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Topic: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG (Read 7161 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG

Reply #45 –
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
So here's the thing for me. I reckon we have gone back to the sort of form that on our day/night, we can beat anyone.
You can see it in the players actions in game (ie the type of footy we are playing) right across the board.
You can see it in the players demeanours.
You can hear it when they speak in the media.
The player that stands out the most to me in all this and IMO has led this "re-boot" of our club is S Walsh.
He's been the first to run in and start a blue to stand up for our club and say "f-off" to the oppo.
He has taken his hardness at the contest to another level (frankly I didnt think he had it in him.
The fact he extended his contract early shows he is committed to the club and wants to drive standards to another level.
You can see the determination in his eyes every time he runs out and goes for the ball.


Fair comment on Walsh, he has been as important as Cripps in the revival and has stamped his mark on being the clubs next Captain. I'll be interested if his form can continue if Fraser isnt the coach next season...

Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG

Reply #46 –
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
So here's the thing for me. I reckon we have gone back to the sort of form that on our day/night, we can beat anyone.
You can see it in the players actions in game (ie the type of footy we are playing) right across the board.
You can see it in the players demeanours.
You can hear it when they speak in the media.
The player that stands out the most to me in all this and IMO has led this "re-boot" of our club is S Walsh.
He's been the first to run in and start a blue to stand up for our club and say "f-off" to the oppo.
He has taken his hardness at the contest to another level (frankly I didnt think he had it in him.
The fact he extended his contract early shows he is committed to the club and wants to drive standards to another level.
You can see the determination in his eyes every time he runs out and goes for the ball.


Fair comment on Walsh, he has been as important as Cripps in the revival and has stamped his mark on being the clubs next Captain. I'll be interested if his form can continue if Fraser isnt the coach next season...
Walshy cares about the club, you're right though, what happens if he does't like the new coach?
You may recall there was a rumour last year that Walsh wanted out if Voss was remaining. Walsh extended with Voss at the helm but I wonder if he had the good oil on what was going happen which made him extend knowing Voss wasnt going o be around long?
It all fits together, but the bottom line is I still dont like players knifing coaches.
Ill give Walshy the benefit of the doubt and suggest that when he is fit and healthy, he is happy and only knows one way.
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 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG

Reply #47 –
I get that players, like everyone, occasionally tell porkies and need to toe the line, but when Voss was sacked / resigned, Walsh stated that he (Voss) was the best leader he ever had.

Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG

Reply #48 –
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on

Fair comment on Walsh, he has been as important as Cripps in the revival and has stamped his mark on being the clubs next Captain. I'll be interested if his form can continue if Fraser isnt the coach next season...
Walshy cares about the club, you're right though, what happens if he does't like the new coach?
You may recall there was a rumour last year that Walsh wanted out if Voss was remaining. Walsh extended with Voss at the helm but I wonder if he had the good oil on what was going happen which made him extend knowing Voss wasnt going o be around long?
It all fits together, but the bottom line is I still dont like players knifing coaches.
Ill give Walshy the benefit of the doubt and suggest that when he is fit and healthy, he is happy and only knows one way.
Dressing room seems a lot happier and united under Fraser and the effort factor from all players seems higher as well, I wont debate the merits of Fraser vs Voss as thats not important anymore but I cant see that level of trust/belief being as strong initially under a new coach and that has to affect what happens on the field.

Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG

Reply #49 –
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on
Dressing room seems a lot happier and united under Fraser and the effort factor from all players seems higher as well,
You mean they are happy when winning, and the pressure is off!

The players are out there selling their wares, the question is why did it take them to arrive at the cliff edge before they switched on?
"Extremists on either side will always meet in the Middle!"
 

Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG

Reply #50 –
Quote from: LP – on
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on
Dressing room seems a lot happier and united under Fraser and the effort factor from all players seems higher as well,
You mean they are happy when winning, and the pressure is off!

The players are out there selling their wares, the question is why did it take them to arrive at the cliff edge before they switched on?
The obvious simplistic answer is they were not happy under Voss despite the players all pledging their allegiance and praising his leadership abilities but I think it was more complex than that and some how they seemed mentally shackled to the dilemma of the coach fighting for his job and looked mentally exhausted.
Under Fraser its been zero expectations, the pressure released and freedom to enjoy the game and obviously some players are playing for their careers so have the pedal to the floor a bit more.
Maybe when Cripps ends his career he might write a book and talk about what happened but Im sure its a lot more complex than it looks...

Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG

Reply #51 –
I was thinking something similar the other day.

I used to have a boss. Principal/ teacher/ student situation. This guy was respected, not just by those below him but also by the higher-ups. He was the sort of the boss you’d walk through walls for…go the extra distance. And he was always on the go-doing extra- curricular stuff with the kids. He was also demanding and it was kind of an expectation that you’d be right there with him. Early mornings, lunch times, weekends. You felt guilty if you didn’t get involved. Long distance running, cycling, kayaking. And over the years it became a bit exhausting….the pressure and the expectations. So much so that when he left for another job it was kind of a relief. The new guy was much more relaxed. We still did a  lot of the things we used to do, but it became more of a choice and the workplace became a much more relaxed but still effective place to be…because the pressure was no longer there and people were happier. Performance probably increased in a number of areas.
I can totally understand how the players might be feeling. Deep respect for Voss but no longer the same pressure and as a result a better performance.
I’m not saying that’s what’s happening, but it might be a factor.

Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG

Reply #52 –
Robert Walls said similar about Barassi. He was relentless, and despite the success, when he left the players were glad to see the back of him.

Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG

Reply #53 –
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on
Quote from: LP – on

You mean they are happy when winning, and the pressure is off!

The players are out there selling their wares, the question is why did it take them to arrive at the cliff edge before they switched on?
The obvious simplistic answer is they were not happy under Voss despite the players all pledging their allegiance and praising his leadership abilities but I think it was more complex than that and some how they seemed mentally shackled to the dilemma of the coach fighting for his job and looked mentally exhausted.
Under Fraser its been zero expectations, the pressure released and freedom to enjoy the game and obviously some players are playing for their careers so have the pedal to the floor a bit more.
Maybe when Cripps ends his career he might write a book and talk about what happened but Im sure its a lot more complex than it looks...
Pressure will come and you need to be able to not only cope but rise.
I was watching a video with Tom Brady talking about Coach Belichick. He said how normally in the dressing rooms and at the club, every one was happy during the week at training and then on Sunday, they'd get smashed and everyone was sad and unhappy. The club focused on making it a happy and enjoyable place during the week. Belichick flipped that on its head and made Mon to Sat absolute torture and then come Sunday, everything was easy,  they were happy and the results changed. He trained them to suffer and endure to the extreme which made game day a stroll in the park (literally).
In life, you get back what you put in, simple as that. If blokes are happy with themselves being on a list and collecting a fat pay check for kicking a ball around? You'll get SFA out of what will be a short career. If you bust a gut day in day out trying to get better as individuals and as a group? You achieve success, plain and simple.
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