Princes Park => Robert Heatley Stand => Topic started by: crashlander on April 09, 2026, 09:43:21 am
Title: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: crashlander on April 09, 2026, 09:43:21 am
Ready for tonight.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: percy on April 09, 2026, 10:31:56 pm
Battled it out and frustrated the crows as well as us…Players are mostly having a dip but as a team we are not good enough tonight. Not why we lost but the umps certainly helped them get on top.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 09, 2026, 10:34:31 pm
Look at the talent they had on the field versus ours? Huge gap. Also, the AFL can GAGFed with our scheduling.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: MickyO on April 09, 2026, 10:38:34 pm
Not as depressed as i could be - we were pretty good in some parts.
I must say it is evident we tire ourselves out, mostly for no benefit, the amount of ineffective 2-3 player tackles that leave us on the ground and the oppo running away, or running around in circles, is taxing.
The ch7 commentary team is putrid and the camera work was like a 2yo grabbed their parent’s mobile phone! Shocking. The umpiring was absolutely one sided until the last when the obligatory evening it up happened, mostly for no real benefit to us.
So during the telecast they said Ollie got reported for that hit on walker? Presumably will be overturned and he’ll be fined for staging.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: MickyO on April 09, 2026, 10:39:44 pm
Look at the talent they had on the field versus ours? Huge gap. Also, the AFL can GAGFed with our scheduling.
Totally agree. AFL has been completely crap.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: rocky on April 09, 2026, 10:42:41 pm
Probably our best 4 quarter effort for the year. The boys had a crack. I know we got smacked in the 2nd but starting Cripps off the ground was the catalyst I honestly believe of when it turned around. Lots of positives and we'll make a few changes next week, so there should be some improvement. At least we played a good last quarter and but for some shocking umpiring could have been closer
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: JonDorotich on April 09, 2026, 10:49:20 pm
Large class gap compounded by dreadful umpiring in the second quarter.
We have a core of talented players but there are far too many VFL types running around in blue particularly in defence, which let you down at critical times.
A couple of own goals worth mentioning - (1) these conditions would have suited Hewett perfectly. (2) when McKay is getting pneumonia at FF how about a run on the ball and ask HOK to play CHF & get the ball to ground (3) What about Kemp back or on the ball? we’re just not getting the most out of this bloke.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: shawny on April 09, 2026, 10:51:42 pm
How many times did the commentators mention how well structured adel are. everyone can see it.
We are one trick ponies. excellent in contested possession but literally uselss whenever the ball is out. Our transition game plan is seriously non existent and wjen the game was remotely there to be won we play the same safe gameplan refusing to go into the middle.
And its not going to change until we change the bloke directing this part of our club.
Our leaking of goals in the first half was comical - how many goals did they kick the exact same way.
This doesnt happen to well coached teams.
Pull the bandaid off wright.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LordLucifer on April 09, 2026, 10:56:45 pm
The decision to drop Hewett came back to bite us on the bum too, he would have been very handy when the rain came.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Lods on April 09, 2026, 11:05:08 pm
Better... We have a few players underdone by missing the last part of the pre-season and early games. They'll get better. We were missing key structures in the backline and could also have benefited by a bit of run from the half-back line. Harry will cop a bit of criticism but he presented well and got his hands on plenty of ball...just needs to hold them. There was a lot of effort from some that won't show up on the stats sheets. We'll get a few back in the weeks ahead. Hopefully we can have a run with nearly a full list in coming games. No VFL match this weekend (State game against SA) which is a bugger. It means players won't get an opportunity to stake a claim.
I don't feel Voss is getting sacked this week ;)
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 09, 2026, 11:08:09 pm
Bit of a turnover fest from both teams imo, maybe it was the intermittent weather but not a lot of clean forward work and we wasted opportunities as usual and got nothing out of our key forwards and either did the Crows. Probably went the way most expected but we didnt collapse into a real mess at least, stoppages/clearances/ruckwork was fairly even, their classier players in Dawson, Rankine and Rachele hurt us and provided a bit more polish when needed and Ben Keays had his usual cameo moments, not sure what we ever did to him but he loves playing us. Looking ahead Id give us some chance vs Collingwood who I dont view as a top 8 team and are struggling with injuries and sore key players.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: crashlander on April 09, 2026, 11:11:48 pm
Do we learn? No. The same players kill us each time, and yet we do nothing about it.
If we could actually get something positive out of sacking Voss, I'd go with it. Unfortunately, we have already demonstrated that sacking the coach midseason doesn't work, it is just a recipe for continued failure. So, we're stuck with him until the end of the year. :'( :'( ::) :o
Can we learn something from it? I'm not sure we can. Until we get a different coach and a different game plan, we're screwed. Our list: I don't think it is that bad. It is just designed for different rules and a different time. Why do I think this? [1] We have a very slow midfield at a time where pace matters. [2] We don't have jumping ruck any longer, where the rules now favour one. Pitto works his heart out, but he is built for different ruck rules. As is Reidy. Hudson O'Keefe doesn't seem to be fish or fowl. [3] Where is our pace around the ground? It isn't there. Quick players run ours down far too often, no matter how hard they try. [4] We do not have the same attack on the ball or the body. Opposition players want it more than we do. [5] The better teams have guys who can quell the oppositions' best players. We don't seem to. [6] Most opposition sides dispose of the ball better than we do. Some of it natural talent, which we lack, some of it is pressure. But being unable to hit targets regularly makes a keepings-off game style extremely difficult for us.
I get so frustrated. If I can see this so clearly, why can't our coaching staff? We have an almost brand-new coaching staff these days, but our game has gone backwards rather than forward. You look at the way the better teams play and we don't even try it.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Professer E on April 09, 2026, 11:16:35 pm
Umpires should be ashamed with themselves, some bewildering home calls that require some explaining Not sure what happened with Cripps but someone in that tangle should be getting a week. Not a very likeable mob the crows, lot of showboating from a mob that struggled to beat a depleted cellar dweller, won't be winning a flag this year either.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: shawny on April 09, 2026, 11:21:18 pm
Cripps and walsh had 27 touches together in the first quarter.
So what does our coach do….
Starts cripps on the bench and pushes Walsh forward and by the time it was adjusted we were 4 goals down.
cant defend that
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LordLucifer on April 09, 2026, 11:22:09 pm
[4] We do not have the same attack on the ball or the body. Opposition players want it more than we do.
This is the single factor that not only annoys me but I consider it a non-negotiable.
Going back to the dim dark days of my youth, I asked my father (who played for Victoria as a 19yo), what the secret to playing the game was. His reply was very simple - "you must have a burning desire to get the ball".
I have always noticed that the good teams play with that same ferocious work ethic, it's why they are so successful.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: crashlander on April 09, 2026, 11:28:18 pm
We had 35 less disposals for the night. We had more inside 50's. 60 to 56, yet the ball comes out too easily. We get most of our score the same way each week. We rarely score any other way. That is simply terrible! Our efficiency inside 50 was 40%, which is lethal. Free kicks: I'm not going there. We don't get the frees that the better sides do. Chop the arms, push in the back, there are entire categories of frees that we don't get.
Positives: [1] I was impressed with our tackling. We won that 87 to 71. [2] I was impressed with our ruck and centre square work, which are supposed to be our strengths. Pitto battled manfully. Cripps was fantastic. Walsh got a lot of the ball. [3] We are structurally so weak at the moment that it isn't funny. But the guys under pressure stood up better. [4] Cripps: 29 possessions, 7 clearances and 9 tackles. He responded. Walsh: 28 possessions, 0 clearances and 8 tackles. Cerra: 23 possessions, 7 clearances and 7 tackles. Pittonet: 33 taps, 16 possessions and 10 clearances!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: RiverRat on April 09, 2026, 11:33:02 pm
The ch7 commentary team is putrid and the camera work was like a 2yo grabbed their parent’s mobile phone! Shocking.
Not sure whether it was Ch 7 or Foxtel who was responsible for the camera work but the so-called director showed far too many overhead-distance shots, which made it damn difficult to see what was happening before the ball was put into play - it was as though the camera was on the Artemis II spacecraft and/or the camera direction was being controlled by a work-experience kid - absolute rubbish.
