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Messages - RiverRat

2
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2025 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Brisbane
Hard to know what to make of the Acres decision. Certainly has been in poor form, like most of his team mates, but his effort and work rate is huge.
I would have said the same up to and including the first 10 minutes of last week's game but, after being really fierce in the contest in those early minutes, I thought he turned up his toes and didn't give much of a contest for the rest of the game.
3
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2025 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Brisbane
^^Ergo, age isnt the issue which is my main contention.



Good players can play into their mid 30s
People calling  Doc to retire....I don't agree with it. He is a natural footballer that is out of form - probably not top 15 on the list but is top 25-30. If his body allows him to run, jump and crack into contests he should play on. If not then he needs to call it a day.
I don't think Doc is out of form - although he certainly started the season that way - some of his recent games have had him among our better players. 

I just think time and injuries have caught up with him and he has lost (more than) a yard of pace - so much so that he is consistently under pressure when delivering the ball - i.e. the mind is (more than) willing but the body can no longer serve the dinner, other than by way of turnovers or by kicking and hoping, rather than to advantage.

Having said that, I would be happy to see him stay on the list as long as he can justify his place in the team.
5
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2025 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Brisbane
I was within the four walls during the Pagan, Ratten, Malthouse and Teague coaching stints and I have no doubt that Pagan and Malthouse lost (or never had) the players, which did not seem to be the case with either Teague or Ratten.

Right. This would give you a unique insight. Why do you think this seems to be a problem at Carlton (I'm speaking of Malthouse and Pagan) when these successful premiership coaches were well regarded and did not appear to "lose the players" at their previous clubs ?

It seemed to me that Pagan and Malthouse had been successful, at least in part, due to well-established dictatorial imposition of inflexible game plans over multiple seasons but that they struggled to transpose those systems to Carlton - although Pagan was also adversely affected by the AFL-imposed draft penalties. The Pagan references in Kouta's book were also consistent with the atmosphere around the club at the time.

Conversely, Ratten and Teague came to the club as assistant coaches who were impressively hands-on in the skill development of individual players and both seemed to benefit from the personal relationships that they developed with the players.
6
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2025 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Brisbane
Carlton players must be a very unique breed. Malthouse did not seem to lose the players at Footscray, or West Coast, or Collingwood. Then suddenly he gets to Carlton.....

Pagan didn't seem to lose the players throughout his junior coaching days (fantastic record), didn't seem to lose the players at North. Then suddenly he comes to Carlton.......

I remain highly skeptical that the typical discourse(s) conducted by supporters bears much resemblance at all to the discourse conducted by football people within the four walls.

Sorry but I don't buy it. I should make it clear that my ire is not directed at you.


I was within the four walls during the Pagan, Ratten, Malthouse and Teague coaching stints and I have no doubt that Pagan and Malthouse lost (or never had) the players, which did not seem to be the case with either Teague or Ratten.
7
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2025 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Brisbane
One has to legitimately wonder if there exists a Guinness World Records entry for lost players. The number of Carlton coaches that seem to "lose the players" is staggering, not only for the frequency with which it it occurs, but the brief time period between occurrences. Every few years, we hear about losing the players. Pagan, Malthouse, Teague, Bolton, now Voss. They don't seem to get lost at other clubs.
Pagan, Malthouse and Bolton definitely lost the players but I don't recall hearing about Teague (or Ratten) 'losing the players'; they seemed to suffer from impatience at Board level when the injury bug hit and bigger name coaches were available.

IMO Teague and Ratten were better skill-development coaches who deserved to be given more support.  So far, the lack of skill development suggests that Voss lacks similar capabilities.
10
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: VFL Rd 14 2025 Carlton vs Port Melbourne

We got to see more of Moir's footy IQ. Much better game. Put his hand up.

Frankie E was dangerous and also put his hand up, which probably means we'll promote Durdin.

Liked Charleson's game, coming along nicely. Not yet.

For mine, Lemmey still doesn't have enough 'authority' in his game... close, though. Nothing to lose giving him serious consideration - give him a taste. We already know what we're getting with Young (the obvious spot to be filled by Lemmey).


Evans is not fast enough, big enough or good enough for AFL - He is well suited to the VFL where he can tackle players who are standing still or who are slower than he is and not expecting to be run down.

Also like Charleson's poise and skills - might be a good player next year.

Also liked Moir's ability to take a contested mark (or two) - unlike Lemmey, a one-trick player with limited mobility who needs to be given the ball by way of an uncontested mark or a free kick.  At least he can kick the ball effectively but I doubt we have the senior players who can kick it to his advantage.

I Finally saw something useful from Monahan - seemed to have some poise and an idea of what was required of him - handball skills also seemed quite good - might still make a player if he is persevered with
11
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 17 2025 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Collingwood
Boyd, Carroll, Moir are good kicks of the football... there is no excuse kicking the can down the road and not trying to fill this important role despite players missing.

Carroll is a good kick (most of the time) but his kicking action (heavily across the body most of the time) causes him to butcher the ball when he is off balance and under pressure - needs refinement.