Carlton’s midfield unit produced their best performance of the season against Collingwood, dominating the clearances and setting up the come-from-behind win.
The Blues won the clearances 36-22 and centre clearances 13-8 despite Brodie Grundy controlling the hit-outs and the absence of Patrick Cripps.
David King wonders whether Carlton should stick with their different looking group and make the most of their skipper elsewhere.
Sam Walsh the dominant figure, winning 39 disposals and five clearances, including four out of the centre.
In Cripps’ absence, Paddy Dow and Matthew Kennedy stood up as the primary on-ballers.
Zac Fisher and Sam Petrevski-Seton, who were drafted as midfielders, got their shot, while Jack Martin played what was likely his best game of the season.
It’s a different looking Carlton midfield, with Ed Curnow also now playing primarily across half-forward and the wing.
“Maybe this opens up some fresh options with Patrick Cripps,” King told SEN’s Whateley.
“Maybe Patty Cripps can be the burst midfielder they need him to be. Not the one you need to ask to be 25 minutes per quarter.
“It doesn’t suit Carlton and it doesn’t suit Cripps and it kills them defensively.
“Carlton is a better product when Cripps is in there. Six minutes, seven minutes, eight minutes, then on the bench for two or three and then back in the middle. If he can’t do it, then put him forward for a bit.
“They might have to put him forward because they’ve got this mix that’s going okay at the moment and it’s saving David Teague’s job.”
Playing Cripps forward may kill two birds with one stone for the Blues, who currently only having one healthy key forward on their list.
Harry McKay leads the Coleman, though Levi Casboult (knee), Mitch McGovern (hamstring) and Oscar McDonald (back) are all on the sidelines. As is ruckman Marc Pittonet, while Charlie Curnow will need time to find match fitness in the reserves.
In this unpredictable 2021 season, King isn’t yet ready to put a line through Carlton as a top eight team.
“(David Teague) was in awful trouble three weeks ago and he may still be in trouble. I’ve got no idea. They’re pretty tough on coaches down on Royal Parade,” King said.
“A couple of people were at me on Twitter to say Carlton can still make finals. That they can run the table. Have you seen their draw?
“If they play the way they did with such energy and spark, why can’t they? In a crazy year, this is a good year to sell crazy.”
Carlton takes on North Melbourne this weekend, with the game expected to be scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
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