Also, they should not pay a lasso free-kick when a player deliberately handballs the ball into an opponent's foot or lower leg - that is utter BS that has already become a trend. Those free-kicks should be restricted to disposals after the player has actually taken possession or there is a deliberate effort to kick or bat the ball off the ground.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: RiverRat on April 09, 2026, 11:36:41 pm
Cripps and walsh had 27 touches together in the first quarter.
So what does our coach do….
Starts cripps on the bench and pushes Walsh forward and by the time it was adjusted we were 4 goals down.
cant defend that
Can't defend anything much.
The big difference was that the Cows can kick to advantage whilst we mainly kick to a contest or to disadvantage.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: crashlander on April 09, 2026, 11:38:32 pm
What I didn't like:
[1] Brodie Kemp: 9 possessions and not a single score. I know he is coming back from serious injury and the night was wet, but that simply isn't good enough.
[2] Talor Byrne: 9 possessions, 0 tackles. I know the lad is young, but he didn't have a good one. I still think he has a future, if we gave him some sort of chance.
[3] Hudson O'Keefe: 7 possessions and 0 marks. 1 tackle. Not enough. Didn't provide a target. Really struggling. I'd prefer Reidy, and I know Reidy is not the answer.
[4] Harry McKay: 7 possessions, but at least H kicked a goal, took a couple of marks and laid a tackle. He is down on form and confidence, and the way we deliver it to him is dreadful, but I was looking for him to stand up. H isn't that bad.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Adelaideblue on April 09, 2026, 11:40:10 pm
On numerous times we had possession kicking out from the backline. No one leads, we do the big kick to a 50/50 situation and more often than not the Crows take control. Newman one of the culprits as always.
Yes agree we lack structure and some the skills to play a fast open game.
Very shaky on the backline, particularly early in the game. Haynes the exception, pity he wasn't 5-10 years younger.
Under the Poncho as the rain came down! Gave it away half way through the last. ;)
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: crashlander on April 09, 2026, 11:42:32 pm
On numerous times we had possession kicking out from the backline. No one leads, we do the big kick to a 50/50 situation and more often than not the Crows take control. Newman one of the culprits.
Yes agree we lack structure and some the skills to play a fast open game.
Very shaky on the backline, particularly early in the game. Haynes the exception, pity he wasn't 5-10 years younger.
Under the Poncho as the rain came down! Gave it away half way through the last. ;)
I've being saying that for far too long. Other teams lead, we stand stock still and fill in the spaces so there is nowhere to lead into. And when they have the ball, we guard grass. :(
Honestly, I could think up a better game plan than this and I've never been AFL standard. For example, playing variations of the huddle could work better than what we're doing.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: crashlander on April 09, 2026, 11:50:27 pm
In the last quarter, we kick 3 goals 6. If we kick 6 goals 3, then they might panic.
Goals in red time: we allow far too many and don't kick any ourselves. This week: Carlton: 0 Adelaide: 4
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Lods on April 09, 2026, 11:53:11 pm
Also, they should not pay a lasso free-kick when a player deliberately handballs the ball into an opponent's foot or lower leg - that is utter BS that has already become a trend. Those free-kicks should be restricted to disposals after the player has actually taken possession or there is a deliberate effort to kick or bat the ball off the ground.
They shouldn't review it either. That should be an umpires call in much the same way as a push in the back or a high tackle. It's not a 'score' that changes the result.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: MickyO on April 09, 2026, 11:53:29 pm
When they were marking, why dont we stand where they marked it? And force them back? Why do we always move back and give them more room?
And Ollie needs to learn to tackle the arms, not around the waist. He cant being anyone down like that and its a waste of effort.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: RiverRat on April 10, 2026, 12:30:43 am
[1] Brodie Kemp: 9 possessions and not a single score. I know he is coming back from serious injury and the night was wet, but that simply isn't good enough.
[2] Talor Byrne: 9 possessions, 0 tackles. I know the lad is young, but he didn't have a good one. I still think he has a future, if we gave him some sort of chance.
[3] Hudson O'Keefe: 7 possessions and 0 marks. 1 tackle. Not enough. Didn't provide a target. Really struggling. I'd prefer Reidy, and I know Reidy is not the answer.
[4] Harry McKay: 7 possessions, but at least H kicked a goal, took a couple of marks and laid a tackle. He is down on form and confidence, and the way we deliver it to him is dreadful, but I was looking for him to stand up. H isn't that bad.
Hard to be too critical of any of the forwards considering the way the ball was delivered to the forward line and, in O'Keeffe's case, the amount of time he spent on the bench.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: RiverRat on April 10, 2026, 12:33:46 am
Also, they should not pay a lasso free-kick when a player deliberately handballs the ball into an opponent's foot or lower leg - that is utter BS that has already become a trend. Those free-kicks should be restricted to disposals after the player has actually taken possession or there is a deliberate effort to kick or bat the ball off the ground.
They shouldn't review it either. That should be an umpires call in much the same way as a push in the back or a high tackle. It's not a 'score' that changes the result.
If the decision was based on whether (or not) the ball was deliberately kicked or batted, there would rarely be a need to review it - there should not be a free kick if the ball is merely 'touched' by a lower leg in a tangle of legs.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Thryleon on April 10, 2026, 12:36:10 am
Cripps and walsh had 27 touches together in the first quarter.
So what does our coach do….
Starts cripps on the bench and pushes Walsh forward and by the time it was adjusted we were 4 goals down.
cant defend that
How do you prepare for a life beyond cripps if you dont start giving him some time out of the clinches?
How do you give cripps more longevity without banging him in centre clearances every week?
We are desperate for players to stand up, and by taking cripps out, its highlighting the issue. Im ok with that, we arent winning much this season, lets nurse cripps through the year at least so he can come back refreshed next year.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 06:51:59 am
So the fans calling for Cripps head now complain about him being benched. He wasn't even out there and it's still somehow his fault!
Cornes and others implied he would be dropped if he wasn't the captain, then they effectively begged for him to have 100% game time, stop listening to the media they are full of crap.
9 minutes of the alternatives and nothing to say about them.
I suspect it showed the true Cripps problem, without him the rest are overrated.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: BluePhantom on April 10, 2026, 07:02:24 am
They shouldn't review it either. That should be an umpires call in much the same way as a push in the back or a high tackle. It's not a 'score' that changes the result.
If the decision was based on whether (or not) the ball was deliberately kicked or batted, there would rarely be a need to review it - there should not be a free kick if the ball is merely 'touched' by a lower leg in a tangle of legs.
I thought it was a free if it went over the boundary line via a recorded possession. Kick or Handball. AFL has messed with too many rules and haven't got too many right. Some custodians of the game? The use of the ARC for it is utter BS too. Why not use the ARC for Ollies non hit on Walker?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Thryleon on April 10, 2026, 07:21:49 am
The arc review is an over reaction to the Atkins one vs crows at Kardinia Park. The ball went out off him, it looked a bit like it hit a crows player, and its as simple as if there are two players disputing a ball, dont pay the lasso rule.
Yep the afl have made this complicated for no reason and as usual players are taking advantage of it.
The one against Frankie Evans was the worst call of the night. The ball was left behind in a tackle and he had no idea it was going over whilst it came off his leg inadvertently. Who's idea was this rule and how does it help the game? Use it for those ones that might be deliberate instead not twiggy touch wood rubbish. The game is becoming very hard to watch. Derkson got done for a 50etre penalty whilst Tex was playing on ffs, and then Tex didnt stand and didnt give one away later. Different rules for different players, throws missed, and then you miss high contact all the time too. The umps blow the whilst and half the time the free kick isnt even obvious.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Lods on April 10, 2026, 07:37:51 am
I'm not feeling as negative as some...
Lots of suggestions for things to fix. Areas where we need to be better. Many are valid. The run on goals was still there last night. Improvements aren't going to come all at one time. So we should take the little improvements where they come.
In the bigger scheme of things we were comfortably beaten by a better team.
But we weren't disgraced and played a team who...
Were on their home turf...one were we usually struggle. Were minor premiers in 2025 Have beaten Collingwood Lost to the Western Bulldogs by the current ladder leader by 6 points Lost to Geelong, last years grand finalist by 8 points Lost to Fremantle currently sitting 4th by 2 points.
