There is a saying: Be still my beating heart! On Thursday night, it felt that not only my heart but also my blood pressure needed to calm down! As the siren sounded, I wasn’t sure whether to celebrate or call for a defibrillator! I am pretty sure we all felt this way.
As I walked to the car, the swell of the crowd cheering and singing, and some guy (in a Carlton jumper) yelled to the crowd if anyone could find Dusty as he seemed to be missing. Now I am pretty sure that said Dusty Martin played a decent game, kicking two goals but only 16 disposals. His abilities helped Richmond achieve something that they starkly missed last week. By the time I crawled into bed, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. With no voice, I woke this morning to the thrill of the fact that in two weeks, in two games, with pressure mounting against us, both from the opposition and of our own doing, we did not crumble but fought damned hard and achieved a result with a victorious yell!
This game was so frustrating to watch. It was also one of the most disappointing games to be umpired on both sides. The frustrating aspect was that, for the most part, the lack of scoring accuracy was our own doing. The turnovers, the panic at kicking near the goals, and the sheer lack of pressure towards some of the opposition were frustrating and made the blood pressure crawl up steadily throughout the game. Yet, on reflection, the team should be and must be praised for fighting every step of the way to become winners. Here’s why.
It has to be said that we have a somewhat depleted backline. Given that we have significant players out, it means that players, like pieces on a chess board, have to be shuffled around to fill the gaps that major players usually have no trouble filling. This means the club must look for depth in its playing group. While I am a strong, firm proponent of a team having depth in their playing group, it should never be underestimated that the job involving the “backup” players, will always pose issues for the playing group.
However, it is a significant feat for the club that despite the pressure of the game by Richmond and ourselves, we did not give up nor give in. I think it is pure genius in Thursday’s game and the one last week that in the dying seconds of the game, Charlie Curnow went down back and together with a stellar game by Mr Patrick Cripps, the team held on.
This type of game play and determination to win is needed for a team to succeed in a season. We are two games in, and thankfully, we have a bye to recuperate and hopefully see some players come back into the team. No matter what transpires, the team is in a great position to achieve success. We saw it last week and saw it again this week. But, please, Carlton, can we have at least one game without calls for defibrillators?
GO BLUES!
All photos, courtesy of AFL.
SPORTZ 