ok, enough of the AFLW and AFLX blubber, some real footy starts on the 24th with the Blues up on Wed week (28th) at 1910 at Ikon Park vs the Sainters.
We then play the Hawks March 10th in Tassie.
Thanks God after having to endure the tripe of both the W and X games.
Given St Kilda's dynamic style of play that has made us (and even th Tigers last year) look so, so ordinary will be interesting how our new batch of fast players counter the Saints fast ball movement.
Will they resort to a shootout?
Given these are pretty much the last hitouts of substance before the Tigers in rd 1 on (Thursday) March 22, you'd expect us to name a near full strength team on both dates?
Obvious ins - Murph, Crippa, SPS, Curnows (x2), Levi, Big Harry, Jones, Plow, Garlett (imo), Simmo, Wright, Weiters, Special K.
There's 14 - throw in Dow, Fisher, Marchbank, Pickett, Willo, Byrne, SOJ.
Last spot?
Daisy? ASOS? O'Brien? Kerridge? Lang (if fit?)
Don't they have unlimited benches with these games?? Last year at Optus, I think they brought about 6 totally fresh players on at half time. They'll rotate between 28 - 30 on the night.
ok, enough of the AFLW and AFLX blubber, some real footy starts on the 24th with the Blues up on Wed week (28th) at 1910 at Ikon Park vs the Sainters.
We then play the Hawks March 10th in Tassie.
Thanks God after having to endure the tripe of both the W and X games.
YES !!
I've watched approx. 5 mins of our AFLW play and only watched our 1st game of AFLX and didnt bother watching anymore even though i recorded it all
in my best Rock voice.......... "FINALLY some real footy"
Well we must really have felt let down by the pre season comps to be seeing the JLT series as the 'real stuff'... ???
I thought the real stuff started in March when we took on the Tiggers ;D
Might also mean we've simply been teased enough... Anyway, I sure am looking forward to the JLT series to get a glimpse of how some of the newbies are settling in; how we address no doc; and how we kick more goals. Yummy.
Interest for me is around how the team sets up in terms of being able to attack more and the newbie players who might be in the round 1 team...will Bolton go with three big forwards ie Bolt, Charlie and Harry and buck the small forward/pressure trend...
This should all be on display in the JLT series...results are not important but method is and I want to see how hungry the newbies are for a game...eg OShea and Mullet should be competing to get Dochertys spot ...Dow and OBrien might also be in with a chance to both play round 1 so its exciting times..add Pickett/Garlett and we for the first time in years we actually have competition for places and Bolton has said its going to based on form so I expect all those blokes to be firing up....
ok, enough of the AFLW and AFLX blubber, some real footy starts on the 24th with the Blues up on Wed week (28th) at 1910 at Ikon Park
Lol at all of this couldn't have said it better myself
Be careful what you wish for.
X and W games don't result in 10+ goal thumpings.
Well said Kruddler
well said?
Now, that's a bizarro comment!
Interest for me is around how the team sets up in terms of being able to attack more and the newbie players who might be in the round 1 team...will Bolton go with three big forwards ie Bolt, Charlie and Harry and buck the small forward/pressure trend...
This should all be on display in the JLT series...results are not important but method is and I want to see how hungry the newbies are for a game...eg OShea and Mullet should be competing to get Dochertys spot ...Dow and OBrien might also be in with a chance to both play round 1 so its exciting times..add Pickett/Garlett and we for the first time in years we actually have competition for places and Bolton has said its going to based on form so I expect all those blokes to be firing up....
And this will be the point of difference for people. Some will say the method was good others will say its bad. If we play well and blitz the preseasons games, some will say its good others will say its bad as we have shown our hand early. I reckon the PS games are just a WOFT from a supporters point of view, the only ones who now what we are doing and how well we have gone are the coaches. As a supporter, I will get interested on the 22/3/18 at 7.25pm.
And this will be the point of difference for people. Some will say the method was good others will say its bad. If we play well and blitz the preseasons games, some will say its good others will say its bad as we have shown our hand early. I reckon the PS games are just a WOFT from a supporters point of view, the only ones who now what we are doing and how well we have gone are the coaches. As a supporter, I will get interested on the 22/3/18 at 7.25pm.
If we get beat by 10 goals plus like Krud is suggesting I think there will be a fair body of evidence to suggest we havent gone so well, I dont need a coach to tell me that......
Dont think we are in a position to worry about showing our hand early.....
