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Topic: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G (Read 1105 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #15 –
We are going in favourites, with the stronger team on paper.  I spoke to a Dees fan earlier who is less than enthused with his sides chances.  He is a very pragmatic footy supporter and came second on the tipping ladder this year.
"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Thryleon – on
We are going in favourites, with the stronger team on paper.  I spoke to a Dees fan earlier who is less than enthused with his sides chances.  He is a very pragmatic footy supporter and came second on the tipping ladder this year.
If Kosi and Gawn get motoring, they will cut us to bits
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
2026-Slow start, we can kick after all, why not?

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Thryleon – on
^^ Ison is a good mix of tall and small.

I should've been more specific.

We have no emergencies that can play midfield.

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #18 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
Quote from: Thryleon – on
^^ Ison is a good mix of tall and small.

I should've been more specific.

We have no emergencies that can play midfield.

Ison takes a turn in the midfield, Cerra could go back to his midfield role, and we have several small forwards who can pinch hit in the midfield.  I don't really think that we'd miss a midfielder.

The interesting emergency selection for me is Reidy after he missed the VFL game last round.  He must have shone at training  :-\
"Negative waves are not helpful. Try saying something righteous and hopeful instead." Oddball

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #19 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
Quote from: Thryleon – on
^^ Ison is a good mix of tall and small.

I should've been more specific.

We have no emergencies that can play midfield.

OK, lets approach this pragmatically.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2113879/afl-team-news-who-returns-to-take-on-melbourne

FB - Cowan - Weiters - Hollands
HB - Wilson - Dean - Haynes
C - Acres - Cripps - Cerra
HF - Ainsworth - Mcgovern - Evans
FF - Lord - Mckay - Byrne
Followers - Pittonet - Walsh - Smith

I/C - Florent - Hewett - L. Young - Kemp - Cotters.


Emergencies:

Derkson, Ison, Reidy.

Im going to name the squad a little differently:

FB - Cowan - Weiters - Florent.
HB - Wilson - Dean - Haynes
C - Acres - Cripps - Hewett
HF - Ainsworth - Mcgovern - Evans
FF - Kemp - Mckay - Byrne
Followers - Pittonet - Walsh - Smith

I/C -  Young- Cerra - Hollands - Lord - Cotters.

It makes more sense this way to have a tall as emergency doesnt it?   Lets say any player doesnt get up, which emergency would you take into the finals given the exposed reserves form?


"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #20 –
Quote from: Thryleon – on
Quote from: kruddler – on


I should've been more specific.

We have no emergencies that can play midfield.

OK, lets approach this pragmatically.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2113879/afl-team-news-who-returns-to-take-on-melbourne

FB - Cowan - Weiters - Hollands
HB - Wilson - Dean - Haynes
C - Acres - Cripps - Cerra
HF - Ainsworth - Mcgovern - Evans
FF - Lord - Mckay - Byrne
Followers - Pittonet - Walsh - Smith

I/C - Florent - Hewett - L. Young - Kemp - Cotters.


Emergencies:

Derkson, Ison, Reidy.

Im going to name the squad a little differently:

FB - Cowan - Weiters - Florent.
HB - Wilson - Dean - Haynes
C - Acres - Cripps - Hewett
HF - Ainsworth - Mcgovern - Evans
FF - Kemp - Mckay - Byrne
Followers - Pittonet - Walsh - Smith

I/C -  Young- Cerra - Hollands - Lord - Cotters.

It makes more sense this way to have a tall as emergency doesnt it?   Lets say any player doesnt get up, which emergency would you take into the finals given the exposed reserves form?

I don't know what point you are attempting to make.

IMO we have 3 'talls' as emergencies as is. What is wrong with 1 tall? Derkson.

You talk about exposed reserves form.....we have Reidy as an emergency who didn't play last week.

Also, our team needs to be looked at up against Melbournes.

I can't remember the exact figures (and honestly don't care to check), but Melbourne have gone in VERY SMALL by comparison. There was a breakdown of relative heights and we were giant in comparison.
We have 3x 200cm players, they have 1 (Gawn)
We have something like 6-9 more 190cm players than they do.
Why do we need more talls on the emergency list?

