Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Recent Posts
21
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL WC#1 2026 In Game Angst Carlton vs Melbourne
Last post by LP -
I thought we made it too easy early, kicked predictably and that gave the few Dees talls an easy run not forcing them to move. When we stretch them we look better and we found more space. Run Gawn into the ground, they'll either have to rest him or do without him at the contests, and without him they are half the side.

Not sure how Kosi keeps getting so much space.

Already dropped too many marks, hopefully no more, blokes get hit up and drop it cold, that isn't a game plan or midfield problem. Some weeks Harry looks like he reliant on the umpires awarding infringements, if they don't he is not involved, just clunk it Harry, don't get too technical.
29
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G
Last post by LP -
Quote from: DJC – on
Pitto’s “ruck nerd” discussion that’s in today’s Age and various other places gives a good insight into how he tackles Gawn.  It basically boils down to limiting where Gawn can direct his taps so that our midfielders can shark the ball.
As I've said, winning the tap is over-rated by fans, when they talk about taps they expose a naivety of their understanding of ruck contests.

Good rucks can lose the tap and still control the space, leaving less options for opponents and a greater chance for team-mates to contest. They do this by controlling the angle of approach, the side of the opponent's body they contact, how they rotate through the contest affects what the opponent does, and where the ball falls relative to the opponent's body. Also, where they move and what they do immediately after landing. In effect you turn the centre circle into a semi-circle closing off half the available options.

It's called controlling the ruck, and it has very little to do with the tap, and it makes the outcome of the stoppage / contest more predictable for the midfield.
30
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: VFL 2026 Wildcard #1 Carlton vs Williamstown
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: crashlander – on
A week is a long time in football. Last week Willi dominated because they won the rucks with Preuss and Mirkov, while we had only O'Keefe. A week on and Willi lose both Preuss and Mirkov by 1/4 time. The result? Essendon wipe the floor with them. I'm not sure if we can consider this fate, or a message. But it does show how important rucks can be.
Yes