2017 Round 6: Pre game premonitions: Carlton vs Sydney

[LP]

So why is it that many players dominate in the VFL and then fail, or leave alot to be desired, at AFL level?

AFL is a step up that is clear, not everybody is going to make it which is self-evident.

Nobody is claiming they shouldn't be tried at AFL level, but those of us who are skeptical about our current strategy are basically arguing it has to be done in a manageable way. At the moment it appears chaotic.

[shawny]

Does anyone give us any sort of chance in this one?

Maybe I'm delusional but I reckon this one might be closer then many think provided Kreuzer and Murphy both are fit and play.

We struggle against the quicker teams and on quicker grounds.  Swans are not quick and at the G, we seem to play our most consistent footy. Pushed them last time and with no Mitchell and out of form cant see why we wont this time.

Footy performances especially in young teams is a week by week proposition so ive moved on from last weeks dismal display - if we can play to the level we did against Melb we will push them.

For the young players and for supporters confidence sake, I don't want another blowout and I'm not expecting one.   

[laj]

Watching the game it was clear he was up against a bunch of skinny defenders, his work rate was great but he must have dropped two for every mark he took. The NB Mids smashed Willi, he won't get that many opportunities at AFL level, and the hard running won't get him the space he needs for easier marks.

What, he dropped 20 marks?

They're a stand alone team and defending premiers, not a team full of skinny draftees.

[laj]

This

Not to mention kids learn nothing from senior games where they don't get their hands on the footy.

Nothing wrong with giving him a couple of runs though. In his 2nd year and hasn't played yet so we're not exactly smashing him.

[LP]

What, he dropped 20 marks?

They're a stand alone team and defending premiers, not a team full of skinny draftees.

Yes, he grounded a lot of ball but eh good news is he gets to the contest, a lot of contests. How many marking attempts did Casboult have at the weekend for his 5 marks, KPP AFL players rarely do better than 50%.

Williamstown are past premiers off the back of a dominant midfield Laj, not a dominant defense. Williamstown's defense is relatively lightweight compared to AFL defenders/forwards, their list and game plan is built around a running game, and you don't have to be a kid to be a lightweight.

Ayce Cordy is clearly their biggest / bulkiest body, and Meese rucked all day although he's smaller than Sam Rowe. They have about ten players over 190cm, but only four of those talls weigh more than 90kg and they are all ruckmen, many of Williamstown's talls are closer to 85kg than 90kg.

For this reason that game was not a good measure of McKay, but we should be very very pleased with his aerobic capacity and work rate.

The bloke who is not getting enough media/blogger credit for last weekend is Jones. His stats were ordinary, but his 2nd efforts effectively nullified Willamstown's midfield and brought the likes of Graham, Boekhorst and Kerridge into the game. I'd love to see him roaming the F50 with that sort of effort, as long as the likes of Pickett, SPS, Murphy and Wright get busy crumbing front and square.

[Pratty]

If fit, Kreuzer comes back in, Phillips out. Thomas should come back via the VFL IMO.

Otherwise, this week, I'd keep the rest of the team, the same.

Possibly, Macreadie out for McKay to come in (then reshuffle the talls somewhat), but in all honesty, I have no problem with the two most impressive players form our VFL game against Willi (in my opinion) in Cuningham ad McKay, playing one more week in the VFL, and doing more of the same. Though, have no problem with them playing AFL either. Thought they looked a class above. Cuningham is ready IMO, McKay too really. They're both working really hard too. Gut feel, says both listed as emergencies along with Billie Smedts this week, with one change being Kreuzer in and Phillips out, who needs more game time at VFL level for sure.

I tell you what, Liam Jones, was fantastic against Willi too. Played ruck and was like an extra mid so far as pressure acts go. Just fantastic. Took some very good around the ground marks too. Like him down back also. Reckon that's his go now as I've said previously. Not as a genuine key forward. Keeping some pressure on the likes of Casboult, etc too which can only be a good thing. Would now like to see that consistency in his game at VFL level. Only 25 yo I think and pretty rugged, strong and rough type now around the contest. He helped our mids alot in the VFL v Will-town.

[Gointocarlton]

I tell you what, Liam Jones, was fantastic against Willi too. Played ruck and was like an extra mid so far as pressure acts go. Just fantastic. Took some very good around the ground marks too. Like him down back also. Reckon that's his go now as I've said previously. Not as a genuine key forward. Keeping some pressure on the likes of Casboult, etc too which can only be a good thing. Would now like to see that consistency in his game at VFL level. Only 25 yo I think and pretty rugged, strong and rough type now around the contest. He helped our mids alot in the VFL v Will-town.

Agree. To me, he was very Kruzer like in his effort and attitude. Crashed and bashed which is all you can ask from a bloke who is not a ruckman's a-hole. Yet another example of sacrificing your game for the team.

[flyboy77]

Cuningham (who really looks like he's added some size to his frame) for Polson or Fisher.

Both of those blokes will get hammered by the Swans' mids. i'd even play Graham he needs to be decent  crack in the 1s otherwise why the f... did we retain him?

[cimm1979]

Cuningham (who really looks like he's added some size to his frame) for Polson or Fisher.

Both of those blokes will get hammered by the Swans' mids. i'd even play Graham he needs to be decent  crack in the 1s otherwise why the f... did we retain him?

I like the idea of Cuningham coming in for one of the other kids.

Mature rig, can run out a game and tackles like a beast.

[flyboy77]

Let's be frank - after a 90 point pantsing - there should be 3 or 4 changes; so

1. Kreuzer for Phillips
2. Cuningham for Polson
3. Graham/Smedts for Fisher
4. Jones for ?