AFL Rd 18 2023 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

[northernblue]

At 18, every kid in the system is a "terrific prospect"
Being older Boyd is a little stronger than say Cowan, for now.

[LP]

I was probably Boyds biggest critic, but i've got to pull you up on that one EB.
Cowans kicking is a long way behind Boyds kicking.

We don't want to fall into the trap of playing too many developing players all at once, surely we've learnt that lesson now!

I'm still not yet sold of Motlop being "AFL ready", he had a day out being in the right place at the right moment for some Joe the Goose moments, and much like Dow there were moments Motlop was just spectating sprinkled with a couple of good moments in between. Better sides make those uncomfortable / hesitant circumstances happen all the time, and if you've got too many newbies it hurts the team big time.

[kruddler]

Agree Charlie and Harry needs some separation and I'd be playing another tall to replace Harry down forward so we keep to the same formula and working on that strategy so when he comes back the game plan is still the same.
I think Lemmey could be given some games to try and replicate how Harry operates and I like the idea of still stretching teams having to find multiple taller defenders. West Coast would be a nice intro for the kid vs average opposition and I think these injuries to key players create opportunities and are where you build depth for the future.

I've flagged on a couple occassions that we have too many talls and it hurts our team balance. Most of this is based around the 2 rucks being surplus, but i have also floated the idea of Harry being the 'other' option.

In an alternate universe, i could see us with Charlie, TDK and Jack as our forwards with Pittonet as ruck. Obviously alternating with TDK (or even Jack depending on how well TDK develops as a forward). That gives us the same amount of flexibility/versatility that we require with our forward/ruck combo.

If someone wanted to offer the farm for Harry, i'd entertain it.

[Professer E]

Just pointing it out, but I find it ironic that for all his supposed issues, Hewitt has pretty similar stats, TOG etc to Dow but seems an accepted first 23 player. But Dow is "a problem" ?  We lose a key foward in the first ten minutes, and hidden in an the euphoria around JSoS and Mots is a bloke who had a staggering 9 possessions when we needed a senior player to step up, in a game where we had significant quality ball forward of centre.

[madbluboy]

I wasn't Boyd's biggest fan when he came in but he has settled. Like Cincotta he is fast which has taken the pressure off of Saad having to guard all the quick forwards.

[kruddler]

Just pointing it out, but I find it ironic that for all his supposed issues, Hewitt has pretty similar stats, TOG etc to Dow but seems an accepted first 23 player. But Dow is "a problem" ?  We lose a key foward in the first ten minutes, and hidden in an the euphoria around JSoS and Mots is a bloke who had a staggering 9 possessions when we needed a senior player to step up, in a game where we had significant quality ball forward of centre.

I'm not sure what you are saying here and/or if you have your wires crossed.

Hewitt had 19 touches.
Cerra who has been in AA form had 17.
The only player on the list who had 9 was Jack Martin. He kicked a goal and had 2 contested marks and 7 score involvements.

Who are you taking a shot at??

[LP]

Just pointing it out, but I find it ironic that for all his supposed issues, Hewitt has pretty similar stats, TOG etc to Dow but seems an accepted first 23 player. But Dow is "a problem" ?  We lose a key foward in the first ten minutes, and hidden in an the euphoria around JSoS and Mots is a bloke who had a staggering 9 possessions when we needed a senior player to step up, in a game where we had significant quality ball forward of centre.

Hewett had 19 possessions and goes at 100% even when he is busted, and he plays a very strong sacrificial game style that then allows guys like Walsh, Cerra and Cripps off the hook.

Motlop had 10 and Martin had 9, but nobody would say Motlop and Martin didn't influence the result, possession counts can be a misdirection when you are moving the ball efficiently.

You can't have too many Chiefs, if you do they start getting in each others way!

[LP]

I wasn't Boyd's biggest fan when he came in but he has settled. Like Cincotta he is fast which has taken the pressure off of Saad having to guard all the quick forwards.

Agreed, before Boyd and Cincotta came in the opposition could plan for us like we came complete with an operators manual, now we have options a plenty and if right is covered we go left.

The last three or four weeks, there has always been two or three running past to receive, our overlap run stats must have gone through the roof! Most of it is Boyd, Cincotta, Saad, Doc, Cottrell and the Mids, but as confidence grows we've even started seeing Weiters and Gov get involved!

[kruddler]

Agreed, before Boyd and Cincotta came in the opposition could plan for use like we came complete with an operators manual, now we have options a plenty and if right is covered we go left.

The last three or four weeks, there has always been two or three running past to receive, our overlap run stats must have gone through the roof! Most of it is Boyd, Cincotta, Saad, Doc, Cottrell and the Mids, but as confidence grows we've even started seeing Weiters and Gov get involved!

The last 3 or 4 weeks happen to coincide with introducing Cuningham and Martin into the side.
Cunners has a perfect 4-0 record.

[madbluboy]

There was a stat last week that dhowed in the last month Weitering is 3rd in the comp for intercept marks. Prior to that he was forty something?