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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 20 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Brisbane at Marvel
Last post by DJC -Hipwood was a liability in defence for them and that reduced Andrews’ effectiveness, as did our forward set up and ball use.
Draper and Fort may have had the better of Pitto, Harry and Young in hitouts and hitouts to advantage, but I thought that Pitto was the best big man on the ground. His work at centre ball ups and stoppages helped stop Brisbane making the most of their hitouts to advantage and we won the centre clearances comfortably and just won stoppage clearances, with Pitto managing three of each. Pitto employed different ruck tactics throughout the game and didn’t give away any rucklotto frees. He also took three marks, two of them contested. One resulted in a goal and one was potentially goal saving deep in defence. That’s what a ruckman should bring.
Kemp’s forward craft has been good but he has been let down by his kicking for goal. What a turnaround with 5.1, a goal assist, and nine score involvements. He also did his bit providing a target when we went down the line.
What really stood out for me was the contribution from our “bottom six”, the whipping boys if you will. Acres, Cottrell, Lord (back to his best), Young, Cerra (great game) and Evans all played their part. The youngsters in Smith, Dean, Byrner, Wilson and Cowan were great and our older newbie in Derksen is playing like a veteran.
Harry’s importance to the team was emphasised by his ten marks, many of them as a marking target down the line, as well as inside 50.
The skipper had a quiet night by his standards but he still cracked in. I was disappointed that he didn’t quite get to be our seventeenth goal scorer, but I suspect that he wasn’t too fussed. It was good to see him enjoying the last quarter of his 250th, as did Haynes.
Our three imports in Hayward, Florent and Ainsworth have made a big difference with their attitude, endeavour and footy smarts and all were important last night.
The players I haven’t mentioned were either good, very good or outstanding; they know who they are!
And it was good to see Fraser giving credit to the assistant coaches for their work since the pre-season.