Can we talk about Acres kicking? How bad is it? Pity as he would be the ideal player.

It’s frustrating.

What a win, but won’t mean anything till we beat credible opposition. What I am positive about is that Collingwood barely beat us when we were down. So here is hoping.

We've heard that before. I take that as 6-8 weeks.

An overall thumbs up from me. I reckon there must have been a bit of banter going on.
When TDK made Xerra look silly at the throw in with a simple bump, grab footy and goal,
Paddy Cripps absolutely gave it to Xerra. Don't see Paddy do that very often, but team mates
ushered Paddy away, much to the amusement of all. Me included.

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The problem with Socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money.

That kick off the side of the boot was amateur at best, at least he had the decency to laugh along with everyone else.

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The most enjoyable part of this game was watching Clarkson in post match presser
He looked and sounded a beaten man with absolutely no answers on how to rectify it.

It was a joy to watch

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Yeah understand
Comes with age
Although I am always motivated to play guitar
Golf a different story
I thought yesterday’s win was very good
The next month will tell us more
I still have my doubts
Crash and bash footy has a limited lifespan
The small forward output yesterday was the best improvement

Fixed it for you

I'm with you on this one, we've certainly shown we can apply pressure this year, but even the domination yesterday was crash and bash domination, the skill level still seemed pretty ordinary. We need some better skills on top of the pressure to go al the way

I was very confident about season 2025, as long as injury didn't impact us like previous 5 years.
I didn't slash my wrists after the Tigers mulligan on an awfully slippery surface and a night with Harry in what seemed lala land, and no Charlie.
We kept Tigers to 12 goals.

Since that game we lost to likely finalists, Hawks, Dogs and Pies. Hawks kicked 8 goals, Dogs kicked 11 and Pies kicked 8 goals. Not many Carlton supporters gave credit to the defenders, nor the midfield group, when it was obvious the connection into our forward 50 was the issue but simple issues: not lowering eyes, not honouring good leads, dropped marks, bad kicking for goal and wasted oportunitis by bombing.

We lost one quarter in each of those losses. Losses we could have made wins if.....

There was plenty of reason to be confident in our team with 20 rounds to go. Now there's 17 games to go before Finals. I still feel bullish, and moreso given the forwardline has matched the output of our defenders and midfielders, by tidying up our obvious loose forward entries.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

My take is our energy levels are kicking in and we look to be running over the ground really well. Probably pushed our pre season longer thinking we would have scraped some wins early either way..which we didnt. Now we are peaking and running out games well . Voss managing players energy levels better in games too.

We dont need the 3rd tall fwd (the kemp position) as Cripps can play it when required during games. This allows us to play another runner. Doch no longer required as his position can be filled by a kid looking for a game who brings excitement and energy. When H comes back for Young he has to be used the way Young is used and not often targeted. Cotty keeps playing in the position he is in now.



As always we are playing well when our small forwards are getting plenty of it . Them getting plenty of it is an outcome of us playing a certain way rather than the reason we are playing well IMO.

Always wanted a taller Fwd Ruck than SOS, hence my preference for TDK in the Fwd-Ruck spot for obvious reasons (Saints have identified), and always steadfast having SOS in the backline, instead of Young, not because of his dads legacy, but his footy IQ, and knowing despite he improved his running back in 2021-22 to give him a chance in the midfield, he would always have a faster defender on him playing forward. His pace in the backline never crossed my mind. Every defender will find it challenging to stop a fast lead, creating a 2 metre gap and hit up with a perfect pass; that's footy for all defenders.

What SOS has done is given us IQ in the backline. Something Young (despite his height advantage) couldn't give us. Defence needed to be dumbed down for Young: Punch the ball at all costs. IQ to make good decisions to help team mates and beat his opponent is what SOS would give us and has.

With SOS filling the one huge gap we had on our list, we fixed the backline.

And our midfielders have been brilliant.

