Princes Park => Robert Heatley Stand => Topic started by: DJC on December 09, 2025, 10:53:10 pm
Title: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: DJC on December 09, 2025, 10:53:10 pm
No polls, no votes, just name the 23 players you think will run out against the Fluffy Ducks.
While team structure is important, you don’t have to name players in positions but keep team balance in mind.
You can have 8 defenders, 8 forwards and 7 midfielders, or any other combination of 23 players. Apart from Harry O’Farrell, assume that everyone on the list is available. White and E Hollands aren’t on the list.
Depth ;) :D I'm going to have a think about it (but I won't be leaving Lord out :D ) He's my guy for 2026
I said in one of Kruddler's polls that Lord was definitely in my midfield rotations but I went for the untried Jagga Smith and the two "specialist" wingers in Acres and Hollands. I suspect that Lord will be in the 23 more often than not.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: JonDorotich on December 28, 2025, 05:10:19 pm
Side looks well balanced however it’s clear that unless one of McGovern, Haynes, Dean or Kemp stands up as a key defender we’ll be exposed. Other concerns are our ability to defend clever/strong small forwards & the durability of Cottrell & Chesser who could provide much needed pace.
All of Cripps, Weitering, Smith, Hewett, Walsh, Kemp, McKay, Cerra, Hayward, Saad and possibly McGovern have the ability to make the AA squad so let’s hope we see at least half of them get there.
Unlucky not to make the side - Okeefe (could swap with Kemp), Dean (could swap with Haynes or McGovern), Lord, Pittonet, Acres, Boyd, Hollands, Moir & Evans
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: LP on December 28, 2025, 05:13:20 pm
I doubt OH falls behind Chesser or Cottrell in the pecking order, Carroll might struggle.
So much depends on our game plan for 2026, it must surely change but to what exactly, we have no idea as yet!
Plus, there going to be an extra bench spot for 2026 so I'm sure one of them will be a ruck or KPP?
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Blue Moon on December 28, 2025, 07:23:50 pm
Dean Weitering Florent Saad L.Young Newman Chesser Cripps O.Hollands Hayward O'Keeffe Motlop Moir McKay Ainsworth Pittonett Cerra Walsh Lord Smith Williams Cowan Hewitt
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: PaulP on December 28, 2025, 08:15:03 pm
Forwards : McKay Motlop Williams Hayward Kemp Moir
Mids + Ruck : Pittonet Cripps Hewett Walsh Cerra Smith
Defenders : Weitering Newman Haynes Dean Florent Cowan
Interchange : Evans, Byrne, McGovern, O Hollands, Ainsworth
You could select a few combinations and still have a decent team. I found it tougher to select a starting line up than I have in several years.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Thryleon on December 29, 2025, 12:30:57 am
Side looks well balanced however it’s clear that unless one of McGovern, Haynes, Dean or Kemp stands up as a key defender we’ll be exposed. Other concerns are our ability to defend clever/strong small forwards & the durability of Cottrell & Chesser who could provide much needed pace.
All of Cripps, Weitering, Smith, Hewett, Walsh, Kemp, McKay, Cerra, Hayward, Saad and possibly McGovern have the ability to make the AA squad so let’s hope we see at least half of them get there.
Unlucky not to make the side - Okeefe (could swap with Kemp), Dean (could swap with Haynes or McGovern), Lord, Pittonet, Acres, Boyd, Hollands, Moir & Evans
Hey dorotich you're short one on the interchange
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: kruddler on December 29, 2025, 08:08:53 am
Every year we get sucked into included all our recruits into our best 22 (23) and every year we get disappointed.
