Should the Baggers be premiership favourites?
Despite a multitude of changes at selection due to injury, Carlton pulled off an inspiring 19-point victory against the GWS Giants in round six to take their season record to 5-1.
Carlton’s superman Patrick Cripps stood tall with 39 disposals while his second in command Sam Walsh was electric in just his second game back from a serious back injury with 35 touches.
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The win over the Giants places the Blues in fourth on the AFL ladder ahead of a tough month of football where they face the Cats, Pies, Dees and Swans.
But North Melbourne champion David King believes they could be the real deal.
“I think they’re the complete model at the moment, Michael Voss has done an amazing job in getting this club as one,” King said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.
“They are a club in unity, I love what they’ve done under Michael Voss.”
Voss on Carlton’s comeback win over GWS | 06:48
The Blues had 13 players unavailable for selection against the Giants in what is one of the competition’s most extensive injury lists.
“It doesn’t matter who represents them, they’ve got more players on the side than most,” King said.
“It didn’t matter that they weren’t there because the system stacks up and the belief is there.”
Silky midfielder Adam Cerra and damaging half-back Mitch McGovern are likely to return within a fortnight, while small forwards Jack Martin and Jesse Motlop are a month away from returning.
The Blues have not made the top four for 24 years, but King believes this could be the year they break the drought.
“This year it could be MCG, MCG and then who knows?
“I really think that they are the profile and united club charging at this next opportunity – get excited Carlton fans.”
King believes that there’s something different about the Blues in 2024.
“Every week we see something different, their evolution from being a team who wanted to bash the opposition and win the hard way, they were always difficult to play against, but you could move the ball and they relied on some talent here and there to save them,” the Fox Footy commentator said.
“Sometimes success is just a look, you don’t have to ask for anything or demand, you just look in the other persons eyes and you know they’re with you.
“I think that’s happening at Carlton, I’m so excited with what they’ve been able to do.”
Carlton hand Giants first loss of season | 02:21
Former St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna agreed with King and said Carlton’s ability to win via a range of different avenues sets them apart from the rest of the competition right now.
“They can win in all different ways, they can win defensively, win by scoring, they’ve improved their turnover game, they win the close ones and if all’s not working, they’ve got some star power that can drag them over the line if needed.
“There’s no hoping at Carlton anymore, it’s lets just do what we’re here to do and lets be diligent and professional enough to support one another,” King said.
The Blues played two finals at the MCG last year before an unsuccessful trip to the Gabba for the preliminary final but if they continue this hot streak, a top four berth, and home finals at the MCG await.
And who knows what happens from there…
Source Agencies
