My reason for living had made lunch arrangements in Albert Park. Who makes such plans on the day of the Grand Prix? I was a tad concerned by the 1pm start, concerns which multiplied when this was pushed back to 1:30pm; and compounded as the clock ticked around to 2:30pm and other guests still had not arrived.
So when I finally sat down in front of the TV, the game was under way. I almost turned off straight away, but hope springs eternal. I think Carlton were leading 27-6. A Carlton giant soon clunked an impressive grab in a big pack, and converted. Carlton kicked 6 of the first 7 goals and was looking like a real footy team. It was hard to tell how well Collingwood was playing since players so rarely took possession.
The game looked of a better standard than last week's. Suddenly the Pies were stung into action. Perhaps their next goal was a bit lucky, coming from a Carlton turnover. But soon they were scoring regularly. More importantly, they weren't always taking shots; they looked like they were trying to bring other players into the game. So, finally, we saw some system.
For about a quarter and a half, Collingwood looked all right. Finally they drew level; it would be the best that they would do for the afternoon. Carlton kicked a goal and went into half time leading by that margin. Carlton would go on to win the second half by a point.
Same old
What portents can we find in the tea leaves?
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final Collingwood 0.4.1 1.6.7 1.6.10 1.7.13 (64) Carlton 1.5.1 1.7.3 1.8.6 1.9.8 (71)
Returning to old habits, Collingwood missed many gettable goals. Nonetheless, I don't think they ever looked like winning. Arguably, Carlton underperformed. They certainly looked more cohesive and further along in their preparations. Yarran in particular will take a lot of minding.
Another bad habit is failing to respond. Carlton launched a long torp to the centre circle kicking in after a Collingwood behind. The ball was marked by ex-Bulldog Jones and kicked long into a vacant forward line. Ok, that happens. Soon the dose was repeated. It never looked like Collingwood sought a play to counter Carlton's stratagem.
At one point I thought that Langdon's disposal had improved when he deftly landed a kick with a team mate; but barely had the thought bubbled into my head than he just as deftly landed a kick on the chest of an opponent. I guess it's an improvement of sorts: he's now hitting targets rather than having his kick smothered. If only he was a little more discriminating in his choice of targets. Our guys are the ones wearing black and white stripes.
Did Adams play? If he did, I didn't notice. Of course this could have more to do with my memory than his play.
Cloke desperately needs a forward foil, a Chris Dawes. Forget your Leigh Brown role. Brown was in the forward line alongside Dawes and Cloke. Cloke needs at least one and arguably two big forwards to take some of the heat. There was no sign of that on Sunday as far a I could see. To their credit, during their purple patch, the upfield players avoided Cloke, instead manufacturing goals from their shorter players. I guess there are signs of optimism there.
I think there was one example which offered an alternative play for Cloke. The question is whether Cloke or the coaches will recognise the opportunity. There is a pervading myth that Cloke is supreme one out when he stands still and pushes and shoves against his opponent. It's true that he can sometimes do that; on other occasions he doesn't.
But if he restricts himself to that scenario he becomes a one-trick pony - and reasonably easy to counter.
I believe Cloke has a much better play: as a lead-up forward. We constantly hear that he's got a big engine. Well, he should use it. I find him most impressive when he runs towards the ball. In such cases he is able to leap over a pack and clunk the ball reliably. Further, it no longer matters how many defenders he has on him because they will be futilely playing catch-up in his wake. Gibson won't be able to come over the top because (a) Cloke himself has jumped in the air and (b) Gibson's play requires that Cloke and his opponent be nearly stationary.
There's a bonus to this approach: by taking his entourage outside 50, Cloke opens up the forward area behind him. Even if he can't mark, it's unlikely anyone else will. The ball comes to ground and we can only hope a crumber can send it into the open forward area.
But there's more. Cloke is likely to get the ball further upfield putting him out of contention for a shot.
What else?
Grundy may have exploded onto the footy scene a couple of seasons ago, but I have seen nothing exciting about him since then. He was the victim of friendly fire on Sunday and was replaced early in the second half by Varcoe, who was more or less invisible to these aging eyes.
Gault and De Goey continued their good form of the previous round. Mason Cox, the American rookie who is equal tallest player in the AFL, took a turn in the ruck after Grundy left. He still has a long way to go, but he did a couple of good things.
Fasolo was good again, especially during the purple patch.
For the rest, although there were bright moments - Oxley's 9-pointer, possibly some others - there was never much system. Both teams looked tired in the second half.
Good teams have a coherence about them. On this day, Collingwood displayed little. Sadly, Carlton showed a bit.
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