Carlton went into the bye knowing full-well what their issues were.
Their defensive issues were obvious. Whether it’s their lack of a lockdown small defender, their flankers being too attacking or their midfielders opting not to push back, the Blues’ problems are clear for all to see.
They had two weeks to prepare a matchup for star Giant Toby Greene and settled on Nic Newman, given their lack of a clear lockdown small on their entire list.
David King remains frustrated that the Blues are spending so much money on the likes of Adam Saad and Zac Williams, who are either refusing these defensive assignments or aren’t up to the task.
“They’ve had weeks now to change this defensive program. The match-up of Nic Newman versus Toby Greene didn’t work and it didn’t work for 120 minutes,” King told SEN’s Whateley.
“The problem is they couldn’t go to anyone else because the rest of the back flankers either refuse to defend or that’s not why they were recruited so they won’t do it.
“Sam Docherty’s been moved to a wing, we’ve talked about Zac Williams and Adam Saad all year. Greene was handed over to Liam Stocker a couple of times because Newman covered for other players which fascinated me as well. If that’s your job, do your job. Don’t hand over. You’re on Greene for a reason.”
King wonders why the Blues have not been able to correct their more structural defensive issues whatsoever and adds that it has to fall back on the coaching group.
“Defensively, I’ve never seen a team stick so rigid to a failing plan. This just isn’t working, this one-on-one mentality, this refusal for midfielders to defensively compete. Once the ball leaves clearances they’re gone,” he said.
“10 goals the Giants kicked from clearance. We showed vision last night of Lachie Whitfield running by seven Carlton players.
“He can go quick, but if you have a race six versus one, I guarantee one of the six for Carlton has as many wheels as Whitfield has got.
“That’s what we’re talking about every week with Carlton so what’s changed? Nothing has changed.
“In the end, if nothing changes on-field, something changes off-field. I think this is getting to the point now where Teague has to sit down and review and they’ll say ‘what are you doing here? Why are we here at 4-9?’
“They’re better than that. If they ask Teague whether he’s getting the best out of the group. He can’t say yes.
“In the end, you just judge the actions. The actions haven’t changed. I think he’s under real pressure now.
“Even last week I said this is not just Teague, it’s those around him. It’s not the messiah effect. It’s not one man coming in and fixing this. It’s a whole host of change. To simply lay this at the feet of the assistants is not right either. I think Teague is in the conversation now.”
Carlton hosts Adelaide at Marvel Stadium this weekend, looking for their fifth win of the season.