Saturday night game at the MCG, and we are on TV for a change.
This will depend a lot on the weather. Our form in the wet has not been all that great, and our height up front disappears as an advantage.
Strangely enough, I always feel like we are a chance against Geelong.
Looking forward to an epic grind type match.
If the 5 mids (Walsh, Cerra, Hewett, Kennedy and Cripps) get nearly 140 possessions between them again, then Charlie and Harry can really test the Geelong defence.
This game will be the battle of the twin towers up forward.
Harry* (36) + Charlie (50)
vs
Hawkins (43) + Cameron (46)
* Harry missed all those games and going by averages, we've got them covered.
This game will be the battle of the twin towers up forward.
Harry* (36) + Charlie (50)
vs
Hawkins (43) + Cameron (46)
* Harry missed all those games and going by averages, we've got them covered.
Going to be a real chess game in terms of matchups........at both ends. Blicavs will probably get Charlie and SDK will probably get Harry, Cats have been running a bit different of late and have interchanged Rohan and Cameron with the latter roaming around up the ground and leaving Rohan as the second key forward. Takes a very agile taller defender to play on Cameron so maybe McGovern might get a call up to the senior team immediately as he probably has the tools to play on Cameron in that role.
I think TDK can beat Stanley and give us a head start in the midfield, another interesting feature will be Dangerfield and where he plays.....both teams have a quality midfield including quality stoppers in Hewitt and C. Guthrie and it looks an even matchup in the middle.
Hoping those old Cat legs dont last the distance and we can run them hard early and leave them eating our dust later in the game....
With Stewart out as their interceptor, they are more vulnerable than usual.
Charlie and Harry will no doubt get plenty of inside info on how they should play SDK.
This will depend a lot on the weather. Our form in the wet has not been all that great, and our height up front disappears as an advantage.
Strangely enough, I always feel like we are a chance against Geelong.
Same here, Big T.
Anyone who writes us off for this one does so at their peril.
The Pussycats have changed their game this year, more direct, more attacking. IF we bring 4 qtrs of our game and limit their moments, then we've got this one.
Strangely, Im more confident this week that last week (I thought we’d kose and I was wrong).
1 v 5. If we win this week? Ill stick my neck out and say… maybe not just yet, Ill ssve it
Strangely, Im more confident this week that last week (I thought we’d kose and I was wrong).
1 v 5. If we win this week? Ill stick my neck out and say… maybe not just yet, Ill ssve it
Dare to dream, this is the main event game for us for the season..
Cats will start favourites but I think we match up well and they are due for a loss.
Strangely, Im more confident this week that last week (I thought we’d kose and I was wrong).
1 v 5. If we win this week? Ill stick my neck out and say… maybe not just yet, Ill ssve it
Same here!
Weitering will be better for the run and he and Young should be more than enough for Hawkins and Cameron.
Stewart’s absence will help us but I would have liked to see how Vossy’s team dealt with him.
Owies and Newnes must be doubtful with the five day break and Honey might struggle to keep his spot. Do we have any fit players to come in?
@DJC Voss said Gov and Pitto will be back this week at some level to be determined during the week
I want to see Selwood firmly sat on his arse.
I want to see Selwood firmly sat on his arse.
Love to see Stocker in to perform the deed, got away with plenty over his career has J.Selwood, we know of a young player at Brisbane who played his first game vs Geelong a few years ago and came off the ground covered in bruises and they were not from normal play but from what I would call irregular play from a certain distinguished Cat Captain.
If Pittonet is ready, I'd have him straight back in....not so sure on McGovern given his history of hamstring and back injuries. Would hate to see him in and then do a hammy early on.
the whole geelong Town will concentrate on stopping Harry and Charlie ,if our coaches are smart we need different avenue to goals ,no more long bombs are we good enough to chip it around and get a better option ,leave Harry in goal square 1v 1 coll/ tigers do it all the time. We failed against tigers,coll and SAINTS ,TIME HAS COME TO ANNOUNCE OUR ARRIVAL ON sat.
