The numbers so far are: Blues support the total of their parts.
The Blues’ story in 2024 has reflected one of Michael Voss’ core philosophies.
There are too many cliches to count when it comes to having a large number of contributors.
Many hands make light work. Spreading love. Teamwork is essential for making the ideal a reality. Sharing the workload.
Et cetera, etc.
For the purposes of this discussion, however, let us employ a favorite from Michael Voss’ vernacular when considering Carlton’s work in more recent years. Together, we are stronger.
That is very much the tale when it comes to the finest of the Blues, not just thus far in 2024, but also back to the run that began in the second half of last year.
While the hard-to-miss Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay are frequently mentioned when Carlton scores a winning goal, the statistics tell a different picture.
Yes, the twin towers are currently among the leading contenders for the 2024 Coleman Medal, having shared the last three — McKay in 2021 and Curnow in 2022 and 2023.
As Voss and everyone at Carlton have often stated, it is not individual brilliance that propels the team forward, but rather the group effort.
With each club already played six games in 2024, Carlton has had eight, eight, eleven, six, ten, and nine individual goal scorers in their respective encounters. It is the equal-second highest in the competition, behind
Carlton’s form has clearly improved as it relies on its entire team and system to get the job done. With a 16-3 record since Round 14 last year, the Blues have averaged 8.3 individual goalkickers per game, up 22% from their first year and a half under Voss.
Matthew Cottrell, who has recently transitioned from wing to high half-forward, is a prime example of this.
While Cottrell stands tenth among Blues players in terms of score involvements, he has done so with only 68 disposals – as FOX Footy’s pundits noted both during and after the game against GWS, when the ball is in his hands, good things happen.
As many as 13 Blues have had at least 20 scoring involvements, with Sam Walsh nearly reaching that total in only one game over the weekend. His 17 score involvements (including three direct goal assists) were the most by a Carlton player since the stat was first recorded, surpassing Curnow’s tally of 16 in Round 7 against West Coast last season.
If the Blues are to maintain their current success, the remit must be clear. And, as Harry McKay stated at his news conference on Sunday, it is what will be consistently respected.
“It’s their ability to do all the system stuff that we praise them so highly for inside our four walls, but then also to maximise their opportunities in front of goal and hit the scoreboard . . . they were huge,” he said.
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