I can't see how someone like cheeser gets a game in our side after only managing 4 in a very poor Eagles side in 2025... and not much more in years before that. Even if it's simply down to injury history.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on December 29, 2025, 08:22:35 am
I couldn't do it I tried, but I couldn't do it. Someone had to miss out I just couldn't pick one. ::)
So I picked two... :D :D (and the chances of making a mistake and including someone twice are pretty high, so feel free to point that out. I have a few reserves)
Team 1 Boyd, Weitering, Cowan Saad, Haynes, Wilson L Camporeale, Hewett, Hollands, Cottrell, McKay, Hayward Evans, Moir, Motlop Pittonet, Lord, Cerra
Team 2 Carroll, Young, Newman Florent, Dean, McGovern Chesser, Cripps, Acres F Young, Kemp, Fogarty Ainsworth, OKeefe, Williams Reidy, Walsh, Smith
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Blue Moon on December 29, 2025, 08:43:09 am
My philosophy is that they would not recruit someone unless they were planning to play them. So all our recruits will play except for Reidy unless Pittonett is injured. Also this thread is name the team for the opening round. I also look at who is not going to play, but are good enough, and I have broken that into two groups, younger guys coming through and more senior guys. Senior guys who will miss out are Fogarty, McGovern, Acres, Kemp, Haynes, Carroll, Boyd and Cottrell. If O'Farrell wasn't injured L.Young would miss out. If E.Hollands is on the list he would be on this list. If White is on the list, he would be on the next list. The young guys who will miss out are Wilson, L.Camporeale, B.Camporeale, Charleson, Evans and F.Young. What this tells me is the depth of the side is fine but until the season starts we won't know about the quality. At this stage I am not convinced about the quality.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on December 29, 2025, 09:03:47 am
My philosophy is that they would not recruit someone unless they were planning to play them. So all our recruits will play except for Reidy unless Pittonett is injured. Also this thread is name the team for the opening round. I also look at who is not going to play, but are good enough, and I have broken that into two groups, younger guys coming through and more senior guys. Senior guys who will miss out are Fogarty, McGovern, Acres, Kemp, Haynes, Carroll, Boyd and Cottrell. If O'Farrell wasn't injured L.Young would miss out. If E.Hollands is on the list he would be on this list. If White is on the list, he would be on the next list. The young guys who will miss out are Wilson, L.Camporeale, B.Camporeale, Charleson, Evans and F.Young. What this tells me is the depth of the side is fine but until the season starts we won't know about the quality. At this stage I am not convinced about the quality.
That's fair enough. It is very much a wait and see. I agree with the point about draftees. The club sees something that could benefit the side. It's not like they've thrown a dart and the player it's landed on is the one we get. There's been a bit of thought, and observation, gone into it and while it might not be obvious to us, there would be a reason we've taken them on.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Thryleon on December 29, 2025, 09:28:33 am
I reckon when you perform this exercise, you are probably better off trying to work out the following:
At all clubs I have been involved at, there is a "pecking order".
Irrespective of where the relative talent and ability, capability lies, you will usually find that players sit in different categories. Accomplished, promising or an unknown quantity.
The promising players usually have to earn their stripes to get a game, but usually dont have too hard a time.
The unknown players could be anywhere from a walk up start, to having to jump categories to get a game. They are unknowns. Chesser and Reiddy fit into this bucket from the new acquisitions.
The promising players are more you Jagga Smiths and Harry Dean types. Talented kids who have yet to really test their mettle at AFL level.
The rest are accomplished AFL players. Been in the system for years, notched up 50+ games, and you generally know what you are going to get. Fans tend to ignore these types because they tend to think we need better than that.
Expect the accomplished AFL players to be at the top of the pecking order initially with the others trying to knock them off or jump the order.
So in saying that, where are our acquisitions fitting into the team (note, they may have more accomplished performers ahead of them and have to earn their stripes accordingly)?
IMHO, Haywood, Florent and Ainsworth being walk up starts or there abouts. From the rest, Chesser will need to be better than Acres to get a game unless its on the opposing wing and all our other options are out, which I dont think will happen as I anticipate Ollie Hollands being there too. The draftees will likely be in the latter category of promising without having to get a game, and unless they are outstanding talents, probably wont get a game unless they prove they are of superiour quality to the rest. Reiddy only has pittonet to contend with so is most likely to play ahead of time. Chesser is a bit of a wildcard. I dont think he was a priority signing, and was more opportunistic in he wanted to come home, and we need another winger with Cotters foot issue looking to drag on.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: kruddler on December 29, 2025, 09:44:23 am
Re recruits, just because we get them, didn't mean we think they are best 23 starters.
