AFL Rd 21 2022 Post Game Postulations Carlton vs Brisbane

[Baggers]

The thing with the injuries is that they have a cumulative effect.
Players are asked to lift to cover them, and they can do it for a while, but as the season drags on that becomes harder and takes it's toll.
We have a few players who desperatley need 'managing' (either on or off field) but as we accumulate more injuries we don't have that luxury.
We also assume that as injured players return they'll slot striaght back in as good as they were when they left.
The majority just don't.

Pretty sure that is a strong part of the issue, but you see even regulars who've been relatively injury free also lose their way, their focus. Likely not an either/or scenario but a combination of accumulative injuries, head space, continuity, adapting to change... all feeding each other.

With so much change, and increased expectation and greater demands, the deeper issues are also exposed.

Philosophically, and looking at it in a broader sense, I believe Pauly is absolutely correct in seeing this as the year Vossy and the new coaches learn about the list, themselves and cultural issues.