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Carlton 12.7.79 defeated Gold Coast 5.14.44

  • This was a real scrappy game as two of the competitions lesser lights battled out in a slugfest filled with turnovers
  • Cripps and Murphy dominated with 37 and 36 possessions respectively
  • There was no Tom Lynch which gives us a small sample size of form against this Gold Coast side at Metricon.
  • Paddy Dow kicked Carlton's goal of the year with the infamous running beauty
  • Jarrod Witts was notable with 60 hitouts against Matthew Lobbe

What I'm excited about

  • I genuinely think we are a better side than what we have shown so far. Albeit for these "dead" patches of play, I like the intensity we play with
  • With Marchbank in the side, I'm looking forward to out defense adding another layer of composure. Jones and Weitering have been great thus far.
  • Watching every Gold Coast game, they too have lapses throughout games where they let teams assert their dominance - I am looking forward to seeing if we can capitalise on our moments.
  • With each week that passes, new learnings occur. For some, there has been no improvement - for others there is patience in the process. 
  • Harry McKay is growing rapidly before our eyes.
  • Kreuzer has had an extra week to get himself right and from all reports, moved well in the VFL intra-club match. We are definitely a better side when he plays and I hope he is ready to go.

What I'm mindful of

  • The pressure of being 0-4 could linger in the back of our minds and with that pressure comes actions that suggest players might go into their shells and think about "not making a mistake" with each possession instead of moving the ball with confidence
  • Gold Coast are in good form, being competitive in every single game so far. They are quick and apply serious pressure consistently.
  • The away factor, particularly for a team like the Suns who would view this game as a winnable game. It is situations like this where they will flourish.
  • The ruck situation. Matthew Lobbe is a competitor but ultimately he is a squad player. We have been dominated by opposing ruckman in each of our games and if you look at our previous matchup with the Suns, Jarrod Witts had 60 hitouts.
  • Mitch McGovern had an injury scare and is unlikely to play this week, leaving a big burden on the shoulders of Harry McKay. This is a situation that I don't think he's just ready to own this early in his career.

Team Selection

OUT - Gibbons, O'Brien, Lobbe

IN - Fasolo, Kennedy, Kreuzer

Prediction

This is such a winnable game if we can learn from our mistakes, stay composed and play with a real purpose.

Carlton by 11