Good Friday at 16:20 at Marvel.
Nice to be able to see this one.
Owies would be a definite out I think
Walsh, Kennedy, Martin, Fogarty, Binns would be in line for selection pending on fitness.
I think Fogarty and Binns deserve a run in front of LOB and Martin imo.
Will LDU be out? He was withdrawn in the warm-up in Tassie yesterday with calf tightness. After a short-week, can they really play him? Calf injuries are quite problematic and if he does play that really amounts to an admission that the doctors fecked it up by pulling him out of the game yesterday.
Why do AFL footballers continue to do ridiculous stretches in warm-ups? Kevin Bartlett refused to do them with his team and he was a serious sprinter away from the game so he knew how athletes warmed up. He’d just grab a ball, handball it along the ground and pick it up a few times. In other words, he’d get in some dynamic stretching by just doing the stuff he’d be doing during the game. Fair chance he was never going to be jamming his foot against a goalpost while pulling his torso closer to it during the game.
Last 5 games
R22: Loss - 5 points
R23: Loss - 1 point
R1: Draw
R2: Win - 2 points
R3: Win - 10 points
R4: Win - ??
Trending in the right direction thats for sure.
Did Owies get hurt yesterday?
Thanks. Anyone but Martin in hopefully.
Id have Young take Larkey who seems to save his best games for us rather than Weitering.......will the Mckays play on each other?
E. Curnow to Cunnington who likes playing against us.
Nth have a few prime movers like Simpkin out and LDU doubtful and were hopeless vs Hawthorn who are very average so we should get the job done easily and be enjoying some hot cross buns and chocolates later....
One of the McKays will pull out.....always do.
Do we need Curnow for R5? Do Roos need cunington for R5? If the answer to either is yes, best not play them on eachother. Will get fiery and one (if not both) will get reported.
I thought Ben McKay is at best only 50/50 to return from injury, I heard he had a small setback a week or two back. Stress fractures in feet are always a bit unpredictable.
Buy low, sell high.
Ben McKays price is as low as it will ever get IMO.
TDKs is about as high.
I think they both have improvement ahead, and TDK has potential to be the No.1 Ruck / Forward in the next two years.
There's that word again.....potential.
That is all TDK and Ben McKay have to trade at this stage.
To our club, given we have Weitering and Young, Ben McKay has far less value than TDK.
Yes, and Ben will cost you about 1/3 of what TDK will. ;)
I like them working in tandem, but if one has to choose, it's TDK all the way. I like Pittonet, but he doesn't offer much outside of ruck contests IMO - rather one dimensional. De Koning has a better leap, better mark, more athleticism, and still young. He could be the next Matthew Kreuzer, i.e a ruck who can double as a barge ar$e mid.
But he's not a ruck, and unlikely he ever will be.
I think it's fanciful of fans to think they can get Darcy and change, and that we'd be able to get Ben McKay on top of Darcy, it reads like a prayer.
This year
2023 Marks -
Pitto - 4
TDK - 4
2023 Contested Marks
Pitto - 2
TDK - 2
2023 Games played
Pitto - 2
TDK - 3
TDK is a lot more likely to take mark of the year....but he actually drops a lot of marks. Pittos hands are more reliable.
Same stats, but TDK has had an extra game.
No, but probably more valuable!
Pittonet is a better kick around the ground and for goal. Pittonet also does the simple things better eg simple overhead marks around the ground, Tommy seems to feel the need to turn it into a hanger every time. Having said that, I like them in tandem, I think we are far more dangerous with them both.
Can't buy a ticket! Monday 9am...
Will be interested to see if we appeal the Acres suspension.
Kennedy will be a definite if fit to replace to Owies.
LOB has to go back to the 2's so there should be one opening there, interesting how they go considering non of the prospective options did much in the reserves.
Assuming Ben McKay is still out, Logue also copped a week suspension....leaving them down their two best key defenders.....if ever Harry had a chance to get back into form, it's this week.
