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64
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Hawthorn
Last post by crashlander -
Having seen Channel 7 going over the incident involving the 50 m to Ginnevan, it looks even worse than it did at the time.
I wish they would go over some of the others, to be honest, but I know they feel they have to tread lightly.
But to say those decisions were critical is not an understatement: they robbed us of confidence, because we were penalized for doing the right thing and they were not penalized for doing the wrong thing.

But what do we do about it? It is too late to go back and undo their decisions. Maybe the AFL will offer the club an apology, but I wouldn't even be sure of that.

Channel 7's team appear to think that the umpires are lacking confidence and second guessing themselves. It would be hard to argue against that.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Hawthorn
Last post by LP -
If you want some conspiracy, you could imply the umpiring howlers were the AFL's best attempt at securing some home grown Melbourne content for the finals series, because it's looking more and more likely to be a largely vacant MCG.

If for nothing less than avoiding the potential controversy of forcing two interstate teams to play a final in Melbourne! ;D

Proper cynics might even claim the wildcard is the AFL's method of ensuring it meets the terms and conditions of the MCG contract. Otherwise the short term at least looks very bleak for Vic metropolitan based teams participating in finals.

For this season, Aints have the softest run home, they are almost a certainty after Cameron breaking his collarbone, Butters done, Nthmond a non-event. So it's likely our season is done, we might finish level with the Aints on points, in is not impossible, but we are way behind on percentage.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Hawthorn
Last post by DJC -
Well, that was a reality check! 

The atrocious umpiring didn't help but we would have copped a hiding even if we did have competent umpires ... and brought Acres into the team for Hollands  ::)

There were a few positives: 

Flynn Riley showed that he's competitive at AFL level but he needs to build up his strength and learn how to use it.  Conditions weren't ideal for the big lad, but he battled hard and his five tackles is a good sign.  I suspect that he will cause headaches for our opposition if he gets to rest forward.

Wade Derksen continues to work hard and make the most of his opportunities.  He may be fourth banana in our KPD ranks but he deserves a place in the team, perhaps as a forward.

Mitch McGovern may have been fortunate to get a contract extension but he has certainly shown that it was a good decision.  This could well be his most consistent season whether he's playing forward or in defence.  He was one our players who did adapt to the conditions.  I think that he may well get another year.

Frankie Evans was lucky to get a chance at a third club but, after a shaky start, he has shown that he is a capable AFL footballer.  He was another one who played to the conditions.

Jack Ison has been quiet in last couple of games but I thought that he did quite well last night.  He was probably a little too adventurous in the conditions but he was a presence for us even if he has a lot to learn.

I think that Adam Cerra has become a bit of a whipping boy but he was another who adapted to the conditions and worked hard all night.  We might need him to a little more if Georgie's back doesn't come good.

Sam Walsh was mercurial!

I wonder if players are still taught to kick the laces surface of the ball in wet conditions  :-\