AFL Rd 9 2022 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs GWS

[tonyo]

I see this game as a real litmus test for us.  Apart from a really lucky 1 point win in 2017, we haven't beaten this mob since 2013.  And we have been mauled on several occasions.

They also have an annoying history of playing very well the week after a poor game (so the Geelong thing last week may not have done us any favours). 

If we get a win this week, our season is looking very bullish.  Fingers crossed.

[WASurfer]

If Stocker was fit and had more games under his belt this year I reckon he'd be given a crack at Greene. He could match him on the ground and then just rely on a third man up scenario when it's in the air. I think Plowman might come back in and get a crack at him this week.

Hard to see where Dow gets a role, especially if Hewett is fit this week? He's predominantly and inside midfielder so he's pushing sh#t up hill to get that role with Cripps, Kennedy, Walsh, Cerra and possibly Hewett in the starting 18 this week. Jack Carroll started in the square on more than one occasion last week too but I think is suited to a spot on a wing. In 2 games I think Carroll has shown he's a step up from Setterfield.

[Pratty]

A few uncertainties surrounding players available right now. If Hewett is available, he comes in for Martin. Not sure if Plowman is available.

I'd consider Cottrell or Boyd to play small forward to replace Martin.

[Thryleon]

This is one of those games where not having Jones is a bit of an issue.

He could take Greene if the initial match up isnt working because he can play tall and small.

[Mav]

Switching Boyd to the forward line would be risky. Having a job to do tagging a forward is a bit easier for him as he'll be taken to the ball. He's only had 4 games and the confidence he's gained could easily be destroyed by putting him into starvation corner. Has he played much as a small forward in the VFL?

EDIT: Answering my own question, this is what the CFC published when he was picked up in the MSRD:

That 2019 year was a significant season of progression for Boyd, who went from a train-on player for Footscray’s VFL side before cementing a spot as a forward.
...
Boyd is viewed as a high forward who can use his pace and foot skills to damaging effect in the front half, but he’s added another string to his bow so far in the VFL season.

With the likes of AFL-listed Mitch Wallis, Cody Weightman and Mitch Hannan among others in the VFL forward mix for the Bulldogs, Boyd was thrown into the back half.

The 22-year-old embraced the challenge, showcasing to Carlton’s recruiting staff his flexibility and ability to adapt to a new challenge.

“It’s been an interesting one. I trained all pre-season in a forward line, midfield-wing role and it came to Round 1 and they said, ‘look we’re going to have throw you down back’,” he said.

“But I actually really enjoyed it down there, it’s been a challenge early trying to learn everything and all the different positioning, but I really embraced that.

“I’m happy to play at both ends of the ground or wherever… I’m just happy to be on the ground to be honest!”

[ElwoodBlues1]

This is one of those games where not having Jones is a bit of an issue.

He could take Greene if the initial match up isnt working because he can play tall and small.

Was thinking same, Jones has played on those awkward smalls/ mediums and had the pace to stick with them while being superior in the air.

[LP]

I'd consider Cottrell or Boyd to play small forward to replace Martin.

I suspect Carroll will get that job shared with Fisher, our coaches(Voss and Power) have already talked Carroll up as a potential AFL HF/SF based on his showing in the VFL.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Not sure there should be such an obsession with negating Greene. Yes, by all means put a hard tag on him and perhaps organise a hand over when Greene goes forward. But double-teaming him is going a bit far. Team defence should be able to give us most of what double-teaming would do as our intercept defenders will have a fair idea that Greene will attract the ball a lot. We should have an advantage at stoppages and we don't want to lose that. Getting it forward to H & Charlie should give the Giants enough to worry about. Cripps showed how to turn a double-team against the defensive team at stoppages by allowing a team mate to be loose.

GWS strength is their midfield so I would expect Greene to get decent supply when the Giants have momentum unlike a few other teams we have played like Nth and the Crows where we have dominated the middle of the ground so I think we need to prepare for a player like Greene and make life harder for him. The reality is if Greene is on his game then we will probably lose...

[LP]

Not sure there should be such an obsession with negating Greene.

Tend to agree, if we become too focussed on stopping we'll lose the attack side of the game, and it's basically attack that is winning us games so we should concentrate on our strengths.

I wonder if Greene would be as damaging and useful if we had guys like Doc or Saad run off him, I bet Greene hangs back more than he chases, sure we'll turn it over sometimes and Greene will benefit, but I bet we can get a net gain if we stick to the plan.

Personally I think stopping and tagging are way over-rated, they are tactics used heavily when a coach thinks he can't win enough one on ones, I doubt that our current team fits that description. I'll back Cripps, Walsh, Kennedy, Cerra, Hewett, Charlie, McKay, SoJ, Durdin, Weitering, Saad, Doc, Young, Owies, Newman, Newnes, etc., etc., to win or at least break even, and my confidence is much higher this season for guys like Fisher, LoB, Boyd, TDK, etc., etc..

[Thryleon]

Was thinking same, Jones has played on those awkward smalls/ mediums and had the pace to stick with them while being superior in the air.

Last year, that bomb he put through from 60 on half time was a real momentum shifter.