2017 Rd 1 Post Game Analysis: Carlton vs Richmond

[blue4life]

As I said, it goes against conventional 'wisdom', but it doesn't mean it wouldn't be the best path.

Don't get me wrong, I don't see any value in recruiting experienced players simply because they are experienced.
That said it seems that recently the traffic at Princes Park has been heading in the wrong direction, in that we have been losing good quality experienced players but none apart from Thomas have headed our way, and he's not the player we expected.
Tuohy was the latest, 100+ games, well skilled, durable, prime age, gone.

[flyboy77]

Michael Barlow would have been handy last night!

[LP]

The youth vs experience argument will rage all year. My view from my playing days is you need a balance - getting physically smashed and intimidated each week, and getting smashed on the scoreboard, can scar players for life. But we need to find experienced players who can make a contribution [eg Wright] vs guys who are just making up the numbers [Thomas, Armfield, White].

We are on exactly the same page in this regard, the "Play the Kids" lobby argue that that it's better for us and them in the long run. But that is only if they aren't damaged by the process.

You get a section of the supporters who claim if they aren't up to it then you replace them. There isn't a single kid starting in the AFL who is up to getting smashed week in and week out. Playing them under such circumstances is basically damaging them for life from a Carlton perspective. Then when we discard them because they aren't the Messiah, they leave and when surrounded by some decent support they improve. Further the club just can't replace them, if they destroy them you basically burn your club's future.

We probably had one or two too many young players out there last night, and it made the whole side look unorganised. In the AFL one hesitant player can bring your team undone, we had two or three that looked completely lost last night.

We did see glimpses of what SPS and Pickett can do when we have the ball. But at the game when you can see the full field you could also clearly see what they often didn't do when Nthmond had the ball, and it wasn't pretty. But I don't hold that against them, they are just beginners.

[LP]

They do and I said I would bring probably a couple of top line 23-25 year olds also.
But players are harder, faster stronger at a younger age than ever before and not only that, very few teams have ever played with no 150+ game players, so premiership teams will have all met this criteria. It doesn't make it a necessary ingredient though.

If 99% of all teams have had a couple or more 150+ game players, then you have nothing to compare it against.

As I said, it goes against conventional 'wisdom', but it doesn't mean it wouldn't be the best path.

If the club followed your suggested wisdom they would be burning those kids, they would be mentally damaged and dominated by the opposition before they even got started. They need to be part of some little wins, if they are smashed week in and week out they will be permanently affected by that.

btw., If any club could have gone down that route GWS could have, but they didn't so I gather they do not agree with your opinion. Despite being able to take the pick of the crop they preserved their kids by surrounding them with some experience.

1st season; (Some 1st year protection)
Setanta O'hAilpin
Dean Brogan
James McDonald
Luke Power
Chad Cornes
Callan Ward

2nd season; (Not quite ready yet, I suppose : )
Bret Thornton
Stephen Gilham

In their 3rd season; (Hang on 3 years why would they even bother?)
Shane Mumford
Josh Hunt

In their 4th Season; (Holly cow, can't they develop those kids at all?)
Ryan Griffin
Joel Patefull

[ElwoodBlues1]

Michael Barlow would have been handy last night!

Yep....only been getting 30 possies a game for GC in the JLT series, Cripps needs some help at the coalface, he was quiet last night and looked rusty, Barlow would have added some class
and let Cripps get a break from being the main man...you look in the twos and we have posters debating the merits of Nick Graham and how he could be our saviour...talk about deckchairs on the Titanic..
Barlow would have been great for our kids too, we need to invest in a couple of bigger mids who can at least match with players like Martin and not look intimidated like our blokes were....interesting how Hardwick praised Caddy for doing all the bullocking work and letting Martin, Prestia, Grigg do the damage...

[blue4life]

The problem at our club is that a large number of our experienced players are hacks, so how much benefit and cover do they provide for our youth?
In my opinion they are picking up bad habits and a losing mentality, better if they find their own way if they have the ability.

[sydneybluesfan]

Yep....only been getting 30 possies a game for GC in the JLT series, Cripps needs some help at the coalface, he was quiet last night and looked rusty, Barlow would have added some class
and let Cripps get a break from being the main man...you look in the twos and we have posters debating the merits of Nick Graham and how he could be our saviour...talk about deckchairs on the Titanic..
Barlow would have been great for our kids too, we need to invest in a couple of bigger mids who can at least match with players like Martin and not look intimidated like our blokes were....interesting how Hardwick praised Caddy for doing all the bullocking work and letting Martin, Prestia, Grigg do the damage...

Yep - Barlow or DeBoer would have been very handy, and we saw why last night. The other thing to remember if you can't put physical pressure on the opposition around the stoppages then you are going to get cut up. These guys also understand the defensive running and spread from clearances that is needed.

I was only watching on TV so couldn't really understand what role White, Army and Thomas were playing. Armfield was a total non event - 1 kick and 1 tackle with 80% game time!! We lacked run out of the backline and White appears to be part of that problem when trying to exit d50, and his skills are very ordinary. Plowman got a fair bit of the ball but he doesn't appear to be very mobile off hbf either.

[Gointocarlton]

I'm not going to say to much about the game other than:
- The result, and manner in which we lost, was disappointing (more of the same from the usual suspects);
- Seeing the future run around was pleasing.
Don't give up hope, there's always next week.
Go Blues.

[bratblue]

What's this new punch it instead of mark it strategy in the back line?  I hope that's the last we see of that mindless moronic instruction.

[IvanAwfulbigone]

And can i just say, that Rance is a dead set, dirty a#hole.

Agree. Such a hero to take out a blindsided 19 yo who had eyes only for the ball. Hopefully Rance's play will be scrutinised closely this year after his shenanigans last year.