Eg look at the ruck. Tdk left, we needed someone to come in. Obviously we try and get someone with great talent but had we not been able to trade for one, we would've got one another way (draft, ssp)
So with that in mind, a ruck was coming one way or another. So does that make Reidy a starter? I don't think so. Will he play some games? IMO absolutely.
Another way of looking at recruits is this. What did it cost us? What could we get with that same value elsewhere?
Eg chesser. He cost us pick 41. Could we get a ready made player with pick 41 at the draft? Unlikely. So he was recruited as it was better than we could expect to get otherwise. Sure, he would have some desirable attributes and fills a position of need etc (debatable, but i digress). But ultimately, it's simply about value.
That doesn't mean automatic best 23 though.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on December 29, 2025, 09:56:18 am
You're right Kruds It looks like he's been recruited to add a bit of run and pace. Things we lack... But how he fits into the side is yet to be determined. Obviously we're looking at a wing position so his challenge will be against the likes of Acres and Ollie Hollands Lucas Camporeale with a season and pre-season under his belt may also be in the mix I personally don't see him playing round 1 and it will depend on how he goes in the VFL as to when he eventually plays. The bottom line is we've recruited him for a need. We see aspects we like. We've given him an opportunity. The rest is up to him.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Baggers on December 29, 2025, 11:44:45 am
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: DJC on December 29, 2025, 02:57:26 pm
My approach is to have at least three players capable of playing on the wing among my seven or eight midfielders. They should have plenty of stamina, the ability to nullify their opponent, be able to break the lines, and hit targets inside 50.
On paper at least, we have plenty of candidates; Acres, the Camporeales, Chesser, Cottrell, O Hollands, and Smith, and Cerra, Haynes, Lord and Walsh all played on the wing last season as did Docherty and Binns.
Acres was hampered by a bulging disc last season and was way below his best. He looks to be moving freely again and, if he can regain his previous form, should be a monty on one wing.
The Camporeales have potential and I expect both to play in 2026. They will need things to go their way if they get the nod over those ahead of them in the pecking order.
Chesser comes into our squad in place of Docherty/Binns and his injury history means that he’s a bit of an unknown quantity. He was a very highly regarded junior and was taken as a first round draft pick despite suffering meniscus damage in his draft year. His first pre-season crashed when he smashed his ankle and ongoing ankle issues, and another knee injury, restricted him to just 32 games in his first three seasons. He had ankle surgery in the 2025 pre-season and missed the first half of the season before earning a place in the Eagles’ side for the last four games. His form in those games was the best of his career and finally revealed his ability. The point of difference with our other candidates for a role on the wing is his genuine foot speed. However, that’s not going to get him a game by itself, and I’d have him just ahead of the Camporeales in the pecking order, unless he can show the form that demolished Ed Langdon in round 21.
Matty Cottrell really cemented his place in the team as a link up high half forward but there’s a lot more competition for spots in the forward line now and I suspect that his best chance of a senior recall will be on the wing. Of course, there’s plenty of competition for winger roles too and Matty has to overcome his stress fracture issues.
The arrival of Ollie Florent probably means that Ollie Hollands won’t be required in defence this season and wing is probably his best position. Ollie rarely loses a one on one contest and he has an ability to create contests when the opposition seems likely to break away. Ollie’s not quick though and his kicking can lack penetration and accuracy.
I’m not sure where Jagga Smith will play in 2026, but he could line up on the wing. He is fast, elusive, reads the play well, makes good decisions and is a good user of the ball. I don’t know about his defensive work but, if he’s the one with the pill, he doesn’t need to defend.
My pecking order for a spot on the wing in Opening Round is Acres (subject to fitness), O Hollands, Smith, Cottrell (subject to fitness), Chesser, L Camporeale and B Camporeale. Walsh, Cerra and Lord could be in the mix too, if required.
Then there’s Nick Haynes. The experiment of playing him on the wing in the last two rounds was a success and he could provide us with a different look and more marking power in our midfield. McGovern has been training with the defenders and I don’t think we’d necessarily go with both him and Haynes in defence. If Haynes is training with the midfielders, I won’t be surprised if he’s on the wing in Opening Round.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: JonDorotich on December 29, 2025, 06:56:10 pm
Side looks well balanced however it’s clear that unless one of McGovern, Haynes, Dean or Kemp stands up as a key defender we’ll be exposed. Other concerns are our ability to defend clever/strong small forwards & the durability of Cottrell & Chesser who could provide much needed pace.
