Jarrad Waite’s return to Carlton’s senior side has been met with much enthusiasm from his teammates.
After a stint in the VFL, Waite silenced his critics in Friday night’s win over the Kangaroos. He booted four goals, gathered 19 disposals and took 11 marks. It earned the 31-year-old a best on ground accolade from host broadcaster the Seven Network.
Bryce Gibbs was among the Blues players to heap praise on Waite for his sensational return.
“I was really rapt for Waitey to come back into the side and have an impact,” Gibbs told radio SEN.
“We know the x-factor he’s got about him – he can win games of footy for you.
“To help out Hendo (Lachie Henderson) as well, it can be tough down there when you’re trying to cover most of the workload, but I thought the forwards worked really well together.”
On the whole, Gibbs said he was pleased with his side’s “four-quarter effort” against North Melbourne, admitting that consistency across a game is something Carlton has been lacking this season.
He says consistency is something the Blues are striving for, along with improved voice and leadership on the field. The latter is an area that Gibbs believes Carlton has made inroads on this season.
“I think we’re really growing in our leadership capabilities at the Club, not only the leadership group at the moment, but the emerging leaders coming through,” Gibbs said.
“You look at guys like Nick Graham, Patty Cripps, who hasn’t played a lot of footy yet but he’s going to be a star and he’s shown some great leadership qualities so far, Troy Menzel – I think we’re improving all the time and it’s only going to get better.”