Hopefully one or both of Kennedy and Walsh are right to go. I'd like to see Kemp or Carroll as sub options this week and maybe even Cincotta into the 22 and play Docherty permanent midfield if Kennedy and Walsh are both still out.
North will likely get Uniake-Davies back and Simpkin from suspension.
Not so sure about LDU. If he does return, that pretty much means the medical people jumped at shadows when they pulled him out of the team, costing them a win.
Calf injuries are pretty insidious and it certainly isn’t the done thing to push thru them. The only way to set aside concerns is to train fully but if there are any concerns then full training should be verboten.
Of course, if he does train fully, then he will be selected.
Calf issues can be a bit funny. He may be able to play but not cleared to run at full tilt, but still give them better than what is currently in there or play restricted.
You never really know with players whether or not they are fully fit, and their form will suffer accordingly.
This year's averages:
Marks: Pitto 2, Tom 2
Disposals: Pitto 11, Tom 12
Tackles: Pitto 1, Tom 3
Hitouts: Pitto 19, Tom 22.7
Clearances: Pitto 2.5, Tom 3.7
Rebound 50s: Pitto 0, Tom 1.7
1%ers: Pitto 1, Tom 3.3
Score involvements: Pitto 2, Tom 4.7
Metres gained: Pitto 68.5, Tom 165
Intercepts: Pitto 2, Tom 2.3
Most of the other stats are pretty close. Of course, we've only played three games and Tom has an extra game under his belt. However, it's clear that Pitto and Tom have a range of attributes, some in common and some unique, and that's what makes them a challenge for opposition rucks. I hope that they can both stay on the park and ruck in tandem for the rest of the season and beyond.
Agreed, for me it's obvious.
I think some of the negativity is more about fans creating a role for a player like SoJ, but for me it was obvious last weekend they were all better.
TDK and Pitto better in the ruck complimenting each other, and SoJ better for not having to ruck at all!
That's not to say there won't be weeks when a horses for courses scenario pops up and the MC tweaks the mix, but I actually expect that from the MC, I don't want us to be formulaic. We are much harder to plan against when we make use of our available options.
To say this is a must win game is a massive understatement.
I watched the GWS and can I just say I must commend Blacres. Cripps aside, I haven't seen a Carlton player battle through adversity and still have an impact in donkeys years.
Yes, it's one of the reasons I gave the Team a B, they showed something I haven't seen in decades, stuff that only came from players like Judd or Cripps!
And we have Walsh to return, how good is this?
Ben Cunnington suggested on AFL
North to challenge Logue suspension
LDU likely to play
Separately
CFC are also challenging Acres suspension
Couldn't agree more.
I hope BlAcres shoulder is ok and we win at the tribunal. My guess is we're appealing - given that his shoulder is ok.
Either way, he's been a real asset for us. Dutchy has a good mentor.
LDU’s injury is hard to assess. I thought because he pulled out of the Tassie game after the warm-up, he must have strained it doing stretches and the like. But the explanation given by North is that he sustained a corked calf in the game against Freo. He had trained fully before being selected against Hawthorn but could then feel the cork in the warm-up.
It seems that a corked calf can lead to 1-4 weeks off. Even if he trains fully, that doesn’t mean he’ll be right on match day, as his late withdrawal shows. He’ll probably play but he’ll be questionable until he runs into the centre square to start the game.
Logue suspension upheld....so he's missing, along with Ben McKay.
We must be confident that Acres will be fit to play otherwise why would they bother appealing it?
To let the afl know that whilst we are good afl citizens we arent going to sit on the mat and be kicked anymore
Blake may have been playing with a stinger. If so, it’s probably not bad enough to cause him to miss.
I suspect we’ll contest every MRO/Tribunal decision if there’s a chance of getting the penalty reduced … like De Koning’s kneeing fine last week.
And Acres actions were an accident, he slipped and was off balance, Daniels was ok and will be available.....the MRP miss the obvious ones then waste everyones time with rubbish like this.
I'll give Blake a week off to rest his shoulder we have a series of shortened 6 day breaks almost three games in two weeks.