All of Cripps, Weitering, Smith, Hewett, Walsh, Kemp, McKay, Cerra, Hayward, Saad and possibly McGovern have the ability to make the AA squad so let’s hope we see at least half of them get there.
Unlucky not to make the side - Okeefe (could swap with Kemp), Dean (could swap with Haynes or McGovern), Lord, Pittonet, Acres, Boyd, Hollands, Moir & Evans
Hey dorotich you're short one on the interchange
Thanks I wasn’t across that - I’d add Okeefe in that case
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: townsendcalling on December 29, 2025, 10:46:46 pm
When there is a line ball between a couple of players, high class disposal efficiency will win the position. For too long we've had great foot soldiers who have poor disposal.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: DJC on December 31, 2025, 02:53:09 pm
When there is a line ball between a couple of players, high class disposal efficiency will win the position. For too long we've had great foot soldiers who have poor disposal.
You’d certainly like to think that was the case 🤔
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Milhanna13 on January 07, 2026, 11:17:23 am
Newy Weeters Cowan Saad Haynes Dean Cotters Crippa Acres Ainsworth Gov Zac Hayward H Mots Pitto Hewitt Walsh int : Cerra OHollands Jagga Florent emerg: Kemp Moir O'Keeffe Lord
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: kruddler on January 07, 2026, 02:27:25 pm
Zero Hangar have done one..... https://www.zerohanger.com/selecting-every-afl-teams-best-23-for-2026-carlton-blues-171945/ FB: Harry Dean, Jacob Weitering, Nic Newman HB: Adam Saad, Nick Haynes, Oliver Hollands C: Jagga Smith, George Hewett, Adam Cerra HF: Ben Ainsworth, Harry McKay, Will Hayward FF: Jesse Motlop, Brodie Kemp, Zac Williams FO: Marc Pittonet, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh I/C: Lachlan Cowan, Oliver Florent, Campbell Chesser, Francis Evans, Hudson O'Keeffe
Stiff to miss: Liam Reidy, Mitch McGovern, Blake Acres, Lachie Fogarty, Matthew Cottrell, Cooper Lord, Ashton Moir
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on January 07, 2026, 04:02:23 pm
Not a bad side, but I think Moir and Lord will both be in the opening round side I'm backing Lord to be the one to watch this year.
From the side above...Chesser might have to wait Moir ahead of Motlop.
The thing is we'd be fairly lucky (unusually so for us) for all of the 'Hangar' side to be available Round 1, so 'squeezing' players in might not be an issue.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Blue Moon on January 07, 2026, 06:45:22 pm
I think Lewis Young will be playing. He had a good year last season, but he had a bad season the year before. I always think we need a tall defender around 200cm. If Harry O'Farrell was available he would be an automatic selection for me and Young is the only player on our list that meets this requirement.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on January 07, 2026, 09:53:51 pm
It wouldn't surprise to see L Young playing first up. They may use Dean off the bench in the early stages, but I think he'll be somewhere in the Round 1 side.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: kruddler on January 08, 2026, 08:22:21 am
It wouldn't surprise to see L Young playing first up. They may use Dean off the bench in the early stages, but I think he'll be somewhere in the Round 1 side.
Weitering is a no brainer. Haynes is the next best. How do you fit both young and dean in the backline as well....and everyone needs to stop with the haynes on the wing nonsense, its not a legitimate position change. ....and there is always a potential for mcgovern as well.
To me, young just cant get in ahead of dean for any length lf time.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: deepbluesee on January 08, 2026, 10:00:28 am
The one pick I am seeing that surprises me from most posts is Saad. While I have loved his endeavour and his output I was thinking 2025 may have been his final year - seemed he didn't finish that strongly and may have gone out on a 'high'. Glad he stayed on for 2026 but I question him being an auto pick each week. Seems most posts here put him in the starting team for round 1 (or is that zero). I'm putting Newman and Cowan ahead of him at this stage. Then there is O Hollands and Florent. Fingers crossed for a big 2026 for Saad - the team is def stronger when he is moving the ball quickly out of defence.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on January 08, 2026, 10:11:22 am
It wouldn't surprise to see L Young playing first up. They may use Dean off the bench in the early stages, but I think he'll be somewhere in the Round 1 side.
