Pre-Game Pressure: AFL 2019 Rd 6: Carlton vs Hawthorn in Launceston

[crashlander]

Yet another game I won't be seeing live. Hopefully the game is on TV.
Even though Kreuzer will be better for the run, I hope we play a 2nd ruckman. Hawthorn probably will, in an effort to run our ruck into the ground. Hawthorn won the practice match because they played all 3 of their ruck options against Casboult and de Koning. It gave them a huge edge in the middle of the ground. We cannot let them do that again.
The other thing they did in the Practice Match was to get the ball over the back and run the ball into goal with a loose man. It was one of only two ways they scored (the other coming from our turnovers). They didn't win a contest all night. But they didn't need to. We need to stop the turnovers and keep the ball from getting over the back.

[Mantis]

Keep between goal and young opponent. Force them to lead forward to free space. Hawks are a well drilled side, but not the fastest by foot. I assume if we carry the ball and run in numbers, it will become a nightmare for them. Turn overs will be our main worry. It is way to easy to fall into bad habits when the bring the pressure on. Let’s pray for a decent contest.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Hawks have a few players out, lets hope the Cats work them over and we can take advantage..

[Thryleon]

This is winnable.

We'll find out at the selection table what's likely to occur.

[kruddler]

Hawks have a few players out, lets hope the Cats work them over and we can take advantage..

We get an extra day to recover, which will help nicely given we both have to fly as well. Not much recovery time for the sore hawks

[Gointocarlton]

Will be interesting to see if we:
a. Replicate yesterdays performance which should become the blueprint.
b. Rest on our laurels given a Win has been chalked up.
I hope yesterday was the circuit breaker which instills the belief that they can compete and win. The last time we won 2 in a row was rnd 12/13 2017, another win will work wonders especially against Hawthorn.

[Barbs]

I'll raise the awkward question, does Charlie come back in and if so, who makes way?

[ianh]

I'll raise the awkward question, does Charlie come back in and if so, who makes way?

Polson was an absolute passenger again yesterday, even his teachers pet status surely can't save him.  O'Brien's stats read better but some of his efforts are comical and I think he needs to go back to VFL level once someone is ready to step up - but at the moment the VFL reports suggest no-one is pressing hard enough atm assuming Williamson needs at least one more run in the 2s.

Paddy Dow was better yesterday but still his kicking can be a worry.  He seems to me a better kick at goal that in field kicking - his depth rather than accuracy seems the issue - so maybe keep him close to goal as a pressure forward?  ATM he would be the next most at risk I would think, with Williamson and Cuningham (and maybe Lang if he can pull up his socks) in the wings to come back over the next few weeks.

[Gointocarlton]

I'll raise the awkward question, does Charlie come back in and if so, who makes way?

For me, Charlie needs to play in the twos and get some touch back. Have a look at the comparison of stats with Polson side by side on Footy Wire and you'll see there is not alot of difference between them in many areas. If the 2's are good enough for Polson, they're good enough for Charlie. First and foremost though, they need to get him right injury wise, if he needs an extended time off, so be it,

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_p...1=S&fid2=S

[cookie2]

If the club considers Charlie ready to face the Dawks then he could easily be fitted in - Poulson and O'Brien for starters! Anyway, he should be tried in a different role other than a marking forward - maybe a wing? Let him get his touch back in the 1s when he is not doing the heavy lifting in the forward line. Levi and Harry were fine there yesterday, and then add in McGovern.