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Find your Sport Nation frequencyCan “blue collar” Carlton play finals?
Nicholas Quinlan • May 10th, 2025 4:00 pm
Dermott Brereton thinks Carlton will not be able to play finals, believing that other teams are far better at playing their “blue collar” game plan.
Under coach Michael Voss, the Blues have made it a point to win the ball at the coalface through contested possessions and stoppages.
This has been evidenced by Carlton having the highest average of contested possessions and the second highest in stoppage clearances.
While they have recovered from their poor 0-4 start to 4-5, Brereton still thinks that Carlton's game plan will be exposed by better sides.
“Carlton are winning with blue-collar work,” Brereton said on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“They’ve got two gun forwards up the front that can do the damage.
“But they are winning with blue collar work throughout the field, and I think there are so many other teams that are better placed to that style of game with better personnel in the midfield.
“Notwithstanding, they have the two star forwards, but most places will keep them in it.
However, Mark Bickley was in disagreement with Brereton.
He thinks that if Carlton’s depth can play above their average, they will put themselves in the discussions for finals.
“I’m a little bit more optimistic; I think their midfield group is strong enough,” Bickley noted.
“Once again, as you mentioned (Tom) De Koning can continue to improve as a ruckman because he is still a relatively inexperienced ruckman.
“You’ve got Cripps who hasn’t really hit his straps so far this year, it was better last night.
“We know that Hewett had a good year. If Silvagni can support Weitering down back, and then you’ve got a couple of big guys up forward.
“It’s more what you get from some of the peripheral types, and if they can elevate themselves, which they did the year they played in the prelim (2023).
“That’s where it takes them from the discussion around 10th to 8th as opposed to 8th to 6th.
“So, I still think they’re right in the hunt to make the eight, but they are certainly going to be in the bottom half.”
Carlton will look to win their fifth in the space of six games when they take on Sydney next Friday at the SCG.
A win against the Swans would be the first time this season that Carlton has had an even win-loss record.
