In a significant shake-up, Blake Acres has been dropped from the Carlton lineup for the upcoming clash against the Brisbane Lions on July 20, 2023, at Marvel Stadium. This decision comes as Michael Voss, the struggling Carlton coach, seeks to end his team’s three-game losing streak.
Despite not underperforming dramatically, Acres has been part of a midfield that has faced criticism for its lack of dynamism. In recent matches, he recorded 20 disposals in a heavy loss to Collingwood, followed by 11 against Port Adelaide, and had a more promising outing with 21 touches and a goal against North Melbourne. Nonetheless, the collective performance of Carlton’s midfielders has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.
Challenges in the Midfield
The main critique of the Carlton midfield is that the players exhibit similar styles, making it challenging for the team to create scoring opportunities. On Channel 7’s program The Agenda Setters, former player Kane Cornes highlighted troubling footage of Carlton’s midfield performance, particularly focusing on their captain, Patrick Cripps.
“I’ve actually been close-checking a few things. I’m close-checking the Carlton captain with (Ned) Long there,” Cornes stated, emphasizing the disparity in speed and effectiveness during crucial moments.
Cornes noted that Cripps, while a celebrated player and dual Brownlow Medal winner, has not been showcasing the speed typically needed for a top-performing midfielder. He pointed out that the distance between Cripps and his opponent during a recent match led to a critical scoring opportunity for the opposing team. This observation has raised questions about the captain’s current form and overall impact on the game.
In addition to Cripps, Carlton’s midfield roster includes Adam Cerra and George Hewett, both of whom are not particularly known for their pace. The absence of former No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh, who is currently sidelined with a foot injury, adds to the team’s challenges. Some discussions have even emerged suggesting Walsh could be traded to rejuvenate the midfield group.
The Fall of a Match-Winner
Acres, who began his career at the St Kilda Football Club before moving to the Fremantle Dockers and joining Carlton for the 2023 season, has experienced a drop in form since his earlier success. Last season, he distinguished himself as a match-winner, notably scoring a last-minute goal in the elimination final against Sydney and contributing significantly to Carlton’s victory over Melbourne in the semi-finals. These performances earned him the title of ‘Iceman’ from the club’s official website after a memorable September.
Unfortunately, those high points seem distant as pressure mounts on Voss and his squad. The decision to drop Acres reflects a broader strategy to shake up the team dynamic in hopes of reversing their fortunes as they prepare to face Brisbane. The stakes are high, and fans will be watching closely to see if this bold move pays off.
As the AFL season progresses, Carlton will need to find a way to reinvigorate its midfield and inspire a turnaround in performance, beginning with the critical match against Brisbane. The outcome may well determine the direction of the remainder of their season.
