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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 8 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda
With Cripps Weitering and McKay, I would be sitting them down at the end of the year and see where they think they are at. If they are happy to be part of a rebuild at Carlton knowing full well they wont be playing in a premiership (or even finals) anytime soon, then great. If however they want out, then like with Charlie we should facilitate trades for them.
As for their leadership, we can only judge from an outsider looking in as we dont know what they are like "close up" and "within the four walls". From that outsiders perspective:
- Harry offers zero and shouldn't be anywhere near the official leadership group. Nor can he be relied on to provide onfield leadership in the way he plays.
- Weitering appears to offer marginally more that Harry, his body language and demeanour this year in particular has been alarming (to me at least). He could form part of the leadership group but VC or Captain, no way.
- Cripps. We all know he tries his absolute heart out and leads the best way he can. However he seems broken and defeated and maybe removing the captaincy from him will lighten the burden for him and freshen him up to go about and do what he does best, win the footy inside. The question is, will he see this as a slap in the face or will he embrace it?
Again, the above is my uneducated opinion based on what it looks like to me. The only ones who know best are their team mates and coaches.