Saturday night saw the Blues take on the Magpies and the Tigers in an experimental first week of the NAB cup. While the one win and one loss most likely means that the Blues will be following the country town ciruit for the rest of the preseason the young team performed well and many of the youngest players showed great promise for the future. This is the best of what the net had to offer for the coverage of these games.
The Herald Sun reviewed game one,
Senior players Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson, Heath Scotland and Andrew Walker lifted after half-time and the form of younger players was encouraging. Little known second year player Rohan Kerr booted two goals and provided a strong option inside 50. Also showing potential for Carlton was Kane Lucas in the midfield and Levi Casboult who moved well in the ruck alongside Robbie Warnock, but clearly needs to work on his kicking. Jeremy Laidler and Nick Duigan will be handy finds for the defence.It wasn’t a high standard game but just a small appetiser ahead of Round 1.
… and also the game against Collingwood.
The Blues got off to an ideal start through Andrew Walker who also kicked a classy goal to start the second half.
Chris Yarran on Andrew Krakouer was a match up highlight, with Krakouer’s genius right foot snap goal earning him the points. Kirk Ugle was also putting forward his case to oust Leon Davis with a nice snap of his own from the boundary. Carlton rested some senior players for game three and brought in one, Michael Jamison, who played forward and didn’t seem to mind the change from defence. Midfielder Jaryd Cachia, who tackled hard in the first game, put in another eye-catching effort. The only hiccup was an ankle injury to Setanta O’hAilpin who was substituted.
See an interview with Rohan Kerr (and his prawn tattoo) here:
Carlton Football Club provided some great behind the scenes photos of the changing rooms via their facebook page,
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=286336&id=108959538333
Over at BigFooty OldBlueFan had this to say –
Laidler was the most impressive IMHO, the poise that he showed and his disposal were really impressive. If he can keep that up when the real stuff starts, I can see him being best 22 easily. Lucas seems to have improved on what was a really good start last year. I think it was him that weighted that hand pass beautifully in the Richmond game for a certain goal to Kerr. To do that in traffic when the heat was coming from everywhere showed impressive instinctive smarts.
Watson impressed me with his kicking (naturally) but also his strength when the ball was on the ground. This guy has great strength in his legs and hips already, so when his upper body grows to match, look out! Curnow looked to be at home in and under, but we were on the wing in the second tier stand so it was hard to see properly. He didn’t seem to be on the ground much, did he get injured?
Kerr’s performance in the Richmond game was excellent too. Kicked the goals he should have, missed everything once from a difficult angle, but what footy player hasn’t done that? I agree with Zee, will definitely be one to watch as time goes on.