In the first four rounds, the Blues sit last in the league for time in possession (36.7 per cent), last for kicking efficiency differential (-9.8 per cent), last for uncontested marks differential (-25.8) and last for set shot accuracy (47.1 per cent).
That final statistic is important. The Blues have kicked 39.54 this season, placing them in the top 10 for scoring shots in the AFL (and 14th for inside-50s) but still they sit second last on the ladder, with the second-worst percentage.
Who wants to stand up? Kernahan's challenge to Blues
On Saturday against Melbourne, Carlton nailed its first three set shots and went on to kick 4.16 for the rest of the game. Most behinds happened because players seemed desperate to take the long shot at goal rather than take the extra kick to set up a teammate inside 50.
It is what players often do when they are trying hard, but playing without confidence.
Against Port Adelaide in round one, Carlton kicked five behinds from set shots and against Richmond in round two they kicked a match-losing seven. Across the two rounds, at least eight of these shots were better than even money chances to be converted.
Such poor kicking impacts on other statistics, meaning Carlton is 15th in the league for points scored from turnovers (151) and for centre clearances (31).
No leadership void at Carlton, say key Blues
They are also 16th for points conceded from turnovers (247) and 15th for points conceded from centre clearances (54).
Only the Brisbane Lions have had more points scored against them.
Compared to the final four rounds of last season – a stretch the Blues split 2-2 – their turnover statistics have gone south.
While their time in possession was still low in those final four games of 2013 (39.7 per cent), the Blues at least could take a mark in the forward half.
It's time for clarity and Mick Malthouse will provide that this week. It is one of his great strengths as a leader and coach.
Tackles should be on the agenda. Teams coached by Malthouse know how to tackle.
In 2010 and 2011, Collingwood was in the top three for average tackles per game.
In 2013, Carlton dropped to 10th for average tackles and it currently sits 15th with a differential of minus 3.8.
Sharing the ball must be a priority. Long kicks at goal are out. Better short options are in.
There are other reasons for the ordinary start.
Carlton lost Eddie Betts (to Adelaide as a free agent) and on Saturday it had three of its top five goalkickers from last season missing.
An amazing 176 of its 330 goals last year came from players who weren’t available or weren’t selected against Melbourne.
While goal-scoring potential was down at the selection table, proven quality was not.
The seven top players from Carlton’s 2013 best and fairest count played on Saturday. Of those seven, only Ed Curnow played near his capability.
Many players appear underdone after interrupted pre-seasons.
Chris Judd hasn't played, Matthew Kreuzer is injured, and Brock McLean, Jarrad Waite and Jeff Garlett have been so out of form they have been dropped.
Against Melbourne, the Blues fielded their third-least experienced team (for games played) since Malthouse took over.
Dylan Buckley looks strong. Patrick Cripps made a promising debut and Troy Menzel, Sam Rowe and Nick Graham will emerge to support Dale Thomas (who needs some time), Marc Murphy, Chris Yarran and Bryce Gibbs, if he stays.
Should Gibbs leave, a first round compensation pick is likely to be handed to the Blues.
That would not be a bad result, particularly as Carlton needs a key forward like a hard-earned thirst needs a beer.
For those reasons, the crisis script being written by those outside Visy Park will not be performed by cooler heads inside the football department.
Once confidence returns, Carlton will be, under Malthouse's guidance, at least competitive in 2014.
But to make itself a power player, Carlton's real focus now needs to be ensuring the structure above the players is right.
Stephen Kernahan is about to depart as president. With an unwieldy 12-member board, statistically the biggest number of any AFL club, the time to reassess the club’s governance is right.
Get that right and the Carlton football department will continue to move the rest of the pieces into place.
Stats supplied by Champion Data
The dejected Blues trudge from the MCG after losing to the Demons in round four. Picture: AFL Media
