Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser rates the performances of every Carlton-listed player who featured in the 29-point win over Werribee at Preston City Oval on Saturday:
7. Dylan Buckley
Stats: 9 disposals, 2 rebound 50s
From the coach: There wasn’t a lot of game time for ‘Bucks’ after coming off in the second quarter with a knee injury. In the time he was on the ground, he used his speed really well early and gave us rebound and drive off half-back.
60. David Cuningham
Stats: 20 disposals, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s
From the coach: I thought he was pretty dynamic around stoppages — his ability to burst away from congestion was important and his bigger body allowed us to win contested ball at important moments.
56. Andrew Gallucci
Stats: 17 disposals, 3 tackles, 4 goals
From the coach: His best game for us. He was really lively in our front half and it was good to see him impact on the scoreboard with four goals, while he was really important in applying defensive pressure where he executed his tackles to a high level. We’ll be challenging him to back it up this week.
Andrew Gallucci played his best game for the Northern Blues at the weekend. (Photo: Jason Heidrich Photography)
34. Jesse Glass-McCasker
Stats: 7 disposals, 5 tackles
From the coach: I thought his game was solid: his defensive positioning and awareness was more consistent and he had some good moments in one-on-one contests. He keeps building parts of his game and took a step forward on the weekend.
50. Daniel Gorringe
Stats: 13 disposals, 2 goals, 31 hitouts
From the coach: He was an important player for us coming back from injury. He shared the ruck load and got his hands on it while following up, and importantly for a tall he also kicked two goals at big moments.
32. Nick Graham
Stats: 24 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 goals
From the coach: We know what we get from Nick. He was tagged heavily all day but he played a really selfless role while still finding plenty of it and kicking three goals as a midfielder. Given the circumstances, he was really influential for us.
Nick Graham returned from suspension to shine for the Northern Blues. (Photo: Jason Heidrich Photography)
48. Kristian Jaksch
Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 7 inside 50s
From the coach: I liked his presence in the game: he wasn’t able to hit the scoreboard as he has in previous weeks, but he set up a number of goals and scoring opportunities while halving contests in the air and at ground level. We want him to keep working hard off-the-ball, but his last month has been really consistent.
80. Matthew Korcheck
Stats: 5 disposals, 39 hitouts, 1 goal
From the coach: He was great in the ruck, giving our midfielders first-look while he also took a few contested marks including one up forward which he slotted a goal from. He’s showing real signs of improvement and development and we’ll be needing similar output this Sunday.
76. Kym Lebois
Stats: 7 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal
From the coach: Andrew Gallucci probably stole the limelight as far as small forwards go, but Kym’s game had pressure moments and a few defensive tackles inside 50 which were big for us. We keep seeing signs that with another pre-season under his belt and more confidence, he’ll be a real player.
70. Harrison Macreadie
Stats: 6 disposals, 4 tackles
From the coach: He didn’t have a huge impact in terms of possessions, but he had a big impact defensively as well as through his organisation. We’re seeing a lot of his hard work come to the fore in terms of his craft.
24. Rhys Palmer
Stats: 25 disposals, 7 inside 50s, 5 tackles
From the coach: Rhys was combative around stoppages again, winning a fair share of the ball while he worked in well with the Nick Graham, Luke Russell and Tom Wilson. He keeps trying and we keep challenging him to add parts to his game through his running.
Rhys Palmer won plenty of the ball again. (Photo: Jason Heidrich Photography)
47. Ciaran Sheehan
Stats: 19 disposals, 8 marks, 7 rebound 50s
From the coach: He played a really good game. ‘Gussy’ was really dependable in our back-line and he showed great signs overhead with intercept marking, while on the whole he defended with speed and played our system well.
55. Liam Sumner
Stats: 11 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal
From the coach: A little bit inconsistent on the day but he had some good moments, and he’s working hard in the front half. We know that if he keeps his work-rate up, he’ll get that reward for effort.
