Carlton’s quest to play its first finals series since 2013 has been complicated given the loss of the side’s “strength” over recent weeks.
Carlton started the year with one of the dominant midfield units, Patrick Cripps leading a brutal on-ball brigade featuring Marc Pittonet, George Hewett, Matthew Kennedy, Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra.
But the drop-off from earlier this season to Round 21 is stark. The Blues lost to Brisbane by 33 points on Sunday, but of particular concern, were belted in center clearances.
Hewett hasn’t played since Round 18 with a back problem, while Kennedy has a fractured jaw and could return in Round 23.
This issue has been compounded by Cripps’ two-game suspension and injuries to depth midfielders including Ed Curnow.
“They lost the center clearances 23-9, that was their strength,” Essendon great Matthew Lloyd told sports day.
“So they’ve lost that strength now with no Kennedy and no Hewett and now Patrick Cripps.”
Cripps was cited by the MRO for a bump on Lion Calum Ah Chee and is staring down the barrel of a two-game suspension.
If he’s suspended, it would leave first-year Blue and former Docker Cerra to lead the inside midfield in Round 22 against Sydney.
On Close, sports day co-host Sam McClure said: “Cerra’s been a bit down, I’m not sure if that’s harsh or not”.
Lloyd agreed the 22-year-old has “been down” and “hasn’t had a good year”.
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes went a step further on Nine’s Footy Classified.
“If you do sign a big contract, you want more than (his output), particularly when Hewett and Kennedy are out, you’ve got to step up and alleviate some of the pressure on Walsh and Cripps,” he said.
“It’s rubbish ball use really (what he did on Sunday), and I think he’s been a disappointing signing so far.”
“If you do sign [a player to] a big contract, you want more than this.”@kanecornes says much-hyped Blues recruit Adam Cerra has been a ‘disappointing’ signing so far, after arriving on a four-year deal. #9FootyClassified | Watch on @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/zNqZMwnqH9
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) August 8, 2022
Cerra is averaging 23 disposals, 4.7 inside 50s and 3.9 clearances per game in 2022.
All in all, the Blues have to win one of their final two games to guarantee a finals spot, but that’s easier said than done given they play in-form sides Sydney and Collingwood to finish the season.
But with a growing injury list and no clear returns for Round 22, Lloyd remains concerned about their depth.
“With that drop off (of numerous players) the defense is being opened up, Lewis Young and these guys getting exposed in defence,” the five-time All-Australian added.
“They’re missing targets, their depth looked really poor I thought. With these guys out it suddenly exposes others to play that probably shouldn’t be playing in a Carlton team that makes the finals.”
Will Hayes, Jack Carroll and Lache Fogarty remain depth options available in the VFL to add to Carlton’s battered midfield, while Liam Stocker could also fill a role.
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