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Topic: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG (Read 14199 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: AFL Rd 18 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Hawthorn at MCG

Reply #76 –
Quote from: Baggers – on
Just got a call from an avid Bluebagger mate... Riley in for Pitto.
Not sure how to feel about this, I assume Pitto is injured as I’m not sure Riley was busting the door down in e 2’s, no doubt there’s better informed listers in this site who can give a proper update on Wagga Riley will bring. Anyway, best of luck to the big fella!
The Ox is slow but I'm running out of patience.

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

Reply #77 –
Quote from: Sexybronco – on
Quote from: Baggers – on
Just got a call from an avid Bluebagger mate... Riley in for Pitto.
Not sure how to feel about this, I assume Pitto is injured as I’m not sure Riley was busting the door down in e 2’s, no doubt there’s better informed listers in this site who can give a proper update on Wagga Riley will bring. Anyway, best of luck to the big fella!

I'm not sure he's ready for the jump in class....but we're out of options.
Reidy, Pittonet are injured.
O'Keefe is stuggling as a forward at VFL and doing limited ruck work.

Riley has been dominating taps most games, but he doesn't always direct them well.
He does have a good attitude and works hard...but may run out of puff at the pace of this game on a big ground.
He also goes OK around the ground and usually picks up more disposals than his immediate opposition.
It will be interesting... and given he was a mid-season pick this is what he was taken for...a break glass situation.

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

Reply #78 –
Quote from: Lods – on
I'm not sure he's ready for the jump in class....but we're out of options.
Reidy, Pittonet are injured.
O'Keefe is stuggling as a forward at VFL and doing limited ruck work.

Riley has been dominating taps most games, but he doesn't always direct them well.
He does have a good attitude and works hard...but may run out of puff at the pace of this game on a big ground.
He also goes OK around the ground and usually picks up more disposals than his immediate opposition.
It will be interesting... and given he was a mid-season pick this is what he was taken for...a break glass situation.

The glass hasn't just broken, it has shattered!

One thing that Riley does bring to the table is his ability to clunk marks.  Pitto averages just over one mark a game (but he does OK at stopping his opponents marking).  Riley is averaging three marks a game in the VFL and he will still be 206cm when he runs out on Saturday night. 

It's probably fortunate that Hawthorn are without Reeves and it will be Riley and Harry against Meek and Chol.

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

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

Reply #79 –
Quote from: DJC – on
It's probably fortunate that Hawthorn are without Reeves and it will be Riley and Harry against Meek and Chol.
A war of attrition.

It's an opportunity for Riley, and perhaps not as bad as fans think. Pitto is a known known to many Dawks staffers and opponents, while Riley is a relative unknown. As a newbie you always have an advantage, it's just that many newbies do not have the confidence to take it.
"Extremists on either side will always meet in the Middle!"

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

Reply #80 –
Go well son
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 #81 –
Good luck to young Riley, reality is the new rule changes have changed the ruck landscape and Pittonet is one of the casualties and we really need a new No 1 ruck who can at least break even with Jackson, Grundy and the other high possession, high jumping athletic types who dominate games now more than we have seen for a long while, and Riley's height should at least make it difficult for Hawthorns rucks..

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

Reply #82 –
Pitto apparently has a 'minor hamstring'. That could mean anything from 1 to 6 weeks.

Reidy will probably be back for the VFL this week, as he was expected to play 'if he got through training'. That won't hurt the VFL team much, although Reidy would probably be somewhat rusty.

I don't like the idea of Riley vs. Meek, but it is going to be wet. If Riley can minimize Meek's influence, that will be a win.

HOK is now one of the Emergencies, even with his lack of form.
Live Long and Prosper!

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

Reply #83 –
Riley is all about 2027 and beyond good luck to him

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

Reply #84 –
Quote from: crashlander – on
HOK is now one of the Emergencies, even with his lack of form.
It's only his 2nd week back from injury, form isn't usually instantaneous!
"Extremists on either side will always meet in the Middle!"

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

Reply #85 –
Riley is our best bet for the future - may as well find out now before we need to decide on his re-contract situation.

I have actually liked his VFL form - he's a jumper, unlike Pitto - and with Cripps/Walsh/Hewitt alongside him, he may be a revelation
This is now the longest premiership drought in the history of the Carlton Football Club - more evidence of climate change?

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

Reply #86 –
Quote from: tonyo – on
Riley is our best bet for the future - may as well find out now before we need to decide on his re-contract situation.

I have actually liked his VFL form - he's a jumper, unlike Pitto - and with Cripps/Walsh/Hewitt alongside him, he may be a revelation
I thought his ruck technique was average, he got first hands to the ball a lot but scattered the distribution randomly. I think his best feature was his around the ground marking, if used well he'll be offering a useful chop out option for McKay, Dean, Derksen and McGovern. Even if he doesn't clunk it we should assume the pill will be hitting the deck.

Our Mids should work on the premise that they might not know where Riley is heading, but hopefully at least Meek won't get a free run.
"Extremists on either side will always meet in the Middle!"

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

Reply #87 –
I wanted us to draft Riley....because he was going to get drafted and we needed him. Success, this is exactly why.

However, I've been somewhat critical of his taps. Gets plenty of them, but not enough of them actually help the team. Id suggested when he is so dominant that he should hit to space and take territory and let our mids run onto it.
Lods confirmed that this had started to happen recently.

This is what i hope to see from him this week. He is big enough to get his hands on the ball first. So ensure it benefits the team.

Given a new set of mids to work with, timing and connection will take time so shortcut that and go for territory and get the ball to advantage a somewhat unconventional way instead.
 

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

Reply #88 –
If nothing else he probably has a better group of contested midfielders at his feet than he does in the VFL. ;)

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

Reply #89 –
I'm confident Riley will do his job, especially if it's wet. He just needs to be a physical presence and assist the running players with shephards, blocks etc. nothing fancy.
We can beat the Dawks if we bring the heat, but will need to be a 4 qtr effort with no passengers. Stating the obvious I know but you only have to look at how the Pies play and take down better credentialled teams - they do it with gang tackling and team pressure until their opponents crack.