Havnt looked forward to a game in this manner since 2013 elimination final against the Tigs. This is a huge game for us and almost 10 years waiting for a big game like this.
Don't discard the positivity that is created by a great win on the road, traveling back together on a high, with a big match next up!
Our forward line will suddenly become even more potent when Pittonet returns and we have at least 2 talls on the forward line all the time. At the moment, we do, at times leave H and C one out while one has a rest. Things can just get better!!
Do Ed and Charlie perhaps get one last game together this week?
Riley Beveridge’s predicted ins & outs on afl.com.au: Owies to replace Honey if fit, while Hayes will be on standby for Newnes. Expect McGovern to return via the VFL.
Wins/loss v current ladder
1.
2.
3. L W
4.
5. Carlton
6. L
7. W
8. W L
9. L
10. W
11. L
12. W
13. W
14. W
15. W
16. W
17. W
18. W
Strangely, Im more confident this week that last week (I thought we’d kose and I was wrong).
1 v 5. If we win this week? Ill stick my neck out and say… maybe not just yet, Ill ssve it
I'm in the same boat too. Away games are harder to win, let alone way out West.
Memory tells me we have mostly either W or come close to the pussys in recent years. Recall we were 1 of very few to beat them at the cattery. Eddie's game saving tackle was sublime. We have also had 1 - 2 big late season losses there during our rebuild years.
Playing at the MCG will be an advantage for us. Stewart out will also help, although they have depth a plenty.
I'm calling it now. In my head that is, so I don't jinx us😉
Vossys biggest challenge coming up.
Go Blues.
I am in the midst of grey nomading and sea-changing so I haven't been able to fully concentrate on the footy. Saw the St Kilda game live and watched the Richmond on the TV, which I really hate. Collingwood, Richmond and St.Kilda basically had their best sides in and played really well and while we probably didn't deserve to win any of them, however, if Jack's kick had gone through or Walsh had been paid the over the shoulder free kick, and if the score review hadn't gone against us, and if we had kicked straight and not made those unforced errors giving goals away, we probably could have won all three and this Saturday night would be a top of the table clash. You shouldn't hang your hat on would haves, should haves and could haves, but it is clear we are not that far off it and that our best is clearly good enough. While a lot of commentary has spoken of the scoreless first and last quarters by WCE, but what I found interesting is they only scored one goal two in three quarters. Clearly our defensive structures and our back line is holding up. So I think that if our defence can hold up we can win and turn the Cats into Dim Sims.
Hmmm the ladder compliments mbb should probably instill caution. We'll need to bring our best then hold on tight when they charge.
We did a great job on the good wc smalls. Let's hope we can keep the small pussys (kittens?) well tethered. Stengle in particular.
Hmmm the ladder compliments mbb should probably instill caution. We'll need to bring our best then hold on tight when they charge.
We did a great job on the good wc smalls. Let's hope we can keep the small pussys (kittens?) well tethered. Stengle in particular.
Eddie will know our players inside out, especially the defenders. He doesn't know Voss and what he has planned so it should be interesting.
Go Blues
If The
Pies beat the Crows
Lions beat the Giants
Blues beat the Cats
Swans beat the Dockers
Power beat the Dees
The top 6 will all be on 12 wins/48 points.
If Pittonet is ready, I'd have him straight back in....not so sure on McGovern given his history of hamstring and back injuries.
Agreed
Blues weighing up shock senior return for McGovern, The Age. (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bailey-smith-back-for-bulldogs-bruce-likely-to-return-20220713-p5b176.html)
Mitch McGovern is in line to make a shock immediate return to Carlton’s senior team for their blockbuster clash with Geelong on Saturday night.
The recast defender will make his comeback to competitive football this weekend, provided he gets through the club’s main training session on Thursday, but it is yet to be decided if that will be at AFL or VFL level.
McGovern had surgery in early May after aggravating a hamstring injury he initially sustained at training leading into round three.
