The Carlton Blues have been on a surprising run lately, and it's got everyone talking. With three consecutive wins, including one against a premiership contender, the team is now thinking about the wildcard weekend. But is this just a temporary surge, or is there something more to it? Let's take a closer look at what's going on with the Blues and why they might be worth keeping an eye on.
The Interim Coach Effect
One thing that immediately stands out is the impact of interim coach Josh Fraser. Fraser has brought a fresh perspective to the team, and it's paying off. But what makes this particularly fascinating is the fact that Fraser has ruled himself out of the running for the full-time job. This raises a deeper question: why is this happening now? Is it just a coincidence that the team is performing so well under his leadership? Personally, I think there's more to it than that. Fraser has brought a new energy to the team, and it's clear that the players are responding to his style of coaching.
Changes in Ball Movement
One area where the Blues have made significant changes is in their ball movement. Under Fraser, the team has shifted to a more controlled style of play, with a focus on executing their ball movement effectively. This has helped their defense, as they're not chasing as much tail. In fact, over the past three weeks, the Blues have ranked second for ball movement, behind only Sydney and ahead of the Orange Tsunami. This is a notable improvement, and it's clear that the team is playing with more constraint and taking lateral options when they present.
Defensive Improvements
Another area where the Blues have made significant improvements is in their defense. Between Rounds 10-12, Carlton allowed just 68.0 points per game, a stark improvement from the 101.3 points they allowed through Rounds 0-9. The team has also improved their score-per-inside-50 against rate by five per cent over the same period. Further, and crucially, they've defended opposition ball movement better in the past three weeks, which says a fair bit, considering they've faced the Bulldogs and Cats across that span. This is a big part of the team's success, and it's clear that they're playing with a certain freedom and confidence.
Individual Performance Upticks
The injection of youth has also been notable, with Jack Ison, Flynn Young and Billy Wilson making an impact, while Talor Byrne returned to the side in Round 11. And then there's the enhanced performance of a few select names. Champion Data highlighted four key individual performance upticks under Fraser's leadership: Brodie Kemp, Will Hayward, Jagga Smith and Patrick Cripps. Kemp has been the biggest riser, soaring 247 spots in AFL Rating since Carlton's change in coach, going from 372nd to 125th. Hayward has leapt 157 spots from 266th, Smith is up 81 spots, while captain Cripps has gone from No.48 to No.29. These individual performances are a testament to the team's overall improvement.
The Pressure Release Valve
One thing that many people don't realize is the impact of the pressure release valve. When the coach leaves, all of a sudden, some of the good work that they've been doing over the preseason and during the first few weeks, for parts of the game, has actually lifted. This is what's happening with the Blues and the Manly Sea Eagles. The perceived pressure relief has allowed the players to play with a certain freedom and confidence, and it's clear that the team is responding to this new energy.
The Future of the Blues
Who's to say how long this will continue, but with Essendon, West Coast and Richmond among their next four opponents, the Blues can realistically start rampaging towards finals contention. It may prove to be too little too late, but if nothing else, we're seeing signs that maybe Carlton's list isn't as doomed as some would have you think. In my opinion, the Blues have found a new energy and confidence under Fraser, and it's clear that the team is responding to his style of coaching. The future looks bright for the Blues, and it will be interesting to see how they continue to evolve and improve.
