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AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Ready for Saturday. What a strange thing it is to be playing on a Saturday afternoon!
Live Long and Prosper!

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #1 –
Where have those last 5 qtrs we have played been all year.

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #2 –
In a way, that game confirms what is already widely known, i.e that when we dominate clearance and stoppage we are very hard to beat. This is IMO both a strength and a weakness, and no doubt the coaches are perfectly aware of this and are trying to add some additional strings to our bow. Both teams had some young kids out there, although Port probably had a couple more. No Horne-Francis would have also hurt. Still, a super effort across 4q. I'm going to enjoy this one. Well done CFC.

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #3 –
Also, a big forward kicking a bag always reminds me of the old days.

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #4 –
I didn't expect to win like that, although we did slow down after half time (some things don't change).

[1] H:
The reason I like H much more as a forward than either of the Kings is that H doesn't get many easy ones. Our disposal is simply not good enough often enough for him to get easy goals. Instead, he takes contested grabs. He actually beats his opponent. He tackles. He chases, not brilliantly sometimes, but he does it and he is surprisingly quick for a big fellow.
For example:
H takes the ruck in the forward pocket and guides the ball to his boot for a fantastic goal. Neither of the Kings can do anything like that.
That said, sometimes he can be mentally weak, falling over or miskicking when a good possession could be a game winner, and he isn't the smartest player you've ever seen; he can muck things up with a poor decision or an awful kick. However, he is the real deal and we are a better team with him playing. He had 3 different opponents today and thrashed each of them.

[2] Sam Walsh:
I was dubious about playing a guy who had to be under done. What an idiot I was. He played one of his best today, and he was on seriously managed minutes (especially after half time). 28 possessions, 5 clearances and 2 points. The weakness in his game was those two points; Sam doesn't tend to kick many goals. If he can become a goalkicker, he would raise his game even further.
The other thing that was really noticeable was that he was fit; he was struggling to move like this earlier in the season. I think staying fit is going to his issue over time. I hope he can be managed successfully, but I haven't seen any signs of that yet.
The other thing that was clear was the difference he makes to a our centre setup. His run really makes a difference. Now, imagine next season with Jagga Smith, who can also accelerate away and break tackles. Then add Cody Walker the season later. That transforms our slow, stolid midfield in ways I am sure we'll enjoy.

[3] Jacob Weitering:
If Jacob is 100% bit, then my name is Spock and my blood is green.
Whitlock got away from a couple of times just because he couldn't move like he usually does. That didn't stop him doing some brilliant things, but he is clearly trying to get to the end of the season.
On the other hand, Lewis Young had one of his very best games. He played mostly on Georgiades and beat him. I wasn't sure he had it in him, but he really stepped up today.
Nick Haynes didn't have an obvious matchup today, so he played on the wing all day and had a great game. His intensity and intercepting were wonderful to watch.
For that matter, Blake Acres had his best game for the year. Acres was brilliant in the way he interrupted Port's play.
Live Long and Prosper!

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #5 –
Nice post crash.

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #6 –
Amazing what a difference it makes when the opposition rucks fail to impose themselves at centre bounces.

TDK was largely untouched (looked more like last year) and even O'Keeffe was able to palm the ball to advantage without a problem - hence lots of centre clearances and time to kick the ball to teammates who were not outnumbered.

Outstanding first half - pathetic third quarter - better final quarter but still junk-football.

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #7 –
It's a little hard to get a handle on these end of season games.
You're looking at teams with a whole different set of priorities.
Some of those still in contention are looking for big wins to keep their percentages healthy.
Other like us and Port are into a bit of experimenting with the young'uns
We're pretty much in the same boat.
We probably shouldn't read too much into these games
But it is nice to win and perform well for most of the game.
Neither team had much to play for, we just wanted it more today.

Our young players all show a bit, and with another pre-season under their belt some of them should really impact next year.
If Walsh can have a full year next year it will be more than handy.
Newman, Smith and Kemp hopefully recovering well.
Curnow fit and firing.
Same again next week and we can go into the off-season in a better mood with a little more positivity.

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #8 –
Quote from: RiverRat – on
Amazing what a difference it makes when the opposition rucks fail to impose themselves at centre bounces.
I rate Sweet as a ruck. That Tom and Skull did so well against him early was a huge positive for us.
After half time, it was very different; Sweet dominated in the ruck. But our mids were up and running at that point.
As for Tom, we saw both his strengths and weaknesses. His willingness to work hard today, which is not always apparent, was very much the difference. He got to contests instead of jogging around, he got his hand on the ball, and he didn't screw up his possessions.
Skull: now that was pleasing, as he dominated when Sweet wasn't there, while doing decently when he was. It shows he has a future as a ruck, especially if he can straighten out his kicking, as his contested marks were excellent.
H did quite well for the ruck for most of the day, which I think is good for him; it gets him into the game when the ball isn't coming down well. That goal, that was one to remember and it really got his tail up.

Quote from: RiverRat – on
TDK was largely untouched (looked more like last year) and even O'Keeffe was able to palm the ball to advantage without a problem - hence lots of centre clearances and time to kick the ball to teammates who were not outnumbered.
I don't know if Tom is going to be with us next year or not, but if the changes to the ruck allow a jumper like him to get better access, then he will be more effective.
At the moment, the strongest ruck wins, which I don't really like much. There is a lot more to ruckcraft than that, and I'd like to see more of it.


Quote from: RiverRat – on
Outstanding first half - pathetic third quarter - better final quarter but still junk-football.
Pretty accurate. Our 3rd quarter wasn't the disaster that some of our 3rd quarters have been, but we certainly at our worst for the day. I was happy to see how our young defenders stood up at the time to be honest, but Port should have kicked some goals.
On the other hand, so should we. We had chances and couldn't make the most of them.
Live Long and Prosper!

