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11
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 22 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda at Marvel
Last post by tonyo -
The moment that The Aints looked unlikely and we looked more likely, a huge chunk of the AFL Media started calling the Wildcard system bogus.

Just a week or two earlier, many of the same commentators had called the Wildcard system an unbridled success, now they are complaining about Rnd 24 being a dead rubber. I suggest you refer to them as Flipper from now on! ;)

The AFL will be in rapture if they happen to get a near-100k Carl v Coll on the Wildcard weekend.

Wouldn't it be hilarious if the largest crowd in the finals series happens a week before the 'real finals' begins.......
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 22 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda at Marvel
Last post by LP -
The moment that The Aints looked unlikely and we looked more likely, a huge chunk of the AFL Media started calling the Wildcard system bogus.

Just a week or two earlier, many of the same commentators had called the Wildcard system an unbridled success, now they are complaining about Rnd 24 being a dead rubber. I suggest you refer to them as Flipper from now on! ;)

I suspect a lot of this commentary is disingenuous, the first chunk disgruntled Aints fans perhaps including the former AFL CEO, looking for an outlet for buyer's remorse. The other significant portion of it will be disgruntled punters bemoaning diminished multis, they have been cleaning up for a year or two on our last quarter fadeouts which were regular as clockwork, and now they are addicted to that bet unable to let it go, and every win we have just cranks another turn on the punters lament thumb screw.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 22 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda at Marvel
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Battling for 10th spot is not playing finals, the Wildcard gig didn't exist 9 months ago.

In that regard it can't be a "false dawn" because technically we haven't really improved ladder position from 2025, unless you think going from 11th to 10th is an improvement. Despite appearing better on form at this moment, we haven't improved just yet, the ladder has degraded!

If we were 6th or 7th, that might be a false dawn.
If we win both the next and some other results go our way, we can finish 8th and get a week off. That would make many happy.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 22 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda at Marvel
Last post by LP -
Battling for 10th spot is not playing finals, the Wildcard gig didn't exist 9 months ago.

In that regard it can't be a "false dawn" because technically we haven't really improved ladder position from 2025, unless you think going from 11th to 10th is an improvement. Despite appearing better on form at this moment, we haven't improved just yet, the ladder has degraded!

If we were 6th or 7th, that might be a false dawn.
17
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 22 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs St. Kilda at Marvel
Last post by dodge -
I relaxed once we got to over 30 points in front.  In the end weirdly disappointed that we didn't win by over 50.  They are playing exciting and at times controlled football - great to watch.

Some of the kicking was remarkable (maybe that's what happens when you practice it at training), as was the general poise.

Someone asked about Acres game - it is an interesting question.  When he was playing at his peak, an absolute running machine and would get us out of trouble in defence regularly, then bob up for a goal or two - and it really stood out.  Now, he has plenty for company in the running and effort department, so doesn't stand out as much.  This is a good thing.  Don't think that he is playing badly.  Still a strong mark, still waiting for the kick OOF, still running heaps, but not as prolific.

I am a bit confused - do we want to win (yes), but we also want it easier to get CW, so we don't want to win...always want to win - although that wasn't really the conversation when we were 1-8.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 23 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Bulldogs at Marvel
Last post by tonyo -
If we get into a wildcard match and perhaps maybe more, there are blokes like McStay, Tilthorpe, Chol, Curnow, Treacy, Neale, Draper that we need to manage.  We would be crazy not to get Weiters back in so he has a couple of games under his belt before he may have to face any of that lot.

It's easy to forget that not too long ago, he was the one guy we couldn't afford to lose.

Also, for those who think we can move him on, any trade value for a guy who can't get a game in the firsts is going to be diminished.