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91
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Gointocarlton -
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.
92
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Gointocarlton -
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).
93
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by kruddler -
I think we went in with our best balanced team. That was until we saw the weather forecast.
In the end, Young was not needed and we needed an extra small.
Wet conditions, marking is more difficult, ball spend more time on the ground, you need more smalls to adapt.

I think the weather exposed our game plan.

I think it exposed our forwards as not good enough.

I think the poor performers from last week were the same this week. Young, Byrne, gov, Kemp.

We missed Hayward.

We missed Haynes.
Derkson was not up to same level.
We got exposed when Harry Dean went off.

Nobody told Frankie it was raining. Clone him.
94
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by IvanAwfulbigone -
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.
95
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Gointocarlton -
It might be an unpopular opinion, but we talk about making lots of changes after going 12 wins 1 draw and 3 losses (2 in the wet which was more a game plan situation than not) so im not seeing a massive need.

We could go into season 2027 adding not much but that forming in the first 10 weeks and finish top 4.

It's pretty much a given that winning a flag from position 7-10 is now just about impossible.
The wild card has disadvantaged teams 7 and 8 (which was almost an impossible task anyway.)

So what's the goal for next year.
Top 4 would be nice...but we'll set the starting height at Top 6.
A week's rest and then pick off the wild-card winner. ;)  :D

The wildcard whilst it provided some excitement for us is nothing but a money grabbing exercise by the AFL. As you say, finishing 7th to 10th provides you with a snowballs chance in hell of going deep into September. I wont be surprised if this concept doesnt last more than another season or two. Just like the ridiculous round zero garbage.
97
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Bloody rain when we least needed it. We desperately need a reliable key forward so I can understand us looking at Amartey and Hogan...none of our blokes look likely to kick a bag and put the wind up the opposition.  I know it was wet and he gets horribly scragged but Harry is just too nice, Kemp burns more chances than an arsonist and McG is just a bit player at best. Young is a bits and pieces player who is a terrible shot for goal. Great effort to get this far but you need established quality to sustain it in finals and not quite players get found out. Playing an elimination game every week for the past 10 rounds hurt too. No Hayward robbed us of a bit of flexibility and some bite.
These comments echo those of Fraser, Davies and Wright to date. The list needs a lot of work and from a playing perspective we arent the finished product. I think defensively we are ok, midfield is solid, it's the Rucks and Key Fwds that we have problems with IMO. Pitto is a battler but is not in the class of the top ruckman in the comp, he is also extremely injury prone.
Harry is playing a lone hand as a tall up fwd and it shows. McG and Kemp are not the answer as their kicking is far too unreliable.
98
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by bratblue -
We were beaten at selection and went in to tall for starters. We missed an opportunity to give a fresh Ison a taste.  I'm not bitter at all, way to much to like about this season especially compared to what the club has delivered for to many years. Last night showed a lot and this time we're in a happy place to learn from it.

I've never had so much encouragement from opposition supporters and never expected it. I think a new Carlton has emerged and we have a coach who can fit the final pieces together. We needed a Voss to get to a Fraser. Such a big ship to turn around these failing footy clubs and the longer you fail the harder it is and we've been failing for what seems like ever.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Lods -
It might be an unpopular opinion, but we talk about making lots of changes after going 12 wins 1 draw and 3 losses (2 in the wet which was more a game plan situation than not) so im not seeing a massive need.

We could go into season 2027 adding not much but that forming in the first 10 weeks and finish top 4.

It's pretty much a given that winning a flag from position 7-10 is now just about impossible.
The wild card has disadvantaged teams 7 and 8 (which was almost an impossible task anyway.)

So what's the goal for next year.
Top 4 would be nice...but we'll set the starting height at Top 6.
A week's rest and then pick off the wild-card winner. ;)  :D
100
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Thryleon -
It might be an unpopular opinion, but we talk about making lots of changes after going 12 wins 1 draw and 3 losses (2 in the wet which was more a game plan situation than not) so im not seeing a massive need.

We could go into season 2027 adding not much but that forming in the first 10 weeks and finish top 4.