i hope doc has the emotional lift variety of game, and not the "oh shit, he's done, and this is retirement/ farewell party" type of game.

not that he doesn't deserve a farewell. just not in an elim.


i really hope moir stays as sub, and lord stays in over cerra. tbh cerra hasn't look unhampered all season long, and this last stint he had he was woeful. when wlash is being held and cripps is being controlled, cerra really was our guy to take us to a gf.

but that went up in smoke to soft tissue, as did most of our season...

I just can't shake the faith I have in Cerra

Just read BVs post re Accountability, and feel I've been an apologist for Russell, whilst subliminally pointing finger at vulnerable listed players and who selected them.

Cerra hasn't been as bad as you think. Its all relative.
Compared to his 2023, he was down for sure. He had his moments and shone in 2024.
Compared to a lot of current players 'fit' to play, he's still ahead of them for me.

The relevance of the BV post?

Cerra played blocks of 5 games, and when came off during the Pies game, his last one, he didn't tear it, but came off with 'tightness". Similar thing happened with Williams a few weeks back...cramp/ hammy tightness. I'm assuming it may have been known Russell was finishing up at Carlton about 5 weeks ago, so he may have learned to loosen up towards finals.

Cerra 's been 'conditioned' for last 5 weeks.
If he is ready, and he is selected, I think that's my preference.

A fit Cerra, has to be picked. Too much class to ignore.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

We've got Nathan

In that case we should play Charlie. Nafan isn't biased against Carlton IMO, he's biased towards forwards. Loves a soft free kick.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/09/04/why-not-us-champion-data-details-the-reasons-why-each-top-8-team-can-win-the/

Champion Data's take on the finalist.

Interesting read.

Regards Cazzesman

_________________
Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

That's good enough for me.

We've got this.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

From The Age...

Four key players are certain selections for Carlton’s elimination final at the Gabba, midfielder Adam Cerra is a strong chance to return to the side, but star forward Charlie Curnow remains in doubt and ruck/forward Tom De Koning’s selection also is uncertain.

Charlie Curnow is no certainty to make the trip to Brisbane.
Charlie Curnow is no certainty to make the trip to Brisbane.Credit:Getty Images

Carlton’s difficult selection calls and large group of returnees – they have up to eight players potentially available, but are likely to pick no more than six – coincides with the club having appointed Rob Inness, the high performance boss of the Sydney Swans, as the new head of conditioning after this season ends. The club confirmed the appointed late on Wednesday in a statement.

The four players certain to play on Saturday night against the Brisbane Lions are Harry McKay, Mitch McGovern, Zac Williams and Sam Docherty (whose stunning selection was announced on Tuesday), according to club sources who spoke anonymously as team selection was not official.

But key forward Curnow, who aggravated an ankle injury against Hawthorn in round 22, is still in doubt for the elimination final, with the Blues facing a major call on his selection.

Cerra, who had a series of hamstring issues since last year and has not played since round 21, is given a reasonable chance of returning to bolster the Carlton midfield, while forward Jack Martin, who has endured another injury-ridden season, is considered less than likely, having broken down in the early minutes of round 22.

Zac Williams is set to return for the Blues.
Zac Williams is set to return for the Blues.Credit:Getty Images

The Blues have to consider how many players they can bring back in one lot, given that there will be varying levels of conditioning and match fitness. While up to eight of their best 22 are potentially available, sources suggested that no more than six will play.

Small forward Matt Owies is suspended and will be out, while Jaxon Binns, Jack Carroll, Orazio Fantasia, Lewis Young shape as the most likely omissions. Cooper Lord would be unlucky to be dropped, having performed well against West Coast, while Ashton Moir was impressive against the Saints in his second game, having made an impact as the substitute.

De Koning faces a test on the foot fracture he suffered in July.

OMG, are we still playing Finals?

In all honesty, I have already moved on and looking forward to next year without the Curse of Injuries.


We need to be realistic, you don't bring up to 7-8 players from injury into a Final and expect to win it. We have left our run too late this year.

I expect the Lions to Win by 50+ points. Bring on next year ( minus all the Crap we had this year )

Wow, I thought Burgess was going to be the new Head of High Performance.

A bit worrying if Charlie is still in doubt after 4wks off. That is clearly a lot more serious than your standard ankle injury.
I wonder how much is the underlying condition and how much additional damage he did in the Hawks match.

Good onya Dodo - that's the spirit!

_________________
No Guts, No Glory

And you just know we're going to bring one thing saturday night - lots of heat on the ball. if we can rattle lions with that, we're a chance. but we need healthy playeres who can run for 4 qtrs and we need to hope lions don't kick straight.

That article put zero effort into analysing us, pressure rating, that's all they've got?

_________________
Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Article was just highlighting each team's best Champion Data stats, not really an analysis as such.

_________________
"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

it says much, tho ... if we don't bring pressure, we're not a chance in hell of winning. (which tbh, we already knew. if we don't make the ball hot and make them uncomfortable at the contest, they'll run circles around us on the outside while they go end-to-end).

For whatever reason everyone in the system is saying Charlie won't get up. I think Vossy has asked every mole and every snitch to drop the inside word that Charlie is out.
I'm probably wrong, but I got a feeling we are foxing.
I reckon he plays.

Yep. When the pressure drops off we are no good. We dont have a way to play while we freshen up. Our selection should be based around pressure and picking a team that can apply it for as long as possible. We will score off the back of that. Go too lumbery and we wont stand a chance.

The AFL just keep punishing us or taking the p1$$ - just not sure which one as yet.

yep ... i 1000% agree. the longer we go with pressure and keeping the scores tight, the more lions will start to bleed out and freak out.

I had a dream last night, we were playing the Swans in a final and we were up 40 points to 20 late in the second quarter. At first I thought this meant we will win this weekend and play Swans next weekend, but upon reflection I think it means we will play the Swans in the GF.