Weitering is a no brainer. Haynes is the next best. How do you fit both young and dean in the backline as well....and everyone needs to stop with the haynes on the wing nonsense, its not a legitimate position change. ....and there is always a potential for mcgovern as well.
To me, young just cant get in ahead of dean for any length lf time.
It's a shame we don't have tall depth in the backline. :D
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on January 08, 2026, 10:25:06 am
The one pick I am seeing that surprises me from most posts is Saad. While I have loved his endeavour and his output I was thinking 2025 may have been his final year - seemed he didn't finish that strongly and may have gone out on a 'high'. Glad he stayed on for 2026 but I question him being an auto pick each week. Seems most posts here put him in the starting team for round 1 (or is that zero). I'm putting Newman and Cowan ahead of him at this stage. Then there is O Hollands and Florent. Fingers crossed for a big 2026 for Saad - the team is def stronger when he is moving the ball quickly out of defence.
I think it's a bit of a wait and see with Saad Was his contribution last year affected by injury, or was it more a case of age catching up with him. At or near his best he's definitely worth a spot.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Milhanna13 on January 08, 2026, 10:52:09 am
Weitering is a no brainer. Haynes is the next best. How do you fit both young and dean in the backline as well....and everyone needs to stop with the haynes on the wing nonsense, its not a legitimate position change. ....and there is always a potential for mcgovern as well.
To me, young just cant get in ahead of dean for any length lf time.
It's a shame we don't have tall depth in the backline. :D
We have Weitering. We have a guy that will retire at the end of the year We have a guy who hasn't played a game. We have a guy who has played 6 games and done his knee We have a guy who was told to look elsewhere, but is still around.
We haven't had this many options for a while, but its hardly what you would call solid depth.
With a bit of luck Dean and HOF turn out as good as we all want and Weitering plays on for another 7 years. Anything short of that we still need to give ourselves options.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on January 08, 2026, 11:45:09 am
We're talking about the opening round. And it's clear we do have options. The question is, will Dean play from the get-go or will the Key backs be a Weitering/ Young or Weitering /Haynes combination.
I suspect Dean will be in the side but on the bench.
I still have hopes for Lewis Young in 2026 And while he may not be a long term prospect... He's very much a confidence player. He played the best quarter of football of any Carlton player I saw in the VFL last year before he was injured. He's proven in the past he can handle the position. He was in everybody's best 23 a few years back. It will be interesting to see if he's in the side for the opening round.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: LP on January 08, 2026, 12:00:25 pm
We can only speculate based on the tactics of the past, but that weas a list with a very different structure.
Most of our list have AFL capabilities, they might not be the capabilities that fans want but whether they succeed or not tends to be more about how the MC and Coach put them to use and not so much about the opinions of fans.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on January 08, 2026, 12:10:46 pm
We can only speculate based on the tactics of the past, but that weas a list with a very different structure.
Most of our list have AFL capabilities, they might not be the capabilities that fans want but whether they succeed or not tends to be more about how the MC and Coach put them to use and not so much about the opinions of fans.
Yep That's very true. Hayward, Ainsworth and Florent may not be superstars but they have more AFL game experience than most of our side. They've been good enough to play 150 games+ at the highest level.
We don't need two AA level backs forward and back. It'd be nice, but few sides have that luxury. And Brisbane have proved this last year you don't need it to win flags.
If one of our elite goes down we get the "We'll be screwed" notion. The fact is others will step up and fill the void, so it's never a total loss of the key player....it's always only ever the difference that can't be made up. And that's never as great as some may think.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Thryleon on January 08, 2026, 12:22:27 pm
We're talking about the opening round. And it's clear we do have options. The question is, will Dean play from the get-go or will the Key backs be a Weitering/ Young or Weitering /Haynes combination.
