True, but I want to see actions, not just words. God knows we've got enough talent: we just have it get it in our heads that we can play after half time.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 03, 2026, 05:50:16 pm
Well I guess we all knew it was going to happen. We have too many substandard players. I'll single out the captain today, he was woeful from start to finish. Handed that ball to LDU in the centre when the game was in the balance, instead of steading the ship, he actually launches the missile that sinks it. Very disappointing.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: LP on April 03, 2026, 05:51:37 pm
Until we start getting nasty in the media and crowd about the sh1zen that is happening to us on the field we get nowhere.
Umpires are penalising us on expectations now, it's become a meme. That's 4 goals in the final quarter that North should never have had.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 03, 2026, 05:53:28 pm
Most likely the statement gets made after the mid season bye, but MV shouldn't take all the blame for this basket case team... Austin should be getting the ar$e also, our recruitment the last the few years has been abysmal.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 03, 2026, 05:56:30 pm
That was the worst most bewildering display of umpiring I have seen.
We dont have enough fire power up forward unfortunately and then tried to run down the clock.
Blaming Cripps is rich, guy was quiet but did well in the third And just cant always be the one getting us out of trouble.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: LP on April 03, 2026, 05:56:45 pm
Well I guess we all knew it was going to happen. We have too many substandard players. I'll single out the captain today, he was woeful from start to finish. Handed that ball to LDU in the centre when the game was in the balance, instead of steading the ship, he actually launches the missile that sinks it. Very disappointing.
GW’s review needs to start with the captaincy. I’ve been saying this for some time now.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: northernblue on April 03, 2026, 05:58:07 pm
Sorry, 18 v 22 is never going to prevail.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: LP on April 03, 2026, 06:01:23 pm
Kangabies kick 7 goals to 3/4 time... then kick 7 in the last qtr. 'nuff said.
How many of them were from dodgy frees or non-decisions?
Twice in the last a bloke has his legs taken out and isn't protected, both result in goals, another goal a player cops front on contact in a 2 on 1 and no free is paid, and the player gets a sling tackle in a one on one in full free view with no other players blocking the view and it's play on.
It's a f@#$ing joke!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: rocky on April 03, 2026, 06:01:45 pm
We keep finding ways to pump up sides. If any team in this competition needed a boost they would request a game against Cr@p Football Club. Start the fire. Club needs to be torched. Every week it's a spectacular fightback by whoever plays us I fell like throwing up
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Baggers on April 03, 2026, 06:09:16 pm
Kangabies kick 7 goals to 3/4 time... then kick 7 in the last qtr. 'nuff said.
How many of them were from dodgy frees or non-decisions?
Twice in the last a bloke has his legs taken out and isn't protected, both result in goals, another goal a player cops front on contact in a 2 on 1 and no free is paid, and the player gets a sling tackle in a one on one in full free view with no other players blocking the view and it's play on.
It's a f@#$ing joke!
They killed us in the last qtr, Spotted One. So many more inside 50s than us.
Yes, there were some dubious frees paid and some obvious ones missed. But that doesn't change the fact that we surrendered in the last qtr with panicky/poor disposals under real heat ...very little composure. It was like they knew exactly what they were doing, and we didn't.
In footy parlance, they wanted it more than us.
At the moment we look like wooden spooners for 2026.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: shawny on April 03, 2026, 06:09:56 pm
Lets resign Voss now.
All jokes aside our lack of structures and systems are there for all to see.
the list is in all sorts of trouble. holes everywhere snail pace mid field no key forwards that have any presence and mentally fold like a pack of cards.
One positive is we wont need to worry about changes to father son.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: madbluboy on April 03, 2026, 06:12:28 pm
Ran out of legs again.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: PaulP on April 03, 2026, 06:12:36 pm
Disappointed to lose, but definitely better signs in this game than previous.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Macca37 on April 03, 2026, 06:12:50 pm
I watched the Brisbane/Collingwood game last night. We are so far behind successful teams in every aspect of the game it's not funny.
Maybe we had better extend Voss's contract before he changes his mind. No other available coach would want to deal with the current list - just rabble.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: laj on April 03, 2026, 06:13:21 pm
Disappointed to lose, but definitely better signs in this game than previous.
We were playing North.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Professer E on April 03, 2026, 06:13:48 pm
Time to make some serious statements at selection. Don't care how big the names are. Cody Walker would need to be the best mid in the draft otherwise I'd overlook him - we need to totally rebuild the centre square group. Florent and Hayward are taking the pi$$
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: LP on April 03, 2026, 06:17:19 pm
Yes, there were some dubious frees paid and some obvious ones missed.
Cut it out @Baggers, blokes do 9 good things and get crucified on the 10th by the umpires, and fans want the player strung up!
Clarkson is a dead set Clark Kent who hates our guts and even he looked embarrassed after the game, I've never seen him look sheepish in a victory over us before!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: madbluboy on April 03, 2026, 06:17:44 pm
I was seated top deck, back row, couldn't see who had the ball in the pocket with a minute left and didn't pull the trigger?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: madbluboy on April 03, 2026, 06:19:08 pm
Umpiring was terrible today, 2 weeks in a row we have copped some bad ones in the last quarter.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: laj on April 03, 2026, 06:20:11 pm
Generally, alot is attitude. Mid 2023 proved that. We went from an utter rabble to superstars in a week back then, and stayed that way. Essentially, we need to want it badly enough.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 03, 2026, 06:23:57 pm
Well I guess we all knew it was going to happen. We have too many substandard players. I'll single out the captain today, he was woeful from start to finish. Handed that ball to LDU in the centre when the game was in the balance, instead of steading the ship, he actually launches the missile that sinks it. Very disappointing.
GW’s review needs to start with the captaincy. I’ve been saying this for some time now.
Sadly, yes. Not just captaincy though. Dropped for start then a chat at years end. Fish rots at the head they say.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 03, 2026, 06:25:30 pm
The fourth quarter happened because we tried to run the clock down because some of our better players were spent - elijah had a blinder, cowan was excellent - then Weiters went off, Cripps held at every stoppage (jumper clearly being pulled each time)… umpiring was the worst I have seen, and one sided.
But regardless, this is North. After 3/4 time we shouldve gone on with it.
Listening to Garry and Gerard salivating over our predicament hurts as much. We were even third lead story on ch9, talking Voss.
Hayward pissed me right off and we just didnt get reward for our tackling ever. Feel Sorry for the boys, theyre trying, its just not happening.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: laj on April 03, 2026, 06:36:13 pm
The fourth quarter happened because we tried to run the clock down because some of our better players were spent - elijah had a blinder, cowan was excellent - then Weiters went off, Cripps held at every stoppage (jumper clearly being pulled each time)… umpiring was the worst I have seen, and one sided.
But regardless, this is North. After 3/4 time we shouldve gone on with it.
Listening to Garry and Gerard salivating over our predicament hurts as much. We were even third lead story on ch9, talking Voss.
Hayward pissed me right off and we just didnt get reward for our tackling ever. Feel Sorry for the boys, theyre trying, its just not happening.
Haywood is like Frankie was for much of last year until he worked it out late. He has no idea what is happening up the field. No connection. He got that at the Swans and could set up accordingly. Ainsworth obviously ran all over the place given he got 22 touches and 8 marks.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Baggers on April 03, 2026, 06:39:16 pm
The fourth quarter happened because we tried to run the clock down because some of our better players were spent - elijah had a blinder, cowan was excellent - then Weiters went off, Cripps held at every stoppage (jumper clearly being pulled each time)… umpiring was the worst I have seen, and one sided.
But regardless, this is North. After 3/4 time we shouldve gone on with it.
Listening to Garry and Gerard salivating over our predicament hurts as much. We were even third lead story on ch9, talking Voss.
Hayward pissed me right off and we just didnt get reward for our tackling ever. Feel Sorry for the boys, theyre trying, its just not happening.
