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Topic: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne (Read 1517 times) previous topic - next topic
DJC, Sexybronco, Lods and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #45 –
Carlton played 5 of the other top 11 teams twice, we played six games interstate and four of the of the non Victorian top six teams away. We also dropped three games when we were in match winning positions. Are we lucky to be in the finals? Luck is how you see it.
Except for the first 15 minutes of the game we dominated. Melbourne were going at 100mph and were making skill errors. I watched the replay and listened to the commentators and they all said to stop doing what we have been doing over the past three months and revert to type.  However, Carlton continued to play the game the way we wanted and it turned around. The definition of an expert is, X is an unknown quantity and spurt is a drip under pressure.  Footy experts are big drips under pressure of a dubious quantity and quality.
I don't understand the ruck rules. I think the umpires guess.  Pittonet putting Gawn on his backside at the first bounce wasn't a free imo, but it did send a message. Ruck domination is more about having a physical presence and less about stats. Pittonet won the ruck battle because Gawn didn't. Melbourne are very dependent on Gawn and Pickett to win their games and we really subdued them both.
O.Hollands is supposedly leaving but gee he is playing with commitment. I was concerned about our tackling a few weeks ago but it has ratcheted up, now we just need to improve our goal kicking.
We must be a good chance against Geelong next week.

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #46 –
Quote from: Lods – on
I think we're all at different stages of belief at the moment in terms of how far we can go in the current season.

The way I look at it is, any wins from this point on are a bonus.
In fact any wins from the end of the home and away are a bonus.
While the 'ride' is still going let's just enjoy it
If it does come to an end at some stage in the next few weeks then hopefully we go down fighting but in any event 2026 has given us a lot to be pleased about...
We've seen the development of some really good young players and some of our older guys have recaptured some previous good form and enthusiasm.
As Fraser keeps saying though, we're not the finished product, and there are still things we need to work on.
Well said Lods, that's where we are in a nutshell

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #47 –
I thought that both coaches spoke very well in their pressers.  Minimal cliches, no excuses or whinging and good, honest appraisals of their team's performance.

I know that Pitto would have us believe that it's because they're ruckmen, but how refreshing is it compared to what the Scotts, Lyon, Hardwick and Kingsley serve up?
"Negative waves are not helpful. Try saying something righteous and hopeful instead." Oddball

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #48 –
Quote from: PaulP – on
Quote from: madbluboy – on
Happy to get the win but it wasn't a great performance. Hopefully we are better next week otherwise it could be ugly.

I agree. A very good example of winning ugly. Being able to win in different ways is good, but I would suggest that winning off the back of so many basic skill errors (dropped marks, missed kicks, missed handballs etc) is not sustainable.

Cut throat finals are pressure packed and skills are not as easy to execute in the biggest games. 

The best in the comp struggle in finals.  nick dacios was under 60% effective disposals in their final

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #49 –
I agree it was a really weird game to be at and watch and we were very nervous in the first mostly across the board. Difference for me is I felt confident they would settle and win - but for a myriad of just misses/hit posts, we wouldve won by 6-8 goals! Even when it was teetering it felt like we would win not capitulate, and we didnt.

So sure, skills were lacking at times but our push forward and execution and commitment was a different Carlton outfit to the one from months ago.  Just feel… more composed.

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #50 –
Quote from: Micky0 – on
I agree it was a really weird game to be at and watch and we were very nervous in the first mostly across the board. Difference for me is I felt confident they would settle and win - but for a myriad of just misses/hit posts, we wouldve won by 6-8 goals! Even when it was teetering it felt like we would win not capitulate, and we didnt.

So sure, skills were lacking at times but our push forward and execution and commitment was a different Carlton outfit to the one from months ago.  Just feel… more composed.

I thought despite being behind in the first, we looked like the better team. They couldn't miss, we couldn't kick straight.

I think there was a part in the second/third when they clearly looked better and we managed to ride it out without issue.
From there i think we had it in the bag.

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #51 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
Quote from: Micky0 – on
I agree it was a really weird game to be at and watch and we were very nervous in the first mostly across the board. Difference for me is I felt confident they would settle and win - but for a myriad of just misses/hit posts, we wouldve won by 6-8 goals! Even when it was teetering it felt like we would win not capitulate, and we didnt.

So sure, skills were lacking at times but our push forward and execution and commitment was a different Carlton outfit to the one from months ago.  Just feel… more composed.

I thought despite being behind in the first, we looked like the better team. They couldn't miss, we couldn't kick straight.

I think there was a part in the second/third when they clearly looked better and we managed to ride it out without issue.
From there i think we had it in the bag.
Agree, I was at the game and always felt we were in it up to our eyeballs, even during their 1st quarter onslaught. We controlled the majority of the game even though we never really put them away.
The Ox is slow but I'm running out of patience.

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #52 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
I thought despite being behind in the first, we looked like the better team. They couldn't miss, we couldn't kick straight.

I think there was a part in the second/third when they clearly looked better and we managed to ride it out without issue.
From there i think we had it in the bag.

I thought that we were the better team for the whole game.  Both teams were a little fumbly and tangle-footed in the first quarter and I don't know whether that was the occasion or the conditions, but both teams settled down fairly quickly.  Melbourne worked really hard to disrupt our short-kicking, possession game and we played into their hands with a couple of poorly-executed kicks and by taking some overly-ambitious options.  Gawn rucking for the entire first quarter gave them an edge when Pitto was off, but that came back to bite them on the butt later in the game.  Our actual and perceived pressure was excellent and, although Melbourne laid more tackles, ours were often at critical moments, seemed heavier, and yielded vital free kicks.  Melbourne did have a crack in the third quarter but I thought that we rode it out quite comfortably and always looked confident.

Melbourne missed some easy goals, and our defence saved several more, but we really should have had a few more goals on the board; five posters  :o  Our ball use and pressure inside 50 has been a feature of the second half of the season and it was outstanding last night. 

While I'm at it, some of our lesser lights or "bottom six" players made excellent contributions to complement the work of our guns.  I'm talking about Cerra, Cottrell, Lord, Wilson, Acres, Hollands, McGovern, Young and Evans.  Byrner had a quiet game but still played a role in our forward pressure and team defence.
"Negative waves are not helpful. Try saying something righteous and hopeful instead." Oddball
 

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #53 –
Does anybody know the record for the most hit the posts,  both team and individual.  Surely Cotrell x 3 must be close

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #54 –
Anyone else find 'Happy Weitering' a bit scary. :D  :D

Seriously, over multiple interviews he seemed absolutely thrilled with the result and the performance of some of the youngsters, especially Dean.
Even saw him having a deep and meaningful with Young.
Didn't look like someone the least bit interested in moving to another club.

Re: AFL WC#1 2026 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

Reply #55 –
Quote from: Lods – on
Anyone else find 'Happy Weitering' a bit scary. :D  :D

Seriously, over multiple interviews he seemed absolutely thrilled with the result and the performance of some of the youngsters, especially Dean.
Even saw him having a deep and meaningful with Young.
Didn't look like someone the least bit interested in moving to another club.
I reckon he along with Cripps and Walsh are loving the fact that they no longer are carrying the burden of the teams fortunes alone. The youngsters that have stepped up along with the new recruits have reinvigorated the rest.
The Ox is slow but I'm running out of patience.