The Blues are vying for a position in the eight but could just miss it.
They have also had their opportunities to win games that appeared to be theirs to lose, mostly as a result of their failure to stop opponents who get a run on.
Under David Teague, Carlton is giving up significant swings and squandering the initiative in games they would have otherwise controlled.
They fell just short against Richmond in Round 1 after giving up the opening five goals. Before repeating the same thing against Melbourne, they gave up the first seven goals.
Before the Eagles went on a six-game winning streak, Carlton enjoyed a 19-point lead over West Coast. The Blues had a five-goal lead against the Hawks before losing that game as well.
The problem could be related to their injury list; for the second year in a row, the Blues’ medical department has been overflowing with injuries, many of which occurred in the middle of games.
Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer left the game in the first five minutes of Round 1 and hasn’t been seen since, and in the first quarter of Round 2, defender Nic Newman was also declared out for the remainder of the season.
Jack Silvagni suffered an injury against Essendon in Round 4 after just five minutes of play, and he hasn’t played since. Mitch McGovern suffered a hamstring injury in Round 8 against Port Adelaide, and he is still recovering from it. David Cuningham suffered a calf injury against Hawthorn, and he didn’t play in the second half. Jack Martin tweaked his calf in the second quarter of the team’s loss to West Coast.
Zac Fisher, who has only participated in two games this season, Harry McKay’s three games missed, and the absences of Caleb Marchbank, Paddy Dow, and Charlie Curnow round out the list.
As with most teams in 2020, the Blues have experienced several downed soldiers, but Carlton’s problems have had an impact on important players.
When opponents start to gain an advantage, the Blues should do more to slow down the pace of the game, b
Additionally, they have a list based on extremities and few players in their peak. These run-ons might persist in the meantime, but that will change as their young matures.
A finals position is up for grabs for the Blues since they have the simplest draw on the way home, but their injury list could be a deciding factor.
ut when such important players are absent, it can be too much for too few to handle.
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