They may not have been winning games but they're matching it with the best. We matched them for large portions of the game Were actually better for periods of the game...missing our key defender. We lost the game in about ten minutes of the 'usual' lapse, but kept fighting. The rain may have helped, but well into the last quarter we were competitive (in the play, if not on the scoreboard) so I suspect it's not the 'fitness' issue some suggested.
Not happy to lose. But I thought there was enough improvement there that will be the 'theme' of the week, rather than the 'coach sacking' talk.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: madbluboy on April 10, 2026, 07:40:02 am
Conditions were tough but they were cleaner with the ball and held their marks.
Marks Rucks: McAndrew: 3 Maley: 3 Pittonet: 0 O'Keefe: 0
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Professer E on April 10, 2026, 07:59:05 am
If Hary got the same umpiring that Tex does (he umpires, not the umpires) he'd be a bazillion times more effective. Tex is a cheat and has gotten away with it forever.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 08:01:59 am
I'm shocked by fans being shocked about the growing lasso abomination, like the AFL coaches and players were never going to bend this rule to the extreme! What we are seeing is the difference between the part-time semi-amateur AFLW result of this implementation and the fulltime AFL version, in my opinion it was inevitable and I warned as much last year.
But this isn't a problem of players or coaches it's a problem of umpiring, the AFL have made the rules and the implementation / interpretation of the rules so complicated the game is now basically impossible to officiate without shooting yourself in the foot.
The only concern I have is why it seems so lopsided from a Carlton perspective, but it probably makes sense, because we have a list built to play a completely different version of the game to what the AFL currently offers, the game our list is built to play no longer exists. As a result we probably serve up more opportunities for it all to go wrong!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 08:04:37 am
If Hary got the same umpiring that Tex does (he umpires, not the umpires) he'd be a bazillion times more effective. Tex is a cheat and has gotten away with it forever.
When Cripps tried to enter a contest like Tex, by pushing his opponent forward into the pack, Cripps got pinged.
Nothing on the broadcast about how Derksen ended up on the deck well off the footy holding his guts with Tex the only other player within 25m.
Cripps tugs on an opponent in the midfield and gets pinged, at one stage he attacked the footy being held by three opponents and it was play on or worse still holding the ball even though he was being held before he took possession like that one in the goal square, more than once actually it's a regular event.
If we want a damning criticism of our players and / or coaches, it would be given we are a slower than average list, where are all the blocks and shepherds for each other, they are invisible! We regularly see Harry flying against 2 or 3, of course he doesn't mark you can't be expected to mark in that circumstance, but he brings the ball to ground and we still have less numbers at the fall of the footy. We regularly see Cripps battling 2 or 3 opponents on the inside, but we do not have the numbers on the outside of the stoppage. Something is very very wrong.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Lods on April 10, 2026, 08:14:39 am
They 'complained' about the umpiring last week.
That may be the trick. We should take our 'diary' to the AFL this week.
On another point...did anyone else notice we tried the old "over the head not looking handball" a few times last night.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 08:16:30 am
On another point...did anyone else notice we tried the old "over the head not looking handball" a few times last night.
You mean the throws.
There were plenty of them from both sides, and it's pot luck, it's not a good tactic if you are slower than your opponent because every wayward disposal becomes a foot race that you can never win.
The bulk of the AFL now basically dispose of the footy by brushing a knuckle against the pill as they throw it away. We hate it, but I can see why the AFL have made it this way, because handball by the "ye old definition" was basically a roadblock for female participation in the AFLW.
In that regard you might as well just permit a throw like the many we saw last night.
You have to laugh about the commentary saying the umpires have become lenient because of the weather, but that lenience only extended to one team. Three weeks in a row we've seen opponents take possession, run 2 or 3 steps to be tackled like Tex last night, like Uniacke the week before, and our players have not been rewarded. We can't even blame it on being obscured by traffic, because it's happened in the clear, full view of multiple umpires, players, fans and commentators.
One thing from last night, there is no point our blokes trying to run off stoppages, they aren't fast enough, and absorbing the tackle drawing in the tacklers just screws up our disposal efficiency. Dawson showed what guys like Cripps, Kemp, McGovern and Cerra need to be doing more of to the smaller / lighter opponents instead of towing them around the field like backpacks.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: shawny on April 10, 2026, 09:22:54 am
Lots of suggestions for things to fix. Areas where we need to be better. Many are valid. The run on goals was still there last night. Improvements aren't going to come all at one time. So we should take the little improvements where they come.
In the bigger scheme of things we were comfortably beaten by a better team.
But we weren't disgraced and played a team who...
Were on their home turf...one were we usually struggle. Were minor premiers in 2025 Have beaten Collingwood Lost to the Western Bulldogs by the current ladder leader by 6 points Lost to Geelong, last years grand finalist by 8 points Lost to Fremantle currently sitting 4th by 2 points.
They may not have been winning games but they're matching it with the best. We matched them for large portions of the game Were actually better for periods of the game...missing our key defender. We lost the game in about ten minutes of the 'usual' lapse, but kept fighting. The rain may have helped, but well into the last quarter we were competitive (in the play, if not on the scoreboard) so I suspect it's not the 'fitness' issue some suggested.
Not happy to lose. But I thought there was enough improvement there that will be the 'theme' of the week, rather than the 'coach sacking' talk.
Honorable loss time again
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LordLucifer on April 10, 2026, 09:42:05 am
Carlton's decision to omit veteran midfielder George Hewett from the side was to improve the on-ball group's ability to spread and get from contest to contest.
"To be honest with you, it just came down to wanting a different midfield mix," Adams said on Triple M before the game.
"Clearly, we've been beaten in second halves of late, whether that's been contest and spread, we feel like we need to mix it up with getting different guys in there with quicker feet at times to see if that works for us.
"I don't think, in particular, the George Hewett one will have much to do with our ball movement.
"It's more contest to contest, the ability for our guys to cover the ground. Just getting those guys with the big tanks and the ability with their fast feet to get contest to contest.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: shawny on April 10, 2026, 09:50:33 am
That may be the trick. We should take our 'diary' to the AFL this week.
On another point...did anyone else notice we tried the old "over the head not looking handball" a few times last night.
This is another pet hate of our current list and club.
We are too nice and too honest to play the game like the better teams do to maximize results and give us any edge. Examples of last night, Tex gets hit in the back in a marking contest and flops holding his head and sucks the umpiring into a 50. Adel player handballs into the shin of our player on the boundary and forces a free. Its within the current rules and not something we would ever think to do.
Our forwards never exaggerate any pressures, any push/shove to the back to help the umpire see it they just hope the umpires pick it up.
The umpiring last night was very poor yet we never complain like other coaches in post match pressers. If the umpiring last night was against a Hardwick, C Scott, Nicks, etc coached team it would be raised strongly and clearly in the presser. Not us we cope it on the chin and move on to next weeks upcoming loss.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Lods on April 10, 2026, 10:01:09 am
Lots of suggestions for things to fix. Areas where we need to be better. Many are valid. The run on goals was still there last night. Improvements aren't going to come all at one time. So we should take the little improvements where they come.
In the bigger scheme of things we were comfortably beaten by a better team.
But we weren't disgraced and played a team who...
Were on their home turf...one were we usually struggle. Were minor premiers in 2025 Have beaten Collingwood Lost to the Western Bulldogs by the current ladder leader by 6 points Lost to Geelong, last years grand finalist by 8 points Lost to Fremantle currently sitting 4th by 2 points.
They may not have been winning games but they're matching it with the best. We matched them for large portions of the game Were actually better for periods of the game...missing our key defender. We lost the game in about ten minutes of the 'usual' lapse, but kept fighting. The rain may have helped, but well into the last quarter we were competitive (in the play, if not on the scoreboard) so I suspect it's not the 'fitness' issue some suggested.
Not happy to lose. But I thought there was enough improvement there that will be the 'theme' of the week, rather than the 'coach sacking' talk.
Honorable loss time again
Nah I don't think I've ever used that term. A loss is a loss. It's particularly harder when you've predicted we'll match or exceed our 2025 ladder position.
But you take the "little bit betters" when you can. Because a few weeks of 'little bit better' and you end up with much better. What we can't afford and what some expected was a massive drubbing.