I suspect Dean will be in the side but on the bench.
I still have hopes for Lewis Young in 2026 And while he may not be a long term prospect... He's very much a confidence player. He played the best quarter of football of any Carlton player I saw in the VFL last year before he was injured. He's proven in the past he can handle the position. He was in everybody's best 23 a few years back. It will be interesting to see if he's in the side for the opening round.
I see it a bit differently to most. If we are selecting for horses for course, I think we will select a spine based on strategies. It makes picking our side for opening round difficult, as exposed form vs our opponents, will also be a variable, and ordinarily it wont happen until round 4 where you get an idea of whats going on.
When building our team, I list the spine then fill in the gaps.
So:
BP ---------- Weitering-------------BP HBF----------Young/Dean/HOF------HBF C--------------C---------------------C HF------------Skull/Kemp---------HF FP-------------Mckay------------FP Fol:----Pittonet/Rieddy--------X----------X
Int: P-----P-----P-----P----P
Its possible that once you select your first choices, that the players not selected in the spine roles, will get selected elsewhere. i.e. Kemp, Dean, Haynes might get a game at the key roles, or in the peripheral roles based on what we think our opponent is doing or the rest of the team balance.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: DJC on January 08, 2026, 03:12:57 pm
Weitering is a no brainer. Haynes is the next best. How do you fit both young and dean in the backline as well....and everyone needs to stop with the haynes on the wing nonsense, its not a legitimate position change. ....and there is always a potential for mcgovern as well.
To me, young just cant get in ahead of dean for any length lf time.
Haynes played on the wing in our last four games of last season. We won two of those four games, Haynes was among our best players, we didn't miss him in defence, and he played on the wing earlier in his career.
He may not play on the wing again, he could spend the season in the VFL, or the MC may decide to continue with what worked well at the end of last season. Either way, Haynes on the wing isn't nonsense and it's a legitimate option for next season.
I'm sticking with Weitering, Newman, Cowan, Florent, Haynes, Saad, Dean, L Young as my backline, but there's no reason why Haynes can't move into the midfield group and be replaced by O Hollands or Carroll.
It's also worth noting that, in addition to the defenders available at the end of last season when Haynes was playing on the wing, we should have Newey, Florent and Dean available for Opening Round.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: DJC on January 08, 2026, 07:59:37 pm
We're talking about the opening round. And it's clear we do have options. The question is, will Dean play from the get-go or will the Key backs be a Weitering/ Young or Weitering /Haynes combination.
I suspect Dean will be in the side but on the bench.
I still have hopes for Lewis Young in 2026 And while he may not be a long term prospect... He's very much a confidence player. He played the best quarter of football of any Carlton player I saw in the VFL last year before he was injured. He's proven in the past he can handle the position. He was in everybody's best 23 a few years back. It will be intersting to see if he's in the side for the opening round.
Weitering had a lighter workload than normal in our win over Essendon and only spent 94% of the game on the ground. Lewis Young had 96% game time and, at the other end of the ground, McKay had 94% game time. Interestingly, De Koning only spent 74% of the game on the ground.
Before his injury, Harry O'Farrell's game time was in the 90% range.
I expect Dean to debut in opening round, and he may well start on the bench, but he's not going to stay there; we no longer have 19th and 20th men Lods ;D
Dean probably won't have Weitering or Young game time from the get go and I suspect that he won't be spending a lot of time playing on Amartey or Curnow. I think that he will be used initially as an intercept marking defender with Weiters and Young as the KPDs but he will take his turn on whoever Sydney uses as KPFs. Dean may well take over a KPD mantle as the season progresses but he would be equally at home as an intercept defender and ball distributor.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on January 08, 2026, 08:59:07 pm
I expect Dean to debut in opening round, and he may well start on the bench, but he's not going to stay there; we no longer have 19th and 20th men Lods ;D
Dean probably won't have Weitering or Young game time from the get go and I suspect that he won't be spending a lot of time playing on Amartey or Curnow.
You know what I meant :P He won't be thrown straight to the wolves. He'll be eased into the contest gradually. If he lights it up early he may get a fair amount of game time.
