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Topic: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne (Read 8379 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #75
We will smash Melbourne

Id expect to win well given Melbourne are in a bit of a rebuild, Freo who are a very good team bullied them and exposed their midfield where they have a lot of kids and they managed to neutralize Gawn and K.Pickett. My only issue would be the latter two probably dont play too many bad ones in a row and we dont have any matchup for Pickett.
Last 4
Blues by 8,  1,  2,  4. I think we will win by much more this time.
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 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #76
Based on the first few rounds, I'm not confident we will smash anyone.



.....well maybe essendon.
they'll set themselves for us, so currently we cant take anything for granted without a turn of form. 

"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #77
Can't understand all the negativity on Ben and Lucas Camporeale.  Come on guys give them a chance.!

 The fact that their dad Scott Camporeale, an accomplished footballer for Carlton went off to Essendon near the end of his playing career, is no reflection on the boys and their potential. Good luck to Scott, he only did what many on this site have been suggesting for Paddy Cripps, ie. we should trade him back to a Perth club.  Also, I don't hear many ethical complaints when we trade in players from other AFL clubs.

Both Ben and Lucas were good under 18 players for SA with Ben making All Australian.
Ben Camporeale was unlucky not to have played a game or two last season.  The moment Paddy Cripps goes down with an injury, Ben could be just the guy we need in midfield imo.

If Carlton FC  can't develop these two guys to reasonable AFl players, we haven't much future as a football club. 


Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #78
Can't understand all the negativity on Ben and Lucas Camporeale.  Come on guys give them a chance.!

 The fact that their dad Scott Camporeale, an accomplished footballer for Carlton went off to Essendon near the end of his playing career, is no reflection on the boys and their potential. Good luck to Scott, he only did what many on this site have been suggesting for Paddy Cripps, ie. we should trade him back to a Perth club.  Also, I don't hear many ethical complaints when we trade in players from other AFL clubs.

Both Ben and Lucas were good under 18 players for SA with Ben making All Australian.
Ben Camporeale was unlucky not to have played a game or two last season.  The moment Paddy Cripps goes down with an injury, Ben could be just the guy we need in midfield imo.

If Carlton FC  can't develop these two guys to reasonable AFl players, we haven't much future as a football club.

You can’t “develop” players to run faster, think quicker, and execute better.  We can make them fitter, teach them positioning, and eliminate bad habits.

Ben and Lucas were picks 43 and 54, and that doesn’t guarantee a successful career, regardless of any development.

I think that both Ben and Lucas have the potential to be decent AFL players, they wouldn’t have been drafted if they didn’t.  Their success will depend more on their attitude and determination than anything the club can do, other than offering them opportunity and guidance.

They’ve got the capacity, but there’s more than a few ahead of them at this stage.

"Negative waves are not helpful. Try saying something righteous and hopeful instead." Oddball

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #79
Can't understand all the negativity on Ben and Lucas Camporeale.  Come on guys give them a chance.!
Most aren't being negative, it's just reality.

I've argued for a long time that F&S picks can be overrated, it's not the kids fault, they are in a system that is biased towards them.

When reality hits it bites!
"Extremists on either side will always meet in the Middle!"

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #80

Id expect to win well given Melbourne are in a bit of a rebuild, Freo who are a very good team bullied them and exposed their midfield where they have a lot of kids and they managed to neutralize Gawn and K.Pickett. My only issue would be the latter two probably dont play too many bad ones in a row and we dont have any matchup for Pickett.
Last 4
Blues by 8,  1,  2,  4. I think we will win by much more this time.
25 points.....we are struggling to kick goals ourselves but Id expect a few more from Harry this week, Walsh and Smith to be BOG's with Cripps probably having a tougher outing vs Steele who has been playing well for his new club.

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #81
Understand the point you are making DJC & LP re how other recruiters rated Ben & Lucas for them to fall to picks 43 & 45, although I wonder if the fact that we held F/S rights wasn't a factor.

Not sure why they should be better suited back here at Port EB. Guess you are saying they are the type of player Port needs in their mix with Boaky gone. However, hopefully if given a reasonable chance we will find they are a "need' here!

Sometimes I wonder why as supporters we have to be so negative on young players who have hardly been looked at.  These guys, their family members must sometimes read this negativity. If so you we shouldn't be surprised if they do decide to go back from where they have come.  Why poke the bear with a stick? 
As has been said "Carlton supporters devour their own", if true not very smart. As supporters we are part of the fabric of a football club and need to play our part for the club to have success.

Well I guess I got that off my ...back !!
cheers AB

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #82
Understand the point you are making DJC & LP re how other recruiters rated Ben & Lucas for them to fall to picks 43 & 45, although I wonder if the fact that we held F/S rights wasn't a factor.

Not sure why they should be better suited back here at Port EB. Guess you are saying they are the type of player Port needs in their mix with Boaky gone. However, hopefully if given a reasonable chance we will find they are a "need' here!

