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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG
Last post by Lods -I used to have a boss. Principal/ teacher/ student situation. This guy was respected, not just by those below him but also by the higher-ups. He was the sort of the boss you’d walk through walls for…go the extra distance. And he was always on the go-doing extra- curricular stuff with the kids. He was also demanding and it was kind of an expectation that you’d be right there with him. Early mornings, lunch times, weekends. You felt guilty if you didn’t get involved. Long distance running, cycling, kayaking. And over the years it became a bit exhausting….the pressure and the expectations. So much so that when he left for another job it was kind of a relief. The new guy was much more relaxed. We still did a lot of the things we used to do, but it became more of a choice and the workplace became a much more relaxed but still effective place to be…because the pressure was no longer there and people were happier. Performance probably increased in a number of areas.
I can totally understand how the players might be feeling. Deep respect for Voss but no longer the same pressure and as a result a better performance.
I’m not saying that’s what’s happening, but it might be a factor.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG
Last post by ElwoodBlues1 -Dressing room seems a lot happier and united under Fraser and the effort factor from all players seems higher as well,You mean they are happy when winning, and the pressure is off!
The players are out there selling their wares, the question is why did it take them to arrive at the cliff edge before they switched on?
Under Fraser its been zero expectations, the pressure released and freedom to enjoy the game and obviously some players are playing for their careers so have the pedal to the floor a bit more.
Maybe when Cripps ends his career he might write a book and talk about what happened but Im sure its a lot more complex than it looks...
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 17 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Last post by DJC -Of course there are positional changes, selection changes, more input from the coach during warm up drills at training, etc, but don't downplay what's going on between the ears.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG
Last post by LP -Dressing room seems a lot happier and united under Fraser and the effort factor from all players seems higher as well,
The players are out there selling their wares, the question is why did it take them to arrive at the cliff edge before they switched on?
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 17 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Last post by LP -Carlton's game style has shifted significantly.
Our game plan is unchanged, we've been slowly getting better at executing it all season, perforated by some various roadblocks like injuries and form lines. We probably went very close to defeating the Lions in Brisbane, if not for 5 or 10 minutes of lapse, even Fagan claimed they were lucky. Cripps busted his guts trying to get the team to lift, but the problems never really been Cripps or Walsh, it's been those around them leaving the heavy lifting to too few. We had a team built on contested ball winners running around like accumulators.
If looks to me like Voss getting the flick was just enough of a rocket to motivate the players to put in 24x7. After all, given Fraser won't be coach they are almost all 100% insecure at this very moment, nobody is locked in as far as I can tell, realistic offers will be considered for all, and then we'll be into the rebuild Mk: VI. I wonder who'll be saved?
On the media videos, cherry-picking the best and worst case scenarios to suit an agenda or assertions is nothing more or less than deliberately misleading. In reality for most games this season we'd breakdown on the 3rd or 4th disposal / contest because our execution in either disposal or tackling sucked. How many times did you see an opponent stroll through a Carlton tackle in the first half of this season? They could have shown a hundred of those videos, instead they show the video that is contest free. That was disheartening, and players would drop their head and wouldn't commit, they started guarding grass which makes it even worse under the current rules, they aren't brain surgeons.
Just a bit later in the season, the errors start to diminish and the players persist, all of a sudden the media moguls claim it's a miracle, a miracle of eliminating the error every 3rd or 4th disposal / contest. We can call it "The miracle of the skills!" or "The miracle of the effort!"
btw., How much of the dropping of Hewett contributed to that new found player motivation, did someone pull just the right lever?
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG
Last post by ElwoodBlues1 -Walshy cares about the club, you're right though, what happens if he does't like the new coach?
Fair comment on Walsh, he has been as important as Cripps in the revival and has stamped his mark on being the clubs next Captain. I'll be interested if his form can continue if Fraser isnt the coach next season...
You may recall there was a rumour last year that Walsh wanted out if Voss was remaining. Walsh extended with Voss at the helm but I wonder if he had the good oil on what was going happen which made him extend knowing Voss wasnt going o be around long?
It all fits together, but the bottom line is I still dont like players knifing coaches.
Ill give Walshy the benefit of the doubt and suggest that when he is fit and healthy, he is happy and only knows one way.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 17 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Last post by PaulP -You won't be getting the best out of your coaches and players under such circumstances.
Fraser the Amazer has absolutely exceeded expectations and knocked it out of the park, but it's not a tabula rasa. Fraser has added to the good work Voss started, and is doing it without all the noise and nonsense.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG
Last post by PaulP -100
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG
Last post by Gointocarlton -So here's the thing for me. I reckon we have gone back to the sort of form that on our day/night, we can beat anyone.Fair comment on Walsh, he has been as important as Cripps in the revival and has stamped his mark on being the clubs next Captain. I'll be interested if his form can continue if Fraser isnt the coach next season...
You can see it in the players actions in game (ie the type of footy we are playing) right across the board.
You can see it in the players demeanours.
You can hear it when they speak in the media.
The player that stands out the most to me in all this and IMO has led this "re-boot" of our club is S Walsh.
He's been the first to run in and start a blue to stand up for our club and say "f-off" to the oppo.
He has taken his hardness at the contest to another level (frankly I didnt think he had it in him.
The fact he extended his contract early shows he is committed to the club and wants to drive standards to another level.
You can see the determination in his eyes every time he runs out and goes for the ball.
You may recall there was a rumour last year that Walsh wanted out if Voss was remaining. Walsh extended with Voss at the helm but I wonder if he had the good oil on what was going happen which made him extend knowing Voss wasnt going o be around long?
It all fits together, but the bottom line is I still dont like players knifing coaches.
Ill give Walshy the benefit of the doubt and suggest that when he is fit and healthy, he is happy and only knows one way.