Re: AFL Rd 5 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Adelaide
Reply #81 –
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?