Sometimes I wonder why as supporters we have to be so negative on young players who have hardly been looked at.  These guys, their family members must sometimes read this negativity. If so you we shouldn't be surprised if they do decide to go back from where they have come.  Why poke the bear with a stick? 
As has been said "Carlton supporters devour their own", if true not very smart. As supporters we are part of the fabric of a football club and need to play our part for the club to have success.

Well I guess I got that off my ...back !!
cheers AB

Is that you Adrian? 

If so, welcome.  No one is negative about the boys.  Lucas pushed himself to the edge against hawthorn and ben hasn't even had a chance yet.  Pressure is off them this year.  Next year they'll need to be establishing their credentials, they just have to show they can compete at the level this year for mine.

They may not be the next superstars of the comp, but if they can complement the likes of jagga they'll be fine.
"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #83
Pre-draft Lucas was rated as a rookie pick IIRC.

I don't think we got them at a bargain, i think we got them about right....maybe even a touch early.

Take away their last name.....and is the hype justified? Is their output above average?
Nothing against the kids, but once you are at the club, you don't get done any favours.

They are around the 30-35 mark in terms of talent on our list......which is about where you'd expect based on where they were drafted.

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #84
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/42038414/afl-draft-power-rankings-november-2024-extended-top-50-prospects-bolters-sliders

This was a super strong draft that batted deep and this was a pretty comprehensive list.

1. Jagga Smith (October rank: 1)
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
MID, 181cm
National Champs: 4 games, 29.3 disposals, 6.8 clearances, 4.8 marks
Talent League: 12 games, 33.8 disposals, 7.9 clearances, 0.6 goals

Jagga is the 'can't miss' prospect, an inside midfielder with insatiable appetite for the contest. He's brilliantly creative, intelligently snaking into pockets of space and releasing outside runners before hitting the turbo to stay involved in transition. Smith accumulates a mountain of the ball and demands opposition attention with his ability to break open the game with class and precision. He well and truly ended any concerns around his size with brilliant VFL exploits, and now ends his top-age season where he began it for ESPN - at No. 1.

Best traits similar to: Zak Butters

35. Ben Camporeale - Carlton father-son
Glenelg/South Australia
MID, 186cm
2024 Champs: 4 games, 26.8 disposals, 4.5 clearances, 3.8 tackles
SANFL U18s: 6 games, 31.7 disposals, 6.7 clearances, 4.0 tackles

More has been spoken about the Camporeale twins than just about any draft prospect this season. Ben has been a dominant inside midfielder over the past two seasons, wrenching the ball out of the clinches and moving it forward at all costs. The knocks on Camporeale are his foot skills and athletic profile. They're valid criticisms, but if Ben can become an elite contested possession winner it won't matter as much. Twin brother Lucas is a wingman that will also make his way to Carlton.

Best traits similar to: Tim Taranto

36. Harry O'Farrell
Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
DEF/FWD, 196cm
2024 Champs: 2 games, 4.0 disposals, 1.5 marks
Talent League: 5 games, 9.0 disposals, 3.0 marks, 0.4 goals

O'Farrell is an excellent key defensive prospect, long and rangy with swingman capabilities. He missed chunks of the season through injuries and hasn't shown an awful lot with the ball in his hand, but should remain in high demand as a lockdown key defender.

Best traits similar to: Jack Buckley

Lucas didn't make the ESPN top 50.
2012 HAPPENED!!!!!!!

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #85
With Acres and Cottrell being cooked Lucas will have an easier time getting a game than Ben who would be trying to force Cripps and Hewett into retirement.
2012 HAPPENED!!!!!!!

 

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #86
It always amazes me that definitive judgements are made on 19 year olds.

I suspect that there are many discarded by the system that had they been held onto would have developed into more than handy players...but that's the system that exists.

"Oh, but they never showed anything once they were let go"
Of course they don't!
They're cut loose from a high performance system.
There livelihood is greatly reduced and they have to juggle work and football.
Dreams are shattered and self doubt takes over.
Their motivation may still be there, but the development becomes so much harder.

The skinny 19 year old and the 12 kg heavier 22 year old are completely different athletes.
It will always be a case of 'what might have been' for many.

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #87
Ben should have played but for a woefully poor suspension.
Lucas will play sooner rather than later...Cottrell is cooked and Acres is close to.
I really like Cottrell but big knee, now foot issues...foot issues tend to be career threatening and I have similar fears for Billy. Our club history with foot injuries is very poor
DrE is no more... you ok with that harmonica man?

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #88
We are not really a development club, we prefer our kids at a more readymade level.
Development and the need for instant and sustainable success every year only allows for kids like Walsh, Smith and probably Walker who can walk in round 1 and look the part. Kids on slow burn tend to end up in the twos vegetating and treading water until their contracts run out and the cycle starts again..

Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #89
It always amazes me that definitive judgements are made on 19 year olds.

Who is making definitive judgements?

Ignoring everything about the individual player and just looking at where they are drafted, thats the conclusion you will come too. Later picks and rookie picks will struggle to make it.

Now back to the players, have they shown anything at this stage to buck that trend? Not really, they are showing about what their draft value suggests.
They might make it.
They might not.

Not definitive at all, just statistical analysis.