AFL By The Numbers: 41 Nathan Carroll
41
Nathan Carroll.
Defender for the Melbourne Demons.
It isn't easy for teams to find a quality full back. It is not a position that many people volunteer for. The Demons even went to Europe to get a full back once, they didn't have to go that far to find Nathan Carroll. He was playing for Claremont.
The Demons used pick 56 in the 2003 AFL Rookie Draft to acquire Nathan Carroll. While there were players like Zac Beeck and Kevin Tandogac taken in that draft, there were actually a lot of future AFL stars taken too. Brad Sewell, Michael Firrito, Mark Nicoski and Courtney Johns went in the picks before Carroll while Paul Bevan and Joel MacDonald were even later picks.
Carroll wasn't a regular in Melbourne's side for his first three years there, in 2006 he established himself as an important member of their defensive structure. He played every game that season, which was more than his combined total from his first three seasons. Carroll kicked the only goal of his career in season 2006.
Carroll has expanded his game and is more than just a spoiling backman. He has developed the ability to successfully go for the mark and he is also getting a solid amount of possessions in the back half. He recently set his career-high for marks in a game with 12. In 2006 he had his best game for total possessions when he recorded 22.
Melbourne are at their best when they have the key defensive positions under control. That means Rivers at centre half back and Carroll at full back. It will be 2008 before they can put that duo on the field again. But for the rest of season 2007, Carroll will continue to make things difficult for the star full forwards of the AFL.
Nathan Carroll information:
191cm, 91kg
Official AFL Profile
Wikipedia entry
Number 40
Nathan Carroll.
Defender for the Melbourne Demons.
It isn't easy for teams to find a quality full back. It is not a position that many people volunteer for. The Demons even went to Europe to get a full back once, they didn't have to go that far to find Nathan Carroll. He was playing for Claremont.
The Demons used pick 56 in the 2003 AFL Rookie Draft to acquire Nathan Carroll. While there were players like Zac Beeck and Kevin Tandogac taken in that draft, there were actually a lot of future AFL stars taken too. Brad Sewell, Michael Firrito, Mark Nicoski and Courtney Johns went in the picks before Carroll while Paul Bevan and Joel MacDonald were even later picks.
Carroll wasn't a regular in Melbourne's side for his first three years there, in 2006 he established himself as an important member of their defensive structure. He played every game that season, which was more than his combined total from his first three seasons. Carroll kicked the only goal of his career in season 2006.
Carroll has expanded his game and is more than just a spoiling backman. He has developed the ability to successfully go for the mark and he is also getting a solid amount of possessions in the back half. He recently set his career-high for marks in a game with 12. In 2006 he had his best game for total possessions when he recorded 22.
Melbourne are at their best when they have the key defensive positions under control. That means Rivers at centre half back and Carroll at full back. It will be 2008 before they can put that duo on the field again. But for the rest of season 2007, Carroll will continue to make things difficult for the star full forwards of the AFL.
Nathan Carroll information:
191cm, 91kg
Official AFL Profile
Wikipedia entry
Number 40
He's the number 1 clearence player in the league and the number 1 player for running bounces in the league.
Not only is he miles ahead in the Richmond B & F he will be a name thrown around when the All Australian side is being selected.
Nothing wrong with the clearance stat mentioned, but the bounces stat isn't very useful as Foley bounces the ball every couple of steps so that quickly adds up.
After this round a preview of the All-Australian team will be posted here, maybe Foley gets a mention in that.