However, Acres' gathering of the ball at speed, running away from opponents and hitting up Byrner for the last goal of the game was very impressive, particularly when just forcing a stoppage would have been an honourable result. And I can't recall the last time Acres had an OOBOTF 🤞
The way we currently play, toe stubbing it into the corridor actually benefits us.
Wouldn't it be hilarious if the largest crowd in the finals series happens a week before the 'real finals' begins.......
It would be a nightmare for some, because it contradicts what they keep telling us about "who we like to watch" and which teams deserve prime time coverage.
The moment that The Aints looked unlikely and we looked more likely, a huge chunk of the AFL Media started calling the Wildcard system bogus.
Just a week or two earlier, many of the same commentators had called the Wildcard system an unbridled success, now they are complaining about Rnd 24 being a dead rubber. I suggest you refer to them as Flipper from now on!
I suspect a lot of this commentary is disingenuous, the first chunk disgruntled Aints fans perhaps including the former AFL CEO, looking for an outlet for buyer's remorse. The other significant portion of it will be disgruntled punters bemoaning diminished multis, they have been cleaning up for a year or two on our last quarter fadeouts which were regular as clockwork, and now they are addicted to that bet unable to let it go, and every win we have just cranks another turn on the punters lament thumb screw.
Battling for 10th spot is not playing finals, the Wildcard gig didn't exist 9 months ago.
In that regard it can't be a "false dawn" because technically we haven't really improved ladder position from 2025, unless you think going from 11th to 10th is an improvement. Despite appearing better on form at this moment, we haven't improved just yet, the ladder has degraded!
If we were 6th or 7th, that might be a false dawn.
A little discussed aspect of our current list / selection is the better balance between natural left and right footers, with a couple of players more than capable on either side.
Did anybody else notice Cerra briefly clutch the hammy in the last quarter, he played on so maybe it was just cramp?
One change in recent weeks we can definitely attribute to the post-Voss era, Cerra moving to the HBF has made a huge difference to his game and the impact he has on our transitions from D50 to F50. I realise he done this once or twice before, but he looks settled in now as a genuine replacement for the injured Newman.
Personally, I sort of understand why Carlton people avoid BT, he's basically glossed over Carlton in the call for years, but I'd turn this around. If he approaches Carlton people after the game I'd instruct them to start with a comment like "BT, you look a bit flat did you enjoy the game?"
When BT interrupted the Podcast recording Cottrell and Hayward tried it on a bit, but BT ignored the question. Then he basically complained about Carlton people doing the same thing to him!
Pitto shows the way to go, he turns the trivialisation back on the interviewers.
Did anyone hear BT say after Nas’ injury a snide remark about how the players weren’t able to warm up on the ground before the game - inferring the AFLW game gad somehow contributed to Nas’ injury 🙄 ffs so sick of these dinosaurs getting airtime.
NRL comes out for an early warm up, then completes most of it inside before arriving back on the ground moments before the start of play. They have more repeat / explosive running than AFL.
NWM, Ross the Boss exposed the truth post game, he had a hip pointer during the week which is why he didn't train, almost certainly bleeding or inflammation in the upper leg has cause his hammy problem.
btw., BT was in a sour mood, not happy commentating Carlton and not happy working Sunday night. He should have been stoic and kept himself up for the Spud game instead of dragging it down, but he can't help himself when he commentates our games, He'll talk about the clouds, seagulls, grass or even the garbage before he mentions the footy!
He left for money, plain and simple. Also seemed to be a bit of a cancer on the culture of the joint. Any other player, with a different surname, would definitely be copping it in that situation
Which was why it was contrast with TDK who hardly copped a boo relative to SoJ.
