Carlton have been slammed after their very disappointing loss to the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday afternoon which has all-but ended their slim finals hopes.
The Blues went into the game as warm favourites having dismantled St Kilda the week prior and with the Suns coming off a 97-point drubbing at the hands of Melbourne.
The flag threat undone by 'kamikaze footy', redemption for a young Saint and the club 'comfortable' with mediocrity.@cleary_mitch and @kanecornes have all that and more on The Round So Far, thanks to @AAMI.https://t.co/9VBXPBzDVv
— AFL (@AFL) August 7, 2021
Carlton's pressure was a shell of what they showed the week before and they looked to lack the defensive intent yet again.
Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes said last week he felt the Blues had over celebrated during their win over the Saints.
The loss to the Suns did little to change the mind of Cornes who took aim at the Blues for being happy with mediocrity.
“I said it last week, and I’ll say it again, this is a group that is comfortable,” Cornes said on AFL.com.au’s The Round So Far.
“Carlton is comfortable, and they get so excited by achieving nothing.
Cornes took aim at Carlton co-captains Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty saying they weren't setting a good enough example for those below to follow.
“There is a lack of leadership in that group, I’m talking from (Patrick) Cripps, from (Sam) Docherty, from all the way down that playing group, there is a lack of leadership from the top," Cornes said.
“To think they could be happy with that Friday night win last week, to over-celebrate, and to serve that up against a team that kicked four goals last week against Melbourne is embarrassing.”
Pressure is now mounting on Carlton coach David Teague with Carlton's independent review set to be offered to the club's board sometime next week.
The Blues' inability to have a regular defensive plan has made them look sub-par at best at times this season with their last similar effort coming when beaten by bottom of the ladder North Melbourne two-weeks ago.
Both efforts have come when their season was on the line with finals beckoning if they could get the wins.
Carlton have long been linked with outgoing Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson who is free to coach next year should they move on from David Teague.