But that's just my guess and when and how he's played will be up to the coaches. It wouldn't actually surprise to see him start forward. ;)
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Blue Moon on January 09, 2026, 06:54:12 am
I have two alternate sides. The 24 and overs: Florent Weitering Haynes Saad L.Young Newman Acres Cripps Cottrell Williams Kemp Hayward McGovern McKay Ainsworth Pittonett Hewitt Walsh Cerra Fogarty Reidy Boyd Evans/F.Young The 24 and unders: Wilson O'Farrell Duffy Cowan Dean Carroll Chesser O.Hollands F.Young Evans Kemp Motlop Byrne Moir Ison O'Keeffe Lord Smith B.Camporeale L.Camporeale Monahan Charleson E.Hollands/Wilson
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: DJC on January 09, 2026, 11:12:16 am
You know what I meant :P He won't be thrown straight to the wolves. He'll be eased into the contest gradually. If he lights it up early he may get a fair amount of game time.
But that's just my guess and when and how he's played will be up to the coaches. It wouldn't actually surprise to see him start forward. ;)
I did? ;D
2026 will be a new kettle of worms with a five man bench and we'll have to see how that pans out. However, the players who spent most time on the pine last season were still >70% time on ground. If Dean is good enough to play, then he doesn't need to be protected other than for possible endurance issues. Forwards like Moir, Motlop and Williams tended to spend more time on the bench and Billy Wilson had a slightly lighter workload than our other defenders.
I'm not opposed to the idea of Dean spending time forward but I don't think that really helped Weitering's development.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Professer E on January 10, 2026, 09:04:21 am
It's hardly the new year and far too early to be naming best 23s etc but the memes and ridicule have already started...any CFC supporter who shows the merest sign of optimism is instantly a lightning rod for a pile on. I could, possibly tolerate it, but being on the receiving end of Norf, Tiggers, sniffers or Dees supporters is a bit much. Voss wouldn't want a repeat of losing early to the Tiggers, that would initiate the usual crisis that ****s this club on about a three year cycle. 30+ years of crap, when is this ship going to turn around? I'm with Kruddler - we lack critical depth and foresight for season's down the track and much of what we brought in isn't exactly A-grade clas.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Thryleon on January 10, 2026, 10:18:12 am
It's hardly the new year and far too early to be naming best 23s etc but the memes and ridicule have already started...any CFC supporter who shows the merest sign of optimism is instantly a lightning rod for a pile on. I could, possibly tolerate it, but being on the receiving end of Norf, Tiggers, sniffers or Dees supporters is a bit much. Voss wouldn't want a repeat of losing early to the Tiggers, that would initiate the usual crisis that ****s this club on about a three year cycle. 30+ years of crap, when is this ship going to turn around? I'm with Kruddler - we lack critical depth and foresight for season's down the track and much of what we brought in isn't exactly A-grade clas.
dont worry.
I remember laughing at Richmond when deledio left.
They were bringing in "spuds" and then all of a sudden went beast mode.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: kruddler on January 10, 2026, 10:55:08 am
It's hardly the new year and far too early to be naming best 23s etc but the memes and ridicule have already started...any CFC supporter who shows the merest sign of optimism is instantly a lightning rod for a pile on. I could, possibly tolerate it, but being on the receiving end of Norf, Tiggers, sniffers or Dees supporters is a bit much. Voss wouldn't want a repeat of losing early to the Tiggers, that would initiate the usual crisis that ****s this club on about a three year cycle. 30+ years of crap, when is this ship going to turn around? I'm with Kruddler - we lack critical depth and foresight for season's down the track and much of what we brought in isn't exactly A-grade clas.
We are more susceptable to injuries this year, than any year in the past. With a large amount of luck, we might be ok. With an average amount of luck, we'll be lucky to match last years efforts.
Long term i think we will be ok.
Now, and unless some things change, the next couple years, it will be lower expectations and cross your fingers.