Suspension's been upheld
A week off to rest his shoulder /pec
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1299860?fbclid=IwAR0vyhCqoYGR3Qmh1R-hmH5wGhsDJvTgr9MoHFbRbtykhh7fO7wujMSBPjM
The game is in serious trouble if guys are getting suspended for that.
North has certainly toughened up, and play a good, accountable brand of footy, but if we are fair dinkum about playing finals, then we should win, with or without Acres. Ben McKay also out.
Elephant in room, acres last 2 weeks have been great.
LOB will likely come in, but im hoping walsh might be ready instead. Bring him back through the wings.
It seems that it is a pectoral injury so Acres was unlikely to play anyway.
The writing was on the wall when Plowman was suspended; don’t collide with an opponent, deliberately or accidentally.
Of course, you can still knee you opponent in the head if you’re attempting a mark 🙄
I'd bring in Fogarty or Binns, LOB needs some twos footy, he was woeful vs GWS..
Love to have Walsh back but we should be able to take care of Nth and give him another week...
Except when they play the favourites for the wooden spoon 🙂
I don’t think that there are any certain wins now but we’d have to be completely discombobulated to lose this one.
Or is Norf the perfect game for Walshy's return? If he is fit and ready, play him.
Out Acres susp Owies inj
In Kennedy LOB (Throw a blanket over Kemp, Fog, Carroll, Honey as the sub)
Based on output from the VFL last week, you'd think Cuningham is in line for a callup sometime soon. Why not make him the sub this week? I don't think the MC will be so bold, and will err on the side of caution with him, but i'd give him a go.
DJ...I had to give you a like for using the word " discombobulated".........you dont see it used that often but it often discombobulates those who read it....👍
Couldnt pick LOB based on his game vs GWS......Id expect Nth under Clarko to mongrel a few of our players so Id be keeping Walsh shiny and new for the Crows.
Like last week, I don't think this will be a walk in the park. Plenty talk about North's limited defensive stocks. We've got to get the ball out and to the advantage of our fwds.. and through the big sticks. That's our achilles heel atm. V GWS we won the ruck, in the air, and clearances. Yet 61 i50 only nets 9 goals. If we repeat that, we'll be challenged.
We'll seriously miss Blacres and don't have a walk up replacement. Hopefully, someone will take their opportunity and shine (tip - consult with Newy).
An area we are showing improvement in, which gives me some confidence, is the ability to control the game when needed.
Go Blues.
North will make a game of it for about a half, then we'll pull away. Marvel suits us far more than a cow paddock that ended up being a good leveller. The great Brent Crosswell used to say he couldn't give a stuff about playing at Western Oval on a winter's day with two men and a dog in the crowd. However, give him ideal conditions in front of a packed house and he would turn it on. Our guys wouldn't have that attitude, however physiologically, playing under controlled conditions in front of 'the faithful' must have a positive effect!
We’ve lost Acres and Owies and I agree that O’Brien shouldn’t be the sub.
We have Walsh, Kennedy and Martin available if they get through training.
I agree with Kruddler that Cuningham would be a good choice for the sub. His best could change a game … and there should be less time for mishaps. The only problem would be an early injury sub.
I would move Cerra to the wing, leave Docherty in the backline, bring in Kennedy for Acres and Walsh for Owies.
Cuners would probably benefit more from a full game in the magoos so I’d have Cincotta as the sub.
If Walsh isn’t ready, I’d bring Cincotta into the 22 and have Kemp as the sub.
No to LOB from me....limited game time each week but IMO hasn't shown anything to warrant being in the starting 22. Dow probably deserves a shot this week. Fisher needs to lift this week....could he play on one wing...still leaves us Durdin and Motlop as the small forwards.
DJC...I suggested similar on the weekend.....Docherty into the middle and Cincotta as the 7th defender. Kemp seems like an ideal "substitute" in terms of being able to play multiple roles if required.
Owies, Acres, Lob out
Kennedy, Walsh, Martin in
Martin as sub.
