Garry Lyon has outlined how Carlton’s struggles in the first half against Sydney were able to be rectified.
The Blues conceded the first seven goals of the game but were able to stem the tide and ultimately win by five points after hitting the front in the final term.
Lyon says Carlton’s forward connection in the opening stages of Tuesday night’s match was of particular concern with Mitch McGovern a “non-entity” after going stat-less in the first two quarters.
“Carlton had field position early in the game,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“They struggled early, Mitch McGovern was a non-entity and he’s a concern – he didn’t touch the footy in the first half.
“Harry McKay and Levi Casboult, they were going in and it didn’t look like they had any connection between the midfield and their forwards. Sydney made them pay and they had great efficiency going at the other end.
“We’ve spoken a lot about Sydney and we love what they’re doing but then Carlton started to win some footy in the middle, (Will) Setterfield who has had a really good year started to get some clearance ascendancy and (Patrick) Cripps did too and then they sent Cripps forward which I loved.
“They’re going to have to make a decision (on their forwards).
"(Levi) Casbolult, (Mitch) McGovern and (Harry) McKay and then if you’re going to send (Patrick) Cripps forward, you’re going to look at bit top heavy so one of those three may not be able to fit in (to the side).
“(Charlie) Curnow will hopefully come back next year so these are the decision they’ll have to make over the summer months.
Tim Watson spoke about the future of McGovern at the club following a game where the key forward was unable to take a mark.
The 25-year-old is out of contract at season’s end following his move from Adelaide at the end of the 2018 season.
Watson said that if Carlton opts to move any forward on at the end of the year, it should be the underperforming McGovern.
“If that is the decision you have to make, it’s an easy decision,” Watson said.
“It’s McGovern who is not performing, he didn’t touch the ball in the first half.
"You can’t have someone out there who doesn’t participate in a half of football.
“Particularly as he’s been recruited because of his perceived forward line craft and his talent, I don’t want to whack him for the sake of whacking him but if you’re talking about them being top heavy and one of those players having to drop out then the answer is pretty simple as far as I can see.”