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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by crashlander -
Our defence struggled early with loose checking upfield, giving them easy, uncontested possessions. But when they lost midfield dominance, our defenders were excellent.

Jacob Weitering probably played his best game for the year. He got possessions, he thrashed his opponents, he took relieving marks and he didn't turn the ball over. 19 possessions and 11 marks.

Harry Dean: he needs to be nominated for the best 1st year player, as he dominated his opponents on the night. He couldn't help a couple of freak goals, but he got 15 possessions, 9 marks and 4 tackles.

Nick Haynes and Nic Newman continued their good form. Cowan had 4 kicked on him, but he had 20 possessions and wasn't poor. Florent made some poor disposals early, but he tightened up marvellously.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by crashlander -
Quote from: RiverRat – on
Quote from: bratblue – on
They had something like 20 more hit outs than us but we had one more than them to advantage. says a lot about our rucks and more so our contested ball set ups. we're still elite there.
I thought Pitto's centre ball-up contests in the 2nd half were instrumental in our centre clearance work - I don't think I have seen Pitto get off the ground in those contests as effectively
Indeed, Pitto really lifted in the 2nd half. He just belted the ball early, and that rarely ended up to our advantage. He didn't get huge numbers after half time, but he blunted his opponents, he got possessions, and his taps ended up with our players.
Pitto ended with 3 clearances himself, which was more than Bailey Smith. Only 2 Geelong players did better. All of our mids did.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by crashlander -
Looking at the possessions:
Sam Walsh: 30 possessions, 7 tackles, 7 clearances: Walsh was awful early, but he picked himself up and played on Bailey Smith, not only negating him, but providing huge drive. Smith had more ball, but his kicks weren't effective, even in the first quarter, when he got most of them. When it came to doing the hard things, it was Sam Walsh who stood up.

Patrick Cripps: 30 possessions, 4 tackles, 8 clearances and the mark and goal that won the game: Crippa was also ordinary early. He couldn't get his hand on the ball. But he kept working and kept working until we dominated the centre square. Who stepped up when it was needed? Patrick Cripps!

Jagga Smith: 27 possessions, 6 clearances and 3 tackles. Like the two previous players, Jagga had a nightmare early. he turned the ball over with poor kicks and ordinary decision making, he dropped marks, he got spoilt. But, like the rest, he kept coming. His kicks suddenly hit targets. He got clearances. He provided dash.

Geelong didn't have any players like this. It was Smith or nothing for them, and he doesn't use the ball well. Our Smith showed him how to kick.

Ben Ainsworth: 25 possessions, 2 clearances and 4 tackles: Ben might not have been as obvious as some of his teammates, but he was no less effective. That was a big game.

Cerra and Hewett weren't as prolific, but both of them were important and played crucial roles. Our midfield had a good night after a very ordinary start.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by RiverRat -
Quote from: bratblue – on
They had something like 20 more hit outs than us but we had one more than them to advantage. says a lot about our rucks and more so our contested ball set ups. we're still elite there.
I thought Pitto's centre ball-up contests in the 2nd half were instrumental in our centre clearance work - I don't think I have seen Pitto get off the ground in those contests as effectively
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by crashlander -
I really thought their better skills were going to make them snatch this one. But our relentless pressure was marvellous to behold!

Ground ball gets: we dominated.
Contested possessions: take out their marks, then we win by more than 20!
One-percenters: Even after our first quarter and after all their smothers, we still win it convincingly.
Tackles inside 50: we had 14, they had 9. Imagine what would happen if we could hit a target, as most of their scores came after our turnovers!
Clearances, centre clearances and stoppage clearances, we dominate, even after being well behind early.
Taps to advantage: in our favour clearly, even though we had less taps.

We couldn't buy a goal, missing a huge number of easy shots. They kick goals they have no right to kick, and we still win!
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by crashlander -
Quote from: kruddler – on
Scott spending most of his press conference talking about the goal that wasn't.
"I don't want to comment.....but...."
"What i think doesn't matter.....but...."
"I'm not spending any time thinking about it....but....."

....but spends all his time talking about it.
I am not surprised. He is not a good loser and never has been.
I'm just glad he gets to taste it from us!
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by crashlander -
Quote from: townsendcalling – on
Pittonet and McKay were enormous, the move of Big Harry into the ruck has worked a treat!!
We really got on top when H was in the middle. He didn't win a lot of taps, but he got 5 clearances himself and he helped our smaller players get the ball out.
H's kicking ... well, everyone needs to improve something.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by crashlander -
Quote from: shawny – on
Fraser just said we have to acknowledge vossy for the pressure and commitment side of the group and he has tried to add the connections after we win the ball and how to move the ball when we have it and how to defend when we dont.

Perfect summary - respect and acknowledge what voss has done and now the next stage to evolve the other areas that are just as critical and where we were lacking.

Also wasnt as quick to dismiss his hat being in the future coaching role and if we keep winning it will be interesting to see the outcome.

How good is Dean. Just love this kid. Has to get his nomination this week.
How Dean has not been nominated so far defies imagination. He is never going to get 30 possessions: that is not why he is there. Instead, you see him beating experienced forwards, week in, week out. Deserves his kudos as the best defender from last year's crop.