Hopefully he doesn't get injured sitting on the bench.
I think Kemp might be the better sub though. I haven't seen the game but many on BF are talking up Binns also as a possible in.
While I like him as a footballer I didn't rate Cunningham's last VFL game at all, for an AFL capable footballer he looked to be doing the bare minimum when he could have dominated, it's not inspiring, reminds me a bit of Lang.
Martin was poor in his only game and coming back from Injury should be playing twos, I'd give Fogarty a run and think about Cincotta or Binns as the sub...
While I remain sceptical, I think Fogarty was surprisingly good in the VFL last weekend.
Cincotta looked a bit off compared to last season, might be still getting use to the AFL workload.
On the North site, a strength and conditioning guy discussed the very deep corky LDU suffered. He said he was selected last week after he hit the marker of 80% speed during training that they had set. They figured he’d approach 100% given he had another 48 hours before the game but when they treated him he was still at 80%. However, he has trained fully this week and hit his markers, so he will be selected unless he had problems in the 24 hours before the selection meeting.
Martin is a decent sub. Can change a game but needs to prove he is durable I would have thought.
I havent seen any of the VFL, but Cunningham should put together 4 weeks on the understanding that we cant risk him breaking down if it costs us a game, and we need to check on his durability first rather than have him do a Marchbank.
Binns is a swing the magnets around selection and IMHO comes in for Cowan rather than anyone else.
Personally if we are going to run a player with a question mark as the sub, it HAS to be Sam Walsh.
Anything else is a bit of wishful thinking. Walsh irrespective of his fitness would be a game changer as a sub, and if selected as a sub and needed early can help in pretty much any inside or outside midfield role, which gives the team a bit of flexibility.
Release the Lion
Martin could become the first sub who couldn't see out the game because of injury.
Why are people so unkind?
The sad thing is that you're probably right ::)
I think that Martin's calves may be too fragile for AFL. I'd be tempted to give him a block of games in the VFL. If he remains injury free, he should go back into the 22. A fit and firing Martin is too good to be spending 3/4 on the pine.
Professional sub is the only role I see for Martin.....reckon he is done as a footballer who can play a full game let alone complete a season. Im just over carrying these over rated list cloggers who cant stay on the park who have long term deals and weigh the list down. You look at his stats and they have been on a steady decline as well when he does play...
Analysing what Martin, Williams, McGovern, Marchbank and Cuningham have delivered we see that we have been down 5 players compared to every other club for the majority of the last few years now..if we actually had 5 fit and able players instead of them we might have been played deep finals not to mention the money we have burned.
In Walshy Chugger
Out Blacres Owies
You know you want it.
So what we gotta find him a part time position? Farkim, piss or get off the pot.
While he has a contract we need to use him the best we can or he will be stuck to the pot where he has spent the last 3 years....
I personally don't want to see him anywhere near the 1s unless we have no one else to pick from. Flick him now and his contract payout will be offset by savings in medical bills and strapping tape.
Not the same off-field issues as Harley Bennell, but like Bennell, Martin seems to have chronic calf issues.....it's usually in for 2-3 weeks and then out with another calf strain....then back in without every building up a block of form in the VFL.
My read of the Walsh return is that he's not ready. Am I missing something?
I think Martin has more than enough capability, and I agree as I fear his durability.
I think the Sub needs to be someone who can come on and go to 100% instantly with complete reliability, is that Martin?
Not ready to have 35 touches, kick a few goals, rack up a few clearances, tackles, and goal assists, but we will likely get better value out of him than LOB even as a sub.
The club said after r4, or by r4. Until we hear otherwise, I'm keeping my 'hope' powder dry.
It will be a pleasant surprise if Sam is named and the anticipation will continue to grow if he’s not.
A Norf Melb sell out?
More likely all 7 Norf members are bringing family along. ;)
On AFL site now that Walsh won’t play this week, but will probably return for Gather round against the Crows. Kennedy and Martin also ruled out for this week.