Watch the media his week. It will still be Voss under pressure but there will also be talk of some positives. Things that if we fix up, may set us on the path to actually winning a few games.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: PaulP on April 10, 2026, 10:15:17 am
Kinda sucks that I’m still at the point of feeling relief that we didn’t get smacked by 10+ goals, but if gratitude for small mercies is the order of the day, then so be it. I was expecting much worse.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Thryleon on April 10, 2026, 10:17:09 am
Ive given it a bit of thought, and the same issues we complain about are still there.
Im going to comment on this from a what can our boys control perspective, rather than a what happened perspective.
Our inability to hit a target is very much a problem. I think we would previously have kicked to a down the line contest, hoping to force it out of bounds, or into a contested situation which would help us relieve pressure down back. The new out of bounds interpretation hurts us more than others here, because of our composition down back. Our back 6 is not a running back 6. there is no rebound, or speed or run being provided from it, so this is why our kicks are often forced down the line. The only alternative to it we have is to kick to the corridor, but we dont hit targets either. Carroll provides it of the ones that played last night, but you are not going to get much rebound or run from Haynes, Young, Derkson, Cowan (who does get up more, but has a defensive bone, and is often minding a dangerous forward), Newman gives a little bit of drive, but he isnt a rory laird, or millera type either. Florent seems to go better on a wing. Keep him forward of the ball, was a contributer to our early run of form.
For a team that relies on contest, our ability to compete at times is absolutely abhorrent. The constant going to ground drives me spare. Derkson cost us a goal doing it (although in fairness to him, he somehow ended up on Rachelle and then he was in all sorts).
Harry goes to ground far too easily and im not sure why he isnt instructed to either push off and gain separation, or fly into packs. He has had the biggest fall from his 2021 form. Im not sure what changed with him, maybe its all the head knocks and he has gone conservative? Not sure, but he is a big friendly giant, and needs to throw his weight around more.
Our entries into forward 50 were a real contrast last night. Adelaide were able to hit targets, and find players out in space, and kick it to advantage. We tend to kick to dangerous spots, and then contest around those spots instead. Until we tidy that up, we wont achieve a lot. In the wet, that tactic will work, as it causes a bit of chaos and contest and thats it.
We are not a high scoring team, and as soon as Adelaide got to 12 goals, I knew our day was done, because we just dont have it in us to kick 15 goals. Its not new, we have struggled to kick a big score for a while, and it wasnt that long ago that we posted a 100point score for the first time in years. This will continue with our current avenues to goal. Ainsworth and Mcgovern are our most dangerous forwards, the rest are conditional on things going their way.
The rain absolutely helped us out here. It nullified the Crows polish, and dragged them down to our level, as well as stopped them chopping off a lot of our forward forays and turn the game into more of a wet weather slog. Ultimately the lack of nous and smarts in our team, is the part that really kills me, when we just do stupid stuff, like try play on quick, when we are in go slow territory, and then miss the next kick. We were setup to press again at one point last night, and instead of mark kicking to change the angle, at some point we did stupid handball backwards to Jordan Boyd, and the next kick fell short of his target, which resulted in a against the tide goal to the Crows. Boyds execution was a problem, but why play on in the corridor with a backwards handball? What did I say last week about banning a handball in the defensive 1/3 of the ground when we are setup forward of the ball? You could have torped it 50 metres into our forward line with a rainmaker and been more effective.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 10:51:07 am
@Thryleon good post, much of what I've been staying for a while now, I'm glad it's not just me that sees it.
For me even Gov goes to ground too easily.
The tell for me is most of our blokes get up and play on in the absence of further treatment, it's a Carlton pandemic and a further sign of headspace issues, a lack of physical resilience brought on by a lack of mental resilience. Pavlov's Dogs, but are they naturally so or is this a creation of our own doing?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 11:00:39 am
Coming out of this game, a couple of positives.
Haynes back, if he can stay on the park, will make a huge difference when Weiters returns, assuming we can get Weiters, Haynes and Newman all out there together, at least for this season. I think there will be many changes next round.
Walsh gets better every game, a good sign for a bloke who has just earned a hefty long-term term deal, he is far from putting his cue in the rack.
Our midfield at the moment is Cripps, Walsh >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> whoever. We need to find them genuine support so they have some longevity, in each game and in their remaining career.
Kemp is going nowhere as a F50 target, he's unnatural at it and consequently predictable, Cripps is much the same. They have a role as a pinch hitter, but not in perpetuity. Moving Gov into D50 to try and stop the bleeding comes with too high of a price, we have no release valve when Harry is solo. Harry is effective on the aerobic scale, but he's not a physically intimidating type other than his height, and he's a terrible wet weather mark for someone with such a clear reach advantage. Even so nobody is going to outmark him, so where in the hell were the guys who are meant to be crumbing?
Fans complain about our kicking to contests in F50, but there is a reason for it. So often it is a contest because we are predictable and every opponent knows the ball is going 9 out of 10 entries, the opposition are there in the zone waiting. It won't ever change until we see players creating space in F50, and we use those options, and that will be hard for us as a team because we are nearly always slower than the opposition. Ainsworth is a ray of hope, he's capable.
As a group we have such a lack of physical presence that we do not even mark when we have a 2 on 1 in our favour, a couple of times you saw two Carlton players at the fall of the ball, in the clear free of opponents, yet punch the footy! Who's talking, how can this be, where is the teamwork?
I'd give up on Kemp in F50, he should perhaps have midfield time just as a chop out for Cripps, if for nothing else but to have a role in stalling the momentum swings. Hayward might also be useful, but I do expect Hewett to return.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 11:23:25 am
I think tactically we are making an error.
Last night from late in the 1st and early in the 2nd, the Crows surrendered the front spot in the midfield and basically started the momentum shift by forcing turnovers from whoever we had on the spot. Our natural tendency is to try and pick up the footy, and when we turn it over we try and tackle to create the holding the ball free. It's pointless because the circumstance doesn't suit our list, especially if we can't be clean, and when tackled opponents drop the footy cold on their terms to favour their team, and it often becomes a foot race into any available free space, which more often than not we lose.
I'd be surrendering the front position, and instead of tackling I'd be training to knock the footy free in the tackle on our terms rather than allowing the opponents to drop it on their terms. Don't trap it, but don't let it favour the opposition either, make it a contest that favours the bigger, slower, heavier bodies that expect the ball to be on the ground.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Baggers on April 10, 2026, 11:28:32 am
Ive given it a bit of thought, and the same issues we complain about are still there.
Im going to comment on this from a what can our boys control perspective, rather than a what happened perspective.
Our inability to hit a target is very much a problem. I think we would previously have kicked to a down the line contest, hoping to force it out of bounds, or into a contested situation which would help us relieve pressure down back. The new out of bounds interpretation hurts us more than others here, because of our composition down back. Our back 6 is not a running back 6. there is no rebound, or speed or run being provided from it, so this is why our kicks are often forced down the line. The only alternative to it we have is to kick to the corridor, but we dont hit targets either. Carroll provides it of the ones that played last night, but you are not going to get much rebound or run from Haynes, Young, Derkson, Cowan (who does get up more, but has a defensive bone, and is often minding a dangerous forward), Newman gives a little bit of drive, but he isnt a rory laird, or millera type either. Florent seems to go better on a wing. Keep him forward of the ball, was a contributer to our early run of form.
For a team that relies on contest, our ability to compete at times is absolutely abhorrent. The constant going to ground drives me spare. Derkson cost us a goal doing it (although in fairness to him, he somehow ended up on Rachelle and then he was in all sorts).
Harry goes to ground far too easily and im not sure why he isnt instructed to either push off and gain separation, or fly into packs. He has had the biggest fall from his 2021 form. Im not sure what changed with him, maybe its all the head knocks and he has gone conservative? Not sure, but he is a big friendly giant, and needs to throw his weight around more.
Our entries into forward 50 were a real contrast last night. Adelaide were able to hit targets, and find players out in space, and kick it to advantage. We tend to kick to dangerous spots, and then contest around those spots instead. Until we tidy that up, we wont achieve a lot. In the wet, that tactic will work, as it causes a bit of chaos and contest and thats it.
