Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser reviews the performances of the Carlton-listed players in Northern's season-opening loss to Footscray:
14. Liam Jones
Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks (2 inside 50), 4 tackles, 3 goals
From the coach: He was our most dangerous target on the day: he competed really well in his contested marking and his follow-up was terrific. He finished with three and was probably unlucky to not finish with a couple more.
18. Daniel Gorringe
Stats: 14 disposals, 6 marks, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal
From the coach: He provided some good service as a back-up ruckman, worked hard in patches to provide a forward target and finished with a goal.
26. Matthew Dick
Stats: 30 disposals, 11 marks, 3 clearances, 11 handball receives
From the coach: Accumulated plenty of the ball of half-back and was our leading possession winner on the day, and provided some important run and drive for us.
31. Jayden Foster
Stats: 10 disposals
From the coach: He was used at both ends of the ground, and continues to build some fitness having missed the Richmond game in pre-season.
34. Jesse Glass-McCasker
Stats: 4 disposals
From the coach: He continues to develop being his first year on the list, and showed good signs defensively while having some positive individual efforts down back.
36. Cameron Wood
Stats: 13 disposals, 2 clearances, 19 hitouts
From the coach: Cam competed well against seasoned ruckmen Minson and Campbell, and he spent time up forward too.
38. Billy Gowers
Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s,
From the coach: Billy spent time going through the middle and also played a role at half-back: he showed some encouraging signs in the third quarter when we were making our way back into the game.
43. Simon White
Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 9 hardball gets, 6 handball receives
From the coach: ‘Whitey’ provided a real calming influence on our back six with his leadership, and he defended well and supported in aerial contests.
44. Lachie Plowman
Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks (2 contested), 4 hardball gets, 4 inside 50s
From the coach: Another encouraging performance from 'Plow', who backed himself in the air and provided some important run for us out of defence. He’s continuing to build to full fitness.
Lachie Plowman impressed again in his second game back. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
46. Liam Sumner
Stats: 12 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 4 clearances
From the coach: Liam played forward while having a few bursts on the ball. He continues to build fitness and impressed us with his workrate. He also had a hand in setting up a couple of goals.
Carlton coach Brendon Bolton chats to Liam Sumner during the Northern Blues' season opener. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
48. Kristian Jaksch
Stats: 14 disposals, 7 handball receives, 1 goal
From the coach: 'KJ' played at both ends of the ground, and continues to develop his game both forward and back. He kicked an important goal in the third term when he was pushed forward.
56. Andrew Gallucci
Stats: 15 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 5 handball receives, 3 tackles, 2 goals
From the coach: A small forward who applied good pressure at source, worked hard to provide an option at the drop of the ball and finished with two goals.
60. David Cuningham
Stats: 21 disposals (12 contested), 9 hardball gets, 3 clearances, 7 handball receives
From the coach: First possession around stoppages was impressive: his ability to move away from clearances and stay involved in the contest was good especially for a young player.
David Cuningham had an eye-catching performance against Footscray. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
65. Dillon Viojo-Rainbow
Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 3 clearances, 1 goal
From the coach: Big third quarter gathering 11 disposals and kicking a goal. He continues to improve after showing some good signs in our three practice matches in previous weeks.
67. Clem Smith
Stats: 10 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles
From the coach: Performed below expectation, but he had a couple of moments where he impacted the contest: now it’s about finding some consistency.
76. Jason Tutt
Stats: 27 disposals, 8 marks, 3 inside 50s, 14 handball receives
From the coach: ‘Tutty’ played his role as a winger well and found enough of the ball - he continues to work hard on particular areas of his game.
80. Matthew Korcheck
Stats: 5 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 7 hitouts
From the coach: He had some really important centre-bounce ruck taps, took a nice mark around the ground and was more involved this week than previous weeks - it’s a good sign of his development.
