carntheblues wrote:
AGRO wrote:
Collingwood will come hard at us (obviously) - not just because they lost last week and not just because we are their biggest rivals - but because in the AFL, Carlton are recognised as the soft team that you can turn your season around and get a win if you go in hard.
For Carlton’s self respect and AFL respect we have to send a message to the rest of the AFL and not only win but win well.
I gather from this you have spoken to all the officials/coaches from all other clubs otherwise I suggest the statement should read "because in the AFL,
I think Carlton are recognised as a soft team that you can turn your season around and get a win if you go in hard.
I think that all teams know that while Murphy is very damaging with ball in hand, he does not have the strength in his banged up shoulders to stick a hard tackle and therefore you can run past him.
I also think a few of our players have soft reputations (which I don't entirely agree with but that's the perception - even on this Forum, let alone amongst opposition teams).
My perception is that we have over the past few years tended to get ahead of ourselves - either during a game if we get a few goals up or if we win a couple of matches, we tend to believe our own hype that we are headed north. So, we have often won against strong opposition unexpectedly, but then followed up with a loss to a weaker team.
Also, in recent seasons it looks to me like we are sometimes thinking too much - esp under Bolton - or too little. Too much - we get the ball and fiddle with it or hold on to it too long or its like we're trying to work out what system to play. Too little - when we seem to bang it straight onto the boot without lowering our eyes, or panicking when we have more time than we think...
I also remember when Mitch Robinson made that observation about the Demons when he was 'cracking in hard' for us under Ratten.
So, at the end of the day, I think we need to harden up mentally first, and then physically.
Last week showed great improvement in our intensity and our systems.
But we still have work to do on our skills and our composure.
e.g. Against the Tigers, Riewoldt had 10 disposals, 4 marks, 9 kicks and kicked 4 goals (and 5 AFLCA votes). McKay also had 10 disposals, 6 marks, 7 kicks and but kicked 2 goals. Similar stats, 2 goal difference. Crippa had 28 disposals but only 8 of them were kicks (Dusty had 31 disposals with 19 kicks...).
We need to bring the same intensity and 'connection' against the Pies. But we need to improve our skills and composure, even just a little bit (with more improvement each week).
In: Williams, Martin, McDonald
Out: Silvagni, O'Brien, Williamson
Medical sub: Kennedy