AFL Rd 24 2023 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs GWS

[Mantis]

SoJ out of considerations for Rnd 24, hurt his knee again.

I saw this too and thought WTF? Finals soon and he may miss out being on the ground for us. Depending on what has happened.

[LordLucifer]

SoJ out of considerations for Rnd 24, hurt his knee again.

He may have already played his last ever game for Carlton now.

[WASurfer]

If all of Cerra, Walsh and McGovern are fit, get them in this week. Kennedy might be the unlucky one to miss out. Otherwise it's another 2 weeks without a game before the final.

[bricky]

If all of Cerra, Walsh and McGovern are fit, get them in this week. Kennedy might be the unlucky one to miss out. Otherwise it's another 2 weeks without a game before the final.

Depending on how sore Cripps is, I'd be tempted to give him two weeks off and give Kennedy a run

[Lods]

It's funny, but this game could be completely different, depending what happens in the lead up games.
It could be a 'full on' contest ...or AFLX revisited.
Do two sides who are likely to play each other again in two weeks show all their cards, or leave something for the finals?
Is there a great psychological advantage to be had?
There probably is if both sides give a full contest, but if one side goes in looking to give players a spell, there's no advantage. The other side knows they've had a hollow victory and the real heat is yet to come.
If both sides look to rest players we'll end up with an exhibition match. :

[Gointocarlton]

Depending on how sore Cripps is, I'd be tempted to give him two weeks off and give Kennedy a run

No resting anyone, Full Gas to the end!

[WASurfer]

I'm with you GTC....first finals appearance in 10 years and I'd like to have our blokes pumped and roaring to go on the back of winning.

[Gointocarlton]

I'm with you GTC....first finals appearance in 10 years and I'd like to have our blokes pumped and roaring to go on the back of winning.

There is a freshen up week between rnd 24 and finals week 1, many say not even thats a good idea for continuity but none the less., its a chance to rest a bit and get fired up for finals. 2 weeks is less that ideal in my book.

[tonyo]

I'm with you GTC....first finals appearance in 10 years and I'd like to have our blokes pumped and roaring to go on the back of winning.

Agreed - most important that we have the synergy right before we get to knock-out matches.  

Can't afford to spend a quarter and a half of an elimination final learning how to play together again, not to mention getting some live leather into the hands of several guys who haven't fired a shot in anger for 3-4 weeks.

[Sub-Zero]

It's funny, but this game could be completely different, depending what happens in the lead up games.
It could be a 'full on' contest ...or AFLX revisited.
Do two sides who are likely to play each other again in two weeks show all their cards, or leave something for the finals?
Is there a great psychological advantage to be had?
There probably is if both sides give a full contest, but if one side goes in looking to give players a spell, there's no advantage. The other side knows they've had a hollow victory and the real heat is yet to come.
If both sides look to rest players we'll end up with an exhibition match. :

We're in the finals but risk playing away to Sydney, if they win and make up 4.5 percentage points, St. Kilda win and we lose.