We are not a high scoring team, and as soon as Adelaide got to 12 goals, I knew our day was done, because we just dont have it in us to kick 15 goals. Its not new, we have struggled to kick a big score for a while, and it wasnt that long ago that we posted a 100point score for the first time in years. This will continue with our current avenues to goal. Ainsworth and Mcgovern are our most dangerous forwards, the rest are conditional on things going their way.
The rain absolutely helped us out here. It nullified the Crows polish, and dragged them down to our level, as well as stopped them chopping off a lot of our forward forays and turn the game into more of a wet weather slog. Ultimately the lack of nous and smarts in our team, is the part that really kills me, when we just do stupid stuff, like try play on quick, when we are in go slow territory, and then miss the next kick. We were setup to press again at one point last night, and instead of mark kicking to change the angle, at some point we did stupid handball backwards to Jordan Boyd, and the next kick fell short of his target, which resulted in a against the tide goal to the Crows. Boyds execution was a problem, but why play on in the corridor with a backwards handball? What did I say last week about banning a handball in the defensive 1/3 of the ground when we are setup forward of the ball? You could have torped it 50 metres into our forward line with a rainmaker and been more effective.
A good read and really thoughtful, 3 Leos. And it would be difficult and contrary to disagree with anything you wrote.
One of my favourite words in the English language is... 'and.'
I agree with what you wrote. And...
I saw what we're trying to do. I like it.
Some observations: There was a little more creativity and risk. Yes, Derks gave up a goal when he left his opponent, but he was attempting to help out his mate and take a handball to take the game on.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, when we hunt we look much better. We lost the hunt with our early 2nd qtr experiment of Crippa on the bench and Walshy up forward. Exposed a weakness, a gaping hole in our midfield mix.
Yes, the conditions suited us in the 2nd half. Haynsey -- who did better than his VFL form suggested -- admitted it helped him when the game became a slog-fest in the 2nd half rain. Helped a few of our slower lads, also.
We were cruelled by a few blatantly wrong umpiring decisions. Couple of throws from the Croweaters were decisive... for them and against us. And those handballs over the head are throws, throws, which both sides got away with.
The between the arcs, 'slingshot' frees are a debacle. They confuse players and umpires and stopping the game to review the last touch defeats the fkng purpose!
When the heat came in the 2nd half, a more recent cue for us to capitulate - we didn't. The fight and spirit was excellent.
Ainsworth stood up at valuable times: a really good inclusion.
Kemp aint a forward, he just doesn't think like a forward. Midfield? Defence?
I thought H was good and don't get the criticism. He attacked the contest and often did his job, but he must work on taking one grab marks.
What has happened to Boyd? He seems to have lost confidence and is being too careful.
Some other positives: Derks. The Byrner... this kid is rarely beaten in a contest, and has 2nd, 3rd, 4th efforts to burn (sorry). Bounces from contest to contest like a champ. Thank the gods for Newman, Carroll and Pitto.
Concerns: Cerra confuses me. He gets plenty of the aggot but seems to fail to do so with any authority or impact. HOK. This was a mistake selecting him. His form was reflective of his VFL form... all at sea. Should have been F Young or Billy Wilson. Florent does so much that is good, plenty... but his disposal lets him down. Work on it, fella.
With valuable returns next week, I reckon we're in with a really good chance. Dean will likely replace Derks but I think Derks should be tried up forward and Kemp given a stint in the Magoos and experimented with as a midfield. Weiters for Young? Be an interesting Wednesday at the selection table.
All-in-all, I think we're (slowly) heading in the right direction.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 11:29:33 am
Cripps is continually getting pinged for high contact, opponents basically burrow their head into him and he's got no hope of avoiding the contact that happens.
I'd coach him and Pitto to stride forward lifting his knees higher in the stoppages, if small opponents want to draw that type of contact make it come at a price, but I don't think Cripps is the type, Pitto might have a crack though!
Some see that as a no win scenario, quid pro quo, but you only have to create it once or twice and the hesitation becomes institutional in every game except the GF.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 11:35:10 am
I thought H was good and don't get the criticism. He attacked the contest and often did his job, but he must work on taking one grab marks.
I don't think there is general criticism or negativity of H, but for someone his size he isn't the physical threatening presence you normally expect, like Cameron or King. You won't find a KPD being walked off concussed from one of H's big knees in the back of the head, but he competes and wins or draws fair contests, we as a team do not take advantage of that.
There is something to be said about becoming a team that is difficult to play against, I'm not sure that we are.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Professer E on April 10, 2026, 11:37:57 am
Well if it's good enough for the AFL to sign off burying your knee into Weeter's head in an "marking attempt" it continues to upset me that our big blokes are too nice to dish a bit back. Coming back into or holding onto the likes of Harry should be at your own risk Kemp is a passenger ATM and I'd play F Young to add more run and crumb.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 11:41:29 am
Well if it's good enough for the AFL to sign off burying your knee into Weeter's head in an "marking attempt" it continues to upset me that our big blokes are too nice to dish a bit back. Coming back into or holding onto the likes of Harry should be at your own risk Kemp is a passenger ATM and I'd play F Young to add more run and crumb.
We need one KPP who is a complete mongrel, which is why I suggested May, just one completely changes the opposition headspace, they hear footsteps instead of freely attacking the footy.
Cameron does it for Geelong, King for the Aints, Andrews for the Lions, Larkey and Zurharr for Norp, Nankervis for Nthmond, etc., etc., nothing too illegal just brutal.
Who is our Mr Inbetween?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: madbluboy on April 10, 2026, 11:41:51 am
Harry was better in the last term but he was close to worst on ground for the first 3 quarters.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 11:49:35 am
Harry was better in the last term but he was close to worst on ground for the first 3 quarters.
Sorry, but he wasn't out marked once that I can recall, and was continually flying against 2 or 3 opponents in non-ideal conditions for KPPs.
In terms of game impact the difference between H and Thilthorpe wasn't that great on the night, but Thilthorpe had below average opponents and mates blocking for him to get a free run at every opportunity. In that respect, Young didn't do such a bad job and most of our blokes got stuck one on one. Furthermore, give H someone like Tex to work besides and the scenario changes dramatically.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Professer E on April 10, 2026, 11:50:26 am
Gees I reckon Harry gets tough treatment, fancy being a marking forward on a wet night, fronting the worst ball using side in memory. For example, last week, "Mensa" Hayward, under minimal pressure, gets clear at half forward and misses Harry by metres when he has his opponent cold....not once but Twice. Yes, I know it was last week but clear example of what Harry has to deal with. I think his resilience is underated given the way he continues to front up with the numpties "delivering" the ball to him.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Professer E on April 10, 2026, 11:52:52 am
And another bloke who gets away with it on this site is Cerra. Sure the numbers look ok, but when can anybody ever remember him cutting a side up or being damaging? 150 AFL games...when are we going to see what we paid for?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 11:55:35 am
I think his resilience is underated given the way he continues to front up with the numpties "delivering" the ball to him.
Our running HBFs and BPs miss targets on barely legal kick lengths kicking form the open when the target is 5m in the clear, and we miss 35m targets by 5m on running disposals.
Our opponents kick better than that from inside stoppages.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 10, 2026, 11:56:14 am
And another bloke who gets away with it on this site is Cerra. Sure the numbers look ok, but when can anybody ever remember him cutting a side up or being damaging? 150 AFL games...when are we going to see what we paid for?
Not as bad as Florent who had another 7 turnovers and is the leading turnover merchant in the comp. His disposal is killing us and we got sold a lemon by the Swans...
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 12:02:08 pm
Not as bad as Florent who had another 7 turnovers and is the leading turnover merchant in the comp. His disposal is killing us and we got sold a lemon by the Swans...
I know he had two bad clangers at critical times, but 7 turnovers isn't a genuine thing, I think you are exposing some bias.
Even if he did he was far from our worst, I'd be more focussed on the spectators than the blokes winning the footy and not using it. For example, Boyd went into full terrier mode, running around the back of the big dogs barking like a goalkeeper snapping at heels from behind, while leaving SF opponents free to snap goals from front and square roving. You know front and square, the basics, the very same thing absent from H's contests at the other end!
