AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #90 – March 05, 2026, 08:54:24 am

So, with a third of the side playing their first game in Navy Blue in the first game of the season, the range of possible results is off the chart.
It could be anything from a heavy loss to a comfortable win.

The 'unknown' factor can work both ways.
It may help us by keeping the Swans guessing about the way we will play.
Many predictions of a win are based on the "catch them by surprise" idea rather than "we're a better side".
On the other hand, it may be that any improved aspects of our play in the practice games will fall apart under the pressure of a 'real' game.

While a good start to the season is important, more important will be the coming weeks as the players get used to playing together.
We've seen in the last two years how injury can impact the performance of a side that has had the advantage of many years together.
The injury impact on a side that is relatively 'new' to each other would be much greater.
So, no major injuries.
We need to have a 'consistency of personnel' early on so that the bonds can develop.

Tonight is important
All summer we've had a 'back and forth' about whether we'll improve or go backwards
At the end of the game we'll have a better idea of 'what worked' and 'what needs work'.
But we also need a body of about half a dozen games before we start to make real definitive judgements.
(So let's not go off 'half-cocked' whatever the result.

)

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #91 – March 05, 2026, 09:27:13 am

Ive seen seasons where after 4 rounds premiers become dunces and missed finals, and Brisbane two years ago looked no where near it until round 6 then went bang.

One games evidence is evidence only of how we performed in one game.

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #92 – March 05, 2026, 10:15:35 am

Mocked about the sky is falling all summer now the moment of truth has arrived and no one is backing us to win lol.

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #93 – March 05, 2026, 10:24:23 am

Quote from: Thryleon – on March 03, 2026, 05:16:33 pm

Sydney had one off year and were grand finalists the year before. They havent gone too far backwards is my only logic. Its possible we both rise this season, and they experience a greater rise than we do, which is the result of head to head perhaps a win for them.

Personally, im tipping us to win in a narrow affair, as there wasnt much between us last year, and there isnt much between us this year. They likely have more continuity, and we likely have more newness. Both are factors that could tip it either way imho.

@MBB

Not sure where that comes from.

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #94 – March 05, 2026, 10:31:05 am

We’ve lost it at the selection table IMO

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #95 – March 05, 2026, 11:13:14 am

Blues by 5 points

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #96 – March 05, 2026, 11:36:26 am

Quote from: tex – on March 05, 2026, 10:31:05 am

We’ve lost it at the selection table IMO

I think Young and Weitering are as mistake, Derkson should've got a gig.

Weitering i don't think is fit and i think he should've been rested until he is 100%.
Young i think is lucky to get a game, and i think Derkson has been better in the pre-season games.

I'm not sure what Chesser has done to get a game either.
Moir and Fog would be a bit lucky too.

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #97 – March 05, 2026, 11:53:29 am

Quote from: madbluboy – on March 05, 2026, 10:15:35 am

Mocked about the sky is falling all summer now the moment of truth has arrived and no one is backing us to win lol.

For those like minded...
We're not Mick Malthouse who couldn't see where we'll lose a game.
Most can see where we'll lose a few.
For me, this is one that will challenge us.
But it's one game in many.

What we dont see is a dramatic fall in our ladder position.
If we win as many as we lose we'll have improved.

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #98 – March 05, 2026, 12:02:14 pm

Quote from: Lods – on March 05, 2026, 11:53:29 am

Quote from: madbluboy – on March 05, 2026, 10:15:35 am
Mocked about the sky is falling all summer now the moment of truth has arrived and no one is backing us to win lol.

For those like minded...
We're not Mick Malthouse who couldn't see where we'll lose a game.
Most can see where we'll lose a few.
For me, this is one that will challenge us.
But it's one game in many.

What we dont see is a dramatic fall in our ladder position.
If we win as many as we lose we'll have improved.

Thats a bit cheeky Lods.

Mick was just saying that every game you are a chance of winning (and losing) so going into a game saying you can't win is not something he would do. Which i challenge anyone to show a coach who thinks otherwise and throws in the towel before the game is played.

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #99 – March 05, 2026, 12:20:38 pm

Quote from: kruddler – on March 05, 2026, 11:36:26 am

Quote from: tex – on March 05, 2026, 10:31:05 am
We’ve lost it at the selection table IMO

I think Young and Weitering are as mistake, Derkson should've got a gig.

Weitering i don't think is fit and i think he should've been rested until he is 100%.
Young i think is lucky to get a game, and i think Derkson has been better in the pre-season games.

I'm not sure what Chesser has done to get a game either.
Moir and Fog would be a bit lucky too.

Pretty much agree. Think Moir is an X factor so don’t mind carrying him a bit so long as he puts in effort.

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #100 – March 05, 2026, 12:28:45 pm

Moir seems to improve as the season goes on, has been close to useless early doors previous seasons

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #101 – March 05, 2026, 12:33:50 pm

Quote from: Professer E – on March 05, 2026, 12:28:45 pm

Moir seems to improve as the season goes on, has been close to useless early doors previous seasons

I can see a point of difference this pre-season, not just in Moir but in our list in general.

In the past we bulked up over the pre-season, we looked bigger and heavier, but the tactically our game style suffered with heavy legs. This pre-season to a man our squad looks leaner, but not one of them looks wasted soft, they look lean hard. More Ken Hunter than Robert Klomp.
( Relative to Mr Average the AFL players are never soft, but you know what I mean. )

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #102 – March 05, 2026, 12:47:19 pm

Quote from: kruddler – on March 05, 2026, 12:02:14 pm

Quote from: Lods – on March 05, 2026, 11:53:29 am

For those like minded...
We're not Mick Malthouse who couldn't see where we'll lose a game.
Most can see where we'll lose a few.
For me, this is one that will challenge us.
But it's one game in many.

What we dont see is a dramatic fall in our ladder position.
If we win as many as we lose we'll have improved.

Thats a bit cheeky Lods.

Mick was just saying that every game you are a chance of winning (and losing) so going into a game saying you can't win is not something he would do. Which i challenge anyone to show a coach who thinks otherwise and throws in the towel before the game is played.

I know exactly what he was saying...at a time when the club was pulling the rug out from underneath him...and setting us back.
Of course he didn't believe it.

The point is I don't think anyone was saying we'd be Premiers this year. We might be, but it would be totally unexpected.

What we've been suggesting all summer is that despite losing players we won't see a dramatic fall in ladder position or games won....and hopefully an improvement ln both.
Thinking a win here will be difficult is not contradictory to that position.

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #103 – March 05, 2026, 12:51:23 pm

Quote from: Lods – on March 05, 2026, 12:47:19 pm

I know exactly what he was saying...at a time when the club was pulling the rug out from underneath him...and setting us back.
Of course he didn't believe it.

The club and media took a largely similar declaration from Ratten and used it to hang him, to me that was the real contradiction!

Re: AFL Rd 0 2026 Pre-game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney in Sydney

Reply #104 – March 05, 2026, 02:23:34 pm

There is a lot of argy bargy about winning and losing this game.

Reality is the media have been predicting our loss since trade week, before the draw was even out or the lists were even settled! In recent history if we lose they'll say "I told you so", if we win it will be "An upset for the ages" or "A game the Swans lost!", most will never claim Carlton deserved the win!