IF ANDREJS Everitt was already a fully-fledged utility when he arrived at Carlton, he can now claim the title "Mr Fix-it".
In previous stints with the Western Bulldogs and particularly the Sydney Swans, Everitt proved a versatile proposition in attack, defence and at times on a wing, and he has now proven effective in another role - run-with midfielder.
"I've never really tagged before this, so it's another thing to tick off as something else I can do,'" Everitt told AFL.com.au after nullifying Adelaide star Rory Sloane to be a crucial factor in the Blues' five-point win at the MCG on Sunday night.
Without chief stoppers Andrew Carrazzo and Ed Curnow, the Blues have asked Everitt to put the clamps on opposition playmakers, and he restricted Sloane to just 18 disposals – down on the Crow's pre-match season average of 22.5 touches.
Most impressively, Everitt kept Sloane to just seven possessions in the second half – including only two in the tight last quarter – while having 15 touches himself after the main break for a match total of 21.
Everitt also kicked a goal from outside the 50m arc in the opening seconds of the third term to spark his side.
Sloane took just two marks – his lowest tally since round 21 last year.
And to cap a mature performance, Everitt saved the match for the Blues when it appeared the Crows, via Sloane, would steal it.
In the dying seconds, with the Blues five points in front, Sloane gained possession and for a moment it seemed he might run into an open goal. But Everitt ran him down and was awarded a free kick for holding the ball.
It was as good as game over, and typified how Everitt had stifled one of the game's true desperados.
"Sloane had a good last couple of minutes – he's a powerful runner and I was struggling to keep up," Everitt said. "He got the ball and sidestepped one and I thought I could grab him. When the whistle went I wasn't sure if it was his free kick or mine. Thankfully it went my way and we cleared the area."
Everitt said he would probably perform different roles when Carrazzo and Curnow return.
"I'm really enjoying it because it gets me involved a bit more, but I'm happy to do whatever job they give me to help the team," he said.
Everitt's performance drew praise from Blues coach Mick Malthouse.
"Everitt didn't kick the ball in the first half – his first kick was a goal in the third quarter (and) very important," he said.
"Players come to your club with a certain strength and that's why you go and get them, and you'd like to give them opportunity … and then you want to add on to their game if you can. And that's not for one moment minimising the effect they had with the other club, but in his case I think he's developed another string to his bow."
Malthouse was also pleased with Dennis Armfield's effort on Crows superstar Patrick Dangerfield, who had 25 disposals while battling a back injury.
"Dangerfield (is) just a sensational player – his first half (around) stoppages was just outstanding (and) probably kept them in the game – but Dennis Armfield did a pretty good job on him in the end."
Carrazzo played 70 per cent game time in the VFL on Saturday and Malthouse said the Blues would assess how he recovers before making a decision on whether he will return for next week's clash against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