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #21 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
Quote from: Thryleon – on


OK, lets approach this pragmatically.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2113879/afl-team-news-who-returns-to-take-on-melbourne

FB - Cowan - Weiters - Hollands
HB - Wilson - Dean - Haynes
C - Acres - Cripps - Cerra
HF - Ainsworth - Mcgovern - Evans
FF - Lord - Mckay - Byrne
Followers - Pittonet - Walsh - Smith

I/C - Florent - Hewett - L. Young - Kemp - Cotters.


Emergencies:

Derkson, Ison, Reidy.

Im going to name the squad a little differently:

FB - Cowan - Weiters - Florent.
HB - Wilson - Dean - Haynes
C - Acres - Cripps - Hewett
HF - Ainsworth - Mcgovern - Evans
FF - Kemp - Mckay - Byrne
Followers - Pittonet - Walsh - Smith

I/C -  Young- Cerra - Hollands - Lord - Cotters.

It makes more sense this way to have a tall as emergency doesnt it?   Lets say any player doesnt get up, which emergency would you take into the finals given the exposed reserves form?

I don't know what point you are attempting to make.

IMO we have 3 'talls' as emergencies as is. What is wrong with 1 tall? Derkson.

You talk about exposed reserves form.....we have Reidy as an emergency who didn't play last week.

Also, our team needs to be looked at up against Melbournes.

I can't remember the exact figures (and honestly don't care to check), but Melbourne have gone in VERY SMALL by comparison. There was a breakdown of relative heights and we were giant in comparison.
We have 3x 200cm players, they have 1 (Gawn)
We have something like 6-9 more 190cm players than they do.
Why do we need more talls on the emergency list?



I understand all that, but which small would you take as emergency instead?

You see talls listed as emergency, but I see a medium, a tall, and a ruck.  We need the ruck for Pittonet.  Depending on the back, its Derkson, and depending on the Forward its Ison.  If we lost a mid, you would likely move Hollands, Florent or Lord into the midfield mix, and bring in one of Ison or Derkson to supplement the line we have robbed a player from.

FWIW: if Pittonet were to get injured in warm up, would you want to take Derkson in or Reidy?

Of the players not selected, over the course of the AFL season, the ones most likely to come in and show form are Harry Charleson as small number 1, and Ben Camporeale as small number 2.

If you particularly wanted a small, Charleson is limited he is a small defender only.  In the midfield mix, Ben is not an outside runner at all, and you would argue that using Evans, Ainsworth or Lord on ball would be more useful, so despite what you think, I reckon the MC have a pretty good grasp on the emergencies giving the options as required.

I wont really talk to much about Reidy.  Its him or Riley if Pittonet had issues, because Max Gawn is not the sort of ruck you use Lewis Young, Derkson or Mckay on.
"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #22 –
Gawn smashed Pitt last time so I don't think it matters. I would get Young to try tag him to reduce his effectiveness around the ground.
2012 HAPPENED!!!!!!!

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #23 –
Quote from: Thryleon – on
Quote from: kruddler – on


I don't know what point you are attempting to make.

IMO we have 3 'talls' as emergencies as is. What is wrong with 1 tall? Derkson.

You talk about exposed reserves form.....we have Reidy as an emergency who didn't play last week.

Also, our team needs to be looked at up against Melbournes.

I can't remember the exact figures (and honestly don't care to check), but Melbourne have gone in VERY SMALL by comparison. There was a breakdown of relative heights and we were giant in comparison.
We have 3x 200cm players, they have 1 (Gawn)
We have something like 6-9 more 190cm players than they do.
Why do we need more talls on the emergency list?



I understand all that, but which small would you take as emergency instead?

You see talls listed as emergency, but I see a medium, a tall, and a ruck.  We need the ruck for Pittonet.  Depending on the back, its Derkson, and depending on the Forward its Ison.  If we lost a mid, you would likely move Hollands, Florent or Lord into the midfield mix, and bring in one of Ison or Derkson to supplement the line we have robbed a player from.

