Kane Cornes is expecting questions to continually be asked of Carlton’s Paddy Dow as time ticks on.
The No.3 pick in the 2017 draft has not quite hit the heights expected of him throughout his 46-game career to date.
Dow struggled in last weekend’s win over Gold Coast with just one kick and eight disposals total from 67% of game time, and has subsequently been omitted for Saturday night’s clash with Port Adelaide.
The 21-year-old, who is averaging 12.5 touches a game in 2021, is often picked out as an example due to the fact he was a high draft selection and Cornes feels that will continue to be the case.
The Port Adelaide games record holder believes time could be starting to run out for Dow if he is unable to capture the form required to be a key contributor in Carlton’s senior side.
“Paddy Dow, I just haven’t seen enough from him, unfortunately,” Cornes said on SEN’s The Captain’s Run.
“Time is starting to run out. No shortage of opportunities. They have to give him those and continue to persist with him because of the investment in him.
“Right now, he’s not making the most of that and questions will emerge whether he has a long term future with his size and his ability in the midfield at an AFL club.
“I hope we’re wrong there, but time is sort of starting to run out a little bit and those questions will continue to emerge.”
Andy Maher also raised the Dow subject when speaking with Blues veteran Marc Murphy during the week.
“We’re still waiting as a footy community. We’re not writing him off but we’re still waiting,” Maher said on SEN’s Bob & Andy.
“How does Paddy Dow become the player that everybody around Carlton hopes that he can be?”
Murphy responded positively, backing the youngster in to reach his full potential in the navy blue.
“I certainly still really believe in Paddy,” he said.
“He’s got a lot of the attributes that can make him a really good AFL footballer.
“Confidence is one of those things. If you could bottle it up and give it to someone it would be great.
“You just get that confidence with continuity of doing the work.
“It hasn’t quite worked for him at the start of this year, but he’s got some great guys around him who can show him the way.
“I’ve got no doubt that he can become the footballer that he wants to be and that he aspires to be.
“We’ve certainly got full faith in him and he’s one that I hope can be a 15-year player for us because he’s got some great attributes.”
Without Dow, the Blues will look to navigate the Power at the MCG as they strive to improve their record to 3-2 following successive wins.