If we get beat by 10 goals plus like Krud is suggesting I think there will be a fair body of evidence to suggest we havent gone so well, I dont need a coach to tell me that......
Dont think we are in a position to worry about showing our hand early.....
^^^ This !
Interest for me is around how the team sets up in terms of being able to attack more and the newbie players who might be in the round 1 team...will Bolton go with three big forwards ie Bolt, Charlie and Harry and buck the small forward/pressure trend...
This should all be on display in the JLT series...results are not important but method is and I want to see how hungry the newbies are for a game...eg OShea and Mullet should be competing to get Dochertys spot ...Dow and OBrien might also be in with a chance to both play round 1 so its exciting times..add Pickett/Garlett and we for the first time in years we actually have competition for places and Bolton has said its going to based on form so I expect all those blokes to be firing up....
Yep, spot on elwood. I'm the same as you. Interested in who's hungry and wants to 'fire up' form wise. Doubt Bolton will be just handing guys like O'Shea and Mullett a senior HBF spot. They'll need to earn it. Those two, plus Byrne and Williamson will be in a race. Wouldn't discount the likes of Cuningham, Garlett and Pickett getting some game time down back also. They have the zip.
All the kids. I'm looking forward to watching all of the kids we have plus the other newbies such as Lang, Kennedy, Mullett and O'Shea.
Big Harry McKay forward in a key post with Charlie Curnow is mouth watering. Pat Kerr should not be discounted either.
Lang is almost the most interesting of the newbies for me.
Cost us nothing and with Smedts being a bit disappointing I sort of forgot about him but then I thought - he's just about Geelongs best in a final and still only 22. Quick and can kick goals. Former first rounder (yet another one - we must have 20 on the list these days).
We only got him cheap because of their Ablett related salary cap squeeze.
Could he be better than I thought? Hopefully he's fit enough to play JOT.
Also looking forward to Polson.
So quick and classy. Pretty sure he'll play.
Lang is almost the most interesting of the newbies for me.
Cost us nothing and with Smedts being a bit disappointing I sort of forgot about him but then I thought - he's just about Geelongs best in a final and still only 22. Quick and can kick goals. Former first rounder (yet another one - we must have 20 on the list these days).
We only got him cheap because of their Ablett related salary cap squeeze.
Could he be better than I thought? Hopefully he's fit enough to play JOT.
Lang has an ankle injury and may not be right until the real season starts.
Also looking forward to Polson.
So quick and classy. Pretty sure he'll play.
Yeah, I really like Polson as well. He kind of reminds me a bit of a young Marc Murphy when he runs with ball in hand.
Yeah, I really like Polson as well. He kind of reminds me a bit of a young Marc Murphy when he runs with ball in hand.
Perhaps that's because he's the spitting image of Murphy. I couldn't tell them apart when they played together ::)
It would be great if Polson could cement a spot in the 22. We need the young blokes to step up and give us real midfield depth.
Perhaps that's because he's the spitting image of Murphy. I couldn't tell them apart when they played together ::)
It would be great if Polson could cement a spot in the 22. We need the young blokes to step up and give us real midfield depth.
I'm a bit worried that Polson isn't big enough and his foot skills are far from elite from what I have seen. I know there are others his size who have succeeded (Murphy is one), but when you are smaller, you can't just be good, you have to be exceptional.
I will be happy to be proven wrong.
Polson reminds me of Wright and McLean when they started off, although McLean was an elite kick before being injured!
Polson looks like he has all the brains in the world, and that will create him time and space as long as he gets more exposure and finds his role. I hope he'll be one of those players who can see the game unfolding and will be there prepared and waiting for the ball to arrive.
Has the guys got any 'tricks'?
Could he cameo as a small forward too?
A lot of others ahead of him for a midfield gig, most with quite some versatility to play other roles too.
A lot of others ahead of him for a midfield gig, most with quite some versatility to play other roles too.
Doubt it, there are a lot of dumb footballers that cannot tie their shoe laces let alone be adaptable.
Polson will potentially be Wright like, in that you will be able to play him anywhere at anytime of the game and know what you are getting.
Polson has been used as a run with tagger in the twos, probably doesnt get enough footy at this stage of his development.....also his kicking as TonyO suggested isnt his strong point IMO. Think he will get some senior games later in the season but given we have introduced a new bunch of young mids onto the list he will need to show something this season to get another contract IMO...
Polson has been used as a run with tagger in the twos, probably doesnt get enough footy at this stage of his development.....also his kicking as TonyO suggested isnt his strong point IMO. Think he will get some senior games later in the season but given we have introduced a new bunch of young mids onto the list he will need to show something this season to get another contract IMO...