Yep. The commentary in the last qtr was full of mocking and gloating toward our boys - very ordinary. Hudson and Whately were almost laughing at us.
Hayward's lack of discipline cost us a couple of goals. Ollie H handed it back too often. Mistakes cost us dearly.
You're right, the lads gave their all but in that last qtr the mistakes were telling... like they just didn't know how to win.
Although the umpiring was terrible at times, that's not what cost us the game.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 03, 2026, 06:44:45 pm
I thought Ainsworth showed something, some grit and strength. Elijah back to great form. Jagga tries to do too much because he doesnt trust his teammates. Ollie is everywhere but his short kicking is awful. Cowan was excellent I thought . Weiters was crap when he was on but after he went off I realised how important he is even when he is crap. Harry needs some grunt and some real mongrel . Pitto was good. Cerra has good skills but has no grit. Florent way too slow thinking. Hayward stupid stupid stupid. Derks tough first game. Walsh great in flashes and tried til the end. Frankie and Byrne always working hard. Hewitt didnt do much. And he and Cripps made dumb errors in the last. Young was ok and absolutely rolled for that 50 against him. Boyd was okay. Newman was great then ran out of puff. And voss looked like he might have a stroke on the boundary.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: northernblue on April 03, 2026, 06:45:19 pm
All jokes aside our lack of structures and systems are there for all to see.
the list is in all sorts of trouble. holes everywhere snail pace mid field no key forwards that have any presence and mentally fold like a pack of cards.
One positive is we wont need to worry about changes to father son.
All Voss’s fault too… 🙄
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: northernblue on April 03, 2026, 06:46:42 pm
Time to make some serious statements at selection. Don't care how big the names are. Cody Walker would need to be the best mid in the draft otherwise I'd overlook him - we need to totally rebuild the centre square group. Florent and Hayward are taking the pi$$
Certainly need to drop weiters
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: northernblue on April 03, 2026, 06:48:30 pm
Generally, alot is attitude. Mid 2023 proved that. We went from an utter rabble to superstars in a week back then, and stayed that way. Essentially, we need to want it badly enough.
Last post on page 1, 18 v 22 you can’t win.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: northernblue on April 03, 2026, 06:54:36 pm
Harry needs to raise his knee when someone is backing into the pack to intercept. E holands didn’t make contact when he tried to intercept and had the jump on someone. Young pretty close to having his papers stamped because of the 4 extra players norf had. Evans deliberate OOB ???
We didn’t lose, we were overwhelmed by weight of numbers…
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: PaulP on April 03, 2026, 06:57:51 pm
No idea why people think North are easybeats. Apart from Xerri and arguably Logue, they are basically full strength. 4 time premiership coach, excellent young talent, very good experienced recruits and currently sit 3-1.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: shawny on April 03, 2026, 07:21:28 pm
No idea why people think North are easybeats. Apart from Xerri and arguably Logue, they are basically full strength. 4 time premiership coach, excellent young talent, very good experienced recruits and currently sit 3-1.
Essendon will be good as well when they beat us.
The excuses we make is cringeworthy. We are offically a laughing stock
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Thryleon on April 03, 2026, 07:31:04 pm
No idea why people think North are easybeats. Apart from Xerri and arguably Logue, they are basically full strength. 4 time premiership coach, excellent young talent, very good experienced recruits and currently sit 3-1.
they were terrible Paul. We made them look good in the last. We had many moments we didnt manage well, but the umps gave them an armchair ride and we still should have done more to win that game if not for obtaining the fumbles and making poor decisions.
We actually beat ourselves today. Melbourne last week beat us, today we beat ourselves.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: LordLucifer on April 03, 2026, 07:35:43 pm
Kangas are 3-1, we are 1-3.
Voss will be at Centrelink on Tuesday morning, book it in !!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: LP on April 03, 2026, 07:38:23 pm
Harry needs to raise his knee when someone is backing into the pack to intercept.
Harry is not that type of player, it's never going to happen, not him and not Weiters, certainly not Young. I have to wonder watching Young today, could some of today's decisions push him over the edge, make him a bit more aggressive?
That aggression issue is why I posed the May question in the list management thread, I think we need a player who is, I bet if he returns to the AFL he ends up at the Filth. I've overheard McRae has returned early to go and watch him play again!
As an aside, I watched the Norp players take Newman out of the contest metres off the footy multiple time today. He wasn't really in a position to contest but it's still an illegal action that normally results in a down field free kick, in one case the Norp player had his back to the contest and basically shoved Newman in the throat.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: LP on April 03, 2026, 07:44:48 pm
I don't get what is happening with tripping, has the rule changed, why are players now allowed to dive at the footy and take out the opponent's legs?
Did we miss the memo?
And it appears if you tackle someone and that tackle slips down below the knees it's play on. Kosi did twice in our game against the Dees and wasn't penalised, it happened multiple times to us as a team today and that specific non-decision cost us at least 2 goals just in the last quarter.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 03, 2026, 07:49:31 pm
The umpiring was atrocious. We should’ve won regardless but the umpiring was the worst i have seen.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Shakin77 on April 03, 2026, 07:52:07 pm
No idea why people think North are easybeats. Apart from Xerri and arguably Logue, they are basically full strength. 4 time premiership coach, excellent young talent, very good experienced recruits and currently sit 3-1.
The North game against Essendon was terrible, and they lost to West Coast who are pretty average. By all right they should improve but not sure they have showed that yet.
Our concern is Melbourne and Richmond (should have lost) are bottom 4 quality sides. North bottom 6.
All three results are more of a reflection on how we are going as a football side to be honest.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Blue Moon on April 03, 2026, 07:55:36 pm
Took us a little longer than normal but we got there in the end. The old Carlaspsitis just doesn't go away.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: laj on April 03, 2026, 07:56:51 pm
No idea why people think North are easybeats. Apart from Xerri and arguably Logue, they are basically full strength. 4 time premiership coach, excellent young talent, very good experienced recruits and currently sit 3-1.
We should be beating them .
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 03, 2026, 08:59:01 pm
Time to make some serious statements at selection. Don't care how big the names are. Cody Walker would need to be the best mid in the draft otherwise I'd overlook him - we need to totally rebuild the centre square group. Florent and Hayward are taking the pi$$
ive been trying to remain calm but after today, it became obvious to me at least, that the senior players are not winning us games that are in the balance, they are costing us games. The most senior of players being the prime offender.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: crashlander on April 03, 2026, 09:01:17 pm
Umpiring was terrible today, 2 weeks in a row we have copped some bad ones in the last quarter.
I wish I could just blame the umpires: they were diabolical. Front on contact ignored, players tripped, guys diving on your back: I could go on, the the litany was considerable. But, in the end, if we were good enough, we wouldn't have lost.
[1] We get out-coached very week and I really hate it. North had a plan for Cripps and it worked. But with him so thoroughly tagged, did we change the midfield group? No. Just not smart.
[2] Our players are not smart. Time and again, we make the wrong decisions. Or we do something moronic. Hayworth's giving away goals was simply unacceptable. He needs to be dropped for that.
[3] Our players do not want it enough. I hate writing this, but it is probably understating the case. When it mattered, our boys didn't want the ball enough: North's guys did. And when it came for our defenders to punch, it just didn't happen. Too many players not doing enough, not putting on any pressure, not making it difficult for their opponents to get the ball.
[4] Our structure: Weitering gave Larkey the biggest bath of the season, which was nice. But who other, of our defenders, can say they made a difference? Our team lacks decent key position players, which was so obvious when you look at our 2's. So, why do we not bother with them? Our players often don't have advantageous matchups. And do we have people to kick the ball to? God, no! Our match-ups don't make sense and help us lose.
[5] Our game plan: I don't want to go over this again in detail, but I am tired of our guys not making space, not offering leads, not running, not moving the ball quickly and intelligently.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Thryleon on April 03, 2026, 09:15:22 pm
We did it again.
We were trying to lock the game down, and we executed that tactic poorly.
