AFL Rd 20 2023 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Collingwood

[crashlander]

Geez i thought Pitto battled hard all night.

When Marc came back last year, he also struggled a bit. he is better for having games under his belt and having confidence in his knees. Neither are the case at the moment, but, you're 100% right, Marc worked like a trojan! As for the frees at the hitouts, I was most unimpressed. They block and shepherd and it is play on. We think of doing it, and we get a free against us. That was difficult to swallow.

Yep, Marchbank looked rusty but still reckon we line up better with him out there.

Marchbank took some really clutch marks today, but he is still very much from his best. His decision making will improve. But I'd really like to see him punch more. He needs game into him, the more the better. Making a good matchup for him isn't going to be easy: he isn't a strong player, nor is his very physical. Can he find a spot if we make it to September? Good question. But by then he should have enough games behind to be able to tell.

Blokes like Cornes taking pot shots at Charlie for the easy goals against West Coast...well, 6 against the bloke pencilled in for AA full back should put him back in his box.

Don't bother listening to Cornes: the guy is an idiot. Charlie hasn't been playing that well this year and he still leads the Coleman. His last couple of weeks have been superb, but he's had some quiet ones. If he can keep this form up ...

Take out the first 10 minutes where we looked a bit shell shocked, and we looked every bit a top 8 side...missing H, SOS, Walsh and Kennedy and then losing Cerra who was BOG at that point......against a full strength, top of the table side, missing only Hill.

Indeed. We were missing a number of guys from our best lineup, they had 2 injuries (other than Hill) and neither of them is a likely starter. That makes our win all the sweeter. But that first 10 minutes was ordinary. We can't allow sides many of those.

Acres again proving a few pundits wrong, especially in that first quarter when the pressure was really on. That'll be the 3rd round draft pick to measure going forward.

Acres was brilliant early. Probably 2nd only to Cerra in the first half. However, he has a tendency of doing that. His starts are usually better than his finishes. But he really showed his worth tonight. Very happy with the way he is playing.

Motlop/Owies combo again showed what they're capable of.

Really good contributions from our small forwards. Martin played probably his 2nd best ever game for us and was dangerous. All of them provided defensive pressure that simply wasn't happening 7 weeks ago.

A damn good way to start the weekend.

Indeed.