Yes, agree. Polson will be challenged to break into the 22. All the best to him though.
Yes, agree. Polson will be challenged to break into the 22. All the best to him though.
I must admit, I wasn't a fan of Polson, I thought he was too small and too slow.
But I've had a chat about him to a few well connected club people and if what they say is true, and he can deal with the physical side of football, he's got a long future.
I must admit, I wasn't a fan of Polson, I thought he was too small and too slow.
But I've had a chat about him to a few well connected club people and if what they say is true, and he can deal with the physical side of football, he's got a long future.
I'd be surprised if there were many still on our list who didn't have that level of potential?
I'm a bit worried that Polson isn't big enough and his foot skills are far from elite from what I have seen. I know there are others his size who have succeeded (Murphy is one), but when you are smaller, you can't just be good, you have to be exceptional.
I will be happy to be proven wrong.
I think the correlation between height and success as a footballer is hugely overstated.
The last 2 premierships were won by teams who seriously lacked height.
His long bullet pass onto the chest of his teammate 25m out directly in front was a highlight of the AFLX the other night. He's showed plenty of flashes like that obviously. It's just a matter of whether or not he can find the pill enough. I'd say Cunningham faces the exact same issue. He can play but can he be a 30 pos a game player?
Polson reminds me of Wright and McLean when they started off, although McLean was an elite kick before being injured!
Polson looks like he has all the brains in the world, and that will create him time and space as long as he gets more exposure and finds his role. I hope he'll be one of those players who can see the game unfolding and will be there prepared and waiting for the ball to arrive.
The main difference I see is those 2 guys are very slow whereas Polson seems very quick from what I've seen... others might have seen more of him than me though.
Well, it does seem Bolts will pick on form so good luck to all the players, Daisy included!
Clearly, there is healthy competition for a lot of spots this year, even amongst the key forwards eg Charlie (a given), Levi, Kerr and Harry.
Can Charlie, Harry and Levi all play in the forward line?
Given Charlie's mobility and flexibiity he's essentially a giant ruck rover (think Kouta) and can play small (ish) for a high marking tall.
Essndon plat three tall in the forward half and they are the third highest scoring team in 2017 - with an AVERAGE MIDFIELD.
Havng three legitmate marking targets will surely make life easier for each of the three forwards as defenders can't focus on one solely....
It ain't rocket science!
I see that The Aints are angling to have the JLT game moved based on "Poor Lighting!
We should play at Moorabbin, the surface there is pretty schmick, especially after they've left the sprinklers on overnight! ;D
Well, it does seem Bolts will pick on form so good luck to all the players, Daisy included!
Clearly, there is healthy competition for a lot of spots this year, even amongst the key forwards eg Charlie (a given), Levi, Kerr and Harry.
Can Charlie, Harry and Levi all play in the forward line?
Given Charlie's mobility and flexibiity he's essentially a giant ruck rover (think Kouta) and can play small (ish) for a high marking tall.
Essndon plat three tall in the forward half and they are the third highest scoring team in 2017 - with an AVERAGE MIDFIELD.
Havng three legitmate marking targets will surely make life easier for each of the three forwards as defenders can't focus on one solely....
It ain't rocket science!
Charlie / Harry / Levi can absolutely work. Especially if that means Curnow can spend more time up the ground to help us transition out of defense without robbing us of forward targets - and SOSOS can improve his marking.
Midfield of Kruezer, Cripps, Kennedy and Dow has got a completely different feel to what we ran with last year. Can't see us being second last again in clearances.
Murphy and Fisher on the wings.
My big hope for the year is that we keep Murphy away from any stoppage. You can't cover a guy who can't tackle - which our clearance numbers proved week in week out last year.
I see that The Aints are angling to have the JLT game moved based on "Poor Lighting!
I don't understand why we play night games at our ground without proper lights. The QEO in Bendigo has better lights.
Are the AFL serious about women's footy or not.
I think we are highly unlikely to field a team with SoJ, Charlie, Cripps, McKay, Casboult, Kreuzer, Jones, Marchbank and Weitering.
One or two of them won't be making the cut, as a group there are too many slow players.
Further to that, we have Phillips, Rowe and Lobbe on the sidelines with De Koning and Kerr making up senior list numbers.
If we add O'Shea and Macreadie to the list of KPP options, they are over 193cm, it's quite hard to see a balanced list taking the field with any more than 8 or 9 of the slower tall players.
