We played Hawthorn a while back in the rain and got spanked, tonight we didn't handle the slippery conditions again. It's clearly an issue that needs to be addressed.
Spot on. The short passing and possession handball game is definitely more risky in the wet.
Apart from the increasingly wet conditions, the other main turning point seems to have been when Dean went off and stayed off injured in the second term. He was not a factor when he returned and Weitering was similarly less effective without Dean's support.
Second quarter was when the tide turned and being at the game it was evident that their run in the second half was a major factor. Incredibly well coached and prepared for this game, it was simply too much for us to overcome. The rain didn’t help but we were regularly picked off when going for that decisive kick forward. What also stood out over the last 2 weeks is that we need a quality forward who can stand up in big games, neither Harry or Kemp are the answer. Not sure Amarty is either but we seem hell bent on rolling the dice with him. I agree with Laj and would prefer Hogan for 2 years while we develop a longer term option. 2027 will be a true test of what Wright and Davies plans for the club will deliver.
Seriously, over multiple interviews he seemed absolutely thrilled with the result and the performance of some of the youngsters, especially Dean. Even saw him having a deep and meaningful with Young. Didn't look like someone the least bit interested in moving to another club.
I reckon he along with Cripps and Walsh are loving the fact that they no longer are carrying the burden of the teams fortunes alone. The youngsters that have stepped up along with the new recruits have reinvigorated the rest.
I agree it was a really weird game to be at and watch and we were very nervous in the first mostly across the board. Difference for me is I felt confident they would settle and win - but for a myriad of just misses/hit posts, we wouldve won by 6-8 goals! Even when it was teetering it felt like we would win not capitulate, and we didnt.
So sure, skills were lacking at times but our push forward and execution and commitment was a different Carlton outfit to the one from months ago. Just feel… more composed.
I thought despite being behind in the first, we looked like the better team. They couldn't miss, we couldn't kick straight.
I think there was a part in the second/third when they clearly looked better and we managed to ride it out without issue. From there i think we had it in the bag.
Agree, I was at the game and always felt we were in it up to our eyeballs, even during their 1st quarter onslaught. We controlled the majority of the game even though we never really put them away.
Happy to get the win but it wasn't a great performance. Hopefully we are better next week otherwise it could be ugly.
I agree. A very good example of winning ugly. Being able to win in different ways is good, but I would suggest that winning off the back of so many basic skill errors (dropped marks, missed kicks, missed handballs etc) is not sustainable.
It was a step up in pressure so not surprised by the skill level, we adjusted well after half time and were more composed, should have won by more in the end.
No Hayward? Derksen was a bit rough, did everything asked of him so far.
Yep, team first selection means good players will be stiff to miss. Retaining Lewis Young is a great example off picking the best team for the opposition.
I will never grow tired of watching the Ollie Hollands chase down tackle. A couple of our boys after the game said Marvel stadium has never been louder.
That stumble by Voss was gold, in days gone by he may gave gotten away with it but the manic desperation of Ollie and co typifies the turn around in the teams approach to every contest under Fraser, they seem to enjoy the hunt more than ever.
What has florent bought that we couldnt get from either saad or charleson?
Florents knock is his kicking. Saads knock is his kicking. Charleson has been borderline getting a game a but this year. Without florent, he would most likely got a gig by now.
Florent has been solid without being spectacular, he didn't come cheap though. Could we do without him?
Florent came for a future 3rd round pick so in trade terms didn't cost a lot. His kicking is miles ahead of Saad IMO who is at the tail end of his career and has brought an additional element of composure to the team, he’s been an absolute revelation.
Fun fact from round 10 to now we finish on top of the ladder.
Yep cant help but wonder what would have happened if we made the change end of last year. i know its a big if but the change in performance is amazing and clear we needed a new coach. The long down the long contested play was like driving a new car with the handbrake on.
The keep possession short game has completely transformed this team.
The form team of the finals and no one will want to play us and the multiple forward targets is unpredictable and GW fingerprints on the list changes are strikingly similar to what he did at pies and we all know how that went.
who would have predicted this at 1-8.
amazing.
Had we made the change earlier it would be unlikely that Fraser would be our coach given he needed the interim role to make him comfortable putting his hand up. Don’t know who our coach would have been let alone what we would have achieved…
He was outstanding, impressive to watch live. Love Harry Dean, he continues to roll on and hard to believe he is in his 1st year. We struggled to handle the doggies pressure today, all credit to them for the way they played as they never allowed us to get the game in our terms. It will be interesting to see how we respond next week.
No longer reliant on a few. Used to be Cripps, Charlie or bust now we have a spread.
Credit to Ross the Toss this time. Made no excuses and said the box was very worried and obvious they had the issues before Milera broke down - he said we couldn't stop our uncontested ball use despite putting things in place.
Fraser has changed how we play and there is a full buy in. The evidence is there. He is getting the best out of the list and we now sit exactly where i thought we should. We are a mid table team and whether we make the wildcard or just fall short the list is in good shape and with a few tweaks will only get stronger. The difference in our ball use and ball movement is remarkable to see.
The pressure on TDK to perform on massive dollars and was carved up by a tough, determined plodder on a measly $400-$500K. That The boos Jack got whenever anywhere near it was unrelenting - and it was their home game!
Big money comes with big expectations - wonder if those 2 are privately having any regrets?
Ross is a master at playing the media, not suggesting he was disingenuous in his comments but he totally diffused the media pack but paying credit to us while giving a secondary nod to their injuries.
I thought StKilda put.in a brave effort considering the amount of injured players they had.
A quick look on Big Footy and one fan is blaming Corey Enright for their last few years. He wants us to take him and they will take Fraser lol.
Agree they were on the back foot from early in the game but we are a far cry from the team they humbled in round 8, don’t reckon they would have gotten much closer if NAS played the full game as we were on from the start. Whats disappointing is we will most probably look back on 2026 as a wasted year despite this run of late form, we may not have all the pieces for a serious challenge but we are not that far away.
Difficult conditions today with a blustery wind, we’ve looked to have control of the game so far and lead 3 goals to 1 at quarter time. Ison providing some nice link up running, Weiters playing controlled minutes. We gave a good sprinkling of senior players out there today.
Q for you all. If Weitering is fit and is to be picked, who goes out. Derkson is the obvious like for like but (like the whole team) played well and doesn't deserve to be dropped. Would they swap Weitering for a smaller player (not a like for like)?
Everyone will say Young, but Young has proven to be able to play def, ruck and fwd. Cottrell? Left field approaches: Lowest Fantasy points scorer = Gov Least ToG = Haynes Least Disposal = Evans There is also a fair argument to say that "No Change" and Weiters can have a run in the 2s if he is over his injury
If Haynes spent the least TOG he may be carrying a niggle and may need a rest. Weiters is not a like for like replacement but could come in with a reshuffle based on match ups. Secondly, the tackle count last week is of note as it was low for both sides (high 30’s I think), I’m expecting the Saints to make it a real grind on Sunday night with higher tackling pressure, it will be interesting to see if we can reproduce that level of football against a much more defensive team.
