It might not be a good game to have Campbell and Gulden on field in too.
Gulden was beastly in the wet against GWS, was so clean. Might actually suit him but the role is not one I'd want to start him in until he proves he can score in it.
Didn't see the game tonight as I was at work but heard a good part of it on the ABC radio. Sounded like there was several instances of the statue rule being applied for moving and several instances of it not being applied when players moved. Anyone confirm that? If so this is a rule that just must be applied consistently. Umps cannot miss one. Could the backup ump watch for this and be in communication with the on field umps?
There was only one I noticed and it was when Richmond didn't man the mark for a solid 10 seconds and were then allowed to run up and man the mark, had to be 50 for mine (was Short so happy to not cop the clanger).
There was one where SPS (iirc) tried to back pedal after he'd been told to stand and gave away 50, was the right call.
There was another where a Richmond player (iirc) was 2m over the mark, got told to move back about 4 times and then moved back, this one was super awkward as he clearly was petrified to move but was also clearly over the mark, really should have been 50.
There was another where a Richmond player blatantly waltzed through the protected zone and should have been an easy 50 but the umpire seemed distracted trying to get the man on the mark to stand and completely missed it. The two blown calls both would have led to almost certain goals for Carlton as well.
Realistically though for the first real hitout the rule was well implemented and adhered to, I'd say there were only two mistakes, one awkward piece of excessive leniency and otherwise didn't notice it.
The main rucks only took 3 marks combined, make of it what you will
They probably should have had about 3 more each, probably closer to 5 for Pittonet. Clearly he's afraid to mark as he always spoils if he thinks anyone will be near him, also dropped and ran under a couple of basic marks.
Nank just couldn't glove anything but he had chances as well.
The lack of hitouts and stoppages, especially in the 2nd half, was concerning, Pittonet could have easily had half a dozen intercept marks if he was better so that actually was a positive for Gawn. Far more concerned with Grundy to be honest, he's nowhere near as a good a ruckman and much more of a stoppage player, Gawn probably still going to get his hitout points but Grundy is going to have a lot less chances to do what he does best.
Dusty - Goat. every time he touched it Carlton were screwed. The only good thing to come from this as a non owner is the fact oppositions cannot let him run free, its suicide. Gary Lyon suggested double teaming him, he cannot be allowed to get 1 on 1s up forward. Mildly concerned not having him. We know he has quiet games but something feels a bit different with him this year.
Short - Eh, okay game. More scoring this season = more kick outs. Tagged for the most part and got 100. Probs goes 10 points less with Houlu, for only 510k I am okay. He demands the ball a lot which is great.
Dow - Okay at times, but saw lots of bad signs. TOG, disappearing, bad kicking, liked some of his stoppage work though. At 200k it doesnt really matter too much, just needs to play.
Doch - Role didnt look great at times, but freed up a bit in the 3rd. Should score okay, durability long term is my main issue with him.
Walsh - Machine, looks like he's continued on last years form but with more CBAS. Endurance attribute putting in work.
Cripps - Similar Cripps to previous 1.5 years, maybe a tad better. Possible endurance issues. Just looked a bit sluggish and second to the ball a lot in the second half.
The amount of times the Blues left Dusty without a man at all they probably could have just started with that. Their tackling was pathetic though, would have hated to be a Blues fan, if they'd just been bad in the tackling department they'd have won that game but they couldn't even hit that level. They were missing the kind of tackles that you'd be doing pushups for missing at training in a 5th grade amateur side.