FWIW: if Pittonet were to get injured in warm up, would you want to take Derkson in or Reidy?

Of the players not selected, over the course of the AFL season, the ones most likely to come in and show form are Harry Charleson as small number 1, and Ben Camporeale as small number 2.

If you particularly wanted a small, Charleson is limited he is a small defender only.  In the midfield mix, Ben is not an outside runner at all, and you would argue that using Evans, Ainsworth or Lord on ball would be more useful, so despite what you think, I reckon the MC have a pretty good grasp on the emergencies giving the options as required.

I wont really talk to much about Reidy.  Its him or Riley if Pittonet had issues, because Max Gawn is not the sort of ruck you use Lewis Young, Derkson or Mckay on.

I don't care who gets injured from the 23, i'm taking Derkson.

Lewis Young does 2nd ruck duties.....Harry and Cripps help out if we lose Pitto.

Who comes into the emergency spot instead.....
Flynn Young is probably first up.
Charleson would be close.
I'd look at Saad over Fogarty, but both have the experience....if you wanted to go down that path.
Otherwise is Zac Williams fit currently?

All of them before Reidy+Ison IMO.

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #24 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
Quote from: Thryleon – on


OK, lets approach this pragmatically.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2113879/afl-team-news-who-returns-to-take-on-melbourne

FB - Cowan - Weiters - Hollands
HB - Wilson - Dean - Haynes
C - Acres - Cripps - Cerra
HF - Ainsworth - Mcgovern - Evans
FF - Lord - Mckay - Byrne
Followers - Pittonet - Walsh - Smith

I/C - Florent - Hewett - L. Young - Kemp - Cotters.


Emergencies:

Derkson, Ison, Reidy.

Im going to name the squad a little differently:

FB - Cowan - Weiters - Florent.
HB - Wilson - Dean - Haynes
C - Acres - Cripps - Hewett
HF - Ainsworth - Mcgovern - Evans
FF - Kemp - Mckay - Byrne
Followers - Pittonet - Walsh - Smith

I/C -  Young- Cerra - Hollands - Lord - Cotters.

It makes more sense this way to have a tall as emergency doesnt it?   Lets say any player doesnt get up, which emergency would you take into the finals given the exposed reserves form?

I don't know what point you are attempting to make.

IMO we have 3 'talls' as emergencies as is. What is wrong with 1 tall? Derkson.

You talk about exposed reserves form.....we have Reidy as an emergency who didn't play last week.

Also, our team needs to be looked at up against Melbournes.

I can't remember the exact figures (and honestly don't care to check), but Melbourne have gone in VERY SMALL by comparison. There was a breakdown of relative heights and we were giant in comparison.
We have 3x 200cm players, they have 1 (Gawn)
We have something like 6-9 more 190cm players than they do.
Why do we need more talls on the emergency list?



Who would be your three emergencies Kruds.

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #25 –
Quote from: Lods – on
Who would be your three emergencies Kruds.

See post above yours

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #26 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
I don't care who gets injured from the 23, i'm taking Derkson.

Lewis Young does 2nd ruck duties.....Harry and Cripps help out if we lose Pitto.

Who comes into the emergency spot instead.....
Flynn Young is probably first up.
Charleson would be close.
I'd look at Saad over Fogarty, but both have the experience....if you wanted to go down that path.
Otherwise is Zac Williams fit currently?

All of them before Reidy+Ison IMO.

Williams https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2096954/afl-injury-news-updates-on-williams-chesser.  Williams had a fractured larynx two weeks ago.  I think his season is done, given Ed Curnow missed half a season afterwards.

Boyd has shown better form than Flynn Young neither of them are ahead of Ben Campo or Harry Charleson on season form, not just recent form.

If Derkson is your first choice, then you only bring in Reidy if two players break down and one of them is Pittonet so that makes sense why he is 3rd emergency.  If we lost two players, Ison is the mixed size that can play tall or small and is more of a like for like of Hayward who is also missing.

