Joel Amartey is officially a blue

Written by Marcus Guarnera

Opinion: The addition of Joel Amartey will help push Carlton to be a top four side

One of Carlton’s biggest holes in their loss to Geelong in the Elimination final, was the lack of a key forward target, something which they had struggled with all season long, after the loss of Charlie Curnow. Carlton used Harry Mckay, Brodie Kemp and Mitch McGovern as the main three tall forwards but all three failed to have the same physical impact as Charlie Curnow had.

Every team that finished top four across last season (Fremantle, Sydney Swans, Brisbane Lions, and Hawthorn) all had at least one forward who kicked over 50 goals last season, with Fremantle, Brisbane and Hawthorn all had two, while for comparison Carlton’s leading goalkicker with only 37.

Joel Amartey is an immediate increase in talent to Carlton’s forward line, compared to both Brodie Kemp and Mitch McGovern. Both started their careers as defenders and could move back into defence when needed during next season.

Harry Mckay will likely still be Carlton’s number one target for next season, as he finished the end of last season in strong form. Mckay will need to carry this form into next season if Carlton want to be a serious top four chance, especially as he has proved to be a confident player in the past.

Amartey will be an additional key forward which will help Harry find more opportunities to be one on one rather than being doubled by teams which will help him increase his goal tally from last season. Amartey will likely increase his goal tally as well, as he will be targeted more than he was last season at Sydney.

If either Amartey or Mckay can increase their goal tally to hit the 50 goals in a season, Carlton will have a serious chance for a top four finish and a double chance come finals. Having a forward with Carlton’s elite midfield which can win clearances and hit targets inside 50 with ease and a strong defensive foundation from Jacob Weitering and Harry Dean, Carlton can push to be minor premiers if all goes right.

The evidence is there as well with Carlton beating both Grand finals teams (Brisbane Lions and Fremantle) when the forward line is firing on all fronts. Carlton managed to beat Brisbane by 76 points in round 21 thanks to a combined 8 goals from Brodie Kemp and Harry Mckay, and then Fremantle in round 24. Carlton managed to beat the dockers by 37 points thanks to five goals from Kemp and Mckay.