Players hard up against the boundary kicking it out when they should have been wearing pressure and taking the tackle over. Result out of bounds on the full.
Pittonet trying to hit the ball out of a pack when we should have been clogging it. We want repeat stoppages not open it up in the last.
We try to play on quick, and then errant handball rushed kick turnover and then cough up what should have been a comfortable enough 4 quarter win with a slight challenge into a loss that will leave psychological scars.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: shawny on April 03, 2026, 09:20:12 pm
Our senior group are not on field leaders and have no tactical nous at all when late in the game we need an experienced head. Cripps drop off is alarming and cant play after half time as his lack of leg speed when hes tired absolutely burns us. He was never fast but he looks so far off the pace this year.
Hewitt and even Cerra are only marginaly better and the last quarter when LDU ran out of the centre with Cerra hot on his tail and just kept pulling away and he is not known for his speed speaks volumnes about how much lack of leg speed is destroying us yet we did sfa to address it which is so disappointing.
Pit is having a great year and probably leading our B&F but losing TDK has hurt us and i said it last year that his loss would affect us more then charlie as his loss madean already slow group even slower.
There is so much wrong with the list we have no option but to start again.
Apart from lack of midfield speed we have no tall support for Weitering no good using attacking ball users off half back, no geniune key forwards pls dont say harry or Kemp are both are clueless in their roles. We have numerous small forwards yet none would get a game in any of the top teams.
And every one knows my feeling on the coach.
Many more years of pain is ahead folks and based on our track record i have no confidence at all we will do it correctly this time around but we have no option now.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 03, 2026, 10:33:06 pm
We dominated in the ruck with Pittonet and Xerri missing but couldnt take advantage in the clearance/stoppages, you add in the spud factor that Nth have especially down back with Corr, Pink and Comden and I felt we let the game slip away. Nth are quick just like Essendon are quick but they are not very good as they showed scraping by over Essendon in an error ridden game the previous week and play an error ridden game like we do. Its disappointing to lose to a poor team like Nth and to even be in the situation where we are hanging on, we really should have put them away properly and won comfortably as they were not playing well enough to win. I noticed the stats were fairly similar except in the marks inside 50 which were 14 -7 in favour of Nth and when I looked at the season stats I see Nth have had 58 marks inside 50 to our 31 in with both teams playing the four games. We either dont have the method to create marking opportunities for our forwards or we dont have the players capable of taking marks which might be explained with losing Charlie and to a lesser extent TDK. We cant expect to kick all our goals from stoppages or opposition errors like we saw today and id question if the players have already reverted back to the old bomb it long strategy. Also way to much fiddling with the ball, Hewett in particular goes back every time to take his kick and is way to slow to dispose of the ball. Ainsworth was serviceable working up the field more, Hayward was terrible and Florent showed us again why Cox had him in the twos. Newman did ok in his return match and was solid, Cowan defended well at times, Derksen had a tough first game....Duursma and Trembath are talented kids and he got a bit lost at times but he did some ok things as well. Boyd looked a bit rusty after such a long break but used the ball well and Id persist with him.... Kemp kicked 3 goals but I remain doubtful on his future as our Full Forward and I think its a position Id be recruiting for next trade/draft period. Harry played a typical Harry game, couple of goals, some marks further up the ground but never really influential enough to move the dial. Cripps, Hewett and Walsh were mediocre over all and I gave Cerra a pass seeing its his first game back and he probably needs another month of solid footy. Hollands boys had a good third quarter and Ollie tried hard all day, Elijah teased with some classy stuff but he has no defensive game and a couple of his contests were average especially one half hearted spoil in the last quarter and we cant afford that. The list needs major renovation and the captain and in particular the coach look defeated from those last shots of him on the boundary line and we need a catalyst of some sort to break the cycle of losses and team malaise. The Crows losing tonight vs Freo wont make it any easier next game and with Weitering missing with concussion its looking like being another very tough task.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Lods on April 04, 2026, 08:29:34 am
The thing that has me perplexed is, that apart from perhaps Pittonet, the youngsters playing their first games... who else is looking better than they did last year?
We argued over the summer about the quality of the list. As it is we control games for long periods before the 'bogeyman' comes out of the closet and makes a home in the player's heads. But even if you accept that the list is poor the question has to be asked... "Is the coach getting the best out of this list?"...and that's what will determine Voss's future.
Not everyone is going to improve, some will decline, but to see no improvement at all across the board is a bit strange. You can't put that all down to the loss of TDK, Curnow and Silvagni...the last two were missing towards the end of last year. Curnow was sub par for most of the year.
The lapses are now so ingrained I doubt opposition coaches even have to mention it, the players across the league know it. Our players know it and are full of self doubt.
Will we persist with Voss for much longer? I think the catalyst will be when we have a game when we are totally uncompetitive. With games against stronger teams coming up that's a real possibility. As it is, it wouldn't surprise if they moved sooner rather than later. Some sort of circuit breaker is needed. Voss has been clear about this seperation from the past years and this year. A fresh start, a new approach, but it's gone a bit stale pretty quickly.
'Ownership' seems to be the buzz word at the moment, Voss used it again in his press conference. The players say "it's on us" but when the going gets tough...the tough aren't going and become more like spectators in some cases.
There were a couple of key moments towards the end. The loss of Weitering was one, and there was a time when Pittonet was off the field for a spell (I'm not sure for how long) and they got a couple of very easy wins in the centre.
The next three games will see a step up in the quality of opposition and a bit of travel. There's a chance we'll catch one of them off guard, that's the type of result that can swing a season, but poor results in all of those games or no resolution of the second half fade-outs and some changes will be set in stone.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Professer E on April 04, 2026, 08:53:41 am
I share that concern Lods; why have so many regressed and playing so poorly- it's not like Cripps is a dud, why is now a liability when he is a dual Brownlow medallist? I have the belief that we have a list of decent footballers, but they are totally unsuited to today's game. If we were totally sh1t we wouldn't be up at 3/4 time but we're so unbalanced a side/list that eventually we get over run as a result.
I fear that the next stage of the rebuild that never gets completed will be even more impossible because I don't see many obvious candidates for retention and we need to blow up the list - it will take years to develop and likely to become obselete as we mature as footy invariably moves on. We need a total midfield rebuild, plus elite ball distributors across the wings and from defence. These blokes aren't on our list ATM. (why not Austin? Is a serious question). Plus a significant injection of pace and athleticism. Cody Walker is but one player but we need about 8. With Tassie coming in I suspect this club is looking at the pain continuing for at least another generation.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 04, 2026, 09:15:25 am
The thing that has me perplexed is, that apart from perhaps Pittonet, the youngsters playing their first games... who else is looking better than they did last year?
We argued over the summer about the quality of the list. As it is we control games for long periods before the 'bogeyman' comes out of the closet and makes a home in the player's heads. But even if you accept that the list is poor the question has to be asked... "Is the coach getting the best out of this list?"...and that's what will determine Voss's future.
Not everyone is going to improve, some will decline, but to see no improvement at all across the board is a bit strange. You can't put that all down to the loss of TDK, Curnow and Silvagni...the last two were missing towards the end of last year. Curnow was sub par for most of the year.
The lapses are now so ingrained I doubt opposition coaches even have to mention it, the players across the league know it. Our players know it and are full of self doubt.
Will we persist with Voss for much longer? I think the catalyst will be when we have a game when we are totally uncompetitive. With games against stronger teams coming up that's a real possibility. As it is, it wouldn't surprise if they moved sooner rather than later. Some sort of circuit breaker is needed. Voss has been clear about this seperation from the past years and this year. A fresh start, a new approach, but it's gone a bit stale pretty quickly.
'Ownership' seems to be the buzz word at the moment, Voss used it again in his press conference. The players say "it's on us" but when the going gets tough...the tough aren't going and become more like spectators in some cases.
