AFL Teams Chopping Block: Experienced Carlton trio in the gun

Kieran Francis

AFL Teams Chopping Block: Experienced Carlton trio in the gun image

Experienced Carlton trio Eddie Betts, Marc Murphy and Sam Petrevski-Seton could find their senior positions in jeopardy as questions are asked about the Blues' selection policies.

David Teague's team sit 11th on the AFL ladder after starting the season 2-3, with several seasoned players failing to have a significant impact on matches.

Ahead of the Blues' crunch match against Brisbane at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, Betts is likely to find his place in the team under consideration.

The 34-year-old will go down as one of the best small forwards of all-time but is struggling in his seniority, with only two goals in three matches this season, after kicking 13 in 15 games last year.

However, Betts is averaging two goal assists per game this season and this might save his position in the team, but Carlton will want him to hit the scoreboard.

Murphy is another veteran who has had a magnificent career, but the 33-year-old's impact on matches is dwindling, and he has failed to hit 20 possessions in a match this season.

Petrevski-Seton had a disappointing 11 possessions in the loss to Port Adelaide, after enjoying decent performances in the Blues' previous two wins against Gold Coast and Fremantle.

The no.6 pick in the 2016 AFL draft was selected as a midfielder, but the 23-year-old has failed to step up to be a solid contributor in the engine room.

Teague has deployed Petrevski-Seton in defence, but he has been outshone by Adam Saad and Sam Docherty as rebounding defenders.

After a breakout season last year, Collingwood wingman Josh Daicos has struggled to back up his performances in 2021 as the Magpies struggle to win matches.

Daicos is averaging 14 possessions a game this season - despite picking up 17-a-game in shortened quarters during the 2020 campaign.

The 22-year-old's position in the Magpies team should be safe because of their injury list, but the talented midfielder is certainly down on form.

The expected return of Mitch Lewis from suspension and exciting VFL form of Emerson Jeka could see Hawthorn forwards Jacob Koschitzke and Conor Nash lose their places in the team.

Both Koschitzke and Nash failed to hit the scoreboard or reach double figure disposals in the Hawks' 50-point defeat to Melbourne.

Compounding their poor performances is the impending return of Lewis, who impressed in two matches before being banned, while Jeka has kicked bags of goals consistently in the VFL.

Hawthorn also have a struggling midfield with James Worpel averaging nine less disposals a game than he did during the last time he played full quarter AFL games in 2019, while Tom Phillips has failed to hit the ground running since crossing over from Collingwood.

Taylor Walker's side-kick Billy Frampton could be dropped by Adelaide after the 24-year-old only has two goals in five games so far this season - with Elliott Himmelberg the most likely replacement.

Sydney prodigy Logan McDonald might also be set for a spell after struggling to have impact in recent matches - although he may earn a reprieve with Lance Franklin's injury.

Under-fire St Kilda star Brad Hill turned in another struggling performance against Richmond last week, but coach Brett Ratten says he won't be dropped.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.