Carlton’s defensive frailties are a major early-season concern for coach David Teague.
The Blues fell to 0-2 for a ninth straight season and have conceded the third most points (211) in the competition, coughing up 100-plus scores in their losses to Richmond and Collingwood, plus 125 points in the AAMI Community Series against St Kilda.
Only Adelaide (212) and North Melbourne (215) have conceded more points than Carlton as question marks remain over their defensive structure and work off the ball.
David King says it’s time Teague put words into actions regarding the club’s defence.
“I’m sick of hearing the same message in the same facete of the game time and time again,” King told SEN’s Whateley.
“I’m getting tired and fatigued about ‘Teaguey’ talk about Carlton’s defensive work.
“Whether it’s how many inside 50s they’ve conceded, or whether they’ve coughed up easy scores, or their defensive 50 failed – they’ve given up one less point than the Adelaide Crows and four less points than North Melbourne - the third poorest scores against for the season so far.”
Carlton was tipped by many to challenge for a finals spot, and while 0-2 is far from insurmountable, this Sunday’s clash against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium looms as a must-win with games against Gold Coast, Port Adelaide and Brisbane to come.
But their ability to defend as a collective must be quickly rectified.
“This is a team that everyone thought was making finals this year. They’ve gone on an off-season recruiting spree, landed (Zac) Williams and (Adam) Saad, we’re ready to go,” King said.
“They’re not a young team, they’ve got to be performing better than this.
“I don’t want to hear about the defensive work, I don’t want to hear what little parts of the defensive work are not working, I want to see it.
“Until we see it - they’re going nowhere. The best teams are more than competent without possession, that’s why they make prelims and Grand Finals and win premierships.
“If you can’t compete without the football, you are nowhere. If the way you defend doesn’t compliment the way you attack and vice versa, if that doesn’t happen, you have a fraudulent game plan.”