There were a couple of key moments towards the end. The loss of Weitering was one, and there was a time when Pittonet was off the field for a spell (I'm not sure for how long) and they got a couple of very easy wins in the centre.
The next three games will see a step up in the quality of opposition and a bit of travel. There's a chance we'll catch one of them off guard, that's the type of result that can swing a season, but poor results in all of those games or no resolution of the second half fade-outs and some changes will be set in stone.
Agree , we don't seem to have much improvement overall on the list and the other problem is you have to allow for other teams improving so you can never stand still yourself and some of the Nth kids are showing a bit now. When you look past Smith, Dean,Walker and maybe OFarrell we don't have much coming through of real quality. I think we can pinch a game in the next three weeks more based on the law of averages and our best chance is vs Collingwood who have key injuries and look a bit thin on young talent coming through. We need a major rebuild and get value from those Charlie picks...you look at Newman, Haynes, Saad and they all can't play together moving forward and you have to question recruiting 28, 27 year olds like Hayward, Florent and Ainsworth on long term deals. As Prof said there is going to be some pain and tough times ahead with Tassie owning the draft for a few seasons ahead and we need a top shelf recruiter not just Wright to oversee a rebuild.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Baggers on April 04, 2026, 09:27:42 am
Good reads, EB1, Principal LODS and Professory. Thoughtful.
How many times have we created a good lead, then collapsed? We know we're physically capable; the list can do it. We've seen it. We've seen good leads evaporate... consistently.
IMHO we know how to win. We can establish good leads but then its like a winning anxiety and hesitation sets in... fear of failure rather than excitement at winning. Aka, choking. Then mistakes and safeness kick in. Winning impotence.
For Vossy to minimize above the shoulders is reflective of someone in denial. Ample evidence over a long period, is there for all too see.
Years of niceness has robbed our blokes of mental (warrior) toughness and the enjoyment of winning. How can blokes improve and become tougher when so much niceness has been the foundation? A battalion of sports psychologists are required at PP.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: kruddler on April 04, 2026, 09:27:53 am
People were talking about the quality of the list and the outgoings not hurting us because the incomings will spread the load. Problem with that theory is 3-fold.
1. The players going out were top liners (whether a-grade or not, but #1 forward, #1 ruck, #2 key back). So 'replacing them' with players of less talent means those players now have a tougher matchup. That is Harry doesn't play on #2 key back, he plays on #1. Kemp doesn't play on #3 key back, he plays on #2 etc.
2. The 'kids' we had who were ready to step up have next to no exposed form. HOK was the great white hope because he played a good couple quarters last year. Good quarters in dead rubbers is not an accurate predictor. Wilson was pumped up by all, i never saw it, but so far hasn't fired a shot Kemp, not really a kid, but still expected to step up into a new role, been underwhelming so far. I could continue, but you get the point.
3. We severly overrated the players we recruited. As usual, we look at their best and expect that to be the norm. Some people pointed out that Florent couldn't get a game last year and instead of looking at his ability as the reason, we blamed their coach as the reason.
All of this is what i was trying to prepare supporters for, but people didn't want to listen. Now, the sky is falling and they are ready to burn the place down. I knew it would happen, but even i didn't expect it after 4 games.
No I am not happy about our performances thus far. No i don't think we should sack the coach.
Wasn't too long ago that we wanted to sack the coach mid-season and we ended up making a prelim that year. Now i'm not suggesting we will this year, but i'm just pointing out that making knee-jerk reactions, with little to no immediate benefit is a stupid thing to do. Surely we've done this enough to know this by now.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Thryleon on April 04, 2026, 09:34:08 am
We are losing the same way we did late in 2024 after the holding the ball interpretation changed mid year.
Not sure the list has much to do with it but to me out players went from being able to fight through tackles and keep the ball moving to getting pinged and that hurt them more than anything else.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: madbluboy on April 04, 2026, 09:39:46 am
We lost 3 strong marking players from each zone. TDK created a contest down the wings, Pittonet doesn't even get there. Charlie even out of form was a presence.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 04, 2026, 09:47:00 am
The thing is, its now happened so many times that surely nothing is now ‘kneejerk’.
I am Team Voss but something has got to change immediately- You cant say we are crap because we are not getting smacked (yet!), we are winning every game… until the noise turns up and pressure intensifies and panic sets in.
I agree with Baggers, way too much nice. Need to be a bit ruthless and get some energy back into these guys for the whole game.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: JonDorotich on April 04, 2026, 09:48:55 am
Enough has been said about our problems, but what about solutions? We’re clearly on track for a spoon and need to act, without having the luxury of a change in personnel..
Some left field ideas to consider (1) Ainsworth as a back pocket/lockdown small forward defender . We don’t have one and I don’t really rate him as a great high HF. (2) Hayward to HB? We need some pace and class off HB and for whatever reason, he’s not getting a touch in our system. I’d also be hoping that Billy Wilson comes on as we lack leg speed coming out of defence (3) McKay back - let’s face it he’s not a great forward and we need to find a way to purge the Yoings/Derksens from our side. He has some pace and can surely follow his man around? (4) Cripps full forward? He’s 195cm and playing about as badly as I can recall. Need to freshen him up and work with him to improve his kicking. HOK & Reidy don’t really strike me as great options but are also worthy of consideration at this stage. (5) Hollands x2 - I keep saying if, but their good is outweighed by their bad. Critical turnovers or poor decisions cost us so dearly with these two. I’d be dropping both permanently and finding others to play their role. (6) Florent/Saad into a new roles - both are sadly out of form. Can we find a way to freshen he other up, pinch hitting up forward or at centre bounces?
Would love to hear others views on changes that we can make. As a starting point I’d suggest that removing Young/Derkson & both Hollands is a step in the right direction & I know lots will disagree with me in Elijah’s case, but that’s my view.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 04, 2026, 09:49:09 am
And can i say i feel like Hayward is playing like someone that doesnt want to be there.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Lods on April 04, 2026, 09:54:29 am
And can i say i feel like Hayward is playing like someone that doesnt want to be there.
I guess we got our answer of him being pushed out for Charlie.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Professer E on April 04, 2026, 10:04:23 am
I want to know who we're targetting via FA/trades because drafting won't cut it and we so badly need the right type of player, not just any player like the discards we took for Charlie....gees a Sheezel type or Rioli off half back would make us look, and be, so much more effective. But who would seriously want to come to Carlton...?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Lods on April 04, 2026, 10:13:11 am
The thing is, its now happened so many times that surely nothing is now ‘kneejerk’.
Yep When does "kneejerk" become "waited too long"
It's conflicting points of view. If you believe the list is no good then you can continue to back the coach for a while longer. If you believe the list isn't as bad as it's showing, you question whether the coach is the right person.
The thing is that, if it's the list...then results will continue to be poor. They won't improve this year. We won't know if a change would have made a difference. And that's the dilemma. Keep going with the negativity (and in some cases anger), watch that fester and grow. Or try something different.
I'm not sure that now is the right time for a coach change, because the next three weeks are difficult and what's most likely to happen would not be the 'sugar hit' people are hoping for but more of the same or worse. That makes the next three weeks 'season defining', because it's at the end of that point that I suspect decisions will be locked in regarding the coach, and perhaps others.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 04, 2026, 10:14:49 am
Yeah im a bit over the Cody Walker talk, hes a kid he is going to be years away regardless! Same with Harry D HOK all these young guys.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 04, 2026, 10:16:58 am
North players said after the game they knew theyd win because we would fold.
Its now an AFL fact AND SOMETHING has got to change. For thise bashing Cripps The guy had his jumper pulled on every stoppage and i think he got one free for the game. He was trying to bust thru because most of the others refuse to throw themselves into it.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Professer E on April 04, 2026, 10:17:04 am
I wouldn't be blowing all my draft capital on one kid either, just like selling the farm for Jagga Smith.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 04, 2026, 10:24:28 am
I was too furious to pay proper attention in the last - if we were trying to run the clock down as it seemed, did we throw mcg or harry down back or change anything at all? Or was it a ‘stick to the plan’; which id thats the case and it continually fails them, no wonder the players panic.
