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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by kruddler -
I posted this in another thread, but probably should be here.
Quote
Just as an aside, i don't know if anyone saw it but deep in the last quarter there was a stoppage on the far side forward flank/wing.
May even have been in the last few minutes.
Cripps was in there directing traffic like a captain should.
His main focus was telling Harry to go back, essentially clog up space.
He starts waddling back with very little urgency. Cripps yells at him again to clear out and go back. He hears him but barely makes it out of a walk.

Ball is brought back into play and someone gets the clearance, camera goes to a wide shot where you can see Harry still slowly wandering back, now about 30m off the contest, back to the ball in no mans land.
Thankfully the ball went our way and he was not required but this REALLY bothered me because.....

1. The game was on the line, show some bloody urgency
2. The captain had to tell you, at least twice, and you still couldn't do it.
3. You had your back to the ball and it could've been kicked to you and the moment you realised was when it hits you in the back of the head.
4. Had we have lost the game, i guarantee you that would've been highlighted as to how we lost it.

Now i appreciate Harry had worked hard and is playing more ruck than he is used to over the past month, but from a senior player, that was very poor and i expect better and the rest of the playing group should demand better.

I just rewatched the last few minutes and the stoppage in question started with 19 seconds left on the clock.
The stoppage started from Harry working hard pushing forward along the boundary line. So he was definitely tired.

However, you can clearly see he could not find it within himself to run out the final 19 seconds.
It very much could've been the difference between winning and losing.

Watch here....
https://youtu.be/aVu-SQ7sGEk?si=qepqqcb2jSTSdwuo&t=212
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: VFL Rd 10 2026 Carlton vs Geelong at Carlton
Last post by crashlander -
Quote from: tonyo – on
Quote from: laj – on

Think Ben C will be a decent player for some club, just has too many in front of him with his style of play with us. He'll win a bucketload of clearances, get his hands on it plenty of times but we have many of those. Hence why Kennedy isn't with us. Like to look at him in the seniors though before the year is out. Right now though he won't get in.
Cripps and Hewett will not last forever.  Our player development process has always been our achillles heel - hence we rely far too much on bringing in ready-to-play troops at high cost, unlike the top teams that uncover and develop their own talent.

Ben C is the perfect example.  In 2-3 years time when Crippa and George are done or needing a rest, we can have a ready-to-go replacement, provided he gets the right development over the next 18 months.  I can see a midfield of Jagga, Cody, Walsh, Ison, Lord and Ben C from 2029 onwards.
Fair enough. I would like to think that the club is thinking 'development', as I would like to see Ben succeed. However, if I were Ben I would:
[1] use Patrick Cripps' running coach so he can maximize what speed he has. Crippa isn't quick, but he does maximize what pace he has. He clearly knew it from the start and took steps to improve this as much as he could.
[2] hit the gym. Crippa has the advantage of strength. He can break tackles because he has real power. Ben can really improve in this area, as he already has the skill to get to the right places. He doesn't have to end up with a physique like Cripps, but the ability to apply that strength could be crucial. Think Josh Rachele, who may have more speed, but has the muscle to break tackles.
[3] work on his disposal. When given time, Ben's kicking is reasonably effective, no matter what it looks like. Under pressure less so, perhaps. He puts in another good pre-season or two working his disposal and he will be the perfect replacement for our aging stars.

One thing we haven't seen much of so far from both Campos is their marking. Both of them can take some really strong marks. Luke can take a hanger. I don't think either of them has the confidence yet to show their skills in this area. They are trying to fill in roles and no taking risks.
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Ladies Lounge / Re: VFLW 2026
Last post by crashlander -
A good win for the girls this week against Sandringham:

Carlton: 5 - 6 - 36
Sandringham: 3 - 6 - 24

The girls kicked the last 4 goals to run over their opponents.
The girls had 90 more possessions, to dominate the game in a lot of ways, yet had 1 less inside 50. We also dominated taps and clearances, but the one that stood out was the marks: 82 to 35. That stuck out to me. We also had 71 tackles to 58, yet spent most of the time behind.

We had 7 of the top 8 possessions getters, led by:
Hannah Scott: 35 possessions, 5 clearances, 10 tackles and 5 marks. This was a Cripps-like performance.
Mia Fuller: 24 possessions, 7 clearances and 12 tackles.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: VFL Rd 10 2026 Carlton vs Geelong at Carlton
Last post by tonyo -
Quote from: laj – on
Quote from: Lods – on


I'm not confident he'll be on our list next year, he needs to show some point of difference to other's vying for similar positions.
So far we're not seeing it.
Lucas with his serious injury is probably more at risk because time is running out for him.
Think Ben C will be a decent player for some club, just has too many in front of him with his style of play with us. He'll win a bucketload of clearances, get his hands on it plenty of times but we have many of those. Hence why Kennedy isn't with us. Like to look at him in the seniors though before the year is out. Right now though he won't get in.
Cripps and Hewett will not last forever.  Our player development process has always been our achillles heel - hence we rely far too much on bringing in ready-to-play troops at high cost, unlike the top teams that uncover and develop their own talent.

Ben C is the perfect example.  In 2-3 years time when Crippa and George are done or needing a rest, we can have a ready-to-go replacement, provided he gets the right development over the next 18 months.  I can see a midfield of Jagga, Cody, Walsh, Ison, Lord and Ben C from 2029 onwards.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Baggers -
Quote from: 31Tommys_barber – on
I thought all of our kids are showing good signs in either firsts or reserves. Made me wonder why Austin and Agresta got the flick?

Unfortunately, not all the kids in the Magoos and some recruits actually aren't coming along as well as we might have hoped... nor delivering consistent strong efforts - Moir, Ben Campo, Reidy, Chesser, Irish boys...
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Baggers -
Quote from: MickyO – on
Also remiss not to give a huge shout out to Hayward! Seems like hes a mouthy little
Mongrel and i love it! We have been wanting some players with a bit of energy about them - hes our guy!

Absolutely, MO. The players also speak highly of his energy. He's a ripper inclusion to our group... Plus, he works his clacker off every week.