Carlton is gearing up for a crucial Round 2 clash against Hawthorn at the MCG on Thursday night, with coach Michael Voss making a couple of strategic moves following a disappointing start to the season. After their lackluster performance against Richmond, where they fell short on multiple fronts, the Blues made a welcome change by recalling star forward Charlie Curnow from injury. Curnow’s return is seen as vital for Carlton, who lacked offensive firepower in their initial outing.
On the other side, Hawthorn is also making some promising adjustments to their lineup. Veteran Jack Gunston is back in the fold alongside Changkuoth Jiath as they attempt to build on their successful start to the season, buoyed by a first-round victory against Essendon. Hawthorn's coach noted the importance of adding experience and skill to the team structure for upcoming matches.
As much as the spotlight is on Carlton and Hawthorn for their selections, it’s hard not to mention Essendon’s continued battle with defensive frailty, as highlighted during their Round 1 match against Hawthorn. Despite showing incredible effort in the midfield, particularly with standout performances like Jye Caldwell, who amassed 36 disposals, the Bombers were ultimately unable to safeguard their defensive line. This inefficiency was pointed out by dual premiership player David King, notably when he remarked, "We see it again with Essendon that they can’t defend. Six goals from 15 entries in that first quarter — game over.”
Despite their competitive clearance performance, which boasted a +19 for total clearances — their third-best return in a decade — the Bombers struggled to convert these advantages into actual points on the board. They ended the game with 12 goals from 25 scoring shots, concluding with a score of 5.10 (40), which was not enough to outdo the highly efficient Hawks.
Brad Scott, the Bombers’ coach, appeared to remain optimistic post-match but acknowledged the defensive gaps that ultimately came back to cost them dearly. With a defensive record that ranked them poorly in previous seasons, the pressure is mounting on the Essendon coaching staff to turn things around quickly.
Looking ahead, the Bombers face significant injury tolls with Kyle Langford expected to miss four-to-six weeks and Jordan Ridley sidelined due to concussion. These significant losses coincide with an essential clash against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday, where Essendon’s reshifting of players will be critical.
Across the league, attention is also drawn to the changes that teams like Footscray and Collingwood might enact following poor showings. Footscray will be absent two key players — James O'Donnell and Luke Cleary — due to injury, signaling a challenging week for the club as they endeavor to navigate through Round 2.
Voss's decision to bring back Curnow, while keeping most of the senior squad intact, has raised eyebrows among analysts who predicted a far-reaching reshuffle after the opening game. However, with Hawthorn in fine form, Voss may prefer to stick with the experienced group he trusts while monitoring the progress of a squad that could rise through the ranks this season.
This balancing act of maintaining strong team cohesion against the need for adjustments offers a compelling narrative as the AFL season unfolds. Fans will watch closely to see whether the improvements advertised by both the Blues and Hawks result in notable shifts in performance on the field starting this Thursday.
