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91
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by shawny -
I'm very proud of our boys. 

Couldn't stop Geelong's spread after halftime. They had the legs on the outside and we couldn't go with them - Very different game imo if we had the same lead in they did - the last 14 games playing to that intensity every week was sooner or later going to take its toll.  Still they gave everything and were righty cheered leaving the ground. I expect them to be better next year with a full pre season under Fraser and further development of the kids.

Clear some of the dead wood and get in a few more pieces in the trade period and if they perform like this year's traded players -  watch out for us in 27!
 
I will be wearing my Blues Beanie proudly today and hope all fans to do the same!   
92
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by kruddler -
Quote from: madbluboy – on
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
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).

The problem is no home ground advantage.

To finish top 4 you have to win as many games as you can.

We haven't finished the home and away season top 4 since we left Princes Park.
The Bombers barring 2000/2001 when they were already a powerhouse might be the same.

I get the sentiment of this, but there are 2 problems with this.

1. That was not Geelongs home ground, it was more of ours.
2. Every game we play (except maybe Collingwood??) our crowd is louder by comparison, so we make it a home crowd at least.
93
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: madbluboy – on
One the rain really came down we were screwed. Bailey Smith and co become roo slippery.
They played the percentages. We were trying to take speccies
I didnt feel like the "rain really came down". I looked light and misty from my vantage point. To me, I didnt think the rain was much a of factor.
95
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by madbluboy -
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
Quote from: madbluboy – on
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).

The problem is no home ground advantage.

To finish top 4 you have to win as many games as you can.

We haven't finished the home and away season top 4 since we left Princes Park.
The Bombers barring 2000/2001 when they were already a powerhouse might be the same.
96
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: IvanAwfulbigone – on
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.
97
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: madbluboy – on
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).
98
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.
99
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.
100
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL EF#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: Lods – on
Quote from: Thryleon – on
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.