oval yesterday. Still missing several top liners, Carlton lead by new skipper Brett Ratten and senior star Scott Camporeale were able to stave off a determined Geelong challenge.
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It may be only February but it sure feels good to have a
win on the board. Although it's only the Wizard Cup and most of us are
still working on our tans, there were at least a few positives to take
out of this game that should keep us in the mix in 2002.
Another massive crowd of approximately 43 people flocked into Optus
to see the rematch of last year's infamous Round 22 clash. The Blues
made four changes from the week before with Prendergast,
Livingston, O'Keefe & Smith making way for the quartet of
Ratten, Houlihan, Freeborn & Pickering. The inclusion of
the new captain alone gave the team on paper a much more
ominous look about it.
The first half was a tightly fought contest reminiscent of a lot of
Carlton's darker moments of 2001. Poor skill errors,
turnovers and failure to convert in front of goal resulted in a
paltry 3.8 next to the Blues name at the main break. Brendan
Fevola opened strongly with the first two goals but only Simon
Wiggins could add to that with a goal late in the half. Misses by
Merrington, Fletcher, Beaumont and Thornton were all costly and
can hopefully be put down to a bit of February rust.
It was once again the Premiership quarter which sealed victory
for Carlton. Six goals in the opening fifteen minutes turned a ten
point half time deficit into a 16 point lead. A spirited
fightback by the Cats saw the scores locked away with just four
minutes remaining before a bit of Fevola magic and a blatant free
kick against Merrington allowed the Blues to sneak away with a twelve
point victory and keep their hopes of further advancement in the
Wizard Cup alive.
Anyway to borrow a quote from ODN from last week -
"Rather than waffle on about the ebb and flow of the game I think
it's more important to discuss how each player went
individually............"
Adam Pickering - Like a lot of players was on and off the bench for
most of the game. Was never allowed to settle in a position but showed
clean hands and poise whenever he had the ball.
Brett Ratten - Typical Captains game! Slowly worked his way into
play before becoming one of the catalysts of the last term. His little
toe poke in the dying minutes that set up the Fevola goal was a mark
of a genuine football brain.
Michael Mansfield - Not a bad effort but again let himself down
with poor disposal. Will still be a definite starter though come Round
1.
Matthew Lappin - Was the Blues best player in the first quarter
before fading out of the game. No doubt is counting down the weeks
before he has a couple of extra tall forwards to feed off.
David Gallagher - So far so good. Spent a lot of time on the bench
but kicked an important goal minutes after entering the
field. The questionable decision making and disposal did rear it's
ugly head at times in the last quarter but no worse than a few others
out there.
Scott Camporeale - Quiet first quarter before simmering in the
second and exploding in the third. Was Carlton's best player by
daylight before succumbing to a minor groin injury.
Scott Freeborn - Played the entire game in the back-pocket and did
a sensational job on Ronnie Burns. If it's the "Dean Rice"
role that they have in mind for Scott in 2002 then performances like
this one will help cement that position. As long as he continues to
play tight and is kept out of the centre then I'm all for this idea.
Justin Murphy - Showed his old club what they will be missing. Will
continue to improve as his 'new' surroundings become all the more
familiar.
Andrew Merrington - I'm not backtracking on this guy because I have
always said that he is inconsistent and lacks real aggression and
desperation. When he does apply himself he can look the goods and
apply himself he did. Demanded the ball for the entire game at CHF
finishing with 18 touches and 3 goals. It's only a pre-season game and
I have seen these type of performances in fits and starts in the VFL
previously so I'm not entirely convinced......but it's a good way to
start though.
Andrew Eccles - One of the bench rotators who didn't do a lot wrong
because he basically didn't do a lot. Will be on the fringe of the 22
when the first team is selected.
Craig Bradley - Spent the entire game in defence and didn't look
all that comfortable. Made two or three unfamiliar mistakes which hopefully
he can get out of his system early. In previous seasons we
don't usually see Craig until later on in the year so fingers crossed
he's just trying to get match fit and will back to the Braddles
of old when the real stuff begins.