Change has to happen - coach, or game play/tactics, or match ups need to be moved around.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: bratblue on April 04, 2026, 11:02:45 am
Therer are two phases to our game. We're ok at the first which is contended with fresh players. In the second phase we are dismal, thats when the big slow bodies in the center really hurt us and the opposition have known that for a number of years.
The coaching staff have't got a plan for that second phase other than to try to repeat the first and it never works, thats on Voss not the slow players. We need those change up a gear players, some who have done some bench time and are fresh for the onslaught while the big body players do some bench time and go foward in Cripps case. Thats the time to send Harry back and Young/Derkson forward. Derkson was lost out there yesterday.
Voss won't do something like that as he cannot.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: kruddler on April 04, 2026, 11:56:03 am
Enough has been said about our problems, but what about solutions? We’re clearly on track for a spoon and need to act, without having the luxury of a change in personnel..
Some left field ideas to consider (1) Ainsworth as a back pocket/lockdown small forward defender . We don’t have one and I don’t really rate him as a great high HF. (2) Hayward to HB? We need some pace and class off HB and for whatever reason, he’s not getting a touch in our system. I’d also be hoping that Billy Wilson comes on as we lack leg speed coming out of defence (3) McKay back - let’s face it he’s not a great forward and we need to find a way to purge the Yoings/Derksens from our side. He has some pace and can surely follow his man around? (4) Cripps full forward? He’s 195cm and playing about as badly as I can recall. Need to freshen him up and work with him to improve his kicking. HOK & Reidy don’t really strike me as great options but are also worthy of consideration at this stage. (5) Hollands x2 - I keep saying if, but their good is outweighed by their bad. Critical turnovers or poor decisions cost us so dearly with these two. I’d be dropping both permanently and finding others to play their role. (6) Florent/Saad into a new roles - both are sadly out of form. Can we find a way to freshen he other up, pinch hitting up forward or at centre bounces?
Would love to hear others views on changes that we can make. As a starting point I’d suggest that removing Young/Derkson & both Hollands is a step in the right direction & I know lots will disagree with me in Elijah’s case, but that’s my view.
Certainly left field JD. At the end of the day, anything might be worth a try. Cripps would need some serious work on his kicking if he is to play FF. Harry back would be a concern for me, you need abit a crap about you to play down back, thats not in H's DNA unfortunately. It seems to me those issues he faced last year which forced him to have time off might not be fully resolved, he isn't a patch on Coleman H, its actually quite sad as he should be in the prime of his career and should be taking games apart. As I said, anythings worth a go.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: PaulP on April 04, 2026, 12:11:38 pm
The Club has been sucked in by the Action Bias over and over again. This is the perfect time for Wright et al to show what they are made of.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Lods on April 04, 2026, 12:17:00 pm
The thing is, its now happened so many times that surely nothing is now ‘kneejerk’.
We allowed him to continue his contract. Took away his top liners. Now want to sack him after 4 games? What the hell did you expect to happen??
We didn't take away his topliners His topliners left of their own accord. They wanted to go. ...and there may have been some disaffection with the coaching direction that contributed to those decisions.
Now I agree, now is not the time to sack him. We want a careful consideration of who we want coaching us in 2027 and that will be clearer at the end of the year in terms of availability...(if a decision hasn't already been made)...the closer we can get to that the better. Round 4 is too long for a caretaker coach to maintain any sugar hit. There's also the danger an interim coach make a claim for the job full-time and prove to be a false saviour in the long run...so the longer we delay that move the better. And as I mentioned before we have a run of three or four games which will give us a much better idea. But I suspect around mid-year the decision on Voss will have been made...if not made public.
What's the best move in the short term. In some respects it might be a case of Wright coming out and saying "regardless of results, we've contracted Michael until the end of the year and we will be honoring that contract...so everyone else can get stuffed."
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Thryleon on April 04, 2026, 12:18:12 pm
Lijah was possibly one of our best performers yesterday. Ollie has his issues but he wasn't terrible. He does need to tidy up his kicking.
Some of the moves mooted are fine but after listening to Voss yesterday he said something that struck a cord. Weve blooded 10 debutants in 4 games.
We are getting into winning positions, and then we can see the errors as they unfold. Are we that far off? Will continuity simply fix it? Is that why Voss didnt make massive role change with the game in the balance?
Is there a bigger picture he is thinking about?
Its easy for us. We can say, weitering off, kemp behind the ball, McKay to relief ruck, and hayward to full forward but we wont know how those moves work without doing it.
Also that night get us a couple of wins, does it frustrate players too much or does it work counter to players learning roles abd upset the apple cart too much?
All good questions. We have been in winning positions in 4 games. Only against Sydney did we truly get knocked for 6 where we had minimal answer. Yesterday's game was a undeserving loss, so perhaps that isnt a good one to look at here.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Thryleon on April 04, 2026, 12:19:43 pm
We allowed him to continue his contract. Took away his top liners. Now want to sack him after 4 games? What the hell did you expect to happen??
We didn't take away his topliners His topliners left of their own accord. They wanted to go. ...and there may have been some disaffection with the coaching direction that contributed to those decisions.
Now I agree, now is not the time to sack him. We want a careful consideration of who we want coaching us in 2027 and that will be clearer at the end of the year in terms of availability...(if a decision hasn't already been made)...the closer we can get to that the better. Round 4 is too long for a caretaker coach to maintain any sugar hit. There's also the danger an interim coach make a claim for the job full-time and prove to be a false saviour in the long run...so the longer we delay that move the better. And as I mentioned before we have a run of three or four games which will give us a much better idea. But I suspect around mid-year the decision on Voss will have been made...if not made public.
What's the best move in the short term. In some respects it might be a case of Wright coming out and saying "regardless of results, we've contracted Michael until the end of the year and we will be honoring that contract...so everyone else can get stuffed."
Wright wont be going public saying that.
It leaves no wiggle room.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Professer E on April 04, 2026, 12:27:29 pm
Hayward was particularly poor and needs to be the coaches office at 9 am Monday to explain himself and his actions. I'd drop him, publicly, because he needs an attitude re-set.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: LP on April 04, 2026, 01:21:43 pm
Watching the replay, if you ignore all the late pressure induced errors and the obvious umpiring blunders, we still missed multiple shots at goal from within a 25m range and ultimately that was a big contributor to the events that cost us the game.
Fundamental errors, like missing because they ultimately kicked in the direction they were heading but they weren't heading for goal.
On a separate issue, I watch Kemp and think what a waste. This bloke rolled up to our club as a player who was capable of forward play and midfield rotations, and we basically burnt him by wasting his capabilities on the HBF. Now towards the end we want him to learn the F50, it's like resetting to day one and he seriously looks out of his depth.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 04, 2026, 01:24:17 pm
Yeah I didnt expect to be near the top But i dod expect us to be able to account for richmond Melbourne and North!
CC was crap last year. Yes hes missed because he got the best defender. We miss TDKs hard work and athleticism, but what could we do there, thanks to SOS targetting him and giving him millions.
But we have Got talent and imo hayward was a liability yday and frankly played like hes a dickhead, florent seemed so slow but did work hard - Maybe he shouldve been Moved forward? I do recall Hayes was terrible in his first game so hopefully Florent will improve.
Newman and Elijah ran out of puff unfortunately and Weiters’ off injured, crap umpiring all going their way etc etc
Now the anger has dissipated I agree re Voss. BUT changes need to be made when the game changes! Even if it doesnt work its become a fail so to correct a fail you need to do something else.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: MickyO on April 04, 2026, 01:25:26 pm
Watching the replay, if you ignore all the late pressure induced errors and the obvious umpiring blunders, we still missed multiple shots at goal from within a 25m range and ultimately that was a big contributor to the events that cost us the game.
