The Blue Review: Drama At The 'G | Thebigtip

It was the game that was so close that neither team was able to claim victory. Who would have thought that after just four rounds of footy, we would have seen three draws? It's quite unbelievable. What isn't unbelievable is the result of this game. Between Essendon's 'never say die' attitude and Carlton's inability to control the football despite having a distinct on-field advantage, a draw is the unfortunate result that both teams will be happy to take away.


Round 4: Carlton vs. Essendon
Carlton: 0.2.2, 4.9.33, 6.13.49, 11.13.79
Essendon: 3.2.20, 6.3.39, 7.8.50, 11.13.79

Goals
Carlton: Simpson (3), Waite, Garlett, Laidler, Curnow, Carazzo, Murphy, Warnock, Yarran
Essendon: Jetta (2), Lonergan (2), Hurley, Bellchambers, Watson, Fletcher, Zaharakis, Stanton, Melksham


Negatives

The first quarter was quite easily the worst I have seen us play in the past four years hands down, despite only trailing by 18 points at the break. Not only were we unable to apply scoreboard pressure but we failed to have a single mark inside 50 metres. We refused to apply any pressure and the Bombers were allowed to do whatever they felt like. Our second efforts were non-existent as we seemed quite content to allow Essendon to gather the ball and run with it.

Our inability to take the ball with one grab both in marking contests and on the ground was unacceptable. I lost count of how many times we had first hands to the ball in a contest and dropped the mark, then were able to get first hands on the ground ball before spilling it. It was as though the team had been playing with butter before the match.

Speaking of butter, a few players need to be brought up. Andrew Collins' effort today was far from par. Every time he got the ball in his hands, disaster followed closely behind. His disposal is deplorable. This is certainly something that needs to be looked at while he spends some time in the VFL. Other players disappeared and had little to no impact on the match. The biggest culprit is Eddie Betts. For the second week in a row, he has disappeared. He was threatening early but didn't give a peep after quarter time. It's simply not good enough for a cemented senior player.

Our forward structure crumbled under Essendon's defence. It didn't help that our midfield continued to bomb the ball long to our disadvantage but before Winderlich and Dempsey went down with knee injuries, our forwards were deplorable. It didn't get much better when the Bombers started fatiguing either as Betts, Jeff Garlett, Lachie Henderson, Jarrad Waite and Shaun Hampson shared two goals between them. It's quite simple - get better or go.

Lachlan Henderson shouldn't have been put in to play this weekend. It is clear that he is underdone and needs some more time in the VFL before coming back.

Although he played a great game, Jeff Garlett gave the game away by marking inside 50 with a minute left in the contest and playing on. The absolute basic rule of close games is that if you are in front and have a shot at goal inside 50, you never ever play on. I would love to know what was going through his head when he decided to take on his man and get stripped of the ball when he could have gone back and put the game beyond doubt. Not good enough, Jeff.


Positives

I was frustrated in the second quarter when we were able to easily move the ball from defence to forward, an aspect that I focus on the most when watching football. We had struggled for the entire first quarter to get a mark inside 50 and all of a sudden we were able to accurately find a forward in space. It's great that we were able to wake up but annoying that we couldn't do the same in the first.

After the first quarter, our intensity and pressure raised through the rough and it showed on the scoreboard. As soon as we decided that we were there to play a football match, we stressed the Bombers out of easy disposals and capitalised on their mistakes. This hunting mentality is what got us back into the game. The change of emphasis was great but it was unfortunate that we were unable to take a clear advantage.

Kade Simpson again proved why he is the go-to man in navy blue by stepping up to the plate and regaining the lead in the dying minutes of the game with a sensational run from the backline. Anybody that doubts his integrity on the field has no idea about football. While we're talking about sensational efforts, Ed Curnow has cemented his spot in the team with another excellent performance today. For a guy that nobody expected much from, he has stepped up in his four games with the clubs to be damaging.

Although Chris Yarran's first half was certainly forgettable, there is not a doubt in my mind that his influence in the final quarter kept us from losing the game with inspirational runs from half back. When we needed him, Yarran stepped up and inspired the rest of the squad. What a gem.

When faced with defeat, I was impressed that we never threw the game away. When Essendon went ahead late in the game, we responded with a quick goal up the other end to get the ball rolling again. We didn't win the game but at least we got out with two points.


It's clear that we struggled against a decent team. Our disposal was under par, our kicking for goal was terrible and our decision making was even worse. We impressed the competition with a great effort against the reigning Premiers in Collingwood last week but have taken a big step backwards with today's effort. To be taken seriously, we need to put games like these away much earlier and take our chances when we get them. Our defence was excellent but the issues at the other end need to be addressed as soon as possible.

Expect to see a few changes next week as we face Adelaide at Etihad Stadium. Henderson needs to be taken out to adapt to the tempo of modern footy and Collins needs to improve on his disposal before he dons the navy blue guernsey again. Hopefully Paul Bower is able to come back and have an influence against the Crows.