Surely Dow gets a chance….?
https://www.afl.com.au/news/897233/no-good-friday-return-for-blues-superstar-but-he-s-close
Looks like Sam Walsh will be back for the R5 Crows game.
Agree Tonyo....2 midfielders short, plus Acres. Maybe even a Kemp or Carroll along with Dow? Or stick with Doc in the middle and maybe bring in Cincotta or Plowman?
Can you leave LOB out after being the Sub every week and a Winger goes out? Very harsh if they do that.
The fact he was the sub and only got a quarter here and there could be used as the reason for sending him back to the VFL to get a full game under his belt.
It was pointed out that there’s a 10 day gap between our game against the Crows next Thursday and the St Kilda game, so the selectors might be tempted to delay his return to the St Kilda game. I guess the interstate travel might not be ideal for his back. On the other hand, if he plays against the Crows, he has a full 10 day break to recover in preparation for the St Kilda game.
I agree.
To be honest, I'd think Cincotta might be in the mix. One thing he can do is run, and his kicking isn't disastrous. Apparently Binns has impressed somewhat as well. I'd prefer to have Cincotta at his point: a more mature body.
Binns had 22 possessions, 10 marks and 5 tackles last round. In round 1 he had 21 possessions, 7 marks and 3 tackles.
Cincotta had 35 possessions, 5 marks and 3 tackles against GWS. In round 1 he had 23 possessions, 4 marks and 3 tackles.
Of the others, the only one with big numbers is Plowman, who, I must admit, is playing a LOT better this year. His confidence is up and he's getting huge numbers.
Think they'll go with LOB in for Acres, they have been pretty consistent going with three genuine wings this season and last, (Ed playing as the third at the moment).
As for Owies replacement, will depend whether they want a small pressure forward, maybe Fogarty, or play another mid in which case Dow or Cincotta might get a run. Sub maybe Kemp for a bit of cover front and back.
I think that's their plan, play him against the Crows and give him a 10 day break to back up against the Saints.
LOB doesnt fill me with much confidence, went at 40%DE last game and was poor imo, couldnt pick him even as the sub based on what he has dished up so far. Id be looking at Fogarty and maybe even Plowman.
Nth are not shabby in the midfield with Simpkin, LDU probably as ins along with Cunnington and have some experienced journeymen in Shiels and Greenwood who will probably tag Cripps along with a decent ruckman in Goldstein so I wouldnt be picking too many experimental bananas who cant get their own ball for this one or we could get knocked over.
The games we lose to bottom teams are usually the result of poor team selection and half ar$ed effort in contesting ie Crows game sticks in my mind from last season so no softies or players who wont chase or tackle consistently.
Nth dont have much star power so they will rely on doing those contesting basics well and being Clarkson coached after a poor loss I expect a decent rebound..
They have some players I would put effort into and they are Larkey who for some reason worries Weitering plus Zurhaar and Cunnington. Id have the in form Newman on Zurhaar and have Hewett follow Cunnington around....
O'Brien did play a full game with the magoos against Geelong so he's played 7.5 quarters over three weeks.
I'd like to see him gaining form and confidence in the VFL for a week or two but we are light on for wingers. Could we go with Hollands and Binns?
My thoughts as well - North are not playing bad football and looms as hotly contested battle in the middle and we are thinbare there again. Can't afford to carry pushovers need hardnuts in this game as North have a few.
The number of games we have lost through poor choices by the Match committee does my head in.
This is against that ^%@@$%#$& Clarko, so NO PRISONERS.
And it's a team that continually likes to stitch us up when it is not expected.
Hope we stick with the 2 ruckman policy again. Should give us some dominance against Goldstein and whoever is their backup. We have enough quality down back with Weitering, Young, McGovern, Saad etc....and up forward we should present them with plenty of problems with them missing Mckay and Logue. Get enough ball in the middle and our forwards SHOULD dine out.
Zuurhaar is dangerous so not sure who the match up is there....maybe Cowan? Zuurhaar is very good in the air and plays much taller than he is. And Larkey has done a job on us in the past too.
