AFL Rd 18 2024 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Western Bulldogs

[ElwoodBlues1]

cowan was another who had quite a few moments that cost big time.  He's probably one who could go out without a match up. 

I think Cowan would be a potential out too....Id expect O Hollands and Fantasia to survive, I could see Ollie playing on the Dogs Gallagher who is a young newbie inexperienced kid winger and having an easier time of it.

[kruddler]

Cowan and Ollie both came from the same draft and are both still finding their feet somewhat. Ollie seems a step ahead of the 2, but plays a position we have more cover in imo.

Small defenders are scarce.
Docherty is out.
Williams is now a forward.
Cincotta is a tagger now.
We have Boyd and Saad who are more of the blokes you want going up the field disposing. Then you have newman and cowan playing more of a lockdown role. Looking through the rest of the list, and that's about it. Cupboard is bare behind them.

[ElwoodBlues1]

I think Weightmans potential inclusion this week might determine how we arrange the defense and another small forward in Garcia was one of their better players in the twos so they may have 3-4 smaller types down forward...

[madbluboy]

Weitering and TDK are in doubt for this week.

[pinot]

In this part of our cycle we need to play kids but don't have to play them just for the sake of it. Geelong keep their kids in the two's for years before they get a solid run at it. Ollie isn't ready just yet either is Cowan but are both exciting young prospects.
Our best youngster is Kemp that was in 22best22 last year and that's somewhat a solid bench mark to be a regular AFL footballer.
From draft year to 22 years of age thats 4-5 years to make it. So plenty of time for Cowan and Ollie just not ready yet.
Elijah Hollands is a chance to make it this year.

[Lods]

Weitering and TDK are in doubt for this week.

We have a replacement for TDK

[WASurfer]

If Jones is out for the Dogs, they might be forced to play Darcy back.

Might be the week to play both Pittonet and TDK?

I'd have Pitto, Hewett and Motlop in this week.....probably Fantasia and Hollands as outs....and Owies into the 22. Not sure who else might miss out.

[blueianh]

[quote author=kruddler link=msg=418129 date=1720441037]
"Small defenders are scarce." Don't agree, largely for reasons that you identify in the remainder of your post.
"Docherty is out." True
"Williams is now a forward." Yes, but if we need a small defender more than his current role he can slot back in.
"Cincotta is a tagger now."  Ditto Williams comment.
"We have Boyd and Saad who are more of the blokes you want going up the field disposing. Then you have newman and cowan playing more of a lockdown role." So there's 4 small defenders just there, plus Williams and Cincotta.
"Looking through the rest of the list, and that's about it. Cupboard is bare behind them."  Pretty true, though Billy Wilson looks a likely prospect not quite ready yet, ditto Lord although he is more a mid I could see his determination and defensive nous translating into defence as long as he isn't matched up on someone with pace as he isn't quick.  There's also a few more players who are more naturally suited to other parts of the ground who can be pressganged into service if need be.
Even if you mean quality small defenders are scarce I would disagree.  Saad and Newman are clearly quality.  I am a big fan of Boyd, we should be using his lovely kicking more.  Cincotta was doing a great job as a lockdown defender before getting shifted on-ball.  Williams has shown in the past he can be a weapon of half back, albeit he was badly out of form before being moved forward.  I am a rap for Cowan though he is still young and has some rough edges.  It's not the 1981 brigade (Hunter, Klomp both reigning All-Australians, Doull,, English, and Austin, with G Whitnall in reserve and Harmes and McConville available to shift into defence if needed - the talls being reigning All-Australian Geoff Southby, Woof Perovic, and Tatts Bortolotto with Scott Howell slotting in as a late replacement for Southby in the GF to stand Peter Moore quite effectively and Swan McKay able to swing back if needed.  Any wonder we were in the middle of 3 flags in 4 years?)

[kruddler]

[member=311]ianh[/member],

Part of my post which i didn't really include (that i was using to make my arguments) was everyones age.

That is....
The 4 oldest players on are list are...
Newman - 31y5m
Docherty - 30y8m
Saad - 29y11m
Williams - 29y9m

so in a couple years, they may all be gone.
Then we would be left with the following players who will all be 2 years older than their listed age here....
Cincotta - 27y6m
Boyd - 25y9m
Cowan - 19y7m
...and even if you include Billy Wilson - 19y you can see what i'm talking about.

Remove the top 4 from our 'best 22' and suddenly we are in all sorts
We need to ensure we have a couple lockdown players available to go in a couple years time. Cincotta will be 29-30 by then, so its not really a viable option long term either.

[Thryleon]

[member=311]ianh[/member],

Part of my post which i didn't really include (that i was using to make my arguments) was everyones age.

That is....
The 4 oldest players on are list are...
Newman - 31y5m
Docherty - 30y8m
Saad - 29y11m
Williams - 29y9m

so in a couple years, they may all be gone.
Then we would be left with the following players who will all be 2 years older than their listed age here....
Cincotta - 27y6m
Boyd - 25y9m
Cowan - 19y7m
...and even if you include Billy Wilson - 19y you can see what i'm talking about.

Remove the top 4 from our 'best 22' and suddenly we are in all sorts
We need to ensure we have a couple lockdown players available to go in a couple years time. Cincotta will be 29-30 by then, so its not really a viable option long term either.

This is why when there was a but of rage around our drafting of smalls not talls I was less concerned than most.

We need a mixture of everything but the talk our a graders are there for years and even the b graders have time.  It's the under 21 bracket that concerns me the most.

List the top 10 afl players under 21 and not one of them plays for Carlton. 

That's fine but when your rivals to today's flag has them then get a little concerned.  I'm not asking for a raft of talent just one will do.