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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney
Last post by Lods -Jump a place and we play finals
But I expect it to be a gradual build, as players get to understand and work with one another under the 'real' pressure of an AFL game.
We really don't know a lot about our side, and how they'll gel.
Practice games are only as good an indicator as the effort that's actually put in by both sides
This is the test.
I reckon 3-4 goals will be acceptable, as long as the effort is there.
Swans were a superior side to us in 2025.
They had a bad start to last year and suffered some significant injuries, but finished the season with 8 wins out of the last 11 games
They are on their home ground.
Talking them down and raising expectations is actually the kind of thing that brings pressure on a coach if we fail to beat this "mediocre" side.
A win is not out of the question and much will depend on how the side comes together with a number of new players.
3-4 goals (with effort) will be a reasonable first up result.
It will be the manner of the result that will lead to pressure on players and coach.
What we don't want, and can't afford is a blowout, or a lapse where they pile on the goals after we make a good start.