VFL Senior Coach Daniel O’Keefe analyses the performances of the AFL-listed players who featured for the Carlton Reserves in their elimination final victory.

2. Paddy Dow
Stats: 33 disposals, six clearances, six score involvements

It was another strong contested game from Paddy, but he complemented this with his uncontested ball: he had 13 contested possessions and just as many handball receives. This came about from his reset at stoppages as well as his movement around the contest which kept him connected to the play. We were really pleased with his discipline and the way he was able to give us great balance at stoppages: he impacted in the forward half with five inside 50s and six score involvements.

3. Jesse Motlop
Stats: Nine disposals, four marks, one goal

‘Mots’ won some important contests early to help the team gain momentum. The strength in Jesse’s game was his ability to get on the outside and help us connect between the arcs on the back of his run. His energy, run and quick feet meant he was a dangerous threat to the opposition at all times, and he kicked a really important set shot on the half-time siren which came at a critical time for the team.

13. Liam Stocker
Stats: 25 disposals (84 per cent efficiency), five rebound 50s

It was a real finals-like game from Liam, and his most influential one for the season. His ability to come forward to defend, accompanied by some big hits on three different occasions, were super. He ran some tidy defensive patterns which also put his teammates in the best position to do what they needed to do. His kicking was probably the best we have seen from him this season, going at 85 per cent disposal efficiency from his 20 kicks: his ability to find a teammate and also pierce the corridor was a highlight.

16. Jack Carroll
Stats: 15 disposals, five clearances, six score involvements

He was disciplined in terms of balancing off around his teammates at stoppages, while his feet and movement when he got to the outside got him into good positions to win the ball. His offensive spread when we won the stoppage was very good, and as a result, he got involved in stoppage chains (five clearances) and had impact in the forward half (six score involvements). We liked his ability to close space quickly.

17. Brodie Kemp
Stats: 13 disposals, eight marks, nine score involvements, two goals

It was a strong game from ‘Kempy’, which ended up yielding six shots on goal. He had good connection with his fellow talls and was able to consistently bring the ball to ground when needed. He was a threatening leading target in the forward half, and he was effective with his kicking to targets inside 50. His reaction speed helped our scoring: his contribution and impact was important.

38. Sam Durdin
Stats: 10 disposals, seven spoils, three rebound 50s

It was a really strong defensive game from Sam in terms of our structure. He organises us very well behind the ball, which helps others influence the play: there is a lot of trust from his teammates back there. He had our most spoils for the game which was a real highlight, finish with seven, while his kicking was again really sound.

40. Will Hayes
Stats: 20 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances

It’s no surprise that he once again ran his heart out for the game. Early in the game, we liked his willingness to test the opposition both offensively and defensively, finishing with three direct score assists while also contributing six intercept possessions. He provided good overlap run in transition and was pivotal at stoppages in terms of setting up our structure. He had a number of physical moments particularly late in the game and was really unselfish with his performance.

41. Dom Akuei
Stats: Seven disposals, three clearances, 13 hitouts

Dom played an effective role for us in sharing ruck duties with Josh Cripps: he showed us the capacity to do something we haven’t seen before. He competed at stoppages and had an impact a ground level with his follow-up work and pressure. He brought the ball to ground level a few times and had a decent number of acts which benefited the team.

43. Will Setterfield
Stats: 40 disposals, 13 clearances, 13 score involvements, two goals

It was a complete VFL game from Will and as good as I’ve seen him with the ball. His reset at stoppages was first class, enabling him to win his own ball (13 clearances, 18 contested possessions) or help support his teammates (15 handball receives). His running patterns were very good and it allowed him to stay connected in offence - having a bit impact in the forward half - as well as defence. He was very good with his balance at boundary throw-ins and providing defensive cover at centre bounces.