If we had Rankine and Rachele do we think they'd be absent from the front and square on H?
For me this started years ago, fans and media turned Charlie into a hero for being Joe the Goose and snapping cheap goals off the back of the pack, now we have an entire list of forwards who all think they can do the same!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 10, 2026, 12:13:20 pm
Not as bad as Florent who had another 7 turnovers and is the leading turnover merchant in the comp. His disposal is killing us and we got sold a lemon by the Swans...
I know he had two bad clangers at critical times, but 7 turnovers isn't a genuine thing, I think you are exposing some bias.
Even if he did he was far from our worst, I'd be more focussed on the spectators than the blokes winning the footy and not using it. For example, Boyd went into full terrier mode, running around the back of the big dogs barking like a goalkeeper snapping at heels from behind, while leaving SF opponents free to snap goals from front and square roving. You know front and square, the basics, the very same thing absent from H's contests at the other end!
Leading the turnover count in the comp and calling it bias and nothing to worry about is a bit like saying Erin Patterson had a bad day in the kitchen when she knocked off her inlaws. Florent was brought in to improve our run and carry off half back not make it worse and we now have him on a long term contract. This is what happens when you get ok role players from good clubs then expect them to be able to lift the standard at lesser struggling clubs ie Florent and Haywood and they get exposed at their new club. I never thought much of Dean Cox as a coach but he has played us like a fiddle...
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Lods on April 10, 2026, 12:26:55 pm
One of the interesting features of this thread is that there are some very different assessments of individuals.
If Harry had marked everything he got his hands to last night he would have just about set league marking record. And that's the thing. Do we praise him for leading up and presenting well, or do we criticise him for not taking possession.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: madbluboy on April 10, 2026, 12:29:53 pm
Thilthorpe had a pretty ordinary game but still had twice as many disposals, twice as many marks and double his supercoach score. Harry was poor last night.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 12:38:46 pm
Thilthorpe had a pretty ordinary game but still had twice as many disposals, twice as many marks and double his supercoach score. Harry was poor last night.
Thilthorpe was paid marks for attempts that were less than what H was called to play on for, multiple times one of them at the top of the goal square was seconds after the very same mark had been denied to H on the wing, and that's not counting the chest mark Thilthorpe was paid that basically come off the ruckmen's fingers, yet no Review. In the end even BT became embarrassed about it which forced him to later utter his "umpires have become lenient" remark, and BT hates us with a passion, he was probably holding back a giggle as he said it. I think at one stage, I can't recall if it was Fox or 7 because I've watched one live and the other as a replay, said something like "They better hurry up and kick before the review happens."
btw., I thought the AFL was supposed to be reviewing the whole scoring chain in 2026!
Nothing but silence on Haynes taking the footy in the air over the boundary line, goal Crows, imagine if that had happened to Pendles or Dangerflog, it would be front page news.
None of this is a conscious decision being made by anyone, it's the result of subconscious anticipation of events, and we're fostering that environment.
Shhh, don't mention the war!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Sexybronco on April 10, 2026, 01:12:50 pm
Last night was a good performance by our boys against the odds. Cannot question their effort and apart from a loss of structure combined with a slow reaction to a crows tactical change early in the second, we held our own. We didn’t get the rub of the green as stated by many on this site but battled on and if not for a lack of polish and cohesion at critical times we were right in this game. I’m much more positive about next week now if we bring that same level of competitiveness.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 10, 2026, 03:02:52 pm
Look at the talent they had on the field versus ours? Huge gap. Also, the AFL can GAGFed with our scheduling.
Totally agree. AFL has been completely crap.
5 day break btw Melb and NM was farken stupid. They know full well concussion protocols are 12 days so a player concussed prior to a 5 day break is almost certain to miss 2 games instead of the customary 1. As for always scheduling us to open ends against tuff sides, get stuffed.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 10, 2026, 03:05:19 pm
Thilthorpe had a pretty ordinary game but still had twice as many disposals, twice as many marks and double his supercoach score. Harry was poor last night.
Whilst Harry didnt hit the scoreboard, I thought he worked tirelessly from contest to contest. Would be nice if we could kick it to him properly on a lead instead of aways to a contest. Suggested in the in game thread he probably should have gone back to help stem that 6 goal run. Stopping that sort of crap is a team defence thing though.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: kruddler on April 10, 2026, 03:11:18 pm
Someone bagged Kemp but praised Harry because 'at least he kicked 1 goal'.
The goal he got was setup by Kemp who could've had a shot himself. I wonder if the opinion would've been completely flipped if Kemp was more selfish......which is the opposite of how it should be.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 10, 2026, 03:16:23 pm
Thilthorpe had a pretty ordinary game but still had twice as many disposals, twice as many marks and double his supercoach score. Harry was poor last night.
Thilthorpe was paid marks for attempts that were less than what H was called to play on for, multiple times one of them at the top of the goal square was seconds after the very same mark had been denied to H on the wing, and that's not counting the chest mark Thilthorpe was paid that basically come off the ruckmen's fingers, yet no Review. In the end even BT became embarrassed about it which forced him to later utter his "umpires have become lenient" remark, and BT hates us with a passion, he was probably holding back a giggle as he said it. I think at one stage, I can't recall if it was Fox or 7 because I've watched one live and the other as a replay, said something like "They better hurry up and kick before the review happens."
btw., I thought the AFL was supposed to be reviewing the whole scoring chain in 2026!
Nothing but silence on Haynes taking the footy in the air over the boundary line, goal Crows, imagine if that had happened to Pendles or Dangerflog, it would be front page news.
None of this is a conscious decision being made by anyone, it's the result of subconscious anticipation of events, and we're fostering that environment.
Shhh, don't mention the war!
Thilthorpe also rag dolls opponents illegally and is never penalised. Head band umpire was terrible last night. Even the 50m penalty he gave to us for decent was a shocker, what the bloke did to the ump players do all day every day.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 10, 2026, 03:20:25 pm
Umpires should be ashamed with themselves, some bewildering home calls that require some explaining Not sure what happened with Cripps but someone in that tangle should be getting a week. Not a very likeable mob the crows, lot of showboating from a mob that struggled to beat a depleted cellar dweller, won't be winning a flag this year either.
Cripps hurt himself punching the crows player and the ump gave him a free :) Have you seen the footage doing the rounds of Rachelle's throw in our fwd pocket? Disgracefull non decision and they do it all day. They also stage and dive like know other team. Tex should be fined for that hold of the head which then resulted in the 50m penalty and goal from the square. Disgracefull by the ump, no contact to the head whatsover and was barely even late.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 03:21:40 pm
Suggested in the in game thread he probably should have gone back to help stem that 6 goal run. Stopping that sort of crap is a team defence thing though.
We do have to get the bench rotations right though, at one stage we had Pitto, Harry and Gov on the bench, created turnovers on our HBF but had nobody to distribute towards.
I'm gobsmacked some of the media is still going on about Cripps bench time, they must think about as deeply as a sheet of paper, I bet this week Sam McClure or his ilk will try to make an issue of it. We have a team that has been overrun 4 out of 5 games, finding some way to make the likes of Cripps and Walsh more competitive over 4-Qtrs is going to be down to player management and a big part of that will be appropriate bench time. Even possibly bench time against their will. Now someone will carry on about "appropriate", as for them the best solution would be an inhumane never!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 03:47:03 pm
If Harry had marked everything he got his hands to last night he would have just about set league marking record.
He didn't and they didn't mark it either, and not a Carlton crumber is sight.
I wonder what Rod Ashman would think, or further up on the wing Diesel? Diesel would end up with 50 possessions for 30 score assists with half of them starting at Harry's feet!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 10, 2026, 03:53:37 pm
Suggested in the in game thread he probably should have gone back to help stem that 6 goal run. Stopping that sort of crap is a team defence thing though.
We do have to get the bench rotations right though, at one stage we had Pitto, Harry and Gov on the bench, created turnovers on our HBF but had nobody to distribute towards.
I'm gobsmacked some of the media is still going on about Cripps bench time, they must think about as deeply as a sheet of paper, I bet this week Sam McClure or his ilk will try to make an issue of it. We have a team that has been overrun 4 out of 5 games, finding some way to make the likes of Cripps and Walsh more competitive over 4-Qtrs is going to be down to player management and a big part of that will be appropriate bench time. Even possibly bench time against their will. Now someone will carry on about "appropriate", as for them the best solution would be an inhumane never!