I don't understand why we play night games at our ground without proper lights. The QEO in Bendigo has better lights.
Are the AFL serious about women's footy or not.
I was talking about the JLT not the AFLW.
I don't think QEO has better lights, I've been to two night games there and it's about the same and our home.
The main complaints were coming from people sitting behind tinted glass, the media didn't complain, the players didn't complain.
I think the correlation between height and success as a footballer is hugely overstated.
The last 2 premierships were won by teams who seriously lacked height.
True, and Polson is 10cm taller than Caleb Daniel. It's fairly clear from what I've read that Polson is very together between the ears.
I really do hope that he can put it all together and become a regular. But then I thought the same about Nick Graham and it might be a case of once bitten, twice shy......
I think we are highly unlikely to field a team with SoJ, Charlie, Cripps, McKay, Casboult, Kreuzer, Jones, Marchbank and Weitering.
One or two of them won't be making the cut, as a group there are too many slow players.
Further to that, we have Phillips, Rowe and Lobbe on the sidelines with De Koning and Kerr making up senior list numbers.
If we add O'Shea and Macreadie to the list of KPP options, they are over 193cm, it's quite hard to see a balanced list taking the field with any more than 8 or 9 of the slower tall players.
I would say Jones, Charlie, Macreadie and Marchbank are as quick as any KPP tall types in the comp. On Marchbank:
"He's also not overly quick off the mark, but counters that by being able to read the play well and get ahead, in front or around opponents. "
Special K is a ruckman, Weitering and SoJ have excellent anticipation and footy smarts...it's not all about leg speed.
Cripps too has gotten quicker since he started.
Just because it happened to work for the Tiges and the Dogs, doesn't mean it's the only 'model' that works....
Further on Marchbank:
He's versatile. Marchbank played much of his junior career as a wingman, including the under-16 championships, but grew a bit and became a mobile defender.
That's where he played his best footy for Vic Country, although he did push forward at times to mark well on the lead and read the ball nicely in the air.
Because of his size (193cm/85kg) and ability to move across the ground, some clubs view him as a tall midfielder at the next level. With his ball handling, smarts and strong marking, you can't pigeonhole Marchbank into one spot.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-02/meet-caleb-marchbank
I don't understand why we play night games at our ground without proper lights. The QEO in Bendigo has better lights.
Are the AFL serious about women's footy or not.
Don't know about better, but far too similar. It is eerie watching night footy at QEO. We should be able to do better. And we need to.
I was talking about the JLT not the AFLW.
I don't think QEO has better lights, I've been to two night games there and it's about the same and our home.
The main complaints were coming from people sitting behind tinted glass, the media didn't complain, the players didn't complain.
Debatable. Not good enough for broadcast matches - JLT / AFLW.
True, and Polson is 10cm taller than Caleb Daniel. It's fairly clear from what I've read that Polson is very together between the ears.
I really do hope that he can put it all together and become a regular. But then I thought the same about Nick Graham and it might be a case of once bitten, twice shy......
Graham?
Am I missing something here. He keeps being compared to really slow players. Are we talking about the same guy?
http://www.carltonfc.com.au/video/2016-11-25/cameron-polson-highlights-pick-59
1 minute mark of the highlights video:
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2017/5/port-v-carl
The guy that is compared to McLean, Graham and Wright and is definitely not quick? Anyway - good luck to him. Hope he gets a game next Weds.
1 minute mark of the highlights video:
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2017/5/port-v-carl
The guy that is compared to McLean, Graham and Wright and is definitely not quick? Anyway - good luck to him. Hope he gets a game next Weds.
Agree, I like Polson, he isnt slow like those mentioned above. Gee we got pantsed that night, PA were plucking them out of their asses at will.
Agree, I like Polson, he isnt slow like those mentioned above. Gee we got pantsed that night, PA were plucking them out of their asses at will.
Yep... thankfully his tackle was in the 1st quarter so I only had to watch 1 minute.
Port did their flat track bully thing. Really owe the AFL one for putting that as our only Friday night game.
Yep... thankfully his tackle was in the 1st quarter so I only had to watch 1 minute.
Port did their flat track bully thing. Really owe the AFL one for putting that as our only Friday night game.
Did we really deserve any Friday night games?
If I was a broadcaster I would not have been keen having Carlton in my prime time slot
Forget Lang.
Hes suffering with an ankle and he wont be cherry ripe this year.
Paddy Dow is going to be a jet and Zac Fisher is the other key to our midfield this season.