Saad is too one dimensional as a back.  Is very much cooked anyway.  Fogarty before Ison...  Nope.  Not buying that.  Fogarty looks like he has run his race with Carlton, so playing Ison in a knock out final makes more sense.

Ultimately, when it comes to it, you cant put your money where your mouth is, and are picking on the 3rd emergency insurance option is likely trying to be outraged for being outraged sake.

A better question to be asked is are the emergencies a reflection of whom we have doubts about getting up?

"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #27 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
Quote from: Lods – on
Who would be your three emergencies Kruds.

See post above yours

Posting at the same time. ;)
Young's a possibility, but I suspect he's not going to make the cut.
Same goes for Fogarty and Saad.
Zac copped a hit to the larynx, but he's not on the injury list....I doubt he will be at Carlton next year.
Charleson may be...but first game in a final is probably a consideration.

Is there enough difference between these players who wont be there next year and Ison who definitely will be?

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Thryleon – on
Quote from: kruddler – on
I don't care who gets injured from the 23, i'm taking Derkson.

Lewis Young does 2nd ruck duties.....Harry and Cripps help out if we lose Pitto.

Who comes into the emergency spot instead.....
Flynn Young is probably first up.
Charleson would be close.
I'd look at Saad over Fogarty, but both have the experience....if you wanted to go down that path.
Otherwise is Zac Williams fit currently?

All of them before Reidy+Ison IMO.

Williams https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2096954/afl-injury-news-updates-on-williams-chesser.  Williams had a fractured larynx two weeks ago.  I think his season is done, given Ed Curnow missed half a season afterwards.

Boyd has shown better form than Flynn Young neither of them are ahead of Ben Campo or Harry Charleson on season form, not just recent form.

If Derkson is your first choice, then you only bring in Reidy if two players break down and one of them is Pittonet so that makes sense why he is 3rd emergency.  If we lost two players, Ison is the mixed size that can play tall or small and is more of a like for like of Hayward who is also missing.

Saad is too one dimensional as a back.  Is very much cooked anyway.  Fogarty before Ison...  Nope.  Not buying that.  Fogarty looks like he has run his race with Carlton, so playing Ison in a knock out final makes more sense.

Ultimately, when it comes to it, you cant put your money where your mouth is, and are picking on the 3rd emergency insurance option is likely trying to be outraged for being outraged sake.

A better question to be asked is are the emergencies a reflection of whom we have doubts about getting up?

Ben Campo can't kick. With the added pressure of a final. No thanks.
Charleson similar, but can kick. Its a matter of experience vs form. Thats why i through up Saad and Fogarty. Both are in my delist pile at years end, but we are trying to win a flag, so while they are on the list, you look at them. Similar with Boyd.

re Reidy....from the most recent form i've seen of him, he will not help us vs Gawn. Won't be able to outpoint him in the ruck. Won't be able to stay with him around the ground.....so why do we bring him in? IMO, we don't. At all.

Ison would be 2nd from that list, but i don't think he helps us given the players we currently have. Harry, Kemp, Gov, Young, Derkson....etc

I'd prefer Moir to Ison too.....despite poor form....is able to make a difference from limited opportunities.

Hopefully, there is no late changes. But i don't want to give the game away if we have 1 (or more) late changes and they are for smaller running types. Kiss the game goodbye.
....and for what?
 

Re: AFL First Wildcard Final 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Melbourne at the G

Reply #29 –
I think you're looking at Ison as a medium/ tall...comparing him to the likes of Gov, Kemp, Young, Harry etc
He doesn't play like that.

This from his draft profile.
Quote
Producing late-season form indicative of the promise he has shown throughout his junior career, Jack Ison fits the mould of new-age draft prospects. Standing at 190cm, he can play anywhere on the ground and moves like a smaller player – not to mention his deadly left-foot kicking. He has an enviable array of traits suited to the way top level football is trending.

Players like Fogarty are racking up big numbers in the VFL, but Ison with much fewer can have an impact with the quality of his.
If there is little between the choices...go with the future.