With his injury history, and the fact he has not played at any level in nearly four months, it would be a considerable gamble by the Blues’ match committee to bring him back without any match practice in the VFL.
But they are seriously considering handing McGovern an automatic recall as he would add an extra dimension to the Blues’ play with his intercept marking and high-end kicking skills.
McGovern impressed in the pre-season and in the early rounds, playing in a new role as a third tall defender after three modest, injury-interrupted seasons in the forward line under former coaches Brendon Bolton and David Teague.
The troops are gradually returning for the Blues, who welcomed back vice-captain Jacob Weitering last week from a shoulder injury.
Ruckman Marc Pittonet is edging closer to a return from a knee injury, but is considered less likely than McGovern to play this week. If he is deemed fit, he will almost certainly come back via the VFL.
Forward Jack Martin must pass a fitness test on his calf, though he, too, will likely return in the seconds.
Coach Michael Voss said last week the Blues would treat each player returning from injury on a case-by-case basis.
“We’re not sitting here saying we have to rush anything,” Voss said. “We want sustainability, we don’t just want to fix an acute area and think that’s going to change everything for us.
“We have to play the long game and make sure they’re ready to go and help us get momentum.”
Wingman Jack Newnes is in doubt to hold his place after receiving a corked thigh in the win over West Coast on Sunday.
The Blues remain hopeful Zac Williams (calf) and Caleb Marchbank (knee) will be available at the back end of the season, but the pair are yet to resume skills training.
Blues weighing up shock senior return for McGovern, The Age. (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bailey-smith-back-for-bulldogs-bruce-likely-to-return-20220713-p5b176.html)
I agree, if he is fit, can train and run flat out, straight in.
Might need McGovern to go with Cameron, not sure if Young has the wheels as Scott has been using Cameron further up the ground where he can just run around ala Buddy style...
McGovern would make a handy sub.
I wonder if opposition supporters agonise over who is going to match up on Curnow, McKay, Silvagni, Cripps, Walsh, Cerra, Hewett, Kennedy, Docherty, Saad, Motlop, etc?
Young has Cameron covered, Weitering has Hawkins covered, our midfield should dominate and it’s really only a couple of out of form players that may be of concern.
Getting Pitto straight back into the team is a no-brainer but McGovern? He has played a couple of half decent games since he became a Bluebagger and I think that he’s well off being an automatic inclusion. The only positive is that he would be our missing seventh defender.
Might need McGovern to go with Cameron, not sure if Young has the wheels as Scott has been using Cameron further up the ground where he can just run around ala Buddy style...
I suspect if they are bringing in Gov it's to setup a cut off of supply rather than win a one on one.
Might need McGovern to go with Cameron, not sure if Young has the wheels as Scott has been using Cameron further up the ground where he can just run around ala Buddy style...
It's a long bow but McGovern would be the ideal match-up for Cameron, especially for one big reason... accountability. McGovern would run off him, and initiate offenses.
With McGovern, Saad and Doc all taking an opponent AND running off/initiating attacks... well, that's a headache for 3 forwards and their coaches.
McGovern would make a handy sub.
I would rather give him a run in the VFL, if he did not play AFL. Coming to the pointy end of the season and he needs the miles in his legs to get match fit.
I suspect if they are bringing in Gov it's to setup a cut off of supply rather than win a one on one.
100%.
I suspect if they are bringing in Gov it's to setup a cut off of supply rather than win a one on one.
Cameron is a difficult player to match up on. He wins the ball up the ground but is also the target for many of Geelong's inside 50s. If there's a weakness to his game, it's contested marking but he offsets that by marking on the lead or in space. I don't think we want Weitering dragged up the ground and Young has the aerobic capacity to stick with Cameron and spoil his marking attempts.
If McGovern comes in (I think he should have a run in the VFL first but I haven't seen what he's doing at training), it would be in a Tom Stewart role; stopping supply by intercept possessions and prevent marks on the lead.