Lang hasn't missed much of the pre season.
Bit much to suggest he won't be cherry ripe at all this season? Perhaps will nedd a few games in the 2s to start with but class shines through...
His 2017 season at the Cats was far more injury interrupted and he still had a major impact in their finsls campaign.....
I gather Lang is back in full training. Anyone else heard anything?
Sounds like, Doc aside, we'll pretty much have a full list to choose from?
Lang hasn't missed much of the pre season.
Bit much to suggest he won't be cherry ripe at all this season? Perhaps will nedd a few games in the 2s to start with but class shines through...
His 2017 season at the Cats was far more injury interrupted and he still had a major impact in their finsls campaign.....
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/carlton-cautious-with-lang-as-he-recovers-from-ankle-injury-20180201-p4yz8v.html
Carlton midfielder Darcy Lang is expected to resume running again next week after he was placed on a modified program due to an injured ankle.
The Blues remain hopeful be available for round one but are taking a cautious approach to his recovery to ensure he has no hiccups once he returns.
They are also keen to avoid setting any timeline for Lang's return to ensure he is not put under any pressure to return.
The 22-year-old has been on crutches after stretching the ligaments in his ankle and did not take part in a scratch match at training on Wednesday.
He crossed to Carlton from Geelong after 44 games with the Cats and adds midfield depth to the emerging Blues.
This article is from the 1st of Feb.
Strained angle ligaments will likely result in an inability to do ANY real load bearing work including sprinting, endurance, and change of direction for minimum 2 weeks, and maximum 6 weeks depending on how severe. He goes into the bucket of "interupted" pre season and will unlikely be able to play his best until he is able to catch up to the rest.
Better players than Lang have shown us that an interrupted pre season can significantly hinder their ability to play their best footy.
We'll know for sure in a few weeks.... ;)
Fly, I want/need Lang to be a success, but we need to accept reality that he will not play his best footy this season.
He still might be an upgrade for us, but he will improve again in season 2019 if he gets a good pre season in is what I am saying.
This year however we should temper our expectations because of the above article.
Thats all. It's simply a matter of fact.
Fly, I want/need Lang to be a success, but we need to accept reality that he will not play his best footy this season.
He still might be an upgrade for us, but he will improve again in season 2019 if he gets a good pre season in is what I am saying.
This year however we should temper our expectations because of the above article.
Thats all. It's simply a matter of fact.
It doesn't seem like this is necessarily a season killing type injury. It depends how much running he's missed all up which by the report above doesn't look to be too much. He can pick up match practice / fitness obviously - a preseason is only really wrecked if you miss out on a large chunk of the running which he hasn't yet.
Cripps did his back preseason last year and missed pretty much the entire preseason which seriously hurt his year. Lang is nowhere near that by the looks... but we won't know until he gets back out playing.
Am I the only on who sees the words strained ankle ligaments, and modified program and then understands that they are missing a good 4 weeks of proper training (at a best case scenario) and is going to be up to 12 weeks behind at worst??
Again, he will not play his best footy this season, because of these injuries. Ive experienced them before. My ankle was purple, and prevented me from being able to train for 4 weeks. I played catch up to the rest of my team for the first 6 weeks of the year, and missed a few games in the process.
Anyway, all I am saying is expect Lang to be able to perform better, and will probably start off a bit dissapointing if you have lofty expectations of anything from him.
Lang has a history of injuries so its no surprise to see him injured again, I'd be surprised if he plays in the first couple of games and expect the club to be conservative with him, seems one of those unlucky types that breaks legs etc and will always struggle to be durable and play a lot of consecutive footy...
A lot of competition for mid/half forward roles and I think we have the numbers to cover until he is fit and in form......
Fly, I want/need Lang to be a success, but we need to accept reality that he will not play his best footy this season.
He still might be an upgrade for us, but he will improve again in season 2019 if he gets a good pre season in is what I am saying.
This year however we should temper our expectations because of the above article.
Thats all. It's simply a matter of fact.
But we don't know the facts ie the severity of his injury!
3-4 week injury in preseason isn't a season killing injury. If it's a 2+ month injury - yep I agree it's going to limit his season but that article indicates he's back running 3 weeks ago so clearly not ideal but I'm not sure there's too much to worry about just yet.
If 3-4 is twice as bad as 1-2 weeks don't expect him back until 2020
If 3-4 is twice as bad as 1-2 weeks don't expect him back until 2020
Love it !
If 3-4 is twice as bad as 1-2 weeks don't expect him back until 2020