Glenn Manton - Struggled on the oversized Ben Graham who
finished the day with six. Graham's score sheet was
flattered a little bit by a couple of free kicks (including
another 50m given away by Peter Dean!!) but was obviously
too strong in some one on one contests. As always, gave his
best but needs help from another tall or a ruckman dropping
back.........
Matthew Allan - ..........Speaking of which where were
you Matthew??? It took until the last quarter for Matthew to drop back
to a contest and as damaging as he can be pushing forward, he may have
to sacrifice that for the sake of the defence. Was shaded by King and
Street (King St?!) and needs a big game to convince fans of Mark
Porter that the right decision has been made.
Brendan Fevola - Started strongly and finished strongly but
was extremely quiet in the middle. Although all supporters will
no doubt be satisfied with a return of 4 goals especially with likes
of McKernan, Whitnall & Hickmott missing for support.
Darren Hulme - Coming off a shocker last week it was great to
see a return of the Hulme we know and love. Worked
brilliantly in close and after a relatively quiet first half he
stood up in the absence of Camporeale to be close to Carlton's
best for the day. Disposal still needs work but we know he'll be
working his guts out to continue to improve.
Simon Beaumont - Solid game from Beaumont on a HBF. Showed his
usual spoiling and desperation without quite as much of the attacking
play that we saw last season. His one wayward shot for goal
reinforced the point that he should stay in the backlines.
Simon Fletcher - Played forward and back with stints on the ball
and although solid again didn't do enough to demand his spot. Will
probably get a first up run but needs to step up soon.
Brett Thornton - Spent most the game on the bench but didn't look
too out of his depth when given ground time.
Ryan Houlihan - For a minute I thought it was the lead singer
of Silverchair but second glances proved it was definitely Ryan. Was
clean bowled after failing to bend his back and put his head down on
his first attack on the ball but everything after that was first
class. Looks to have grown and bulked up slightly and it was a delight
to watch him glide around the ground and do as he pleases. Only once
did he get caught "on the twirl" and should really have
ended the day with 3 or 4 goals.
Simon Wiggins - A reality check that the boy still has a long way
to go. Kicked a badly needed goal in the second quarter but apart from
that was hardly sighted. The kid will still make it but he needs time.
Trent Sporn - The other 2000 draftee pushing for selection. Played
on the experienced Mitchell White and didn't lower his colours one
bit. Still raw and skinny but this exposure to the big stuff will do
him the world of good.
Trent Hotton - Hmmm. Has been an automatic selection in the past
due to Carlton's lack of height but on early form and reasonable
expectations you would think that he will now be behind Prendergast,
McKernan & Merrington in the selectors eyes. Like Fletcher, needs
to do something outstanding instead of 'just enough'.
Jim Plunkett - After being the Blues leading ball winner last week,
Plunkett struggled to work his way into the game. He can take heart
that his final centre clearance helped sealed the victory.
Anthony Franchina - I was hoping to see a new Franchina after a
disappointing 2001 but not a lot has changed. Didn't get much of the
leather and when he did he used it poorly. His best (and possibly
only) role in the side is as the serial pest but with Freeborn given
first crack at that role and performing admirably he may be on the
outer for at least the first couple of rounds.
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« Wizard Home Loans Cup Round 2 |
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Old Dark Navys.com Message Board
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| Carlton | 2.5 | 3.8 | 9.10 | 13.10.88 |
| Geelong | 4.4 | 5.4 | 9.5 | 11.10.76 |
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Goals |
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| Carlton |
Fevola 4, Houlihan 2, Merrington 3, Camporeale, Gallagher, Hulme, Wiggins |
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| Geelong |
Graham 6, Burns, Ling, Milburn, Riccardi, Woolnough |
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Best |
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| Carlton |
Ratten, Houlihan, Merrington, Hulme, Camporeale, Murphy |
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| Geelong |
Graham, Enright, Corey, Sanderson, Milburn,
Scarlett |
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