I'd like to see Ed go to one of LDU or Simpkin. Simpkin likes to think he's tougher than he is....put Ed in his backpocket like he used to do against Selwood.
Kennedy out again?
Let's hope our other mids are on from the get go. We don't want our defenders flogged out again.
LDU has been their prime mover so Id respect that and put ED on him....Hewett I think is more suited to Cunnington.
Simpkin will depend where he plays, no match fitness might mean he doesnt play majority on ball and might spend more time forward or out on a wing.
Prefer the experienced and in form Newman on Zurhaar....Cowan is a good brave kid who will be a fine player but Zurhaar is a mean hombre who tests a few boundaries in terms of how he plays and I think Newman has the know how to deal with that better.
Wouldnt want to see Cowan cleaned up by Zurhaar who likes to think he is a poor mans Byron Pickett and I just keep thinking back to Liam Jones who got cleaned up on the boundary in one game by CZ and he took a while to get over it..
Nth will be looking to make a statement physically after their piss poor performance last week and unlike the friendly GWS style of play we experienced last week I think this will be a more heavily contested game given Nth lack a bit of class.
Cincotta and Saad/Docherty could rotate between half back and wing.
I fully expect Clarko to do his homework on us. This is, thus far, not the same Kangabies as last year.
He'll probably look for a way to close down Saady realizing that he launches the bulk of offensive moves from D50.
Then he'll likely come up with ways to limit our midfield supply to our forwards, he'd know that if we get too much supply his defense won't be able to hold our two talls in particular.
Clod Cornes wrote a rather concerning article on us today. Of concern was our key indicators this year compared to last year... we're well down. Of course using those indicators as his central argument, he then went to town on concluding we're not nearly as good as being undefeated would suggest.
Voss has allegedly been heard saying to people close to him we are playing very poorly but its pleasing we are still winning. Out list is talented no doubt but our start to the year is well off what it was last year. Hopefully that means the end is better. Having said that, beware a well coached Norf, they have troubled us many times with worse coaches at the helm and players available. With a W/L of 99/60, here's hoping we can raise the bat and notch up the ton, a loss will be very hard to stomach and I suspect would result in the knives starting to be sharpened.
Matthew Lloyd on FC also showed we dont put teams away with stats on our last 5-6 games and said we need a 60 point win vs Nth to show we can bury teams. Jimmy Bartel mumbled something about us getting timid and trying to hold on when we are in front rather than continuing to attack and crush teams.
I only listen to one Chad … the Sheikh of Scrubby Creek 😀
It’s pretty obvious that we aren’t playing our best footy, but we’re winning (or not losing) close games and we weren’t able to manage that last season. I think we have got a lot more out of the first three rounds than we would have from handing out shellackings to easybeats.
10 points out of 3 games with plenty of upside suits me.
Honey in? FMD thats taking the piss
I think he does okay and deserves a few games to show what he's got.
Yep....you bank the points while you can because the season just gets harder in the second half when injuries set in.
We have also been without Walsh who is a major cog in our team.
Sellout. We have no excuses about not being up for this.
Interesting selection with Honey - has done sfa in VFL so form does not merit the selection. But it is like for like with Owies.
I'll be going into town for this one so hopefully it proves to be worth it! Hopefully we'll quickly put Nth and The Sniper back in their box if they try the rough stuff.
I can tell you what he’s got without him playing if you want.
Not the selections I would have made … and that’s why I’m never going to be on the match committee.
O’Brien has been a smidgeon off a spot in the 22 and is our next best winger after Acres and Hollands (with Binns snapping at his heels). His selection is a no-brainer. Repay the faith Lochie!
Honey is a polished performer and is the logical replacement for Owies. He doesn’t need a lot of opportunities to have an impact on the scoreboard and he provides a counterpoint to Motlop and Durdin. Make the most of your chances Josh!
It will be interesting to see who gets to be the sub. Cincotta would be my pick but I think Mr Plow might get the nod.
