Re: Carlton 2024 Predictions / Expectations
Reply #75 –
Well if David King's observations of our training sessions is any indication, they have definitely stepped it up and have worked harder. Enjoy:
David King has spent the summer at AFL club training sessions, trying to get a gauge for how teams are progressing across the league.
Of all the sides he observed, the premiership Kangaroo says the most brutal session he saw was at Princes Park, lauding how the Blues have evolved over the last 12 months.
“This time last year, I wouldn’t have had Carlton anywhere near a top four position because of – not just the way they trained – they just didn’t look ready to be that team – they didn’t look rock hard fit, really mature, demanding of each other and the standards at training, whilst they were good, they weren’t top four good,” King told SEN Breakfast.
“The session I went to was a three-hour session, it was a brutal session and they trained like I spoke about Melbourne last year – full on contested, some old school stuff where the coach throws the ball back 1v1, get it back to the coach, go again, go again, go again.
“I haven’t seen that for 15 years and I thought it’s simple stuff, but it’s all about winning your own contest.
“That Carlton session was the toughest I’ve seen for a long time, not just at Carlton, but for a long time.”
King believes the Blues are seeking “icing on the cake” to take them from a top eight side into the premiership window.
He named Matt Cottrell, Elijah Hollands and Orazio Fantasia as some players who could provide some internal improvement.
“Matt Cottrell is going to be a very good AFL player. I thought he was going to be one of those guys that hover between your 21st picked player and your 30th picked player. He’s going to be a very good player,” King said.
“There’s a tall down there named Harry Lemmey who they took late in the draft a few seasons ago, didn’t know much about him, he had an outstanding session.
“Elijah Hollands, I’m telling you, he’ll have a really big impact on their ball-use and their poise with the footy, I know he’s going to miss the first two rounds, but he’ll make a big difference to Carlton.
“This time last year we were talking about Sam Walsh missing six weeks of footy, that’s not the case now.
“I don’t know if Orazio Fantasia plays or not … but if he plays 12 games, that’s what we’re talking about, they’re looking for the icing on the cake, Carlton.”