Carlisle saga takes green turn

An umpire was stretchered from the ground after a clash with Sydney player Nick Malceski. Courtesy: Seven Sport

THE saga that is Jake Carlisle's 2014 season took another intriguing turn last night.

After eight performances that have, for the most part, raised the ire of supporters, Essendon coach Mark Thompson raised eyebrows by naming the swingman as the Bombers' substitute.

Carlisle. Substitute. Against a smallish Sydney back line containing Ted Richards, Heath Grundy (both 192cm) and Jeremy Laidler (189cm)

BUDDY RETURNS TO TORMENT BOMBERS

The story played out interestingly on Triple M.

Before the game Bombers assistant coach Simon Goodwin pointed to Carlisle's versatility as a reason for why he was wearing the green vest.

With Tom Bellchambers returning to the side and playing forward, Carlisle could then come on — forward or back — as the situation merited.

LITTLE TAKES AIM AT ASADA

Asked about his counterpart's selection decision, Swans coach John Longmire said: "We probably didn't expect that".

Come half time, Franklin had the better of Michael Hurley, kicking four goals.

By the same point, and with the Bombers trailing by 42 points, Bellchambers had two touches and Joe Daniher just the five possessions and a mark.

Garry Lyon in commentary: "It's a staggering set of circumstances that Jake Carlisle is still the sub in this game.

Carlisle at Essendon training during the week. Source: News Corp Australia

"I don't know what sort of message it sends. I can't work it out for the life of me."

Carlisle finally got his moment in the 26th minute of the third term — but by then the horse had bolted.

With so much conjecture about whether he was best served playing forward or back, the only interesting point that remained in the game was to see what end of the ground Carlisle would jog to.

The answer? Forward, as Daniher had been the player to make way.

He took an uncontested grab and laid off two handballs prior to three quarter time, before snapping the opening goal of the final term when he picked up a ground ball and burst though a pack about 30m out.

Even after his night with a difference, Carlisle could afford a wry smile and then he continued on for the rest of the night with an intensity that would be expected of a substitute injected late in the game.

After pushing up the ground and then working back hard he was rewarded with a second major from the pocket in the dying minutes of the match.

The question now is this.

Was this a turnaround in form? Or the strongest suggestion yet that he is best used in bursts when playing forward?

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Carlisle saga takes green turn

Dengan url

http://sportlivestyle.blogspot.com/2014/05/carlisle-saga-takes-green-turn.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Carlisle saga takes green turn

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Carlisle saga takes green turn

sebagai sumbernya