Blues Plan To Exorcise Inner Demons


Blues v Demons

By Shane Thiele
July 13 2002

Before we get too far into this preview I'll get two words off of my chest.....ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES!....Unless you've been living where life fails to exist i.e. Mars, Pluto, Adelaide! you would know by now that the great man is back.

One name has dominated the lead-up to Sunday despite the fact his on-field influence will no doubt be minimal. What impact can a man who has missed 10 months of Football have in his first game? Read on and find out....
 
As we all know it was far from pretty but the Blues managed to double their winning record last week against the struggling Tigers. We can at least be thankful that although the wins have been few and far between the boys have at least given us 9 days to celebrate on both occasions in 2002. The Demons on the other hand return to Melbourne with the prized scalp of a beheaded lion brutally slayed in it's own domain.
 
On form we have little chance but there are a number of factors which may weigh in our favour. So folks, pour yourself a glass of your favourite poison, make sure it's half 'full' not 'empty as we all must be optimistic......perhaps finish that one and pour a couple more....Are you with me yet, do you think we can win?....No? Well keep going then.....what are you looking at???.......I love yoasdajlkkdlew.....OK, I think you are ready!!
 
* The Monkey is off the back.......
 
Forget about how we played against Richmond, the fact is we won! Don't concern yourself with the standard of the game until you see what effect a win has on the side. With every loss came extra pressure. The lack of run and risk taking over the past few weeks has been obvious. A classic example was the first 15 minutes against Brisbane. In a game when no-one expected the Blues to get close the team ran in numbers and were leaving their opponents for dead. Suddenly thoughts of an unlikely victory started to enter the psyche and the shackles once again tightened.
 
They stopped against the Eagles when 13 points up and they failed to score in the last eight minutes against Richmond. This was a team who feared defeat. Remember how you felt waking up Saturday morning knowing we'd finally done it. Well imagine how the players must now feel!
 
* Nine day break.......
 
All year sides have struggled to back-up after a frolic in the Queensland sun and fingers crossed this week will be no different. Melbourne were fantastic last week and surprisingly finished stronger than the locals but were made to do it the hard way clawing back from a six goal plus deficit. When watching the Lions closely for our preview a fortnight ago, I noted their lack of accountability at times for their opponents. Last Sunday was no different at the Demons took full toll. Melbourne swarmed in numbers, and at times our screens were filled with a sea of red and blue. Neitz had a field day on Leppitsch and if the Blues allow them the same latitude Fred Fanning's goal-kicking record may be under threat. Beaumont may be the experienced choice but don't be surprised if Livingston gets the gig.
 
* Small backline.....
 
No not again! I hear you cry, well do not fear folks for once we are not talking about the Blues. On paper Whitnall and McKernan look to have it all over Ellis, Bizzell & the inexperienced Chris Lamb but unfortunately it wont be as straight-forward as it reads on paper. Jeff White holds the key to Melbourne's chance's and would fancy himself against the smaller and less experienced Andrew Merrington. The formula is quite simple. The longer Merrington can hold his own in the middle, the longer Corey can stay forward. Someone tell the boy his career is on the line and lets see what he can produce.
 
* Kouta!....
 
Despite his expected limited influence on the game, you wonder what effect his presence will have on the rest of the side. Simon Wiggins, Luke Livingston, Blake Campbell, Bret Thornton and even Andrew Eccles & Corey McKernan have never lined up next to the great man. The change rooms will be buzzing, his enthusiasm infectious and expect an extra 5,000 people with '43' on their back to walk through the turnstiles. 
 
Will Melbourne become Koutoufides conscious and let a lesser-name slip under their guard? Will he defy the odds and produce a game similar to Round 1 2001 where the Adonis turned the match despite missing the entire pre-season with his first serious knee injury???........glass still half full??.......Well, probably not but I have no doubt he will make a difference in one way or another.
 
Now of course most of my predictions are based on hope rather than reality or form. Melbourne have troubled the Blues throughout the last decade regardless of ladder positions. Apart from the focal point in Neitz, we find it difficult to match-up on the '6 footers' Robertson, Green, Bruce & Vardy. Their midfield is solid without being spectacular but it's their work-rate and run that will test the Blues line-up. Last year Camporeale had his hands full with Peter Walsh and Sunday may be no different. Against the Lions Walsh applied the hand-brake on a rampant Jason Akermanis and will no doubt have either Camporeale or Brett Ratten in his sights.
 
So in summary, whether you put it down to a peaceful week's sleep, finishing too many 'half full glasses' tonight or a severe case of 'Hutchinson's disease' I feel surprisingly optimistic. To win last week was one thing but to do it with limited contribution from the likes of Ratten, Whitnall, Camporeale, Lappin, Bradley and Murphy does give some hope for the future.
 
It will take more than a couple of cameo's to get over the line against Melbourne but some players must now realise that they still have eight weeks to save their season.
 
As much as I like the look of Brendon Goddard and Paul Johnson. Having them wearing Navy Blue next year is still not my preferred option.
 
Carlton's history against Melbourne
 
Played 190, Won 106, Lost 82, Drawn 2
 
Longest wining sequence -  16 wins (1905-1911)
 
Highest Score for - 25.15 - 165 (1986)
 
Lowest Score for - 1.2 - 8 (1903)
 
Greatest winning margin - 116 points
 
Greatest losing margin - 81 points
 
Last time they met
 
Round 15 - Optus Oval - 2001, Attendance 23,951
 
Melbourne 18.9 - 117 d Carlton 16.15 - 111
 
Key ball winners (All numbers possessions unless indicated)
 
Camporeale - 33
Ratten - 27
Silvagni - 25
 
Yze - 28
Walsh - 25
Ward - 23
 
Inside 50's - Carlton 67, Melbourne 47
Possessions - Carlton 372, Melbourne 283
 

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PREVIEW

CARLTON
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Melbourne

Round 15

14 July 2002

Colonial Stadium

 

 

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