Collingwood v Carlton Round 3
Shades of Collingwood v Adelaide last week with a pretty woeful first half - particularly by Collingwood, but also by the big Carlton twins, Fevola and Whitnall. Tarrant being dragged just before half time was a sign that all was not well in the Pies camp.
Despite the temperature, both teams burst out of the blocks after half time, scoring an astonishing 15 goals. But none more so that Chris Tarrant who, after waking up, decides to put on a display which shows why he could be one of the great players of our time. From having 3 possessions, 1 mark and 0 goals to half time, to then turn it around and complete the game with 10 possessions, 7 marks and 5 goals was just astonishing. Clearly, though, the person who kept the Magpies in the game and then helped them win it was Paul Licuria - for me, a second Best-on-Ground performance in two weeks. He was everywhere. Very close behind him, but not quite as effective was Nick Stevens (Carlton) whom I would award two votes. Finally, I would split the final vote between Matthew Lappin for his drive and three goals, and James Clement for his poise and leadership.
posted by Gerry @ 5:08 pm
1 Comments:
Clearly, my three votes would go to Michael Malthouse, who after a week of scorn, actually coached a half of reasonable football.
The directive to go long to the goalsquare has simply got to be the mantra of this team given its propensity to missing targets when under severe flood pressure.
The most awesome aspect of the game must surely be how dangerous Chris Tarrant can be when the delivery is not usurped by the treacle like movement of the past two weeks. Today, for the first time in season 2005, delivery was structured, swift and penetrative.
I agree with your review that the win was, by and large, driven by the work ethic of Paul Licuria, who simply has the heart of a lion and the body of an adonis. Perhaps, it would also be remiss to mention that he is fundamentally anyways, a tagger! The way in which he seruptitiously amasses possessions is only outsripped by his ability to nullify another midfielder at the same time! Clearly 3 votes, two weeks running.
Two votes, I would have awarded to Chris Tarrant, as it was he who provided the spark. Regardless of his first half stats, the way in which he arrested the game away from the Bluebaggers can only be described as enigmatic. As Gerry alluded to earlier, the turnaround was nothing short of brilliant and simply must have been noted by the umpires, which interestingly, brings me to the final vote cast.
One vote, I award to the man who kept Carlton on top for most of the game, and gave them some hope in the last stanza. Umpire Scott McLaren aka Mark Knopfler, should be awarded the '1 vote' for his brilliant work in quarters 3 and 4. The count of 29-17 is a flogging in anyones books, but he truly found another gear today. I trust he is umpiring in Aurora or Nagambie in two weeks time or I may be prone to a moment that he and I may regret.
Seriously however, the final vote should be awarded to either James Clement, Shane Wakelin or Julian Rowe. Clement for his remarkable sense of calm, Wakelin for his fine display overhead (although I am loathe to award this to either as I KNOW the umpires dont rate either of them and to be honest, they were running as 'loose' defenders for most of the second half) and Rowe for a polished display on Scott Camporeale in the last half.
I did not rate Nick Stevens game regardless of his high possession count, primarily due to his soft attack on both man and contest.
That said, knowing Scott McLaren was in charge, he probably got three votes!
Macca
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