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #9 –
Really enjoyable to watch such a win live.

I thought Carroll was really good - good kicking, good composure and good decision making. Well done to him.

I must admit the playing of the youth and how they’re going has really upped my mood again - when the season went to crap I couldn’t imagine going to another game yet I’m considering going again next week - its exciting watching some young talent. 

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #10 –
If nothing else the Frank the Tank show is worth going to watch. 

5 tackles, 2 goals, 15 disposals halving contests against bigger players.

Love it.  Hes not exactly a star, but he plays like it means something ans has some endearing qualities.
"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #11 –
It was interesting to see the players get around Tom DeKoning when he kicked a goal.
It was very enthusiastic.
We assume he's gone, I'm not even sure the club is fighting too hard anymore.
If he departs I think he'll leave behind a few mates.
If nothing else it's pleasing to see him finishing the season with a bit of effort.
Got a bit of a cheer there from the crowd at one stage.

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Lods – on
It was interesting to see the players get around Tom DeKoning when he kicked a goal.
It was very enthusiastic.
We assume he's gone, I'm not even sure the club is fighting too hard anymore.
If he departs I think he'll leave behind a few mates.
If nothing else it's pleasing to see him finishing the season with a bit of effort.
Got a bit of a cheer there from the crowd at one stage.

No ones is going to blame him for going for that amount of coin. I'm sure he'd like to stay but one has to make the most of their chances financially too.

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #13 –
Quote from: crashlander – on
I didn't expect to win like that, although we did slow down after half time (some things don't change).

[1] H:
The reason I like H much more as a forward than either of the Kings is that H doesn't get many easy ones. Our disposal is simply not good enough often enough for him to get easy goals. Instead, he takes contested grabs. He actually beats his opponent. He tackles. He chases, not brilliantly sometimes, but he does it and he is surprisingly quick for a big fellow.
For example:
H takes the ruck in the forward pocket and guides the ball to his boot for a fantastic goal. Neither of the Kings can do anything like that.
That said, sometimes he can be mentally weak, falling over or miskicking when a good possession could be a game winner, and he isn't the smartest player you've ever seen; he can muck things up with a poor decision or an awful kick. However, he is the real deal and we are a better team with him playing. He had 3 different opponents today and thrashed each of them.

[2] Sam Walsh:
I was dubious about playing a guy who had to be under done. What an idiot I was. He played one of his best today, and he was on seriously managed minutes (especially after half time). 28 possessions, 5 clearances and 2 points. The weakness in his game was those two points; Sam doesn't tend to kick many goals. If he can become a goalkicker, he would raise his game even further.
The other thing that was really noticeable was that he was fit; he was struggling to move like this earlier in the season. I think staying fit is going to his issue over time. I hope he can be managed successfully, but I haven't seen any signs of that yet.
The other thing that was clear was the difference he makes to a our centre setup. His run really makes a difference. Now, imagine next season with Jagga Smith, who can also accelerate away and break tackles. Then add Cody Walker the season later. That transforms our slow, stolid midfield in ways I am sure we'll enjoy.

[3] Jacob Weitering:
If Jacob is 100% bit, then my name is Spock and my blood is green.
Whitlock got away from a couple of times just because he couldn't move like he usually does. That didn't stop him doing some brilliant things, but he is clearly trying to get to the end of the season.
On the other hand, Lewis Young had one of his very best games. He played mostly on Georgiades and beat him. I wasn't sure he had it in him, but he really stepped up today.
Nick Haynes didn't have an obvious matchup today, so he played on the wing all day and had a great game. His intensity and intercepting were wonderful to watch.
For that matter, Blake Acres had his best game for the year. Acres was brilliant in the way he interrupted Port's play.
Good stuff Crash, one thing about H is that he leaves it all the ground every week. To use a Nafan Buckely quote, "he empties his tank".
As for Weiters, he needs to trust his other defenders and worry about his man. Too often he splits the two key fwds hoping to 1/2 cover both and it fails. One of the commentators last week suggested he might have to drop a few kgs over the summer to get some mobility, I agree.
2021-Pi$$ or get off the pot
2022- Real Deal or more of the same? 0.6%
2023- "Raise the Standard" - M. Voss Another year wasted Bar Set
2024-Back to the drawing boardNo excuses, its time
2025-Carlton can win the 2025 AFL Premiership

Re: AFL Rd 23 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

Reply #14 –
Quote from: laj – on
Quote from: Lods – on
It was interesting to see the players get around Tom DeKoning when he kicked a goal.
It was very enthusiastic.
We assume he's gone, I'm not even sure the club is fighting too hard anymore.
If he departs I think he'll leave behind a few mates.
If nothing else it's pleasing to see him finishing the season with a bit of effort.
Got a bit of a cheer there from the crowd at one stage.

No ones is going to blame him for going for that amount of coin. I'm sure he'd like to stay but one has to make the most of their chances financially too.
No, sorry, I disagree.

TDK does not strike me as a ‘I was born confident’ type like Harley Reid nor as marketable and dynamic and match winning as Buddy.  It’s a lot of money and he will be heavily scrutinised for the rest of his career.

We act as though AFL players don’t get paid very very very well.  And Carlton has offered TDK a hell of a sum - they have the best financial people around to assist, that can easily turn what Carlton would give him into more money and Opportunities.

I think he’s making a mistake.  He seems like a nice fella but I won’t wish him well -
The whole thing with SOS and Stk has left a really bad taste in my mouth.