Cameron is a difficult player to match up on. He wins the ball up the ground but is also the target for many of Geelong's inside 50s. If there's a weakness to his game, it's contested marking but he offsets that by marking on the lead or in space. I don't think we want Weitering dragged up the ground and Young has the aerobic capacity to stick with Cameron and spoil his marking attempts.
If McGovern comes in (I think he should have a run in the VFL first but I haven't seen what he's doing at training), it would be in a Tom Stewart role; stopping supply by intercept possessions and prevent marks on the lead.
Yes, Cameron gets up the ground, but it helped GWS when he was spending most of his game time on the wing outside of range. If we force him into that position I think it's a win for us leaving Hawkins as the primary KPF in range of goal.
Let's not dismiss Gov's value going the other way, early in the season his ability from the HBF to pick out and hit targets forward of the centre was spectacular and more than once helped us swing momentum.
Finally, if Gov is actually right to go and it's not "early", there is a good argument to get as many games into him as possible before the end of the season.
Cameron goes to water in big games at the end of the year.
Cameron has been playing well up the ground and they have been using Rohan as a type of decoy 2nd key forward to also drag players away from Hawkins and their small forwards.
Mitch Duncan is a player who needs some work to put him into him as well, with Hawkins, Cameron and Stengle getting the headlines he has been sneaking around getting his couple of goals every week and had 32 possies vs Melbourne who run a tight ship down back but couldnt find a player to keep him quiet.
Cameron goes to water in big games at the end of the year.
Rohan is worse in finals and its hard to think of a player who has a worse finals record imo, for a talented player he has no middle ground and is either red hot or frozen cold.....
Rohan is worse in finals and its hard to think of a player who has a worse finals record imo, for a talented player he has no middle ground and is either red hot or frozen cold.....
Is this perhaps the sign of someone who goes 100% all through the season, and when the rest around them eventually decide to go flat out they have nothing left to spare?
I thought much the same about Selwood, but he comes good late in finals when it matters, Rohan had some reasonable last quarters as well. When the hyped up lunatics around them start to run out of legs!
Dad's army is actually doing extremely well with their older players this year. They are building nicely, and from what I have seen not driven their players into the ground to keep winning. Expect them to be doing well in the finals.
I think we have to play Gov.
Have Kemp as the sub if we are worried if he will stay fit enough.
Gov can play forward or back and cover injuries to our starting 4 KPPs if we get one. It won't hurt our structure if we do.
If we lose one of those 4, its game over.
In: Liam Stocker
Out: Josh Honey, Lochie O'Brien
Hayes into the starting 22
Emergencies-Sam Durdin, Josh Honey,Lochie O'Brien,Will Setterfield
Round 18 team v Geelong
Backs: Nic Newman - Lewis Young - Adam Saad
Half-backs: Jack Newnes - Jacob Weitering - Lachie Plowman
Centreline: Will Hayes - Patrick Cripps - Adam Cerra
Half-forwards: Matthew Kennedy - Harry McKay - Jack Silvagni
Forwards: Zac Fisher - Charlie Curnow - Corey Durdin
Followers: Tom De Koning - Sam Walsh - George Hewett
Interchange: Matthew Cottrell - Sam Docherty - Jesse Motlop - Liam Stocker
Emergencies: Sam Durdin - Josh Honey - Lochie O'Brien - Will Setterfield
Finally hardness and steel is back in the side and flaky is finally out. Honey needs to find his rhythm and some form but should be fine.
McGovern, Pittonet will both play VFL
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1171977?fbclid=IwAR0KBNGrJaU6MuqbKHyeUuxvXt56ApreMjUNAx_9gBAzymXf-BjQrvsyDno
Hayes for LOB and Stocks for Honey.
Pitto and Brackets in the VFL side.
Like it. Sensible.
They obviously liked what they saw with the Will Hayes cameo last week.
Bit stiff is LOB, never thought I would be defending the bloke but he has been ok IMO and I wouldnt be surprised if there
is a last minute change due to CoVid or injury(Newnes?) and he gets a run, cant believe he has been dropped after some fairly decent form and a big win last week vs WC.