Yeah hitting the post multiple times from Close range is just a killer.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 04, 2026, 01:30:07 pm
Hayward was particularly poor and needs to be the coaches office at 9 am Monday to explain himself and his actions. I'd drop him, publicly, because he needs an attitude re-set.
Agree but if you had to drop players to send a message, you'd struggle to list a team and find a captain.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: LP on April 04, 2026, 01:32:55 pm
I'm think fans are deluded if they think these guys will arrive as match winners from day one, they weren't match winners at the club they came from and at our club in a new team and environment they'll need at least 1/2 a season to settle.
In the long term they won't be bad, but they won't be any better than they were, they aren't going to turn into Judd just because the switched clubs.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: madbluboy on April 04, 2026, 01:42:43 pm
We allowed him to continue his contract. Took away his top liners. Now want to sack him after 4 games? What the hell did you expect to happen??
We didn't take away his topliners His topliners left of their own accord. They wanted to go. ...and there may have been some disaffection with the coaching direction that contributed to those decisions.
Poor choice of words.. We didnt replace his top liners. Result is the same though.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: JonDorotich on April 04, 2026, 01:51:09 pm
Enough has been said about our problems, but what about solutions? We’re clearly on track for a spoon and need to act, without having the luxury of a change in personnel..
Some left field ideas to consider (1) Ainsworth as a back pocket/lockdown small forward defender . We don’t have one and I don’t really rate him as a great high HF. (2) Hayward to HB? We need some pace and class off HB and for whatever reason, he’s not getting a touch in our system. I’d also be hoping that Billy Wilson comes on as we lack leg speed coming out of defence (3) McKay back - let’s face it he’s not a great forward and we need to find a way to purge the Yoings/Derksens from our side. He has some pace and can surely follow his man around? (4) Cripps full forward? He’s 195cm and playing about as badly as I can recall. Need to freshen him up and work with him to improve his kicking. HOK & Reidy don’t really strike me as great options but are also worthy of consideration at this stage. (5) Hollands x2 - I keep saying if, but their good is outweighed by their bad. Critical turnovers or poor decisions cost us so dearly with these two. I’d be dropping both permanently and finding others to play their role. (6) Florent/Saad into a new roles - both are sadly out of form. Can we find a way to freshen he other up, pinch hitting up forward or at centre bounces?
Would love to hear others views on changes that we can make. As a starting point I’d suggest that removing Young/Derkson & both Hollands is a step in the right direction & I know lots will disagree with me in Elijah’s case, but that’s my view.
Certainly left field JD. At the end of the day, anything might be worth a try. Cripps would need some serious work on his kicking if he is to play FF. Harry back would be a concern for me, you need abit a crap about you to play down back, thats not in H's DNA unfortunately. It seems to me those issues he faced last year which forced him to have time off might not be fully resolved, he isn't a patch on Coleman H, its actually quite sad as he should be in the prime of his career and should be taking games apart. As I said, anythings worth a go.
Re Harry it is sad, but he’s just not firing a shot and he’s had a good go. Moving Harry is as much about taking Young/Derkson off the field as much as it about freeing Harry to play without the mental pressure of finishing the teams hard work with a goal, which we can see he struggles with.
The Hayward situation is similar and it can’t be fun for him running around headless in our forward 50, which inevitably leads to acts of frustration that we saw yesterday. A move to HB would free him up.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: madbluboy on April 04, 2026, 02:37:55 pm
Lose a key forward, key defender and number 1 ruck with no replacements.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Professer E on April 04, 2026, 02:54:37 pm
And replace them with bit players and blokes that play less important roles...over to you Austin
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: PaulP on April 04, 2026, 02:59:16 pm
Even at their best, the Derksens, Reidys, Haywards etc are never going to be like-for-like replacements, but I think once they settle in they will play good footy for us.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 04, 2026, 03:02:24 pm
We saw the difference in the coaching from Clarkson .....McKercher had been cutting us up from half back but let Jagga in for an easy goal by not picking him up and Clarko went ballistic at the 3/4 time break with a little jab to his chest to his young player to let him know what matters most and thats accountability and not cheap possessions.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 04, 2026, 03:19:53 pm
Hayward is used to the Sydney system and playing with Gulden and crew lacing him with the ball, at Carlton you have to work way harder for your kicks because quality entries are few and far between. Even at Sydney he was an eleven possession a game player averaging one goal a game so not exactly a dial mover just a handy accessory at best to the real stars. The other problem with him is what is his man doing?, given most teams run high possession rebounders off half back and look for the easier players to exploit.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Professer E on April 04, 2026, 03:46:41 pm
Id try him out of the square as a leading FF
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 04, 2026, 04:05:13 pm
I would too but it would be in the VFL next game....
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: RiverRat on April 04, 2026, 04:32:47 pm
McKay is a shadow of his former self: He struggles to take an overhead mark without juggling the ball at least once. He fails to get separation from a defender on the lead. Even when he does get some decent foot passes to his advantage, he seems to be unable to use his considerable body size and reach to prevent an opponent from spoiling from behind. He remains an unreliable kick for goal.
Might as well use him as a back up ruckman to allow him to try and regain some one-grab overhead marking.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Shakin77 on April 04, 2026, 04:46:44 pm
Even at their best, the Derksens, Reidys, Haywards etc are never going to be like-for-like replacements, but I think once they settle in they will play good footy for us.
All those trades were players that can lift the floor, but none of them are going to lift the roof. What A-Graders did Montagna think we could get in? Ainsworth and Hayward is better than any of the small/medium forwards that we had, but they are known qualities. Add. Florent. All 27-28. None have upside. Reidy is a backup ruck that joins the back up ruck merry-go round.
The only one that might have upside is Chesser and given we gave up what ended being pick 42 it's a low-cost play with a low chance of being a smash pick.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Lods on April 04, 2026, 05:05:13 pm
Regarding not replacing the 'topliners'.
Serious question.... With who? Who would we have taken in the last draft/trade period to replace them.
You can make a good case for not developing the repalcements long term. But when DeKoning (expected), Silvagni (unexpected) and Curnow (umming and ahhing) decided to leave who should we have replaced them with.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: PaulP on April 04, 2026, 05:19:57 pm
All those trades were players that can lift the floor, but none of them are going to lift the roof. What A-Graders did Montagna think we could get in? Ainsworth and Hayward is better than any of the small/medium forwards that we had, but they are known qualities. Add. Florent. All 27-28. None have upside. Reidy is a backup ruck that joins the back up ruck merry-go round.
The only one that might have upside is Chesser and given we gave up what ended being pick 42 it's a low-cost play with a low chance of being a smash pick.
I agree to a large extent. We were never going to replace like for like. I'm not sure if Montagna is referring to this trade period or just generally. Either way, it doesn't matter. IMO, we have less A grade talent, more B grade talent, C grade is holding steady, and in terms of kids and futures like Cody, it's hard not to be excited.
Also worth noting, that irrespective of whether or not we trade like for like, all list changes taken in toto contribute to lack of cohesion and lack of continuity. When you think about that, plus the changes to assistant coaches, plus changes to the game plan, we have to be realistic. It will take time for things to gel.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 04, 2026, 05:27:22 pm
Problem we have is now that we are a designated bottom team and the better players and free agents wont be picking us unless its on Stkilda type offerings that are way overs. Im not happy with the Florent /Hayward contracts either...way too long and list clogging given what they offer. I think I read we have 19-20 players from other clubs and and none of them are A graders or dial movers. Doing the moneyball recruiting worked for Collingwood because they had a once in a lifetime player like Nick Daicos joining the club in the same year as Frampton, Mcstay, Hill etc and he has lifted the roof(see Shakins comments). Only road back is via the draft imo and developing more of our own and then looking for moneyballers to fill holes and not relying on them to be dial movers. You look at Smith, Dean,Ofarrell? and then the incoming Walker and you find we have nothing else coming through and Im already feeling sorry for Cody Walker who isnt going to be a cheap father/son pick and success starved Blues fans will be wanting Nick Daicos Messiah type results from him in his first season given the hype attached to him. IMO its a full rebuild needed, plenty of patience given its harder with Tassie in the comp and a new regime off the field in all areas including coaching and recruiting.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Thryleon on April 04, 2026, 05:33:34 pm
We dont need a dial mover. North brought in Luke Parker. Hes not a gun anymore but he commands respect is a fine player, and was once one of the games best players and knows what it takes to climb the mountain.
