1. The end for Mick Malthouse?
It was another insipid performance from Carlton on a Friday night in what has been a hellish period for coach Mick Malthouse and his struggling side. The pressure will again rise at Princes Park after the 77-point belting by Geelong, while CEO Steven Trigg's pre-game comments that the coach's tenure could reach an end sooner rather than later added further fuel to the fire. Malthouse is also on shaky ground for the way he publicly questioned the Blues' decision to enter rebuild mode at his weekly press conference. Carlton has been clear in stating that Malthouse will have his coaching contract reviewed in the latter half of the season, but there is gathering momentum to suggest the veteran coach's future at the Blues is all but up.
2. Geelong's young brigade stands tall
If Geelong is to progress deep into this year's finals series, it can't be left to Joel Selwood, Steve Johnson, Mathew Stokes and Andrew Mackie to carry them. The charge has to come from Josh Caddy, Jackson Thurlow, Cameron Guthrie and Jordan Murdoch. So it would have pleased Cats coach Chris Scott no end to see that quartet as his side's most influential players against Carlton. Murdoch kicked a career-high four goals to go along with 26 disposals, Caddy bullocked his way to 23 touches and three goals. Guthrie and Thurlow's impacts were less subtle, but equally effective through the midfield and in defence. Guthrie collected 19 disposals at an 91 per cent efficiency rating, while Thurlow went at 80 per cent for his 18 touches. The pair have quickly become the best kicks in the side, and Geelong relies on them to continually set them up from behind and forward of centre.
3. Kelly's one tough nut
Two weeks after needing surgery on a ruptured testicle, James Kelly was back out in the heat of battle against Carlton on Friday night. Kelly sustained the painful injury against Richmond in round five, but proved his fitness at training this week. In typically courageous style, Kelly did not take a backward step at the contest. The 31-year-old finished the game with 22 disposals and eight marks. The veteran midfielder is still a key player as the Cats look to his hardness around the contest.
4. Adding injury to insult
Bryce Gibbs has been symbolic of Carlton's struggles this season. Last year's best and fairest winner has averaged 22.3 disposals this season, but has impact across the season has been minimal. So with Carlton's leaders needing to step up, it was disappointing that Gibbs was laid low with a lower back issue. The 26-year-old midfielder had just 12 disposals and could never really get into the contest before being subbed out in the third term, with a couple of uncharacteristic turnovers emphasising his poor night. Carlton need more from Gibbs and captain Marc Murphy if it is to turn its predicament around.
5. Selwood's tough night
Malthouse knew Geelong skipper Joel Selwood was the opposing team's best player, so sent tagger Ed Curnow to curtain the tough midfielder. And it worked a treat with Curnow keeping Selwood to just 16 disposals. Curnow's niggling tactics got the better of Selwood at certain points, who lost his composure on multiple occasions. The Geelong skipper gave away two 50m penalties in what turned out as a quiet individual night for one of the League's premier onballers.
