IT’S A clean sweep.
Six Carlton players have received coaches' votes for its emphatic 108-point win over West Coast in Round 7.
Topping the table is none other than the reigning Coleman Medallist in Charlie Curnow, who polled a perfect 10 for his career-high nine-goal performance.
Among Curnow's 18 disposals were 16 score involvements, 14 marks and eight contested marks (all career highs) in what was a comprehensive game for the 26-year-old.
One of those marks saw Curnow earn a Mark of the Year nomination for his efforts, where he outpointed Shannon Hurn before converting his eighth of nine goals.
Following Curnow was Nic Newman, who received seven votes for his stellar game, in which the half-back flanker even contributed a goal (his first since 2019).
Newman also took 14 marks, as well as picking up 34 disposals (his most in the Navy Blue) and assisting his teammates with 471 metres gained in a higher role compared to previous weeks.
For the second consecutive week, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps polled votes (five) for a dominant midfield outing, where the Brownlow Medallist contributed a game-high eight clearances, eight tackles, 33 disposals and his first goal of the season. He has contributed 20 or more contested possessions in four of the last five games.
Fellow midfielder Adam Cerra picked up four votes for his game, with the 101-gamer building week on week with his impressive performances. This week saw Cerra deliver 30 disposals, eight tackles and a handy goal, but it was his 524 metres gained that saw him break the game open.
"We’ve started to get our identity back around the ball."
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) April 30, 2023
With our full on-ball complement available for the first time this season, the skipper said Saturday night was the first step to getting back to their brutal best.
Blake Acres is another who is gaining confidence each week, earning three votes in the Round 7 clash. Delivering 34 disposals, 11 score involvements and six inside 50s, Acres’ hard running and physical presence has seen him accumulate 36 and 34 disposals in the past fortnight: the top two tallies of his career.
Rounding out the votes was Harry McKay (one vote), who drew praise from Michael Voss post-match for the unselfish role he played in Carlton's 23-goal performance.
With two first-quarter goals to his name, McKay was a force up forward that paired perfectly with Curnow’s athleticism, allowing the two to play off one another and both reap the rewards. The duo now sit first and second in the competition for contested marks this season.
