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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Hawthorn
Last post by LP -
If you want some conspiracy, you could imply the umpiring howlers were the AFL's best attempt at securing some home grown Melbourne content for the finals series, because it's looking more and more likely to be a largely vacant MCG.

If for nothing less than avoiding the potential controversy of forcing two interstate teams to play a final in Melbourne! ;D

Proper cynics might even claim the wildcard is the AFL's method of ensuring it meets the terms and conditions of the MCG contract. Otherwise the short term at least looks very bleak for Vic metropolitan based teams participating in finals.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Hawthorn
Last post by DJC -
Well, that was a reality check! 

The atrocious umpiring didn't help but we would have copped a hiding even if we did have competent umpires ... and brought Acres into the team for Hollands  ::)

There were a few positives: 

Flynn Riley showed that he's competitive at AFL level but he needs to build up his strength and learn how to use it.  Conditions weren't ideal for the big lad, but he battled hard and his five tackles is a good sign.  I suspect that he will cause headaches for our opposition if he gets to rest forward.

Wade Derksen continues to work hard and make the most of his opportunities.  He may be fourth banana in our KPD ranks but he deserves a place in the team, perhaps as a forward.

Mitch McGovern may have been fortunate to get a contract extension but he has certainly shown that it was a good decision.  This could well be his most consistent season whether he's playing forward or in defence.  He was one our players who did adapt to the conditions.  I think that he may well get another year.

Frankie Evans was lucky to get a chance at a third club but, after a shaky start, he has shown that he is a capable AFL footballer.  He was another one who played to the conditions.

Jack Ison has been quiet in last couple of games but I thought that he did quite well last night.  He was probably a little too adventurous in the conditions but he was a presence for us even if he has a lot to learn.

I think that Adam Cerra has become a bit of a whipping boy but he was another who adapted to the conditions and worked hard all night.  We might need him to a little more if Georgie's back doesn't come good.

Sam Walsh was mercurial!

I wonder if players are still taught to kick the laces surface of the ball in wet conditions  :-\
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Hawthorn
Last post by madbluboy -
Quote from: shawny – on
Horrible conditions horrible umpiring and they played the conditions so much better then us.

Losing George early hurt but our forwards being constantly behind in those conditions was dumb and the first cross against Fraser.

Still we were bound to drop a game and in those conditions against a top 4 team im not surprised- next week is a better game to see where we sit imo.



Lol
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Hawthorn
Last post by Lods -
Quote from: LP – on
The bloke who pleasantly surprised me again last night was Derksen, I get he fumbled some marks in horrendous conditions, but you have to put that into context, he out positioned opponents and read the ball better to get there in the marking position in the first place. The mark itself is a confidence and experience thing.

Derksen presents an interesting situation going forward.
With 2027 presenting a situation where all of Dean, O'Farrell and Weitering are available then there may not be a spot for him in defence.
But his strength in terms of his retention is probably his versatility and the ability to play both ends.
Given that Kemp is currently struggling in that key forward role, when Weitering comes back Derksen may be better used as a KPF.
We've tried him a bit at VFL level let's see how he goes at senior level.

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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Hawthorn
Last post by PaulP -
All teams play a stinker now and again. Even the mighty Swans have been smacked twice in recent weeks. The real issue is how we respond, and whether we are capable of responding. That's one thing that separates the good teams from the others.

I really hope the boys play next week like their lives depend on it. Collingwood are very determined and not in any way easy beats. Not to be underestimated IMO.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Hawthorn
Last post by LP -
The bloke who pleasantly surprised me again last night was Derksen, I get he fumbled some marks in horrendous conditions, but you have to put that into context, he out positioned opponents and read the ball better to get there in the marking position in the first place. The mark itself is a confidence and experience thing.

FWIW, Smith had the fumbles as well, looking up instead of taking the footy, that is a first season player issue, he'll be better by the time he's in the 50 to 75 game range.

Evans showed us he is a genuine 24x7 player, he doesn't play the scoreboard, I hope some of his peers take note. I'd say after last night he's cemented in as one of our SFs, at least he would be if I was MC or Coach.

As for the umpiring, I understand the howlers in those conditions, but I do not understand the early gamer asymmetry. Ignore the stats, we were being given mystery frees in D50 late just to even things up, even the Dawks were looking bemused.

I'd never understood "Free Kick Hawthorn" before, I'd never really noticed, but I get it now! As for the most experienced umpire, he looked a bit Mr Magoo, all befuddled, time for retirement.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Hawthorn
Last post by LP -
Quote from: RiverRat – on
Riley looked okay but it was disappointing that the coach didn't trust him enough to start the final three quarters in the ruck.
I suspect out of everybody at the club, on this forum, in the football public and in the AFL media, that Josh Fraser knows a thing or two more about managing a young ruck through a first game than most.

And ignoring the ruck specific issues, how young players are managed early in their career can set the tone for their whole career, not so much the loss of contest but the loss of confidence, the psychological damage. I do not want to see young Riley up to be some clown's career bitch. Riley did OK in horrendous conditions for a young lightweight marking ruckmen, and my thoughts are if Fraser thought that was enough exposure it was enough!