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11
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: VFL Rd 10 2026 Carlton vs Geelong at Carlton
Last post by crashlander -
Quote from: LP – on
Quote from: crashlander – on
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.
When you are up against people you can comfortably run into the ground, it's much easier to take speccies, especially late in games, everyone around you is exhausted and you are still fresh as a daisy.

That just doesn't happen in AFL.
Not so much these days, that's very true. Even the best aerialists tend to do it early in games these days, if they do it at all. Note Mitch McGovern. Similarly, there were a couple of big Geelong marks, in the first quarter. None afterwards.

H comes into his own sometimes later in games, even though he doesn't get far off the ground. At 200+ cm and with a huge wingspan, he plucks them late quite often, when his defenders can no longer jump to spoil. He has taken some match-winning grabs late in games over the journey.
As they say, a good big man doesn't get any smaller.

The guys who can pull out the big leap late include a number of younger, leaping rucks that are now proliferating. Tom de Koning, was something of a prototype, even if he isn't doing it much at the 'Aints. When we beat Richmond in Rd 1 a few years back, Pitto wore Nankervis down. In the last quarter, a tired Nankervis could do nothing as Tom jumped over him.
It was similar when we lost to Collingwood this year. A tired Pitto couldn't control Steene in the last quarter, and Collingwood got on top.

Being able to farm that sort of leaping is becoming important. because, as LP noted, tired players don't take many speckies.
12
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 13 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Essendon at MCG
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: Baggers – on
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
Whoever (teams) hasn't realised you have to play 4 qtrs at high level week after week, will get beaten by anyone. The penny seems to have dropped with our blokes, they have a taste of winning and it seems they like it. Flirt with form and odds at your peril.

Yep. In a funny way this game on Sunday is another test - winning a game we're expected to win, and win it well. How often have we made hard work or even fallen over against a lesser opposition over the years!
I we plan and treat every opponent like they are "Geelong", we will do ok.
13
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 13 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Essendon at MCG
Last post by Baggers -
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
Quote from: LP – on
I'd rather not underestimate CheatsFC, they are most likely playing possum just to stick it to us.

My personal preference is that if I see them playing dead on the road is to line them up on the right front and accelerate! ;)

Our older heads should be using this game to put the CheatsFC kids into a submissive and subservient mindset for the next decade, like so many teams have done to us before. Hurt them so much, they can't see any hope against us!
Whoever (teams) hasn't realised you have to play 4 qtrs at high level week after week, will get beaten by anyone. The penny seems to have dropped with our blokes, they have a taste of winning and it seems they like it. Flirt with form and odds at your peril.

Yep. In a funny way this game on Sunday is another test - winning a game we're expected to win, and win it well. How often have we made hard work or even fallen over against a lesser opposition over the years!
15
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 12 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by cookie2 -
Quote from: Baggers – on
After watching the game again, yes even the first qtr, another thing that strikes me about our boys now is something that's been missing for a while. Character. Building a very impressive group of diverse characters. Early days, but we're becoming terrific to watch.
Yep. The team’s execution just has a totally different feel to it, obviously for the better. Players seem to have very different attitudes and are playing with more fluency and freedom. Very noticeable.
16
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 13 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Essendon at MCG
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: LP – on
I'd rather not underestimate CheatsFC, they are most likely playing possum just to stick it to us.

My personal preference is that if I see them playing dead on the road is to line them up on the right front and accelerate! ;)

Our older heads should be using this game to put the CheatsFC kids into a submissive and subservient mindset for the next decade, like so many teams have done to us before. Hurt them so much, they can't see any hope against us!
Whoever (teams) hasn't realised you have to play 4 qtrs at high level week after week, will get beaten by anyone. The penny seems to have dropped with our blokes, they have a taste of winning and it seems they like it. Flirt with form and odds at your peril.
17
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Jim Park Voting AFL Rd 12 2026 Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by LP -
I wanted to give Smith votes, but he missed so many targets I feel I must not reward mediocrity. Fans bag Florent, but that game from Smith was possibly the worst kicking game I've seen from any AFL player this season.

PS; I realise he copped a bit of a corky, but he was missing well before that happened.
19
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 13 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Essendon at MCG
Last post by LP -
I'd rather not underestimate CheatsFC, they are most likely playing possum just to stick it to us.

My personal preference is that if I see them playing dead on the road is to line them up on the right front and accelerate! ;)

Our older heads should be using this game to put the CheatsFC kids into a submissive and subservient mindset for the next decade, like so many teams have done to us before. Hurt them so much, they can't see any hope against us!