David King has provided his observations after attending Carlton’s pre-season training earlier in the week.
The North Melbourne great was impressed with second-year small forward Jesse Motlop, praising his conditioning.
“A couple of standouts – I thought young Jesse Motlop was terrific,” King told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“What he does is just so clean. You know that he’s prepared himself beautifully for a big season.”
Midfielder Adam Cerra also received plaudits.
“Adam Cerra went head-to-head with Patrick Cripps on occasion and nailed him in a couple of big tackles,” he said.
“I like where Cerra sits.”
Overall, King is excited to see what Mitch McGovern can produce in 2023 after multiple injury interrupted seasons and says the Blues are adding layers to their game-plan under Michael Voss.
“The player of the session was Mitch McGovern. He intercepted everything. He looked terrific across half back. He looked super fit,” he said.
“Weitering, McGovern, Young and then you’ve got the speed with Williams, who hasn’t missed a session all summer and this is the Williams they wanted.
“He’s been dynamic, slicing through the corridor of the ground. Saad doing what does, Docherty into the midfield. It’s a different looking midfield. It was really exciting to see.
“The ball movement was the focus. There’s nothing radical that has changed at Carlton, but it’s the next layer of what we’ve seen from last year with the contested stuff and handball game and now you’ll see more aggression and more dare and more corridor work off half back.”
