WHATEVER you need, coach.

Since his return to the AFL team, Alex Cincotta has been given some big roles. Unsurprisingly, they’ve largely been in his customary role in defence. First it was Bobby Hill. Then Kozzie Pickett, followed by Tom Papley. 

So when Cincotta lined up across half-forward on the weekend at the opening bounce, there was a bit of intrigue around what exact role he would play over the course of the afternoon. It soon became apparent who he had eyes on. 

The Carlton coaching staff had identified the threat of Gold Coast gun Touk Miller around the ground. Michael Voss said post-match that there were plenty worthy of the conversation, but it was Miller’s run in transition which they were keen to thwart.

“We felt that going to him, he’s a guy they connect with in their ball movement in transition. We felt like if we could shut that down, we’d be a really good chance to go back the other way,” Cincotta told RSN on Monday morning.

“It allowed ‘Crippa’ and ‘Walshy’ to rip in be more offensive if I’m there doing a shutdown role. It was what we felt was really important going into the game.”

Miller ended with 21 disposals, with five of those centre clearances. It’s near impossible to completely shut players of his quality completely out of the game, but what Cincotta did do was nullify his influence, keeping him to his lowest possession tally of the season so far.

Yet it’s Cincotta who believes he’ll be the one that’s better for the experience.

“He’s obviously a great player. I really did notice his transition running is probably the best that I’ve played on, with his ability in the contest and then rip really hard forward to try and get into chains,” he said.

“It was something he taught me on the weekend. I really admire the way he goes about it.”

Voss and his coaching staff always talk about players adding strings to their bow, giving themselves the best opportunity for selection but also providing those in the box the flexibility to shift magnets around on game day.

After so often dealing with small forwards, could run-with roles be in Cincotta’s future — particularly with Rozee, Butters and Horne-Francis waiting in the wings on Thursday night?

“I’m not really sure! We’re going into the Club this morning and we’ve got to do our review first.

“I’m just happy to be in the team, to play a role and play AFL football. Whoever comes my way, I’ll be happy and I’ll be giving it 100 per cent.”