Carlton ruckman Rob Warnock ensured his name hasn’t been forgotten in selection circles with another strong performance in the Northern Blues’ loss to Port Melbourne on Anzac Day.
In his second match back from a shoulder injury sustained during the NAB Challenge, Warnock was one of the Blues’ best, finishing with 19 disposals to couple 31 hitouts and three score involvements.
It follows up a solid return match the previous week against Williamstown, where he collected 20 disposals and 35 hitouts.
But with journeyman ruckman Cameron Wood impressing with early-season form for Carlton, Warnock knows there is still more needed to be done before seriously challenging for the club’s No.1 ruck position.
“The legs are feeling pretty good, (Saturday) was one of those days where it was pretty tight and scrappy and there wasn’t a whole lot of spread,” the 28-year-old said.
“I’ve still got to keep working on getting my form and fitness up and working hard during the week.
“Hopefully then I’ll be able to start knocking on the door.”
The Northern Blues fought their way back into the match drawing to within a point in the earlier stages of the fourth quarter, having trailed by as much as 31 points midway through the second quarter.
Now part of two close narrow losses in the past fortnight, Warnock hopes that the VFL side – hit with seven changes and the loss of 93 games experience in the past week – can learn from the in-game mistakes that see them 0-2 to start the year.
“You look at the bigger picture, we still didn’t get the points (on the weekend).
“When we were more patient with our ball movement, retained the footy and used our spare in attack, that was what definitely changed at half-time.
“It’s a young group, so as long as they’re learning from the things that we did well and from the things we didn’t do well, that’s good for going forward.”
The Blues next travel to face St. Kilda’s affiliate and 2014 semi-finalist Sandringham in Round 3; a side which enjoyed a one-point Round 1 win before being demoralised by Williamstown last weekend by 58 points.
Despite the Zebras carrying an experienced VFL list to compliment the Saints’ younger list, Warnock said he had confidence in his own side to match Sandringham.
“The positive thing is … we had a lot of younger VFL-listed players come and play the role we wanted them to really well,” Warnock said.
“Sandringham may have a strong list, but that doesn’t really affect us. We’ve got blokes who can come and play their role, and hopefully get us the four points.
“We’ve had two solid performances where we’ve done the majority of the things we wanted to do well, but fell away in a few other things. As long as we learn from that and take it forward, we’ll get the win.”
The Blues travel to Trevor Barker Beach Oval to face Sandringham on Sunday at 2pm.
