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91
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG
Last post by ElwoodBlues1 -
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on

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...
Walshy cares about the club, you're right though, what happens if he does't like the new coach?
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.
Dressing room seems a lot happier and united under Fraser and the effort factor from all players seems higher as well, I wont debate the merits of Fraser vs Voss as thats not important anymore but I cant see that level of trust/belief being as strong initially under a new coach and that has to affect what happens on the field.
92
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 17 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Last post by PaulP -
The evolution in game plan started in pre season. This was stated at the time, and has therefore been public knowledge for months. As the losses and second half fade outs mounted, so did the pressure on Voss and the players. Throw in the Elijah saga, the idiot Gorringe and his mate Docherty, the sloppy-skills-at-training video, players being constantly harassed, the swirling media speculation and pile on............

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.
94
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
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.
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.


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...
Walshy cares about the club, you're right though, what happens if he does't like the new coach?
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.
95
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 17 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Last post by kruddler -
Cmon Shakin, if it was as simple as 1 thing, then Voss and the club is an idiot.

But those who are anti-voss are making it out as if there was only 1 change that 'solved' everything, Fraser. Surely you can see that is not true.

Fixture, IMO, is the most important factor.
Cripps' form is not a coincidence. Our best 2 games under voss was the 2 games Cripps got votes....and he has votes in every game since.

So ignoring those 2 things, which Fraser boosters continue to do, is my gripe.
Similarly, people gave Fraser credit for bringing George back, playing Wilson, playing Harry in the ruck.....all occured before he took over.

Credit where credit is due, sure.
I've got no issue with Fraser. I've got issues with people proclaiming he can walk on water and has the midas touch.

In terms of your CBA's, can you include the figures for Lord?

IMO thats been a huge difference.
I copped some flack for questioning his long term future and him being too similar to our better mids.
Initially i think he was playing a wing role that Cerra took over. He was playing midfield when we gave him a chance to lock it down with George out of the side. Eventually, Lord was forced out of the side through injury and hasn't (as yet) returned to the seniors, despite going ok in the 2's.

There is a lot of cause and effect, and correlation, and people not understanding the difference.

Just looking at Jagga for an example, he started in the midfield. Then plenty were suggested he looked tired and sore and might need a run in the 2's. Was moved out of the guts at the same time. Got himself back up to speed and was moved back in as a result.
Is that Fraser being a genuis? Is it Voss looking after his young player so he doesn't break him??


96
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 17 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Last post by Shakin77 -
So there is no chance that any changes Fraser has made has had a positive impact on Cripps and the Side.

It's all fixture and changes made 3 weeks before Voss left?

Given that:
Cerra CBA's
Voss R0 to R5:  53%
Voss's Last 3:  40%
Under Fraser:  4%

Smith CBA's
Voss R0 to R5:  46%
Voss's Last 3:  29%
Under Fraser:  56%

McKay CBA's
Voss R0 to R5:  0%
Voss's Last 3:  11.5% (Brisbane Game only)
Under Fraser:  24%

Hewett CBA's
Voss R0 to R5:  66%
Voss's Last 3:  43%
Under Fraser:  68%

Even if you concede the Cerra move to the Wing and only that, you have to give some credit (however small) to a change in game style after Voss left.
97
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG
Last post by ElwoodBlues1 -
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
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.
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.


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...
98
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 17 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Last post by ElwoodBlues1 -
Quote from: kruddler – on
1. Less reliant on contested ball......because the opposition are worse and offer less resistance and are allowing us to do as we please more.
2. Training standards lifted....interesting considering that was something that Voss was VERY strong on in his Damo interview about introducing that to the club and being something he is proud of.

As mentioned previously, game plan shift was highlighted 2-3 weeks before Voss' exit. Confirmed by Voss, Fraser, Wright and Davies (and maybe Priestly too)

You can see from our performance, Cripps performance and by those mentioned above that this became evident in the Brisbane game.

A lot of fecking around with the ball, way more disposals than the Tigers, beat them in the clearances/stoppages easily but for only 49 entries only....Tigers had 49 entries also but their I50 work was less efficient.
We are moving the ball better and retaining possession(less turnovers) but a lot of it is going nowhere( across the ground/backwards) and we dont score enough for the amount of ball we have.
Vs Essendon we lost the ruck/contested ball/clearances but were saved by Essendons poor i50 work(39% efficient) to our i50(49%) which was poor also but not as bad....
99
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 17 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Last post by kruddler -
1. Less reliant on contested ball......because the opposition are worse and offer less resistance and are allowing us to do as we please more.
2. Training standards lifted....interesting considering that was something that Voss was VERY strong on in his Damo interview about introducing that to the club and being something he is proud of.

As mentioned previously, game plan shift was highlighted 2-3 weeks before Voss' exit. Confirmed by Voss, Fraser, Wright and Davies (and maybe Priestly too)

You can see from our performance, Cripps performance and by those mentioned above that this became evident in the Brisbane game.
100
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 17 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Last post by Shakin77 -
Regarding Cripps, I was one of those who thought he was carrying an injury earlier in the season. However, as the club has never confirmed any current or previous injury, it's difficult to know if there was one, when it occurred, or how much it was affecting his performances. By the same token, it's also hard to suggest that Cripps is suddenly 100% injury-free simply because Michael Voss has departed. Without any information from the club, that's just speculation.

There have, however, been a number of changes under Josh Fraser that may have contributed to Cripps' improved performances.

Lower contested game

Carlton's game style has shifted significantly.

"Carlton’s strengths under Voss, contest and clearance, remain, but they are less reliant on these areas. Their contested possession rate is down from 37.3 per cent and sixth in Voss’s last five games to 32.8 per cent and 17th under Fraser. It’s a style more in keeping with how football is played in 2026."

A less contest-heavy game could reduce the physical toll on Cripps over four quarters. If he's not repeatedly crashing into stoppages, it makes sense that he'd have more energy and explosiveness around the ground.

It's also worth considering whether the greater midfield support from players like Hewett, Smith and Ainsworth has allowed Cripps to be more selective with his contests rather than carrying such a heavy workload himself.

Training standards

Players have also spoken publicly about Fraser's increased focus on fundamentals and raising training standards.

Interestingly, they've also said training sessions have become less physically demanding. Despite that, Carlton's match-day pressure has actually increased, and the group appears to have more energy late in games.

If players are fresher because they're not being physically taxed as heavily during the week, that could certainly benefit someone like Cripps. It's also possible that this is a broader team effect rather than something specific to the captain.

Ultimately, there are several plausible reasons for Cripps' resurgence, but without confirmation from the club about his physical condition, it's impossible to attribute it solely to a coaching change. The shift in game style, increased midfield support, and altered training approach all appear just as likely to have played a role.