I'm fine with that. I feel for others who don't follow the same logic as they are the ones who will jump up and down, pitchforks in hand demanding more from the club. That cycle will hurt the club, like it has in the past. Carltons biggest issue is impatient supporters, forcing our hand before it needs to be forced, perpetuating cycle of unending rebuilds.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Lods on January 10, 2026, 12:15:56 pm
We are more susceptable to injuries this year, than any year in the past. With a large amount of luck, we might be ok. With an average amount of luck, we'll be lucky to match last years efforts.
I'd argue the opposite. That we're better placed to deal with injuries than we have been. With greater depth and more versatility. That shows through when we try to construct the various lines and players are missing out. A lot will depend on who gets injured though. So we'll agree to disagree.
I feel for others who don't follow the same logic as they are the ones who will jump up and down, pitchforks in hand demanding more from the club. That cycle will hurt the club, like it has in the past. Carltons biggest issue is impatient supporters, forcing our hand before it needs to be forced, perpetuating cycle of unending rebuilds.
If the results don't flow then there will be changes. So folks won't need to jump up and down. The writing will be on the wall. And most likely it will be the coach who will depart. His contract is for 2026. That was the allotted time. We won't be sacking him, we just won't be extending him.
But he doesn't need to have dramatic improvements. It just needs to be seen to be moving in the right direction. The team coming together, youngsters developing, a springboard to 2027... and he may get his extra time. A lot of that will take place behind the scenes in terms of 'goals and targets' and we don't even know if some wheels might not already be in motion for change...that wouldn't surprise.
Bottom line. With a bit of good luck we will improve and the coach will get his extension. That's what I hope for and expect. If things go pear shaped we won't...and then there will be changes. And then it will be a case of looking ahead to a better year in 2027.
But that's just football seasons. Put the bad ones behind you and look forward to the next one.
Title: Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Post by: Baggers on January 10, 2026, 03:43:09 pm
We are more susceptable to injuries this year, than any year in the past. With a large amount of luck, we might be ok. With an average amount of luck, we'll be lucky to match last years efforts.
I'd argue the opposite. That we're better placed to deal with injuries than we have been. With greater depth and more versatility. That shows through when we try to construct the various lines and players are missing out. A lot will depend on who gets injured though. So we'll agree to disagree.
I feel for others who don't follow the same logic as they are the ones who will jump up and down, pitchforks in hand demanding more from the club. That cycle will hurt the club, like it has in the past. Carltons biggest issue is impatient supporters, forcing our hand before it needs to be forced, perpetuating cycle of unending rebuilds.
If the results don't flow then there will be changes. So folks won't need to jump up and down. The writing will be on the wall. And most likely it will be the coach who will depart. His contract is for 2026. That was the allotted time. We won't be sacking him, we just won't be extending him.
But he doesn't need to have dramatic improvements. It just needs to be seen to be moving in the right direction. The team coming together, youngsters developing, a springboard to 2027... and he may get his extra time. A lot of that will take place behind the scenes in terms of 'goals and targets' and we don't even know if some wheels might not already be in motion for change...that wouldn't surprise.
Bottom line. With a bit of good luck we will improve and the coach will get his extension. That's what I hope for and expect. If things go pear shaped we won't...and then there will be changes. And then it will be a case of looking ahead to a better year in 2027.
But that's just football seasons. Put the bad ones behind you and look forward to the next one.
Crystal balls, intuition, logic and hope amount to precious little when attempting to predict the fate of the 18 clubs in the AFL.
This time last year, no crystal ball foresaw the Croweaters heading to the top last year. Logic said the runners up for season 2024 should go one better in 2025... Oh dear, Fluffy Ducks, what happened! I don't think anyone predicted Rottingwood winning the flag in '23... sheesh, they didn't have two A grade, 200cm plus forwards! And so it goes.
Lady Luck has a big say in the fortunes of AFL clubs.
Every season the so-called experts predict the top 8 (now top 10)... Seldom does anyone come close to predicting how it eventually turns out. And they use stats, logic, reason, experience, whispers, 'gut' feelings, how clubs are tracking pre season and star player (A graders) stocks at each club. That's one of the beauties of our sport.
Hope springs eternal for many clubs this year.
For moi, hopes are high, expectations are tempered until I see what unfolds after a half doz games or so. Regardless of hopes and expectation, I'm excited for the return of footy in 7 weeks or so. Yummy.