Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser rates the performances of every Carlton-listed player who featured in the Northern Blues' 23-point loss to Port Melbourne:
49. Dennis Armfield
Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 2 inside 50s
From the coach: He started the game at half-back and his first quarter was really solid with his competitiveness, before we used him a bit more forward in the second half. His intent to pressure and chase the opposition was important for us. We think there’s been a shift in his run of form.
62. Blaine Boekhorst
Stats: 32 disposals, 10 marks, 7 rebound 50s, 1 goal
From the coach: Again, Blaine was prolific in winning the ball and he had some really exciting moments in traffic to our advantage. He keeps working hard on areas of his game. He's been pretty consistent for us across the season.
Blaine Boekhorst celebrates his goal against Port Melbourne. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
7. Dylan Buckley
Stats: 11 disposals, 5 tackles
From the coach: He’s not impacting to the level as he’d like but we don’t think his best is too far away. He’s played more on the wing in recent weeks. If he can win more of his own footy and start using his speed we know how dangerous he can be for us.
59. Ciaran Byrne
Stats: 12 disposals, 6 marks
From the coach: I thought Casey’s game was really exciting given where he’s coming back from. His positioning was as good as it’s been since coming back from injury. He was really clean in possession while also having some terrific intercept marks. It was a really promising game from him.
56. Andrew Gallucci
Stats: 5 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 8 tackles, 2 goals
From the coach: I think it was a day where all of our small forwards were starved of opportunities at different stages, but I thought his pressure was really encouraging while he also hit the scoreboard. He had a solid performance and we’ll look to areas of growth in his game.
Andrew Gallucci was one of only two multiple goalkickers for the Northern Blues on Saturday. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
34. Jesse Glass-McCasker
Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks
From the coach: I thought it was one of his better games for a while. We’d still want to see more consistency across four quarters, but one-on-one against Jordan Lisle he more than held his own and was cleaner in possession on Saturday.
50. Daniel Gorringe
Stats: 13 disposals, 22 hitouts
From the coach: He shared ruck duties with Matthew Korcheck and competed well. In coming weeks, we want to be able to use him more forward of centre where he can provide a target for us, but for his first game back he was more than serviceable for us.
48. Kristian Jaksch
Stats: 16 disposals, 7 marks, 3 rebound 50s
From the coach: We’re trying to work really hard on his work-rate away from the contest and how he can impact the game through his positioning defensively. He competed really well in the contest: the next step is ensuring he’s proactive when the ball is away from his area at all times.
31. Patrick Kerr
Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal
From the coach: It was a tough day for our tall forwards but he fought on well. There were times where he maybe needed to halve more contests, but he showed some good signs and got on the scoresheet.
Pat Kerr looks for teammate Kym Lebois. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
80. Matthew Korcheck
Stats: 6 disposals, 36 hitouts, 1 goal
From the coach: He competed really well, and he was one of our better players on the day. Again he went forward and kicked a goal while also having another opportunity. He’s added a different dimension that’s made him an important asset for us.
76. Kym Lebois
Stats: 2 disposals
From the coach: Kym lacked opportunities at stages. We’d like him to play on a bit more instinct, and back his speed and skill. The more ball we get in our forward half, the more opportunity he gets to show us what he can do.
Carlton rookie Kym Lebois was starved of opportunities against Port Melbourne. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
19. Harry McKay
Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal
From the coach: A game of two halves for Harry — he was a little reactive early on but he worked into it with some strong leading patterns. He built his game in the second half and I don’t think he’s far away from grabbing hold of a game.
Harry McKay didn't string together four consistent quarters on Saturday. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
24. Rhys Palmer
Stats: 13 disposals, 6 clearances
From the coach: His effort around the contest was really important. He faded late and we used him forward in the last, which is something we think he can add to our side. His pressure around the ball has been second to none.
38. Jarrod Pickett
Stats: 12 disposals (9 contested), 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s
From the coach: Pickett had some AFL-type moments with his speed and tricks around the contest. He set up a couple of goals and showed some exciting signs: we need him to endure for a bit longer.
Jarrod Pickett displayed his flair on Saturday. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
67. Cameron Polson
Stats: 12 disposals, 4 clearances
From the coach: He’s missing a bit of a detail in his game: his intent is really good but we need some more cleanness around the ball. He had some great moments in the second half as a run-with player on O’Sullivan. I think what’s important to remember is that it’s his first year and we think he’s got a lot of growth to come.
Cam Polson was given another run-with role on Saturday. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
5. Billie Smedts
Stats: 24 disposals, 9 tackles, 7 inside 50s
From the coach: He had some nice moments, especially when he was able to find space. His ball use was really good and he applied some pressure around the source. He’s got some flexibility and we’ll be looking to take his game to the next level.
Billie Smedts was a solid performer against Port Melbourne. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
55. Liam Sumner
Stats: 13 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal
From the coach: Off the ball, he had some key moments with his running in providing an option. He kicked a goal as well as missing a chance in the last quarter which he would normally take nine times out of 10. If he makes that a base-line game and can build on that, he’ll set himself up very nicely.