Now we have Young who can play a Fwd/ Ruck role which allows Charlie and Harry to run around more than stand the goal square. Young has quicker legs and a higher reach than SOS, but isn't quicker above the shoulders. So, keep it simple for Young in the goal square with Durds near by, and he will keep rewarding us just as he has all year since the preseason.

We are more dangerous when our 2 KPFs are moving around the forward line presenting leads and creating space, and the smalls at their feet are in a frenzied mood. Thank god Durdin came in last week to the bring back the speed needed for create the forward frenzy we have missed in the first 4 weeks, and surprisingly, to remind the Durdin detractors of last year who didnt even realise the role Vossy had his small forwards playing last year....in the backline. Pretty hard to get a kick back there whilst your job is to fill holes, and prettyu hard to be at the feet of a forward to snag goals when in the backline.

We can give this season a nudge, in TDKs last as a Carlton player. The plan to win a flag whilst he's still with us is still the goal. He's not worth a million dollars imo. No ruck is. He's going to Saints as a KPF and to give Marshall a chop out in the ruck. The opposite to Carlton.

We are not far off. In fact we are not far off, we are "on". WE haven't played a 4 quarter game this year. Lets bring on the 4 quarter performance we brought last year when we played the Cats, and Scott declaring that Carlton team was the best team his Cats had ever faced. Ever. We have than in us.

Bring on the Cats at the G.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

It is interesting to see how many times Motlop is rotated through the centre square after goals. He seems to be going okay in there but I wonder what Vossy sees in him being there.

BV or Bondi do you have on thoughts on his use? I'm 50/50 with him at the moment. I think he thinks he is quicker and has a better side step than he actually does. He gets caught too often, trying to create things or finding a hole that isn't there.

If he can sharpen up his first give, and minimise his errors (Capt obvious) he can be a valuable asset.

Regards Cazzesman

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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.”

Funny how things change when you play with intensity and a real desire to impact the game in a positive way, rather than just thinking he is a bit player.

Good on him. This is now his starting point in every game. The smile on his face when he did some great things was worth bottling.

Regards Cazzesman

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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.”

I think its by design since the preseason. A need to rotate our mids Cripps, Cerra, Hewett, Walsh (some teams rotate 8-10 players through midfield, to keep up player intensity and pressure in the coal face).

Its been planned for Williams and Motlop to go into the middle.

Williams is fantastic in the middle. Motlop got on the end of a couple this week and last week. Durdin, originally a midfielder (like Gibson was), hasn't been asked to do much in the CB's. and neither has Fogarty (also an ex mid turned forward). White is light and a small forward.

I think we have been gifting games to Motlop this year. I say that because I don't think he's been in form (well he hasnt been) and he doesn't know his limitations, hence he needs a wake up call. I thought dropping him will be the only way he will learn, because he's repeating the same bad traits he had last year.

I think he takes for granted he will deliver on the big stage because of his pedigree, and my feeling is that's his downfall. He needs a reality check.

He doesn't know his limitations. His greatest limitation is caused, imo, because he doesn't possess the speed he thinks he has. Yeah he's got a side step, but its not the side step that sees him caught holding the ball (last year too, its his lack of burst speed, AND he doesn't realise he's a walnut. not a bulldozer. Has he got grand visions of himself as a Dusty Martin who busts through packs? Looks like it.

That's where I sit with his ability or lack of.

As for his rotations through the midfield. Its sporadic and not after every goal. Last week 3 times in the middle (of a total 27 centre bounces). This week another 4, maybe 5 of the 39 centre bounces. I don't think its to get him into the game, but moreso, with Crippa going forward as a marking target, that increases the load on Hewett, Cerra, Walsh and Voss is compelled to give them a chop out from someone. Elijah did a lot last year, Lord was sub. Looks like its been Williams and Motlop rotating through the middle, sporadically, since the preseason.