Backs: Sam Docherty Jacob Weitering Lachie Cowan
Half-backs: Nic Newman Lewis Young Adam Saad
Centreline: Lochie O'Brien Patrick Cripps Ollie Hollands
Half-forwards: Zac Fisher Charlie Curnow Jesse Motlop
Forwards: Corey Durdin Harry McKay Jack Silvagni
Followers: Tom De Koning Adam Cerra Ed Curnow
Interchange: George Hewett Josh Honey Mitch McGovern Marc Pittonet
Emergencies: Jack Carroll Alex Cincotta Paddy Dow Lachie Plowman
I probably wouldn't have selected O'Brien or Honey, to be frank. They haven't done enough to deserve the spot.
Not sure who we will select as sub, but Carroll has had 1 reasonable game, while the others have played reasonably well.
Feel exactly the same way... especially re Honey, he is a bloke who can create an opportunity and is very effective when he creates/gets that opportunity... let's hope he can up the ante and grasp this opportunity (3 opportunities in one sentence!) and give the MC something to think about for the Croweaters game. And, really, the same goes for LOB.
Agree that Plow will likely get the sub vest, though I would prefer Cincotta... puts his body in and is more attacking with aggot in hand. Though Carroll has sub history and can make an impact.
With great reluctance, I agree.
We have had the usual revolving sick bay door, which hasn't helped. Despite that, we've had few convincing q's, let alone a convincing win.
We can see our W against the cats was as much a sign of their status, as ours.
LOB and Honey in doesnt enthuse me but we should still win by plenty given the outs for Nth are major with their two key defenders injured. Charlie and Harry should kick 5 each....Blues by 42 points
Neat prediction. I hope you're spot on.
I do not share your confidence EB. Game is a sell out, Norf fancy themselves here.
Or maybe a lot of Blues fans think its going to be an easy kill GTC. North will be more competitive and tougher physically but they dont have much weaponry other than Larkey down forward and have two large holes down back given their two first choice key defenders are out. If we cant give them a good rodgering then its going to be a long year...
Looking at the team selection it is obvious Clarkson thinks that we are susceptible to pace.
I have H&A access (home reserved seat) and I tried to reserve a seat on Monday with no luck. I tried a number of times before ringing the club. They sent me a link, $47 a ticket!! The Carlton guy said just turn up and sit in GA on level 3 which I thought ok that's what I'll do. I think I have Buckleys chance of that now. I assume many CFC supporters had the same issue.
The more I look at our emergencies the more I am inclined to think that Carroll will get the gig... more likely to come on with run in his legs and have more of an impact than the other three. Just a thought.
Just did a tour of other forums and YouTube channels to see the opinions of others... specifically, who will be the sub. Seems Carroll, then Plow get the nod.
Would have liked to have gone today but we have our Easter family get together on as a few family members are going away on holidays so that stuffed that idea up. I reckon being the first Easter Friday game and a bit of a novelty it will have created more interest and Im not surprised you have had booking issues.
Dow and Plowman playing now in the VFL (and getting heaps of touches). Neither Cincotta and Carroll are playing in the VFL match.
My guess is it will be Cincotta to add abit of toughness to tackle Clarko's Norf ferals.
Interesting to see whether the VFL game was a preview of the big game. North was committed to running the ball using a chain of handballs, often via the wings. On the other hand, Carlton was happy to turn the ball over and hold possession via kicks to uncontested marks. The uncontested mark stats were incredibly lop-sided (45 total marks to North vs. 121 total marks to Carlton) and Carlton seemed to have a 3 to 2 kick to handball ratio while North had closer to a 1 to 1 ratio. As one of the commentators in the VFL noted, those disparities were a reflection of the changes in the game-style introduced by Clarkson in order to train up North’s AFL-listed VFL,players.
Miller Bergman out with illness, replaced by Howe.
Subs: Carroll & Greenwood.
As much as I think talent wise we should have a comfortable win Any team with that little sniper in the couches box should not be underestimated.
As long as we are not cocky and come to play we will win well.