2018 Rd 2: Post Game Prattle: Carlton vs Gold Coast

[Barbs]

As a long time Carlton supporter Barbs, I am used to it.
We are just making up numbers in an 18 team competition.

That you have had to become used to it really saddens me.

How I miss the days of watching Carlton taking the field and being full of hope that they would crush the opposition with amazing displays of skills, strength and determination. In the past when I yelled at the tv it was because Kouta just took a huge mark, Rhys Jones was picking a fight (and winning) or Sticks was kicking goals with the ugliest kicks you'd ever see. I used to have a few beers to celebrate a great win which included grand finals. Yesterday I spent most of the match yelling at the tv like it would somehow encourage players to run harder (or at all), to stop kicking long to congested areas, to display basic skills most VFL players can muster or simply revert back to tactics like good old fashioned manning up instead of guarding a zone or whatever we call it now. Now its like I have to work through a 6 pack just make being a supporter for 3 hours bearable.

Next week has me really worried. On current form Collingwood are going to run out big winners and that must still kill any true blue-blooded Carlton.

I foresee us going into our defensive shells again and still losing. I don't know whether its Bolton's game plan to always have numbers back when we have the ball and then have everyone converge down the line instead of spreading or if the players are just not following instructions and running off hard enough. But it has to stop.

I'll offer my 2 cents (which is typically what my opinions are worth) on player selections - drop O'Shea, Mullet, Polson and maybe Lamb. Given the pies also don't play a tall forward line this might be the time to let Weiters have a development spell in the VFL too. Ins - Kreuzer (hopefully), Silvagni, Kerridge, Kennedy and Mckay. Yes I'd bring Mckay and Kreuzer. Charlie's mobility and run affords us the luxury of playing another 2 tall forwards and its necessary to stretch the opposition defence that way because neither Casboult or Mckay are enough on their own. If Special K doesn't come up I'd probably bring in Kerr or TDK too. If Byrne is out with an injury I'd also bring in Graham and let Garlett do the half back running.

I never thought I'd advocate for Kerridge and Graham to come in, but its probably the best option we have right now. I'm all for developing the young players, but having some stronger bodies and experience to be competitive against Collingwood is a priority. (sadly, we would still be running out with a young inexperienced team)