LP at the moment, everything we do at the moment is wrong according to anyone and everyone. They even find stuff that is right and say it's wrong. Win games and the rubbish goes away (in part).
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: MickyO on April 10, 2026, 04:26:02 pm
Is there going to be anything done for that blatant staging by racist Walker?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 10, 2026, 04:28:14 pm
Gees I reckon Harry gets tough treatment, fancy being a marking forward on a wet night, fronting the worst ball using side in memory. For example, last week, "Mensa" Hayward, under minimal pressure, gets clear at half forward and misses Harry by metres when he has his opponent cold....not once but Twice. Yes, I know it was last week but clear example of what Harry has to deal with. I think his resilience is underated given the way he continues to front up with the numpties "delivering" the ball to him.
Absolutely, Professory. I think it was last week when The Byrner gave H a lace out and perfectly placed. H had led well and took the mark. The commentators made mention of this and if H had delivery more often like that... he'd kick a bag.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Baggers on April 10, 2026, 05:26:11 pm
And another bloke who gets away with it on this site is Cerra. Sure the numbers look ok, but when can anybody ever remember him cutting a side up or being damaging? 150 AFL games...when are we going to see what we paid for?
Correctamundo, Professory. I also commented on this in this thread. When I watch the game and then read the stats I'm always surprised by Cerra's numbers... Just doesn't hurt the opposition with his possessions.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Baggers on April 10, 2026, 05:30:25 pm
Suggested in the in game thread he probably should have gone back to help stem that 6 goal run. Stopping that sort of crap is a team defence thing though.
We do have to get the bench rotations right though, at one stage we had Pitto, Harry and Gov on the bench, created turnovers on our HBF but had nobody to distribute towards.
I'm gobsmacked some of the media is still going on about Cripps bench time, they must think about as deeply as a sheet of paper, I bet this week Sam McClure or his ilk will try to make an issue of it. We have a team that has been overrun 4 out of 5 games, finding some way to make the likes of Cripps and Walsh more competitive over 4-Qtrs is going to be down to player management and a big part of that will be appropriate bench time. Even possibly bench time against their will. Now someone will carry on about "appropriate", as for them the best solution would be an inhumane never!
2 things...
1. I suspect all the talls on the bench was a deliberate strategy, potentially used to make sure we had more runners on the ground to potentially stop a run. More smalls = more running = more chasing = more tackling. So i don't hate that idea. Of course we went in with an extra tall compared to last week and dropped a starting mid, so perhaps didn't need to be that way with better MC selections.
2. Cripps off the ground MAY actually be an issue, however its not for the reason being highlighted. IMO, Cripps off the ground is as much about missing his leadership/direction as it is his actual skills. He would help with telling people where to be, when to go, when to stay. If he's not there, that might not be getting done as required, hence a run on. Potentially a system breakdown by a group that is still learning eachother and the game plan due to high changeover.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: kruddler on April 10, 2026, 06:31:34 pm
We do have to get the bench rotations right though, at one stage we had Pitto, Harry and Gov on the bench, created turnovers on our HBF but had nobody to distribute towards.
I'm gobsmacked some of the media is still going on about Cripps bench time, they must think about as deeply as a sheet of paper, I bet this week Sam McClure or his ilk will try to make an issue of it. We have a team that has been overrun 4 out of 5 games, finding some way to make the likes of Cripps and Walsh more competitive over 4-Qtrs is going to be down to player management and a big part of that will be appropriate bench time. Even possibly bench time against their will. Now someone will carry on about "appropriate", as for them the best solution would be an inhumane never!
2 things...
1. I suspect all the talls on the bench was a deliberate strategy, potentially used to make sure we had more runners on the ground to potentially stop a run. More smalls = more running = more chasing = more tackling. So i don't hate that idea. Of course we went in with an extra tall compared to last week and dropped a starting mid, so perhaps didn't need to be that way with better MC selections.
2. Cripps off the ground MAY actually be an issue, however its not for the reason being highlighted. IMO, Cripps off the ground is as much about missing his leadership/direction as it is his actual skills. He would help with telling people where to be, when to go, when to stay. If he's not there, that might not be getting done as required, hence a run on. Potentially a system breakdown by a group that is still learning eachother and the game plan due to high changeover.
Others being asked to develop their leadership skills? Weaning off Crippa?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 10, 2026, 10:45:20 pm
Others being asked to develop their leadership skills? Weaning off Crippa?
Agreed, and possibly an opportunity to send a message.
The media will claim it was sending a message to Cripps on the bench, because there hides the controversy and the clicks.
But for me it was more than likely a message from the coach to the blokes in the centre square, and perhaps in conjunction Hewett's absence is more about a lack of fault rather than disciplining or punishment.
The coach showed them what it's like when you haven't got someone sacrificing for your benefit! So I'd be having a close look at the replay to see who was the middle in their absence! Was there a Judas?
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: RiverRat on April 11, 2026, 12:08:10 am
Cripps off the ground MAY actually be an issue, however its not for the reason being highlighted. IMO, Cripps off the ground is as much about missing his leadership/direction as it is his actual skills. He would help with telling people where to be, when to go, when to stay. If he's not there, that might not be getting done as required, hence a run on. Potentially a system breakdown by a group that is still learning each other and the game plan due to high changeover.
If there was a tactical decision to give Cripps more bench time, it was bloody stupid to omit Hewitt - especially under the prevailing weather conditions.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 11, 2026, 08:00:09 am
Cripps off the ground MAY actually be an issue, however its not for the reason being highlighted. IMO, Cripps off the ground is as much about missing his leadership/direction as it is his actual skills. He would help with telling people where to be, when to go, when to stay. If he's not there, that might not be getting done as required, hence a run on. Potentially a system breakdown by a group that is still learning each other and the game plan due to high changeover.
If there was a tactical decision to give Cripps more bench time, it was bloody stupid to omit Hewitt - especially under the prevailing weather conditions.
Everything looks stupid when you're losing. You know if you take away that abhorrent 5 goals in a row which we allowed to occur at the start of the 2nd, and we make it an arm wrestle trading blows with Adelaide, we win a close one by 2 points. Big IF but along with poor kicking, allowing those goal runs to occur is killing us (and the coach).
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Blue Moon on April 11, 2026, 06:07:59 pm
The umpires slaughtered us, we made too many errors with ball in hand, no one took the initiative at the start of the second quarter and under pressure our players go long to the top of the square. On the upside we fought it out. On a personnel level, I am not sure what the point of Cerra is.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: crashlander on April 12, 2026, 02:35:25 pm
The umpires slaughtered us, we made too many errors with ball in hand, no one took the initiative at the start of the second quarter and under pressure our players go long to the top of the square. On the upside we fought it out. On a personnel level, I am not sure what the point of Cerra is.
I hare Adelaide, but, fair dinkum, the Umps loved them! That first quarter we were crucified. The free against Haynes for insufficient attempt was appalling. The not paid mark to Derksen sticks out in my mind. Not paying any frees to H for armed chopped and holding and ... God, it was frustrating! And our kicking for goal ... Walsh played one of the best quarters that have ever been played. 15 possessions and 9 score involvements. Wish we could see that for 4 quarters!
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: kruddler on April 12, 2026, 04:59:41 pm
One thing i heard during the broadcast on Kayo, and i had to rewind to confirm i heard it properly was that....
1. Pittonet is ranked the 3rd best ruck in the game thus far - Behind Gawn and Grundy 2. Pittonet is ranked the 9th best player in the league thus far. :o
Now they didn't dive any deeper than that, but that is super surprising to even me, and i've been a fan of his work for a while.
In what has been a terrible year for most of our players, Pittonet has been a shining light in what could've been a huge issue (losing TDK) and its turning into a strength.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on April 12, 2026, 05:37:42 pm
One thing i heard during the broadcast on Kayo, and i had to rewind to confirm i heard it properly was that....
1. Pittonet is ranked the 3rd best ruck in the game thus far - Behind Gawn and Grundy 2. Pittonet is ranked the 9th best player in the league thus far. :o
Now they didn't dive any deeper than that, but that is super surprising to even me, and i've been a fan of his work for a while.
