It was some of Carlton’s emerging players who really stood up in Sunday night’s 26-point victory over Essendon.
While captain Patrick Cripps, gun midfielder Sam Walsh, star defender Jacob Weitering and dual Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow all had some sort of impact at the MCG, they weren’t the stars of the show.
Ruckman Tom De Koning had a great battle with Todd Goldstein before grinding down the Bombers veteran in the second half.
De Koning had 13 disposals, 13 hit-outs and seven clearances after half-time, to Goldstein’s seven disposals, 16 hit-outs and four clearances – his efforts helping the Blues over the line.
The 24-year-old finished the night with 24 touches, 19 hit-outs and a game-high 11 clearances, and it was his impact at crucial stages which stood out to Josh Jenkins.
The former Crows forward was taken by the fact that some inexperienced Blues players, particularly De Koning, got the job done on the big stage in front of more than 88,000 at the ‘G.
“I was looking at the numbers across the night and Cripps and Walsh hadn’t been as impactful in the game, yet the scoreboard was still ticking over,” Jenkins said on SEN Breakfast.
“They were in control of the game, but some of the key metrics were weirdly in favour of Essendon. But when you were watching the game it clearly looked like Carlton were in control.
“They got great performances from some guys who are really emerging, in particular Tom De Koning.
“It was a really good sign for him as a number one ruckman, and I think he is a number one ruckman, he doesn’t need that assistance from Marc Pittonet. He might on occasion to spell him, if they come up against a team that play two ruckmen.
“Todd Goldstein had a really good first half but De Koning wore him down, wore him out and went on with the job. He really became the difference and ensured that the game never got close in that last quarter and a half.
“He was absolutely outstanding. Probably pushes for best afield honours by the end of the night.”
De Koning received an A+ in SEN’s player gradings, will likely land coaches votes and should also be in the mix for his first Brownlow votes.
Jenkins also rated the performances of the likes of Adam Saad, Matt Kennedy and George Hewett, while singling out Elijah Hollands who booted three important goals from 19 disposals in his 11th game in navy blue.
“Saad is rock solid, I thought Kennedy and Hewett did (their jobs). There’s not always a place for this two in the same team,” Jenkins added.
“But on a slippery night in a game that was anticipated for high contest and high stoppage, those guys both played their roles quite nicely.
“The Hollands boys (Elijah and Ollie) have added a fair bit. Elijah had 19 disposals and three goals, he was really impactful.”
The win has the Blues sitting second with a 9-4 record leading into their Round 14 bye.
They’re next in action against Geelong on Friday, June 21 to kick off Round 15.