Cherry Ripe wrote:
Bad day for the club.
Poor loss in reserves and a farcical shoot your own foot scenario in seniors.
You could tell after 5 minutes of this game, alarm bells were going off.
As others have rightly duly noted, there were so many less than satisfactory aspects, I won't bother trying to analyse.
But I would say, great coaches are pro active. Alas, we've been reactive for most of the year, and certainly again tonight.
Keays on Saad.... from left field, worked a treat for them. What move did we do to alter them ? SFA. McGovern forward.... no.
Fisher more time in guts... no.
Only 1 of rucks on ground at same time... no. Reactive rules.
Thought Cripps tried his heart out.
Has too few mates.
Someone please get Sav back to coach Harry. It's becoming a joke, but not many are laughing.
Tough to accept that performance but that's where we sit.
Round 23 will be our Grand Final.
We probably still fall into 8th, because all others are failing too, then cop a first week interstate final, and it's hello 2023 !
One very disappointed fan, lots of highs since 1965 when my love started but it's eroding into just fondness these days sadly.
PS....magoos lost to a lowly team also.
Some our supposed big name players who some think will solve all our problems.... did next to nothing for that level.
Fogarty with 30 touches was our best, which to me tells you a lot.
I have been following Carlton since 1968, so I get the pleasure the team has bought us over the decades.
I too could sense something wrong in the VFL with 10 listed players playing.
The only difference with you, is my enjoyment and arrogance eroded at the end of the Judd era, but now can see the renaissance of a Mighty Power.
Our objectives at the beginning of the year were different from different parties:
Cook wanted 85,000 Members, 12 wins, recruit a great coaching team, continue to improve facilities etc TICK TICK TICK TICK
Voss wanted his players to show an irresistible commitment at the contest, improved team defense, and a year of Transition TICK TICK TICK
Austin added more class the squad with Cerra and Hewett, and picked up Motlop TICK TICK TICK
Sayers wanted to play Finals ... more than likely
No doubt Carlton has achieved all its KPI's for 2022, with the exception of sayers' KPI. The improvement in our coaching group is obvious, and we have to remember we are not the finished product, and we don't bat deep: we missed Hewett who isnt fast but he's elusive and creates the connectivity within the midfield group. Williams and Boyd give us extra run in the backline and give Vossy more options to move around players and stick with the game plan.
Before the game, I asked that Harry hold his marks when his hands got to the ball. He failed again, and that banana kick at goal was disrespectful to thos players upfield who worked hard in trying conditions to get the ball to him, let alone the Carlton fans. That shot was deflating. Anyone diagree?
During the first half I posted we need to through one of Williams or Saad into the midfield group to add intensity and speed out of the contest, but with Newman out with a knee we didn't have the troops to cover in the backline without Williams, Newman and Boyd out injured. We lacked pace outside the contest, and the wingers we have a never going to do it for us (unless they improve...).
When Kennedy went down, there went our 2nd half comeback.
I felt we could have had Stocker in the midfield to target that ground ball or Crippas quick gives.
The 2 rucks had nothing to do with the loss. The ball didnt get into the fowardline with fluidity or any semblance of rehersed methods other than bombing it long.
Cripps was effective, as was Walsh. They won the ball and they handed it out. They players efforts to receive their hardwork have to be questioned, let alone the personnel.
Cerra's tackling and pressure was fantastic again. I don't know why Fisher didnt go in there to add zip, or Saad for a short period.
Nevertheless Vossy has improved us and there's a huge spotlight on the personnel we have.
Are we seriously expecting the following to carry us in the heat of Finals this year: Plowman, LOB, Setterfield, Durdin, Motlop. Ive still got question marks on Newman, Owies, Fisher (to a lesser degree), and love Cottrell, but he needs to get more involved too.
Owies and Pitto only back for their first game in yonks. Young needs to know when to mark and when to punch the ball away.
Lets face it, Crows had bigger, faster bodies with my desire to tackle, break a tackle and win the ball. And another thing, that was the Crows best performance of the year. It just clicked for them. This game should prepare us for the next 3.
I am still proud of Carlton circa 2022. This morning at footy training, the talk amongst footy fans, Swans supporters, level headed Carlton fans, wasn't as demeaning as the commentary for Carlton forum posters. The result surprised everyone, but there is still a lot of respect with the way Carlton under Voss have performed this year.
The losses we've had to Pies, Saints and Crows this year shows us what happens when the opposition play for keeps and we are 5% down on maximum effort, on every line.