STRENGTHS:

+ Defensive craft
+ Intercept game
+ Rebounding
+ Speed
+ Vision

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Kicking under pressure
- Production

One of many Sandringham Dragons invited to the National Draft Combine, Matt Carroll is a player who has emerged this year and fits the prototype of the modern general defender or winger. In particular, his ability and willingness to take the game on in offence, and proficiency at shutting the ball down in defence will appeal to clubs.

The best of Carroll was arguably seen at representative level this season, where his balance between offence and defence was displayed consistently against some of the most dangerous forwards in the pool. He did a particularly good defensive job on dangerous South Australian small Jack Delean in Metro’s opening game, then best showcased his offensive drive in Metro’s final outing against Vic Country.

He started the season at Sandringham playing a bit more of a defensive focused role with success, often keeping one of the opposition's best forwards quiet and helping move the ball from deep in the backline. On return from APS duties for the Talent League finals series, Carroll was a bigger contributor further up the field and in offence, still remaining defensively accountable throughout.

Carroll’s speed and leap are important parts of his play style, allowing him to match up on taller and smaller opposition to the same effect, and being an effective tool in transition as he regularly uses that speed to drive forward with ball in hand and then kick when he’s run his full distance, although he isn’t afraid of a bounce.

Whilst Carroll’s disposal can be a bit unpredictable when under pressure, he’s a reliable user after he’s taken a mark, often looking to move the ball inboard to a teammate in space, identifying these options quickly with his vision, but is also happy to switch the ball and spread the opposition out of defence.

Carroll presents as a project player at the next level, having shown a lot of promising glimpses through the year but not quite putting it all together consistently over the course of four quarters to date, with his production an area for improvement to date.