Thats the one place we have stuffed it across the journey. The only player of that ilk we've recruited is nick haynes. Whilst he's a fine player he was never one of the games best.
Others import leadership when they need some, we are still relying on the understudies of chris Judd and losing dochertys leadership likely hurt us more than any of the talent that walked out.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Lods on April 04, 2026, 05:35:57 pm
Not sure if it's been mentioned but Hayward has been given a week for his hit on Wardlaw.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 04, 2026, 05:41:03 pm
We dont need a dial mover. North brought in Luke Parker. Hes not a gun anymore but he commands respect is a fine player, and was once one of the games best players and knows what it takes to climb the mountain.
Thats the one place we have stuffed it across the journey. The only player of that ilk we've recruited is nick haynes. Whilst he's a fine player he was never one of the games best.
Others import leadership when they need some, we are still relying on the understudies of chris Judd and losing dochertys leadership likely hurt us more than any of the talent that walked out.
Parker is a leader but he isnt a dial mover as a player imho, we dont have any real top consistent A grade talent and either do Nth and thats why that game was an error ridden mess like most of the other games we have played this season. The cupboard is bare as far as leaders go and Cripps should abdicate the role...
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 04, 2026, 05:42:42 pm
Parker is a leader but he isnt a dial mover as a player imho, we dont have any real top consistent A grade talent and either do Nth and thats why that game was an error ridden mess like most of the other games we have played this season. The cupboard is bare as far as leaders go and Cripps should abdicate the role...
That should probably have been the move at the start of the year. If the message is "out with the old, this is a new beginning" a new captain would tie into that messaging.
Now it would seem like the result of a crisis, and an admission of failed leadership by Cripps.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Thryleon on April 04, 2026, 05:51:03 pm
He might appeal and get off.
Last leadership we recruited was Eddie betts back. Did a job for a season or two. Then went to geelong because we wouldn't give him a proper job.
Typical Carlton bollocks. Let good people walk to our opposition because we cant appreciate what we have.
Im sick of this club. Its all just history repeating over and over again.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: laj on April 04, 2026, 06:14:26 pm
We have rocketed to the top of the half time ladder.....lol.
We are OIympic 400m runners taking on the 10km.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Lods on April 04, 2026, 06:28:11 pm
McKay is a shadow of his former self: He struggles to take an overhead mark without juggling the ball at least once. He fails to get separation from a defender on the lead. Even when he does get some decent foot passes to his advantage, he seems to be unable to use his considerable body size and reach to prevent an opponent from spoiling from behind. He remains an unreliable kick for goal.
Might as well use him as a back up ruckman to allow him to try and regain some one-grab overhead marking.
I agree. He has no presence at all. Like so many of his forward mates he has no forward craft - its like hes brain is incapable of anything beyond the very basics. He plays like an u12s kid. if he wasn’t physically gifted not a chance he makes it as an afl footballer.
All the little things any decent AFL forward does naturally he just cant do it. And the amount of times he is flat footed in a marking contest where by jumping with his height would make it almost impossible for and opponent to get to it but he stays down.
Then when he gets a shot it literally could go anyway as he has no set goal kicking routine.
Hes a dumb footballer like the bulk of the team.
i would trade him if i could get anything decent in return - resigning him was another list management stuff up.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Lods on April 04, 2026, 07:03:51 pm
Serious question.... With who? Who would we have taken in the last draft/trade period to replace them.
You can make a good case for not developing the repalcements long term. But when DeKoning (expected), Silvagni (unexpected) and Curnow (umming and ahhing) decided to leave who should we have replaced them with.
To answer my own question... In hindsight we should have wrapped up that Buku Khamis deal. He wanted to come to us, he would have been handy.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: crashlander on April 04, 2026, 07:26:39 pm
Hayward was particularly poor and needs to be the coaches office at 9 am Monday to explain himself and his actions. I'd drop him, publicly, because he needs an attitude re-set.
Suspended for a week. I'd start him back in the VFL.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Baggers on April 04, 2026, 07:33:46 pm
I must confess that I really don't see any useful point in, "If only we had Charlie, JSOS and TDK." We don't have them any longer. Right, wrong, good, bad... they aint at PP.
Seems to me the club had the long game in mind, bringing in draft picks and stopgap players when trading/letting go those 3... that's their strategy it seems and it'll be some time before they can be judged on that.
We have to work with what we have and so far this, in every game, we've been in winning positions... so, talent wise, we can do it, but then we blow it. Not easy to create cohesion between so many new blokes in 4 games!
Talk of sacking the coach is silly. Who is going to take his place? Ash Hansen **cough, splutter**? Patience Grasshopper.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 04, 2026, 07:46:12 pm
I must confess that I really don't see any useful point in, "If only we had Charlie, JSOS and TDK." We don't have them any longer. Right, wrong, good, bad... they aint at PP.
Seems to me the club had the long game in mind, bringing in draft picks and stopgap players when trading/letting go those 3... that's their strategy it seems and it'll be some time before they can be judged on that.
We have to work with what we have and so far this, in every game, we've been in winning positions... so, talent wise, we can do it, but then we blow it. Not easy to create cohesion between so many new blokes in 4 games!
Talk of sacking the coach is silly. Who is going to take his place? Ash Hansen **cough, splutter**? Patience Grasshopper.
Didnt think we were in a winning position vs the Swans, I remember the great David Parkin Carlton sides used to play the premiership quarter(usually the third) and blow teams away much like the Swans did to us. The other teams have all been of the poorer variety bottom end and the football of a substandard nature which to me is the more worrying part.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: madbluboy on April 04, 2026, 07:50:25 pm
Serious question.... With who? Who would we have taken in the last draft/trade period to replace them.
You can make a good case for not developing the repalcements long term. But when DeKoning (expected), Silvagni (unexpected) and Curnow (umming and ahhing) decided to leave who should we have replaced them with.
He has been the list manager for 6 years. Other clubs have recruited players. A few here had a laugh at Hawthorn getting Barrass and Battle despite having Frost and Sicily. They improved their defence.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: madbluboy on April 04, 2026, 07:51:49 pm
I must confess that I really don't see any useful point in, "If only we had Charlie, JSOS and TDK." We don't have them any longer. Right, wrong, good, bad... they aint at PP.
Seems to me the club had the long game in mind, bringing in draft picks and stopgap players when trading/letting go those 3... that's their strategy it seems and it'll be some time before they can be judged on that.
We have to work with what we have and so far this, in every game, we've been in winning positions... so, talent wise, we can do it, but then we blow it. Not easy to create cohesion between so many new blokes in 4 games!
Talk of sacking the coach is silly. Who is going to take his place? Ash Hansen **cough, splutter**? Patience Grasshopper.
Didn't say that. Said we didn't replace them.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: kruddler on April 04, 2026, 08:22:01 pm
Serious question.... With who? Who would we have taken in the last draft/trade period to replace them.
You can make a good case for not developing the repalcements long term. But when DeKoning (expected), Silvagni (unexpected) and Curnow (umming and ahhing) decided to leave who should we have replaced them with.
He has been the list manager for 6 years. Other clubs have recruited players. A few here had a laugh at Hawthorn getting Barrass and Battle despite having Frost and Sicily. They improved their defence.
That's not what I'm asking Put your list managers hat on give us three names we should have replaced TDK, Silvagni or Curnow with.
