To say that the match on Saturday was disappointing is while true, I do agree with Vossy’s sentiments. However, despite the terrible umpiring (and it was awful) and despite the inaccuracy not only in the goals department but also in our turnovers, it is Round 7.
Yes, we should have won that game, but despite the terrible decisions made by both umpires and some of the Carlton players, the team should and will take some clarity and understanding from this game.
Media have actually come out and stated that Carlton was playing against two teams yesterday: one from Geelong and one from the umpires. While this is true, a team must and should not rely on this when it comes to endeavouring to win a match. A team must put that aside and play according to their game to win anyway. The lack of clarity and consistency by the umpires did not help, but our lack of consistency and clarity by the players who panicked when they shouldn’t have and turned the ball over or fluffed the goals is, I feel, the reason that we lost. But then again, it is Round 7.
Sure, right now, Geelong is on the top of the ladder, unbeaten, but I do think that given the age of the playing group’s major players, the toll on their bodies will come into it long-term in this season. Players who are younger struggle during this season, so older players, such as those in Geelong, will suffer more. A body cannot sustain the type of pressure teams place on them continuously, and there will be other teams who do that, and for Geelong, there will be repercussions. And it all comes down to what will happen after the major Bye. If Geelong loses some of their major senior players, it will come down to their younger, less experienced players, and we know that without the guidance of the older players, a team will not be the same. Remember, it is only Round 7.
I would much rather Carlton lose a few before the Bye and learn and grow from the losses, than games after the Bye round. After the Bye, games become more vital in the bid to not only be in the top 8 but also to vie for a top 4 position. To be in a position where Carlton sit right now, is going to be beneficial. Let a team grow and get better with every game before the Bye and then hone what was learned and developed afterwards to make a strong pursuit to the top 8 and, hopefully, the top 4.
The next few weeks and the game against Geelong was and is always going to be fraught with challenges. How the team addresses those will be paramount to how they will finish the season, but it is not a definite outcome in Round 7.
There was much to like in the game against Geelong, but there was also much to dislike. With two losses under our belt and given the game we played against GWS, we have the capacity and ability to be better than we were against Geelong, and I feel we will come out a better side for it.
Round 7 has taught the team that they should not be rattled by the under-performance of very questionable umpiring decisions. They must and should learn that to be better, they must rise to the challenge ahead and win despite poor umpiring. We have the team to do it. They have to believe they can. I certainly think they do and will.
Losing such as this is not a “graceful” loss, as has been stated in past seasons by coaches; it was disappointing and a loss of the team’s own making. But with this loss, given the players we have, it will make them a better team and a much more hungrier and, dare I say it, angrier.
#GO BLUES!
SPORTZ 