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12
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 23 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Western Bulldogs at Marvel
Last post by laj -
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
I think group got ahead of themselves today. To me they strayed away from everything they have been doing the last several weeks bar the first quarter. Unable to beat a severely undermanned side we normally beat at full strength is a tell. I think the occasion and the meaning of the game got to them, Fraser could see it also. He was as demonstrative and flustered as I have seen him be. Credit to Bevo (who I dont rate) for switching the plan at qtr time.
Yes, we may have.

We had the choke going on for most of the game but found our composure when it battered when we looked like blowing it. Hopefully, like after the 2022 choke in the last qtr last game, we take it on board and learn as we did in 2023. In hindsight, the fact we got through it`in the end, it might have been a good thing for us, happening in round 23 rather than Wildcard.
13
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Carlton 2026 Finals Campaign
Last post by Lods -
Like it or not, it's here to stay.
With Tasmania coming in, and probably a twentieth team not far behind...it's probably fair enough that half the competition gets a crack at the end.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Carlton 2026 Finals Campaign
Last post by laj -
Quote from: Thryleon – on
Quote from: dodge – on
There didn't seem to be a lot of support on this forum for the wild card round when it was announced  Has this changed now that we're part of it?

I don't like it, but will still watch!
Anyone finishing 5th or 6th likes it, anyone finishing 7th or 8th hates it, and anyone finishing 9th or 10th, loves it.

Anyone in the bottom 8 will say that they only fell short by a little bit, and can reach for reasons to justify a poor season.

Personally, finals are the rewards you get for performing throughout the year.

There is one game left, and despite what the ladder says, the body of work across the season is one of the best that I have experienced in the last 24 years, including the year we made the prelim. 

We fell short because we didnt manage the moments so well, in similar fashion to yesterdays match vs the Bulldogs.

In hindsight, good thing we struggled with the moment at the stage, bar the last 5 minutes. Something now we can take on board and learn from, especially for our younger blokes. After 2022, we learned to handle things in the 2023 finals, especially the semi-final, where we held our nerve and won. We out like shots in the PF, like an athlete who goes out too hard in a race. Took Brisbane 20 min to settle down but once they did that were always good to be too good. We were pretty cooked, by finals in 2023 and did well to win two of them. We won 10 in a row to get there, won those close games near the end to stitch up our spot, cruised through the dead rubber last match, as we will likely do next week, but we were close to cooked by the finals with the effort. This time we kept winning, not like in 2023, had a two games slump then started to hit a peak the last 2 rounds. with a wildcard on the line, our composure went out the window but found it again when it mattered the last 5 min. Just like after 2022, hopefully we take the learning on board.
15
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Carlton 2026 Finals Campaign
Last post by LP -
Late season a couple of things, Kemp, Gov and Harry are slowly improving in terms of set shots, will it be sustained time will tell. But doing it in recent weeks is as good as any test, and surely that must leave us in better circumstances for the future.

I was a bit disappointed in young Byrne not having a crack from the 50m arc, maybe he had weary legs, but it's his go and he is as likely as any. Certainly, more likely than handing it off to Cripps! If you are a small forward with a leg, you need to be taking those shots and converting some of them. If you don't then opponents will just force you further out and you will lose all effectiveness.

I don't think we got the structure right this week, Derksen looked like a fish out of water in F50, we seemed to allow the Dogs to drag Pitto into D50, and that degrades his effectiveness. If we wanted someone dropping into the space then why not send Derksen up the field, what value is he standing alone at FF! Note to Pitto, never kick the footy to our shortest player when they are standing the opposition ruck!

What's our plan if Hayward is out, we lost a lot when he went off, he's becoming a pivotal part of our full field structure.
16
The Sports Desk / Re: God help me - the Cricket thread
Last post by LP -
Quote from: Professer E – on
Starc and Head won the ashes....this is an old, poor side with a few blokes who are capable of first tier performances
They have golden moments, sometimes a few in a row, but there is little consistency from any of them.

We've been spoilt over the years, Lillee, Warne, Langer, Haydon, McGrath, you got 24x7 cricketers who always managed to compete. But a lot of their success came due to the reliability and consistency of partners in crime, we don't have it at the moment, we aren't relentless like we were.
17
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: VFL Rd 21 2026 Carlton vs Footscray at Footscray
Last post by LP -
Quote from: Baggers – on
So, if Wil Hayward isn't available for Saturday's game against the D1ckers, who from that side comes into the seniors? Ison? Flynn Y?
Ison, Young isn't a valid replacement for Hayward, you need someone who can play a more contested brand.

I think Cottrell might be due for a 2s stint, he looked very disconnected yesterday, lost at sea!
18
The Sports Desk / Re: God help me - the Cricket thread
Last post by Professer E -
Lyon looks finished
Webster is a bit of this and a bit of that
Cummins played (and lead) like a busted crab
Marnus still won't play shots
Smith looks close to cooked mentally


Starc and Head won the ashes....this is an old, poor side with a few blokes who are capable of first tier performances
19
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Carlton 2026 Finals Campaign
Last post by laj -
Quote from: PaulP – on
I’m happy that we live to fight another day, but it’s happiness for the wrong reasons. Not really a fan of rewarding mid table teams with a mid table form line.
Depends. If that don't call it a final then it's a great concept giving 4 sides a shot to play off for the last 2 finals spot rather than letting the season just play out. Call it a final 10 then I agree with you.
20
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Carlton 2026 Finals Campaign
Last post by laj -
Quote from: Lods – on
I think over time that "Wildcard" terminology will disappear.
It's now a final 10.
After next weekend 10 teams will go on...8 teams won't.
We're playing finals.

It just happens now that teams finishing 5th and 6th get a weeks rest before their finals campaigns start.
For 7-10 it starts the week after next.

I notice on Sportsbet we've slipped ahead of both the Bulldogs and Collingwood in betting for the flag.

Carlton $51
Collingwood $67
Bulldogs $81
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA

I hope it doesn't disappear. In my mind, like overseas, it's a chance for 4 sides to play off for the final 2 spots in the 8 rather than just letting the season run out then starts the finals. Puts alot more interest into the season. That's how it's supposed to be.

A long way from there to win a flag, and much tougher than before when 7th or 8th. Win 2 weeks and by the 3rd week you're still just in a semi final. That's how it should be. Certainly makes sides fight even harder to be top 6, and of course, fight hard to be top 4 where 98% of flags are won.