AFL Rd 22 2023 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne

[madbluboy]

So we offered to put the Matildas on the screen but FIFA are saying if we put it on we have to keep it on during our match if it goes to extra time? Yeah Nah.

[kruddler]

May and Lever usually play as intercepting defenders rather than lockdown defenders and Petty has usually taken the best KP forward until his move to the forward line and is now out injured.
I think they are vulnerable especially May who isnt quick and if he lines up on Charlie I reckon our man will take the points if he moves around and leads up the ground. Im also expecting them to start with Van Rooyen and Grundy on the ground together down forward hoping to get a size mismatch and at worst have the ball on the deck for their smalls who have been playing well.
With Oliver back they may be tempted to play Petracca down forward more often which I dont mind, I think Melbourne are at their most dangerous when they have Oliver and Petracca together in the middle.
Pickett, Chandler, Melksham and Petracca is a slippery forward quartet who have been doing well in recent weeks and I see this setup as more of a challenge than the ruck duels.
Blues by 7 points but this will be a difficult game and its shame Oliver and Grundy have returned this week as both will want to prove a point and while Oliver has been out for a while and should be rusty I think he will prove otherwise and be a nuisance but hopefully run out of gas late in the game.

That was the point though, with Petty out, they will need to lockdown on an opponent. Are we giving them an 'easy kill' by allowing May to play on TDK, and still being able to sag off and help out lever on Charlie?

Who would May play on if TDK wasn't there?

[tragic123]

Im probably going to regret saying this but I prefer Boyd back in the team down back than Fisher, doesnt mean Fisher cant stay in the 22/3 if his form deserves it but playing the loose half back role is about the easiest job going and id rather a specialist defender first than another rebounder only and while no huge fan of Boyd I think he has more idea defensively than Fisher.

Fisher is playing the McGovern role. Kicker out of defence

[madbluboy]

In most games that I have watched May takes the best forward.

[madbluboy]

Fisher is playing the McGovern role. Kicker out of defence

McGovern played on Elliott 2 weeks ago, he is a legit defender. Fisher not so much.

[Lods]

That was the point though, with Petty out, they will need to lockdown on an opponent. Are we giving them an 'easy kill' by allowing May to play on TDK, and still being able to sag off and help out lever on Charlie?

Who would May play on if TDK wasn't there?

If they use TDK in that forward role it will probably be with instructions to draw his opponent far away from Charlie.
But that will also rely on Tom creating a semblance of a contest that means he has to be watched.
The strength of our forward line has been its variety and it might be that a player like Jack Martin causes them a few concerns.

[madbluboy]

Watched the highlights of last time we played them. May played on Charlie and Tomlinson played on Harry.

[ElwoodBlues1]

That was the point though, with Petty out, they will need to lockdown on an opponent. Are we giving them an 'easy kill' by allowing May to play on TDK, and still being able to sag off and help out lever on Charlie?

Who would May play on if TDK wasn't there?

As MBB pointed out I think May will play on Charlie and that will leave Lever to handle the remaining talls ie TDK.
May I think is first choice on any taller KP player and if TDK wasnt down forward I think Lever would be the one to play on a smaller marking forward but from what I have watched of Melbourne in recent weeks I think their new kid McVee will take Martin who is probably the next best marking target after Charlie if TDK is off the ground or rucking. I dont expect Pittonet to spend much time forward in a resting role and would see him as our starting ruckman who will do most of the work early then give way to TDK later in the game unless we are getting smacked badly in the ruck and have to move TDK in there for more early minutes.

[pinot]

Good opportunity for our small forwards to have a massive impact on this game. Charlie has been great but the introduction of Fogarty, Cunners and Martin has  completely changed how this team has been performing.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Fisher is playing the McGovern role. Kicker out of defence

Fishers role as that loose rebounding half back will need to be looked at closely this week, Melbournes smaller/mid sized forwards are not the type of players you can play off kick chasing and expect your teammates to cover all the time. The other defenders are going to have their hands full and it will be interesting who they choose for Fisher to play on. I expect Saad to be tagged as has become the norm and other players like Newman to be given the responsibility of players like Petracca and Pickett so Fisher might be tested on his ability to defend a bit more one on one this game with less help.