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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 23 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Bulldogs at Marvel
Last post by DJC -
I thought that Weiters looked a bit rusty in the Magoos but was clearly a class above everyone else on the park.  He took 12 marks, most of them contested in my book, in conditions that didn't really suit marking.  Our three AFL-listed ruck-forwards managed just three marks between them.

On form alone, Reidy should be promoted, but he won't be.  Pitto was even better, and with English out, I doubt whether we'd be going with two ruckmen.  Again, on form alone, I'm not sure that Weiters should be promoted.  On potential and importance to the team, he's a monty to be recalled.  But who misses out?

Lobb and Naughton shouldn't hold too many terrors for our defenders although Lobb has a lot of size over Derksen, Dean and Haynes, and Weiters for that matter, but an in form Weiters would be far too good for Lobb.  Lewis Young has done well on Lobb in the past and, since his recall, has provided us with a versatile tall who can play forward and back and pinch hit in the ruck.  Having Young as a fallback if Lobb was to get the better of Derksen and/or Dean would be handy.  If we go like for like, it will be Derksen who misses out, as unfair as that may be, but fairness shouldn't get in the way of putting the best combination on the field.

Another possibility is that Cerra's hamstring is worse than I thought and he can't play.  In that case, I would bring Weiters in, play McGovern in Cerra's role, and swing Derksen forward.  If Cerra is good to play, I'd be inclined to go with an unchanged side and bring Weiters back for the Freo game where he will be needed.

I expect that Weiters will be desperate to get back, but he is level-headed and a committed team player who will go along with what's best for the team.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 22 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda at Marvel
Last post by Thryleon -
Quote from: DJC – on
Quote from: Professer E – on
I thought the sniffers were rather keen to impart err.... physical pressure on our blokes (a lot of marginally late, marginally high, borderline excessive stuff), and Acres is certainly doesn't back away from that stuff.
I still think sides cling to the trope that we're soft but what I saw on Saturday Sunday suggests otherwise.

It would be unfair to say that our softer players were playing for St Kilda.  Pitto certainly had his way with TDK though and I thought that he was looking forward to the final siren midway through the second quarter.

Lyon is never reluctant to resort to questionable tactics but their attempted physicality backfired, like most of Lyon's plans.

I don't think that we've ever been soft but there has certainly been a perception that we are.  The addition of Ainsworth, Hayward, Florent, Dean, Byrner, Ison and Derksen has hardened us up. 

I think that confidence plays a part too.
Highlight of the day was Byrner going straight through Cam Wilkie.

https://youtu.be/ShbWosc8fDM?si=SOOvhTYmsPzpnwC6  around the 57 second mark of that one for anyone that missed it.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 22 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda at Marvel
Last post by DJC -
Quote from: Professer E – on
I thought the sniffers were rather keen to impart err.... physical pressure on our blokes (a lot of marginally late, marginally high, borderline excessive stuff), and Acres is certainly doesn't back away from that stuff.
I still think sides cling to the trope that we're soft but what I saw on Saturday Sunday suggests otherwise.

It would be unfair to say that our softer players were playing for St Kilda.  Pitto certainly had his way with TDK though and I thought that he was looking forward to the final siren midway through the second quarter.

Lyon is never reluctant to resort to questionable tactics but their attempted physicality backfired, like most of Lyon's plans.

I don't think that we've ever been soft but there has certainly been a perception that we are.  The addition of Ainsworth, Hayward, Florent, Dean, Byrner, Ison and Derksen has hardened us up. 

I think that confidence plays a part too.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 22 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda at Marvel
Last post by madbluboy -
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
Quote from: LP – on
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.
If we win both the next and some other results go our way, we can finish 8th and get a week off. That would make many happy.

7,8, 9 and 10 are playing the wild car round
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 22 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda at Marvel
Last post by LP -
Quote from: DJC – on
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.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 22 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda at Marvel
Last post by DJC -
Quote from: dodge – on
Someone asked about Acres game - it is an interesting question.  When he was playing at his peak, an absolute running machine and would get us out of trouble in defence regularly, then bob up for a goal or two - and it really stood out.  Now, he has plenty for company in the running and effort department, so doesn't stand out as much.  This is a good thing.  Don't think that he is playing badly.  Still a strong mark, still waiting for the kick OOF, still running heaps, but not as prolific.

The Sheriff was a bit of a novelty when he arrived at Princes Park; a big-bodied winger with a huge tank, a bit of attitude, an ability to have an impact at both ends of the ground ... and regularly hoik the pill OOBOTF.  He doesn't really stand out that much any more.  I think that he may have lost a yard of pace but I don't think that he has really dropped back to the pack, the pack has caught up with him and we have several players able to perform a similar role with equal effectiveness.

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 🤞