Having said that, I do note he must be maturing given he turns 22 this year, and I have noticed Motlop thrown into the middle in every game since the preseason. This is by design imo, till Cincotta and Fantasia return at least, players who will see midfield time, and if Motlop can let go the selfish stuff, trying to kick the unkickable goal and looks for team mates instead, he will grow, if not, there's plenty of pressure for spots.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I am so pleased to be readin posts like this on Young.

Ive always been a Young fan because beggers can't be choosers and he brings us something others can't, because of his height and athleticism. I am not the typw who would cut my nose to spite my face. There's been a place for Young on our list, and a place for Young in our side. Just have to make it work for us. Keep it simple. Tone down our expectations and respect the job we need of him. That's all. Footy is a simple game. Simple people need to keep things simple. I love the intensity he's brought to the team sionce the preseason. he gave Harryu McKay a hard tiome in praccy games...even to the point there was a bit of push and shove and heated heads. But this week he's playing FF.

What an amazingly flexible player: Ruck, KPF, KPD. Sounds like a million dollar player.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

So you want to play Charlie , H and Young? I can't go with that. We actually look pretty good when we are the team with the energy. Have done all year. When the energy fades we get smashed on the scoreboard. If only the game day data told us when we were fading in quarters and we had a plan to play different in that phase to not get scored against in the very least.

Id go with Charlie and H or Charlie and Young. Keep the extra running player in the line up to maintain energy levels for longer. Avoid long kicks to contests. Take the extra possessions when attacking that brings the small forwards into the game. Choose shorter different options when going inside 50 and dont kick it on Curnows head. Put it into space near him.

Keep the rotations through the middle to even out the way we use our energy.

Good win . Its amazing really , when your bottom six fire , your in with a chance against anybody . I liked the games of our lesser lights yesterday with Young top of the list . 198 cm utility's don't grow on tree's so I am glad we hung onto him . I think there is great scope for improvement in Young . And I reckon perpetual motion Cottrell's skill level is improving . He weights hiss passes beautifully these days . A reformed butcher you might say . Of course every game from now on is a test so onwards and upwards I say .

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All my dangerous friends

Le's hope there's no 'shock announcement' Tuesday night...

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“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” ― Richard Feynman

One of the things I struggle with is key big men constantly trying to mark the ball in packs.

As a very young lad I remember watching John Nicholls play at the massive height of 6' 2". Sure he could take a mark but his forte was as a tap ruckman. When he rested up forward, he would often direct the incoming high ball into the arms of the Mosquito Fleet, like it was a centre square bounce.

I think (?) it was 'Tiger' Crosswell who wrote that he came on to play one of his first games and ran to the FP. Big Nick was there at FF and Nick said, 'Stand over there son and the next time a high ball comes in I will Tap it to you." Nekminit - Kick, Tap, Goal to Tiger.

Back me up here Mick

Young is not a great pack mark, so why doesn't he work on the Tapping side of his game? He can get higher extension with a one-arm outstretched tap than a two-arm attempted mark. In an inside 50 marking contest, he should play the percentages and direct the ball more, mostly over the back to run onto. That Kaos ball worked well for the Tigers.

We have 55 inside 50 entries and basically bugger all contested pack marks. Play the percentages and let the small forwards Eat.

If the ball is kicked to 30 out and punched forward to 40 out, then the defence has more open space to work in. If it tapped further over the back to 20 out, the defence is under far more pressure to clear the zone.

Call me old school. I miss Big Nick and Tiger.

Regards Cazzesman

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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.”

Our fwd line is crowded at the best of times and therefore Motlop has very little space to evade a defender or midfielder running back. He's not slick and gets caged in, constantly caught in a tackle

At CBAs, there's more space prior to the wingers and defenders running in and probably an extra second or so to accelerate and make a decision to go straight toward goal or veer off toward wing/HF. Also, the opposition are more concerned with running back to plug holes than they are with bee-lining him

I think he's enjoying the space and the opportunity to get more involved

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!