In what has been a terrible year for most of our players, Pittonet has been a shining light in what could've been a huge issue (losing TDK) and its turning into a strength.
Agree, he has been good and stepped up his game and dare I say it but shown some leadership too..
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Lods on April 12, 2026, 06:01:42 pm
He's actually the only one I can think of who is going better than last year.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: madbluboy on April 12, 2026, 06:11:02 pm
He's the exact same. Great at the ruck contest then terrible after.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 12, 2026, 06:58:33 pm
In fairness to Pitto I think he could have done even better, he got into the right spot inside F50 a couple of times only to be spoiled marking by his own team-mates.
It's actually a bad habit we have as a team, we've not yet learned to create space rather than take it from each other, part of being a bunch of F50 newbies.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 12, 2026, 07:29:31 pm
Others being asked to develop their leadership skills? Weaning off Crippa?
Agreed, and possibly an opportunity to send a message.
The media will claim it was sending a message to Cripps on the bench, because there hides the controversy and the clicks.
But for me it was more than likely a message from the coach to the blokes in the centre square, and perhaps in conjunction Hewett's absence is more about a lack of fault rather than disciplining or punishment.
The coach showed them what it's like when you haven't got someone sacrificing for your benefit! So I'd be having a close look at the replay to see who was the middle in their absence! Was there a Judas?
The major culprit for the issues in the middle, when Cripps was off, were the umpires - in my opinion!! 2nd quarter we gave up 6 centre clearances in a row, and 4 of them were free kicks (all of which were dubious). wouldnt have matterred if diesel, kouta and ratts were in there, we would have struggled
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: LP on April 13, 2026, 11:35:36 am
The major culprit for the issues in the middle, when Cripps was off, were the umpires - in my opinion!! 2nd quarter we gave up 6 centre clearances in a row, and 4 of them were free kicks (all of which were dubious). wouldnt have matterred if diesel, kouta and ratts were in there, we would have struggled
Interesting, I've heard that some past players(not Carlton) were talking along similar lines on one of the post game streams, not questioning the decisions because that happens, but questioning how they all seemed go one way!
For me that is confirmation of bias which I've talked about on other threads, it happens because umpires are human and they subconsciously anticipate Carlton having "a moment". It's not deliberate but an effect of having an expectation.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: PaulP on April 13, 2026, 02:36:51 pm
Coaches' votes :
10 Joshua Rachele (ADEL) 7 Sam Berry (ADEL) 5 Sam Walsh (CARL) 4 Wayne Milera (ADEL) 2 Marc Pittonet (CARL) 1 Josh Worrell (ADEL) 1 Alex Neal-Bullen (ADEL)
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: Gointocarlton on April 13, 2026, 02:53:55 pm
10 Joshua Rachele (ADEL) 7 Sam Berry (ADEL) 5 Sam Walsh (CARL) 4 Wayne Milera (ADEL) 2 Marc Pittonet (CARL) 1 Josh Worrell (ADEL) 1 Alex Neal-Bullen (ADEL)
10 votes for Rachele seems odd to me.
Title: Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Post by: crashlander on April 15, 2026, 11:27:58 am
I am so glad I didn't watch this game live. I'd hate to measure my cortisol levels at the moment, having just finished watching the replay.
[1] I really hate Adelaide. I've never seen a team squeal and complain as much as these turkeys do. However, there is much we can learn from these guys: (a) they are so much stronger than us. We need to address that. This is an area we have failed to address since our glory days. (b) they are so much more organized than we are. This is something we should have addressed, but do not appear to have. (c) their team structure is better than ours.
[2] We really play like a bottom 4 side. The lack of structure going forward irritates me intensely. (a) We don't lead. The few times we do lead, the lead isn't honoured. We just fill up the spaces so there is nowhere to lead into. (b) We always seem to kick under pressure. It is no wonder we don't hit targets when we're always under pressure. Yet, do we put our opponents under that sort of pressure? No. Our opponents always seem to have someone free. (c) Our defence is terrible at the moment. It should improve with Weitering back, but the lack of structure, the lack of intelligence and the lack of confidence really stood out. We spoiled each other any number of times. Our guys were in position to mark the ball, but didn't. Sometimes we simply dropped the mark, other times we punched the ball instead of marking it. (d) we don't want the ball as badly as our opponents. In 2023, our pressure was excellent and we appeared to want the ball. That is not the case at the moment. We just don't have the desperation. We don't exert enough physical pressure. (e) Our game style is extremely inefficient. We handle the ball a lot to move forward, which doesn't work well in the wet or under pressure. Our skills ... I've mentioned that enough. But, if we handle the ball so often, our lack of skill is exposed. (f) We rarely kick goals from turnovers. For that matter, we rarely score goals that do not come from centre clearances, and we don't do enough of those. Until we find a way to score other than from clearances we won't be winning many games.
[3] We get out-coached almost every week. Our initial plans seem to be good enough, but we don't react to changes in the game. When Walsh was being tagged, did anyone block for him? No. During the last quarter we had Cripps matched up to Rankin, who is much quicker. Did we change that? No.
[4] Some of our players have really gone backwards: (a) Harry McKay: H is presenting, but he isn't going to mark the ball with the way he is approaching the ball at the moment. Kane Cornes repeatedly pointed out that H had 'flat hands'. That wasn't going to help him with conditions as they were. Does H use his strength? If he does. I don't see it. He can show it when he rucks in the forwards 50, but that is about it. Does he get separation? Very rarely. It is hard when every mark is going to be a contested one. (b) Lachie Cowan: Lachie has been pretty ordinary this season. We aren't seeing the strength or the attack on the ball that he showed in his first season. He can be an excellent grab, but he isn't taking his marks. When the pressure comes on, he just no longer grabs the ball in the air. He isn't as tight as he was. He doesn't attack the ball like he did. He is really stagnating. (c) Patrick Cripps: the way things are officiated now doesn't do Crippa any favours. We will never be quick, but when he doesn't get frees for being held and gets double teamed whenever he has the ball, he isn't going to thrive or provide us with drive. Our coaching staff should have woken up to that and planned for it, but that hasn't happened. Crippa is still a warrior, but he isn't getting the assistance he needs. As for his disposal, it is often terrible. He worked on that a lot and was pretty reliable for a while, but it had really dropped off. Like many, he is always under pressure, which doesn't help. But he has to go back and get his kicking sorted. (d) Adam Cerra: Cez is just a shadow of what he was in 2023. He isn't getting to contests, he isn't winning them, he isn't blocking or helping his teammates and he is butchering the ball. I'm sure some of this is confidence, but some is just the way he is approaching the ball. He is probably our least effective mid at the moment. (e) Nic Newman: Nic was always going to take a while to get back to his best, but he isn't having the impact he did. He isn't doing the things that made so effective for so long and he isn't stopping his opponent. I'm willing to give him the chance to get back to his game, because we really miss his drive, but he is struggling at the moment. (f) Hudson O'Keefe: HOK has gone so much backwards that I'm really worried about him. He isn't taking marks, he isn't getting many taps and not guiding them that well. He is a player seriously lacking in confidence.
[5] Umpiring: If we were playing well, the poor umpiring wouldn't bother me so much. We've lived with it for a long time. But, with us struggling, we've been hugely effected by the poor decisions. This, at least is out of our control, but we need to start squealing like certain Geelong or North Melbourne coaches does. We notice the same thing week in and week out, but the umpires ignore them like the rules don't exist. I'm tired of it.
[6] Do we have anyone who hasn't gone backwards? Yes! (a)Marc Pittonet: the new ruck rules don't favour him, but he is doing his best and producing his best. There is a reason why he is 2nd in the Jim Park at the moment. He still has issues: he doesn't take enough marks and his kicking isn't reliable, but he is putting his best out there every week. Not many can say that. (b)Nick Haynes: he might be as old as the hills, but the desire and effort are still there for Haynes. He is showing what is required to succeed at senior level, even with his relative lack of strength. (c)Mitch McGovern: Mitch has underachieved for so long, but he is doing his best as a forward this season. We don't make it easy for him, but he is kicking goals.