Skip to main content
Recent Posts
2
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Besides the usual suspects having stand out games, I thought that when Ollie Hollands kicked the goal in the second qrt when know one else could, he started to play like he  belonged and boy did it show. He Ran, hunted, tackled, hit targets? And yes the roar from the crowd was unbelievable. 
If the mail is correct, he wont be at our club next season.
4
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL 2026 EF #1 Carlton vs Geelong Pre Game Prognostications
Last post by Gointocarlton -

The thing here for me is that having Hayward in makes a bloke like Young better because Hayward draws opponents, the ripple effect.

But think of the benefit to Cottrell, Gov, Kemp or Byrne of having Hayward in!

Agree Haywood in does make Youngs position a little easier but reality is the weakest link has to be demoted and its Young IMO
Young must play.
5
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL 2026 EF #1 Carlton vs Geelong Pre Game Prognostications
Last post by kruddler -

The thing here for me is that having Hayward in makes a bloke like Young better because Hayward draws opponents, the ripple effect.

But think of the benefit to Cottrell, Gov, Kemp or Byrne of having Hayward in!

Agree Haywood in does make Youngs position a little easier but reality is the weakest link has to be demoted and its Young IMO

Weakest link individually, maybe.

For team balance? Not even close.

Having Young in the team improves our forwardline.....by keeping Harry there.
Improves our backline by allowing to drift back and/or cover for injuries.
Improves our ruck by giving Pittonet as much rest as he needs.
8
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne
Last post by shawny -

Same for me, replay only and I agree what you say.    If Haywood is fit and ready,  then I think Byrne or Cottrell makes way.;   but I think Byrne because he looked lost and out of his depth and had zero impact.     Byrne wasn't alone tbh, but we don't want to start making too many changes to a winning combo.   
I think dropping him would be a mistake - he was still effective but just couldn’t get into the game enough and imo you could see he was disappointed in his game.

McG is the funny one for me. He just cannot be relied on and as a very snr player I just get so frustrated by his dropped marks and errant kicks.

Agree totally. MOG has so much talent but he is so erratic that a simple chest mark can bounce straight off him yet in the next breath he will make a team lifting run down tackle or take a hanger.

Hes good is very good but he can be equally crap!
9
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL 2026 EF #1 Carlton vs Geelong Pre Game Prognostications
Last post by shawny -
I cant see Young holding his place. Had a few good games a month or so back but still is unsure of himself and a liability IMO.

Reckon if Haywood plays it frees Harry into the 2nd ruck role and takes the need for Young out
The thing here for me is that having Hayward in makes a bloke like Young better because Hayward draws opponents, the ripple effect.

But think of the benefit to Cottrell, Gov, Kemp or Byrne of having Hayward in!

Agree Haywood in does make Youngs position a little easier but reality is the weakest link has to be demoted and its Young IMO
10
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL 2026 EF #1 Carlton vs Geelong Pre Game Prognostications
Last post by LP -
FWIW, I've just watched highlights of the previous Geelong clash and highlights of last Saturday.

In both games Byrne set a tone with tackles and bumps on bigger and heavier opponents. In Rnd 12 he smashed Blicsav's, on Saturday he had two significant momentum changing tackles and a big physical contest in our D50, how the stats claim otherwise is bizarre as they just cannot be missed. You can't find that sort of contest or create it easily, it's something that gives to the team and it is contagious.

The bump on Sharp in particular left the opponent wondering WFT, you know that is the response when they get up and look around to see who it was, Byrne had long moved on!

Pitto or Cripps stopping someone in their tracks goes largely unnoticed, Byrne or Evans doing it sets a tone.