Carlton Supporters Club

It wasn't even the worst loss I've seen in the last 12 months

I've already stated I think we're a mentally weak side.
I think it's our Achilles heel but...
Two reasons why I think we may be seeing an over-reaction to the loss.

1) We haven't had a settled side since the middle of last year when we were sitting second on the ladder.
We're still not settled, with a lot of newbies or players who've only played a few games for the club.
2) We actually have no idea how good Richmond are...it's easy to label them 'woodenspooners' and it may play out exactly that way for them again.
But maybe not.
They may be big improvers.
The corresponding match last year saw us get home by only 5 points...so not a lot of change there other than an 'L'
Let's wait a couple of weeks before we burn the memberships.

'

I'm reading in some places that it's the worst loss in the last 30 years.
Some folks are slightly over-reacting, I feel.

I understand it's probably 'depression' based on years of 'let down.'
But it needs a bit of perspective.
When the game was in 'contest' we got out to nearly a seven goal lead.
Yep we gave it up.
But we got there in the first place.
Our best periods were miles better than their best periods.
It's a game we should have won.
Even in the last quarter, with just a bit more composure, we had plenty of opportunities.
But it became a 'frantic' rushed effort.

Run the Hawks close (don't have to win) and it will turn on it's head again.
Taking it 'one game at a time' is for the players, not the supporters.
We'll know exactly where we are in about 6-8 weeks time.

Quote from: dodge – on March 14, 2025, 09:24:39 pm

Silver lining - no expectations to be met any more this season. And Richmond will have their balloon pricked, so will come back to earth with a thud.

Couldn't give a rats furry clacker about the Tiggers, or any other club for that matter. But your comment re lowering expectations hit home. Feint praise it's a silver lining. Every CFC member and supporter I've spoken with has adjusted expectation to low, very low.

Older players can take some weeks into the season to get up to steam. Lets not judge Nick Haynes to harshly yet, but trust that a little of that AllAustralian ability is still with him.

Ab

Quote from: Thryleon – on March 14, 2025, 10:24:15 pm

Not Gov.

He wasn't great but he's never woeful he's just not living up to the paypacket and people's expectations.

Haynes was putrid.

I saw a snippet from David King, he stated Gov had 8 intercepts and 14 disposals but 3 clangers resulted in 3 goals, that's the ball game right there.

Quote from: crashlander – on March 14, 2025, 07:53:46 pm

What can we do to improve for next week? A good question after something so diabolical.
[1] Will White wasn't outstanding the VFL practice match, but he has more idea than Motlop does at the moment, Frankie Evans has to go back; he was invisible. Fantasia in? I can't believe I'm considering that, but he has been good in the pre-season. Fog? He isn't back to his best yet, but any means.
[2] Charlie is a must, even half fit. He moves about and can do the impossible. Kemp? Probably should make way, after yesterday. I'd like him to play, but we need more smarts from him. Moir? Not a 4-quarter player, but he can also do the unusual.
[3] We badly need to work on our ruck setup. if we are predictable to our opponents, we're half way to losing. I'd certainly have H spend more time against Hawthorn in the ruck, as it might get him into the game.
[4] If we have the same lack of endeavour and lack of desire, we're lost. Really need the win at all cost play we had back in 2023.
[5] Have we been thinking of ways of disrupting Hawthorn's ball movement? I hope so.
[6] What to do about Haynes? The obvious choice is Young, but he hasn't really been that impressive. He simply wouldn't be as poor as Haynes was.

Gov and Haynes absolutely need to be dropped this week, anything else and we are just playing blokes on reputation instead of form. If those two said to each other before the game "let put in stinkers tonight", they couldn't have done a better job if they tried. As poor a game as I gave seen from two EXPERIENCED defenders in the one side.

Have willed my myself to watch parts of the game in small doses.  1:15 to go in the last. We're 8 points down Cottrell gets a handball from Cripps in the right forward pocket and decides against all that is holy to try the banana snap at goal when he had a bloke 30 metres out directly in front (Evans)  unmarked he could've passed to.
Selfish, stupid, unprofessional, undisciplined.
Switched off the rest.