"There’s no structure or communication" - Jordan Lewis lashes out at Carlton Blues’ defense after crushing defeat to Sydney Swans
Carlton Blues' Friday night loss has put their defense under intense scrutiny both from fans and analysts alike. At the end of Round 10 they are 10th on the ladder after the 52-point margin loss (117-65) to Sydney Swans.
Questions are being asked of the defense that has conceded an average of 95.4 points from Rounds 5 to 9. The only club to have given up more points in that time are bottom-placed North Melbourne, who have not won a single game this season.
Carlton’s star defender Jack Weitering was subbed out of the game for a corky to his leg and it looked like it was at that moment Carlton fell apart completely.
Analysts and former AFL players criticized the Blues on Fox Footy and insisted that something must change to increase their chances of a title charge.
Jordan Lewis called out the other members of the defense on their over-reliance on Weitering, saying they need to do more to support the team.
“I think without Weitering they look a totally different side behind the ball – there’s no structure or communication,” Lewis said on Fox Footy.
“I would be challenging the players more experienced behind the ball: ‘What are you doing?’ You need to communicate and be the leader down there.”
Three-time Brisbane Lion premiership former player Jonathan Brown said after the game:
“This is not a profile that’s going to take you into the top four and beyond."
Melbourne legend Garry Lyon also added that their results were disappointing fans who had hopes for a deep run this season. He compared them to last season’s Port Adelaide who were good in attacking but were worrying defensively.
Former Carlton player Eddie Betts, who was also on the show, believed his team had to do better than blame injuries and should instead look to shut down opponents from scoring those easy goals.
Voss disappointed in his side’s performance against Swans
Senior coach Michael Voss of the Blues has expressed his disappointment in his team's performance against the electric Sydney unit. He admitted that his side didn't play to their strengths.
“I certainly didn’t see where the game was going to go, that’s for sure, based on where it started. It felt like we started the game with most of the things that we’ve been planning and executing quite well," he was quoted as saying by the Carlton media.
He praised Sydney for their ability to step up and absorb the pressure his side put on in the beginning. He also praised the fact that they capitalized on his team's weakness to control the game.
"We couldn’t get the game in a fight, we couldn’t get the ball on the floor and they were just too clean being able to take it away. It’s something we’ll have to go away and work on," he said.
Voss expects their performance to improve with the return of Adam Saad and Jesse Motlop to the team from injuries as they take on eighth-placed Gold Coast next on Saturday (May 25).