Thought LOB was quiet last week, maybe he was doing (or not doing...) stuff off the ball, the way Newnes was hobbling last week hes gotta be doubtful
Surely Newnes is not playing. It's a trick.
Great to see Stocker back in. Excited to see what Hayes can deliver in a full game. He looked comfortable in his cameo appearance.
Wouldn't be surprised if LoB replaces Newnes. This is a game we cant afford any passengers.
Umpire Nathan 22 listed for this game.
Heaven help us🙏
Umpire Nathan 22 listed for this game.
Heaven help us🙏
We need everything going our way to win this game, and it appears we are behind before a ball is even bounced!
Nathan Williamson (aka Umpire #22) will be livid with us after we beat his mob last week on their home deck.....as if he needed more of a reason to screw us. ::)
Interesting selection. I think the wings are still a problem in the minds of the selectors, haven't made their decision on who our best wingers are, think that's why Hayes was taken in the Supp draft. Seems like Newnes, Cottrell, LOB, Hayes, Setterfield and Cunningham, when, (if), he returns are all competing for those two wing spots.
I’m happy with that team; O’Brien is a bit stiff but we’ve gone back to a seven man defence with Stocker’s inclusion. If Newnes is OK to play, I’d expect O’Brien to be the sub.
Bringing Pitto and Gov back through the reserves is the way to go. Hopefully they’ll both work into decent form … and get through the game unscathed.
For positions that have a lot of competition playing now might actually be a problem. I suspect lob is getting the week off after a short turnaround. Hayes is going to get a crack now to show his wares. We are tinkering around the edges to find the right mix IMHO.
For positions that have a lot of competition playing now might actually be a problem. I suspect lob is getting the week off after a short turnaround. Hayes is going to get a crack now to show his wares. We are tinkering around the edges to find the right mix IMHO.
I reckon LOB's GPS numbers would be off the charts, I also suspect he is being managed especially if he has a niggle.
Until Newnes runs on the ground I have LoB in the side.
I see Gibba was at training this week watching the boys, what a lovely bloke he is. Loved him, wish he never left.
I see Gibba was at training this week watching the boys, what a lovely bloke he is. Loved him, wish he never left.
Gibbs will reconnect with his Carlton roots in a few weeks when he’s a special guest at the first Carlton IN Business function in Adelaide, alongside another South Australian great in Scott Camporeale.
We need everything going our way to win this game, and it appears we are behind before a ball is even bounced!
Nathan Williamson (aka Umpire #22) will be livid with us after we beat his mob last week on their home deck.....as if he needed more of a reason to screw us. ::)
I thought I was the only one who had noticed that umpire 22 rarely paid frees to Carlton - he’s definitely got it in for the blues
I thought I was the only one who had noticed that umpire 22 rarely paid frees to Carlton - he’s definitely got it in for the blues
He definitely has a history and so much so that he's been identified in quite a few games over the years.
I think he's the only guy that i was compelled to look up because of how biased he was.
I thought I was the only one who had noticed that umpire 22 rarely paid frees to Carlton - he’s definitely got it in for the blues
Yep, he doesn’t miss much as far as we are concerned.
He definitely has a history and so much so that he's been identified in quite a few games over the years.
I think he's the only guy that i was compelled to look up because of how biased he was.
Me too. I discovered he came from Mandurah, south of Perth. Although he was less bad (if that's a thing🤔) earlier this year. I can't remember which game. He had a game under Teague I think... that was bloody atrocious. Deserving of having his roof covered in loo paper.
He definitely has a history and so much so that he's been identified in quite a few games over the years.
I think he's the only guy that i was compelled to look up because of how biased he was.
Likewise.
Until Newnes runs on the ground I have LoB in the side.
Tough for Lochie to back up after the work he did in the VFL side, although I didn't notice him in the second half :-\
Honey is medi-sub
Go Blues