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11
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 21 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane at Marvel
Last post by DJC -
Quote from: crashlander – on
[1] H coming back helps us. Not disappointed to see Lewis Young hold his place either.
[2] The ruck is an issue: Brisbane have 2 specialists. Draper is in career best form. Pitto will work hard, but...
I'm not worried about Fort, but he is a specialist.

It would have been a travesty if Lewis Young had been dropped.  While I always assume that his shots at goal will miss, he does provide something different as a tall forward.  His game a while back where he completely shut down an in form Lobb and managed a couple of goals himself showed what he is capable of.  He can play at both ends of the ground but his ruckwork leaves a bit to be desired.  However, he can make Draper and Fort defend and that's a positive.

Harry's knee may well keep him out of ruck contests so Young may well be our second ruck.

It probably is a game where we could go with two ruckmen but Reidy's concussion rules him out and Draper is far too mobile for Riley.  Pitto is going to have to work hard getting back in defence and drifting forward if he's going to reduce Draper's influence.  Our sweeper has to be prepared to take some knocks if he is to prevent Draper breaking out from centre ball ups.

It's going to be a tough game and Brisbane have to be clear favourites ... but you never know if a few things fall our way.
12
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: How does Crippa rank among the panoply of Carlton greats?
Last post by kruddler -
Quote from: tonyo – on
Quote from: kruddler – on


So Pendles is the best player ever then? He's played the most games?? More success by comparison.
Or should you give it to Michael Tuck, close to most games and most finals and GF's.

The greatest players can have reasons they didn't sustain that success.

Depends on your criteria at the end of the day.

I'm picking Kouta over just about any other player out there. He changed the game and what recruiters started looking for......for better or worse.
It's obviously not just based on the number of games played - it's what happened during all of those games - not only what they did individually, but how they elevated those around them to be better players.

We've waited 30 years to get a leader with the aura of Nicholls and Kernahan.  I have a hopeful feeling that Harry Dean may be forged from the same mould.......

Everyone will have a different criteria that they base their decision on.

Answer me this.....Does Michael Jordan 'lose points' because he was sub-par as a 40yo when playing at the Wizards?

His performances were nothing like 'peak Jordan' in the 90's.

IMO, it matters SFA, Jordan at his best is the goat. Whatever happened later in his career doesn't change that.
13
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 21 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane at Marvel
Last post by kruddler -
Quote from: LP – on
If their list stays fit the Lions could well win another flag this year, and do it with a two ruck policy, what say you critics?

Of course if they fail, the critics will claim they failed because of two rucks.

It looks to me like a fit and in form Draper in combination with Fort is helping them plaster over many form issues, and to me this will potentially be the biggest weak spot for the Swans that both Freo and the Lions will leverage against them.

I'm assuming this is directed at me as much as anyone.....if anyone else at all. Either way i'll answer.

Firstly, Comparing this year to last year (and years previous) is comparing apples and oranges. Rules have changed, team sizes have changed. Playing list has changed.

Secondly, My issue was never 'league wide' and was specific to our team. Something i was very strong in trying to get across, but was often ignored.

Thirdly, I don't think i ever made a commitment to 1 or 2 this year. I do remember stating in the off-season that having 5 on the bench could/should open up more of a benefit for having 2 rucks in our side.

Finally, with the substandard form of almost all talls ruck and forward of centre, i don't think there is benefit one way or another. Pittonet started like a house on fire. The 3 rucks under him have been a non-event. The key forwards have been 1-tall down compared to last year largely with Harry stepping up has helped, Young less so.....but no other options up forward has limited us.

In conclusion, i don't think there is much to debate about 1 or 2 this year and how our forward line ties into it. I think its more of picking whoever you can to play up to AFL standard in either position.....and we've struggled with that.....1 ruck or 2.

Talking about other clubs.....well thats not my concern and never was.
14
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 21 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane at Marvel
Last post by laj -
Quote from: LP – on
If their list stays fit the Lions could well win another flag this year, and do it with a two ruck policy, what say you critics?

Of course if they fail, the critics will claim they failed because of two rucks.

It looks to me like a fit and in form Draper in combination with Fort is helping them plaster over many form issues, and to me this will potentially be the biggest weak spot for the Swans that both Freo and the Lions will leverage against them.
Or win despite having 2 rucks. Depends what their rucks do outside of basic tapouts.

Freo have Jackson and Cox doing very well. They both can go forward and be damaging, especially Jackson as well as be good around the ground. Then there's nothing wrong with 2 rucks. Those two you could actually rest in the goalsquare. Rather their rucks, as a combination than Brisbane's. If I picked 2 from both sides to put in my team it'd be Draper and Jackson.
15
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 21 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane at Marvel
Last post by laj -
Quote from: Lods – on
You wonder how much this result will determine Fraser's decision.
Last 4 weeks will be important. 1 from 4, he won't get it, 2 from 4 either way but he would be in a decent position with a 10-4 record, 3 from 4 and a wildcard, would make him warm favourite, as we'd have a to beat a really gun side to do that, but still a decision would be needed as others would still be in the mix, any further and he's a dead set cert. So we don't know yet.
16
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: How does Crippa rank among the panoply of Carlton greats?
Last post by tonyo -
Quote from: kruddler – on
Quote from: PaulP – on


Yes, when he was on there was no one better IMO. For comparison, he and Hird started and ended their careers at pretty much the same time, same age, similar number of games. I agree with your criteria, and judging by that, I would have Hird ahead of Kouta.

So Pendles is the best player ever then? He's played the most games?? More success by comparison.
Or should you give it to Michael Tuck, close to most games and most finals and GF's.

The greatest players can have reasons they didn't sustain that success.

Depends on your criteria at the end of the day.

I'm picking Kouta over just about any other player out there. He changed the game and what recruiters started looking for......for better or worse.
It's obviously not just based on the number of games played - it's what happened during all of those games - not only what they did individually, but how they elevated those around them to be better players.

We've waited 30 years to get a leader with the aura of Nicholls and Kernahan.  I have a hopeful feeling that Harry Dean may be forged from the same mould.......
17
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: How does Crippa rank among the panoply of Carlton greats?
Last post by shawny -
Quote from: PaulP – on
Quote from: tonyo – on
Agree, as good as Kouta was, he elite stuff only lasted for a relatively short period of time.

To be in the best 5 of the club, I reckon you need to have had a club-changing career, not just three or four seasons.   That puts many others in front of Kouta on the 'All Time' list.......

If we were only judging talent and impact, he rates pretty highly- but other names have had a longer-lasting and more profound effect on CFC.

Yes, when he was on there was no one better IMO. For comparison, he and Hird started and ended their careers at pretty much the same time, same age, similar number of games. I agree with your criteria, and judging by that, I would have Hird ahead of Kouta.


Agree, and the same reason i rate Ablett Junior career a tad higher than Judds

While Judds best was a tad better than Ablett's best IMO the fact Ablett did the same high level for quite a few more seasons than what Judds body allowed him to do that's what separates them