You can argue we didn't plan ahead in case they departed. You can't argue we did nothing to replace them when they were gone, or looked like going, unless you can suggest some players we should have picked up. I've given Khamis for Silvagni,that may even have been a win for us, but the Curnow deal got in the way. Who for TDK and Curnow.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: kruddler on April 04, 2026, 08:32:26 pm
He has been the list manager for 6 years. Other clubs have recruited players. A few here had a laugh at Hawthorn getting Barrass and Battle despite having Frost and Sicily. They improved their defence.
That's not what I'm asking Put your list managers hat on give us three names we should have replaced TDK, Silvagni or Curnow with.
You can argue we didn't plan ahead in case they departed. You can't argue we did nothing to replace them when they were gone, or looked like going, unless you can suggest some players we should have picked up. I've given Khamis for Silvagni,that may even have been a win for us, but the Curnow deal got in the way. Who for TDK and Curnow.
*Ding ding ding*
That aside...we shouldve pried someone out of gold coast when they were interested in charlie. Either king or the kid whose name escapes me right now.
Or if we insisted on sydney, got amartey back. Far from a gun replacement, but bwtter than steak knives florent.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Lods on April 04, 2026, 08:40:07 pm
That's not what I'm asking Put your list managers hat on give us three names we should have replaced TDK, Silvagni or Curnow with.
You can argue we didn't plan ahead in case they departed. You can't argue we did nothing to replace them when they were gone, or looked like going, unless you can suggest some players we should have picked up. I've given Khamis for Silvagni,that may even have been a win for us, but the Curnow deal got in the way. Who for TDK and Curnow.
*Ding ding ding*
That aside...we shouldve pried someone out of gold coast when they were interested in charlie. Either king or the kid whose name escapes me right now.
Or if we insisted on sydney, got amartey back. Far from a gun replacement, but bwtter than steak knives florent.
Florent wasn't part of the Curnow trade. It was done independently
But therin lies the problem....both those options are reasonable suggestions. But if we made them, what was the response of the other side. Did we make them, who knows? We can suggest trades but it takes two sides to agree on them. So the "We did nothing" only applies when these details are made public.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 04, 2026, 09:36:27 pm
As best as i can tell their best option is to hope all 18 other teams fold.
:)) :)) Yep, I had a good laugh too... but the point remains that the long game is 2027/8 and beyond. As supporters, we're impatient for success ...right now. Yours truly included. With the appointment of Vossy we were meant to make it to the top of the tree... but never really have looked like it. Perhaps a glimmer in 2023... and that's it. And remember that in 2023, the players met without coaches and took charge themselves... with impressive results.
Vossy commented at the 2025 JNM that we "culturally defeat ourselves." As one of the most important leaders at the club, Vossy should ask himself, "How did I participate in, or allow, that?" It happened on your watch, Vossy... after four years at the helm. Mmm... full length mirror time.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 05, 2026, 10:21:56 am
As best as i can tell their best option is to hope all 18 other teams fold.
:)) :)) Yep, I had a good laugh too... but the point remains that the long game is 2027/8 and beyond. As supporters, we're impatient for success ...right now. Yours truly included. With the appointment of Vossy we were meant to make it to the top of the tree... but never really have looked like it. Perhaps a glimmer in 2023... and that's it. And remember that in 2023, the players met without coaches and took charge themselves... with impressive results.
Vossy commented at the 2025 JNM that we "culturally defeat ourselves." As one of the most important leaders at the club, Vossy should ask himself, "How did I participate in, or allow, that?" It happened on your watch, Vossy... after four years at the helm. Mmm... full length mirror time.
To be fair Baggers, there is plenty of documented evidence that Voss has always owned the bad (and the good for that matter). One person IMO who doesnt need a full length mirror is M Voss, he knows better than anyone he is in the firing line. I'd hazard a guess and say no one is working harder than him to turn the ship around. I cant say the same for many other senior figures at the club.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: madbluboy on April 05, 2026, 10:38:12 am
In the last two weeks we have appeared to have almost put the game away half way through the final term. What is Voss supposed to do from there? Surely that's on the leaders on the field?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: northernblue on April 05, 2026, 12:20:21 pm
:)) :)) Yep, I had a good laugh too... but the point remains that the long game is 2027/8 and beyond. As supporters, we're impatient for success ...right now. Yours truly included. With the appointment of Vossy we were meant to make it to the top of the tree... but never really have looked like it. Perhaps a glimmer in 2023... and that's it. And remember that in 2023, the players met without coaches and took charge themselves... with impressive results.
Vossy commented at the 2025 JNM that we "culturally defeat ourselves." As one of the most important leaders at the club, Vossy should ask himself, "How did I participate in, or allow, that?" It happened on your watch, Vossy... after four years at the helm. Mmm... full length mirror time.
To be fair Baggers, there is plenty of documented evidence that Voss has always owned the bad (and the good for that matter). One person IMO who doesnt need a full length mirror is M Voss, he knows better than anyone he is in the firing line. I'd hazard a guess and say no one is working harder than him to turn the ship around. I cant say the same for many other senior figures at the club.
Who are these …”senior figures…” ? And what are they doing and not doing in your opinion ?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Thryleon on April 05, 2026, 12:47:50 pm
In the last two weeks we have appeared to have almost put the game away half way through the final term. What is Voss supposed to do from there? Surely that's on the leaders on the field?
one handball from cripps resulted in the sheezel goal that put them up.
Our inability to have done more in critical situations hurt us more than any one thing the north players did.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: cookie2 on April 05, 2026, 02:44:59 pm
In the last two weeks we have appeared to have almost put the game away half way through the final term. What is Voss supposed to do from there? Surely that's on the leaders on the field?
We should have on field generals/leaders who are capable of marshalling the troops in these situations to lock games up and go on to win. That ability seems to be completely absent, we become a rabble and fall apart. If this doesn’t get fixed then we would be wasting our time changing the coach. IMHO the leadership group’s, including the captain’s, actual leadership performances need to be closely monitored and fixed. On field generalship and coaching seems to be sadly lacking and it has been a problem for a long time.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 05, 2026, 09:29:10 pm
In the last two weeks we have appeared to have almost put the game away half way through the final term. What is Voss supposed to do from there? Surely that's on the leaders on the field?
We should have on field generals/leaders who are capable of marshalling the troops in these situations to lock games up and go on to win. That ability seems to be completely absent, we become a rabble and fall apart. If this doesn’t get fixed then we would be wasting our time changing the coach. IMHO the leadership group’s, including the captain’s, actual leadership performances need to be closely monitored and fixed. On field generalship and coaching seems to be sadly lacking and it has been a problem for a long time.
Amen
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: LP on April 06, 2026, 12:29:16 am
In the last two weeks we have appeared to have almost put the game away half way through the final term. What is Voss supposed to do from there? Surely that's on the leaders on the field?
We have a few who are yet to get their head around the new rules, under pressure they can revert to the old ways.
I don't get the pile on OH, I think fans remember the turnover at the end of a chain of otherwise unrewarded efforts, or even when he turns it over after being illegally tackled, I think it happened to him twice, otherwise he went at pretty good efficiency by AFL standards.
But the real contrast for me in that game was Walsh being pinged for holding in the last quarter. 50 tackles a game must happen like that, when a player takes the footy and drops it stone cold as they are tackled, and it's play on every time. If anything the error should be the other way, they should be pinged for incorrect disposal. Don't tell me they "didn't take control of the footy", it's just the modern version of Bartlett's throw. These blokes can swoop in onehanded at full tilt and scoop the footy up to dispose of it before they are upright, and fans and officials argue they fumbled a pill that hit them in the belly.
Dropping the footy when tackled has become a plague, a plague of the AFL's own making with stupid rules and stupid rule interpretations!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 4 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Post by: laj on April 06, 2026, 04:38:49 pm
On the bright side we at least stopped conking out after half time by about round 5 last year. In time to win a couple of soft games then beat Geelong. After that the rest of our game turned to crap unfortunately.