1988 Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy believes the reaction to Carlton’s Round 20 loss has been “over the top”.
The Blues lost to Adelaide by 29-points and were comprehensively outplayed by a tougher, harder Crows outfit at Adelaide Oval. Michael Voss’ men had their chance to cement a top eight spot with a win, but will now almost certainly need a triumph in their remaining three games if they are to play finals.
That may be easier said than done, given their opponents, Brisbane, Melbourne and Collingwood, are all ahead of them on the ladder.
However, Healy called on Blues supporters to stop the negativity, saying he’s still “glass three quarters full” on the club.
“Yes, it was a horrible loss by the Blues on the weekend, but the negative reaction to it has been over the top,” he said on sports day.
“It seems Blues fans, or many of them, want to death-march their team to ninth on the ladder, despite being so good for most of the year and doing so with a lot of injuries.
“I reckon the team is entitled to a mulligan and they got it on the weekend, and (they’re also entitled to) a bit more belief from those who have already written them off.
“It’s been a tough journey over the last 10 years for Blues fans and they’re getting used to disappointment too much, but I wouldn’t be writing them off just at the present time.”
The Blues have built a brand based on pressure, but the Crows winning the contested ball count was always going to leave the visitors up against it.
Healy believes the potential reintroduction of midfielder George Hewett will be a big benefit in Round 21 given he’s missed the last two games with back soreness.
The Sydney Hall of Famer also suggested Harry McKay – who’s kicked three goals across the last three weeks – needed to lift, while further labeling the decision to drop Jack Silvagni for the clash a failed experiment.
“The Blues’ best is still very much top end, but to achieve it they have to get back to winning the contest, and to that matter, get George Hewett back in the middle, (who was) sadly missed on the weekend,” Healy continued.
“Get Harry McKay back in form, and Harry needs to start taking more contested marks in one-on-one battles, which currently is running at about 1 in 20. For someone so big, athletic and gifted, that’s nowhere near good enough, but in other ways, it’s an area to get excited about, because he can get much, much better come the finals, in fact over the next few weeks.
“The rucks, well it’s an issue, and you’ll need more than one poor match to determine the outcome, but from what I’ve seen over the year, Silvagni’s impact in the forward line should not be dismissed lightly and I’m sure it hasn’t been Michael Voss and co.
“It was an experiment that didn’t work, it’s probably going to get another run or two, but I reckon Silvgani will play a big role in the final month of the year.
“So much to think about for Michael Voss, but at this stage, it’s still glass three quarters full for me for the Blues, not the totally empty schooner or pot too many Carlton fans appear to be drinking from this weekend.”
Richmond and St Kilda both kept their final chances alive with wins over the weekend, meaning there are still 10 clubs with genuine chances to be there in September.
.