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11
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Blue Moon -
While it was a disappointing end, on reflection it probably wasn't that unexpected, no matter what we may of hoped or dreamed. Geelong is a very well organised team and specialise in one off performances like last night. They often work out a game plan to defeat an opponent and then implement it but will struggle the following week. They had two weeks to prepare for us.
As I have said many times, if you can't kick and handball to your team mates, then there is no game plan. However Carlton did continue to try and implement their plan the whole night. Dangerfield was able to impose his will on the game whereas none of our top players could.
Besides E.Hollands and the two Irish guys, we had Motlop, O'Farrell, Chesser and Carroll out to LTIs, as well as Newman, Haynes, and Hayward to injuries, all improve our team and player depth when available. B.Camporeale, L.Camporeale, Ison, Charleson, Chesser, Riley, O'Keeffe, Moir and Byrne need to develop more and improve, and if we pick up Khamis and Amartey, along with Walker and maybe a couple of others, we should be able to sustain improvement over the long term.
We have been where we are now a few times over the past 25 years and each time it has turned to custard. Hopefully we will have learnt from our mistakes and we can seize the opportunity this time.
After the 92,000 and 97,000 attendance figures at our finals games, it is clear to me that the over punishment of Carlton for our salary cap rorting, and the refusal to give us draft concessions ten years ago, like the AFL has given all other teams, it has cost the AFL millions over the years. Well done AFL.  If we do get to where I think we can, and it has been a torturous journey so far,  then we will have done it on our own merits.
Go Blues.
12
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by laj -
Quote from: madbluboy – on
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
The MCG was a fortress for us for a little while and Docklands was an achilles heel. It seems thats flipped around. Problem is, finals arent played at Marvel (see Syd and the SCG).

The problem is no home ground advantage.

To finish top 4 you have to win as many games as you can.

We haven't finished the home and away season top 4 since we left Princes Park.
The Bombers barring 2000/2001 when they were already a powerhouse might be the same.
Yes, that top 4 now is the next step.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by laj -
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
Quote from: madbluboy – on
One the rain really came down we were screwed. Bailey Smith and co become roo slippery.
They played the percentages. We were trying to take speccies
I didnt feel like the "rain really came down". I looked light and misty from my vantage point. To me, I didnt think the rain was much a of factor.
I'm the same. We went out to a good lead in the wet. Wildcard sides are at a great disadvantage with no break after the H & A season, as it should be too. VFL has shown that in the 3 years they have had it. One win but losses by an average of 60pts for the rest. In control 45 min in but once fatigue kicked in we dropped right off after half time. The wet then mades that even worse. Last 45 min last night it was the equivalent of playing with just one on the bench. We were knackered and Geelong ran away. Maybe some issues with our wet weather play but I'd like more than 2 games to comment on that. We were just out of legs this time.

Top 6 early in a finals series is now so important. Glad we had the wildcard. Doesn't feel like then we were in the 8 one week and straight out first game We had a win, which will only help our young blokes.     

Was a fun ride.     
14
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by shawny -
I'm very proud of our boys. 

Couldn't stop Geelong's spread after halftime. They had the legs on the outside and we couldn't go with them - Very different game imo if we had the same lead in they did - the last 14 games playing to that intensity every week was sooner or later going to take its toll.  Still they gave everything and were righty cheered leaving the ground. I expect them to be better next year with a full pre season under Fraser and further development of the kids.

Clear some of the dead wood and get in a few more pieces in the trade period and if they perform like this year's traded players -  watch out for us in 27!
 
I will be wearing my Blues Beanie proudly today and hope all fans to do the same!   
15
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by kruddler -
Quote from: madbluboy – on
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
The MCG was a fortress for us for a little while and Docklands was an achilles heel. It seems thats flipped around. Problem is, finals arent played at Marvel (see Syd and the SCG).

The problem is no home ground advantage.

To finish top 4 you have to win as many games as you can.

We haven't finished the home and away season top 4 since we left Princes Park.
The Bombers barring 2000/2001 when they were already a powerhouse might be the same.

I get the sentiment of this, but there are 2 problems with this.

1. That was not Geelongs home ground, it was more of ours.
2. Every game we play (except maybe Collingwood??) our crowd is louder by comparison, so we make it a home crowd at least.
18
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by madbluboy -
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
Quote from: madbluboy – on
I think we need to move all of our home games to the MCG or all of them to Marvel.

It's not a coincidence Carlton and Essendon have gone to crap since they don't have a home ground.
The MCG was a fortress for us for a little while and Docklands was an achilles heel. It seems thats flipped around. Problem is, finals arent played at Marvel (see Syd and the SCG).

The problem is no home ground advantage.

To finish top 4 you have to win as many games as you can.

We haven't finished the home and away season top 4 since we left Princes Park.
The Bombers barring 2000/2001 when they were already a powerhouse might be the same.
19
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: IvanAwfulbigone – on
Oh, the rain. The rain.

Many people hinting that Carlton “rode their luck” these last 14 weeks forget we played the 2 most capable wet weather teams … when it was wet.

No coincidence Geelong and Hawthorn are the most bulked and nuggety of teams. Stronger in the legs with associated better core strength means being able to keep your feet and pick the ball up with greater surety - two things they did better than us.

Huge advantage in the wet compared to us who rely on players executing a game plan with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker.
Agree but dont underestimate the coaching mastery of Scott. He flipped the script at qtr time, he put the Irish Vice Grips on Jagga, told his ruckman to push the ball wide at the centre ball ups and extend ours aerobically around the ground. We like to make the ground wide, they took that to the next level whilst blocking our ability to do so after qtr time. It was a master class to be honest.
20
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: madbluboy – on
I think we need to move all of our home games to the MCG or all of them to Marvel.

It's not a coincidence Carlton and Essendon have gone to crap since they don't have a home ground.
The MCG was a fortress for us for a little while and Docklands was an achilles heel. It seems thats flipped around. Problem is, finals arent played at Marvel (see Syd and the SCG).