Analyse the numbers game and you can start to piece together the puzzle that is our midfield conundrum at the moment. The key stats for mine - and I dare say the coaches - are Contested Possession (CP), Disposal Efficiency (DE), Hitouts (HO), Hitouts to Advantage (H2A) and the all-important Clearances.

Team CP DE HO H2A Clearances

Carlton 151 73% 26 5.2% 39
Richmond 136 72% 38 4.75% 32

*Andrew Carrazzo with 17 contested possessions and 7 clearances.

Team CP DE HO H2A Clearances

Carlton 165 73 51 31.37% 47
Brisbane 137 69 35 25.71% 37

*Marc Murphy with 20 contested touches and 10 clearances. Andrew Carazzo with 16 contested possessions and 7 clearances.

Team CP DE HO H2A Clearances

Carlton 151 76% 56 26.78% 50
Collingwood 123 71% 44 9.09% 32

*Andrew Carazzo with 17 contested possessions and 11 clearances.
*At this point of the season, Andrew Carrazzo was responsible for 18.38% of Carlton’s overall clearances and 10.98% of their total contested possessions.

Team CP DE HO H2A Clearances

Carlton 140 71% 36 44.44% 35
Essendon* 142 72% 48 37.5% 38

*You know the story. Carrazzo injured early - no one picks up the slack and Jobe Watson finishes with 20 contested possessions and 13 clearances, whilst Brent Stanton was allowed to do as he pleased with 28 uncontested possessions.

Team CP DE HO H2A Clearances

Carlton 126 77% 54 9.25% 30
Fremantle 125 75% 32 18.75% 40

*Won 63% of the available hitouts against a team minus Sandilands, yet only 9.25% of those would be to advantage.

Team CP DE HO H2A Clearances

Carlton 144 69% 47 31.91% 28
GWS 131 71% 24 33.33% 41

*Won 66% of the available hitouts - yet smashed in the clearances.

Team CP DE HO H2A Clearances

Carlton 141 68% 60 18.33% 37
St. Kilda 136 74% 25 32% 42

*Won 70% of the hitouts for virtually zero advantage. Saints minus McEvoy.

Team CP DE HO H2A Clearances

Carlton 123 75% 53 24% 42
Adelaide 151 71% 57 36% 48

*69 point loss
*Carlton clearance total Rounds 1-3: +35, Rounds 4-8: -38.
*No Murphy and No Carrazzo? They produce 36.53% of Carlton's clearances and 20.7% of Carlton's contested possessions.

So the midfield set-up needs a shake up. What might have been working against teams in Rounds 1-3 has seemingly gone out the window in Rounds 4-8. The Match committee has no choice but to select Brock McLean. We need to win more clearances. That's why he's at the club. While the coaching staff can analyse these numbers and do all the video review in the world - what can you do about lazy footballers who a) ignore their role and b) have an inflated opinion of their footballing ability??

The turnaround must be player driven. Laziness is unacceptable at this level. The players must adhere to the coaches instruction. Captain included. They'll be measured this week. Doesn't matter about the margin - there will be strict KPI's this team will have to adhere to and if they're not met...expect regular 6am sessions at South Melbourne beach until the message sinks in.

what can you do about lazy footballers who a) ignore their role and b) have an inflated opinion of their footballing ability??

Tackle numbers from Betts and Garlett are down on last year.

We are last in the comp for rebound fifties as well...

Can't just blame it on the loss of Carrots.

your stats prove nothing!

Which ones in particular?

there will be strict KPI's this team will have to adhere to and if they're not met...expect regular 6am sessions at South Melbourne beach until the message sinks in.

And Brock got 8 clearances in the Essendon* game and was dropped the following week

I am astounded at the treatment of Brock Maclean - knowing that we were getting smashed in that area the selection commitee still chose not to select him

and I will be very suprised if they select him this week - most likely bring in another outside mid in Lucas or Fat arse Bell

Would like the stat on tackles inside F50 vs last year