Carlton Supporters Club

If TDK had taken a huge offer from a Sydney, and not re-signed with us, then yeah, apply the pressure. But he's stayed on an amount that's probably less than he could've got elsewhere. Barrett is a flog at times and makes sensational comments and predictions, most of which don't come true anyway.

Agree, we've had our struggles against bigger bodies / bullies. I think we're starting to minimise that issue when we bring our own pressure. This has been applied well of late. The lightweight I worry about is young Ollie. His ferocious competitive appetite and stamina puts him right in it. Repeatedly. V Pies, he was applying that pressure. He then realised it was angry man Maynard. His reaction appeared to gesture "oops sorry - my bad"

As many have pointed out, we're at our best when we're the hunters. If and when we bring and sustain that type of pressure and win the contest, we're a difficult side to beat.

Some of that has developed since the machine finally clicked q2 v GC. We went from being 2nd to the ball to owning and wrestling back the ball. Walsh out of the centre was sublime.
Whether that’s sustainable, particularly given our constant need to change personal due to injuries, is about to reveal itself. A couple of goals from Dow clearances, and a big game from Martin and Cunners would be a good start. It'll be fascinating to see if Dow can perform against  the strong Dees engine room.

Oh and please don't give Pickett an inch. ? Cue Newman?

Go Blues

LP....Charlie is unsupported as you say, but last 6-7 weeks, what has really stood out is the spread of goalkicking and the impact guys like Jack Martin, Fogarty and Cunningham have had, as well as Moltop and Owies when he came back in. They've applied the pressure and hit the scoreboard most weeks so hopefully no reason why that can't continue on the weekend.

I'll back Hollands in. There wasn't any issues with us throwing him into it in Round 1 in a huge game against Richmond at the MCG and he handled himself pretty well.

I like your faith in the squad, but if we go to Charlie so predictably this week, he'll be at the mercy of May and Lever and there won't be many crumbing opportunities.

You wouldn't put it past May to have it in his head to take the wind out of Charlie's sails before the finals, ............ given the opportunity just perform a little confidence adjustment!

May and Lever usually play as intercepting defenders rather than lockdown defenders and Petty has usually taken the best KP forward until his move to the forward line and is now out injured.
I think they are vulnerable especially May who isnt quick and if he lines up on Charlie I reckon our man will take the points if he moves around and leads up the ground. Im also expecting them to start with Van Rooyen and Grundy on the ground together down forward hoping to get a size mismatch and at worst have the ball on the deck for their smalls who have been playing well.
With Oliver back they may be tempted to play Petracca down forward more often which I dont mind, I think Melbourne are at their most dangerous when they have Oliver and Petracca together in the middle.
Pickett, Chandler, Melksham and Petracca is a slippery forward quartet who have been doing well in recent weeks and I see this setup as more of a challenge than the ruck duels.
Blues by 7 points but this will be a difficult game and its shame Oliver and Grundy have returned this week as both will want to prove a point and while Oliver has been out for a while and should be rusty I think he will prove otherwise and be a nuisance but hopefully run out of gas late in the game.

Im probably going to regret saying this but I prefer Boyd back in the team down back than Fisher, doesnt mean Fisher cant stay in the 22/3 if his form deserves it but playing the loose half back role is about the easiest job going and id rather a specialist defender first than another rebounder only and while no huge fan of Boyd I think he has more idea defensively than Fisher.

Fisher is playing the McGovern role. Kicker out of defence