AFL Rd 18 2022 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong

[Mav]

Riley Beveridge’s predicted ins & outs on afl.com.au: Owies to replace Honey if fit, while Hayes will be on standby for Newnes. Expect McGovern to return via the VFL.

[madbluboy]

Wins/loss v current ladder

1.
2.
3. L W
4.
5. Carlton
6. L
7. W
8. W L
9. L
10. W
11. L
12. W
13. W
14. W
15. W
16. W
17. W
18. W

[LoveNavy]

Strangely, Im more confident this week that last week (I thought we’d kose and I was wrong).

1 v 5. If we win this week? Ill stick my neck out and say… maybe not just yet, Ill ssve it

I'm in the same boat too. Away games are harder to win, let alone way out West.

Memory tells me we have mostly  either W or come close to the pussys in recent years. Recall we were 1 of very few to beat them at the cattery. Eddie's game saving tackle was sublime. We have also had 1 - 2 big late season losses there during our rebuild years.

Playing at the MCG will be an advantage for us. Stewart out will also help, although they have depth a plenty.

I'm calling it now. In my head that is, so I don't jinx us?
Vossys biggest challenge coming up.

Go Blues.

[Blue Moon]

I am in the midst of grey nomading and sea-changing so I haven't been able to fully concentrate on the footy. Saw the St Kilda game live and watched the Richmond on the TV, which I really hate. Collingwood, Richmond and St.Kilda basically had their best sides in and played really well and while we probably didn't deserve to win any of them, however, if Jack's kick had gone through or Walsh had been paid the over the shoulder free kick, and if the score review hadn't gone against us, and if we had kicked straight and not made those unforced errors giving goals away, we probably could have won all three and this Saturday night would be a top of the table clash. You shouldn't hang your hat on would haves, should haves and could haves, but it is clear we are not that far off it and that our best is clearly good enough. While a lot of commentary has spoken of the scoreless first and last quarters by WCE, but what I found interesting is they only scored one goal two in three quarters. Clearly our defensive structures and our back line is holding up. So I think that if our defence can hold up we can win and turn the Cats into Dim Sims.

[LoveNavy]

Hmmm the ladder compliments mbb should probably instill caution. We'll need to bring our best then hold on tight when they charge.

We did a great job on the good wc smalls. Let's hope we can keep the small pussys (kittens?) well tethered. Stengle in particular.

[Gointocarlton]

Hmmm the ladder compliments mbb should probably instill caution. We'll need to bring our best then hold on tight when they charge.

We did a great job on the good wc smalls. Let's hope we can keep the small pussys (kittens?) well tethered. Stengle in particular.

Eddie will know our players inside out, especially the defenders. He doesn't know Voss and what he has planned so it should be interesting.
Go Blues

[madbluboy]

If The
Pies beat the Crows
Lions beat the Giants
Blues beat the Cats
Swans beat the Dockers
Power beat the Dees

The top 6 will all be on 12 wins/48 points.

[RiverRat]

If Pittonet is ready, I'd have him straight back in....not so sure on McGovern given his history of hamstring and back injuries.

Agreed

[Mav]

Blues weighing up shock senior return for McGovern, The Age.

Mitch McGovern is in line to make a shock immediate return to Carlton’s senior team for their blockbuster clash with Geelong on Saturday night.

The recast defender will make his comeback to competitive football this weekend, provided he gets through the club’s main training session on Thursday, but it is yet to be decided if that will be at AFL or VFL level.

McGovern had surgery in early May after aggravating a hamstring injury he initially sustained at training leading into round three.

With his injury history, and the fact he has not played at any level in nearly four months, it would be a considerable gamble by the Blues’ match committee to bring him back without any match practice in the VFL.

But they are seriously considering handing McGovern an automatic recall as he would add an extra dimension to the Blues’ play with his intercept marking and high-end kicking skills.

McGovern impressed in the pre-season and in the early rounds, playing in a new role as a third tall defender after three modest, injury-interrupted seasons in the forward line under former coaches Brendon Bolton and David Teague.

The troops are gradually returning for the Blues, who welcomed back vice-captain Jacob Weitering last week from a shoulder injury.

Ruckman Marc Pittonet is edging closer to a return from a knee injury, but is considered less likely than McGovern to play this week. If he is deemed fit, he will almost certainly come back via the VFL.

Forward Jack Martin must pass a fitness test on his calf, though he, too, will likely return in the seconds.

Coach Michael Voss said last week the Blues would treat each player returning from injury on a case-by-case basis.

“We’re not sitting here saying we have to rush anything,” Voss said. “We want sustainability, we don’t just want to fix an acute area and think that’s going to change everything for us.

“We have to play the long game and make sure they’re ready to go and help us get momentum.”

Wingman Jack Newnes is in doubt to hold his place after receiving a corked thigh in the win over West Coast on Sunday.

The Blues remain hopeful Zac Williams (calf) and Caleb Marchbank (knee) will be available at the back end of the season, but the pair are yet to resume skills training.

[Gointocarlton]

Blues weighing up shock senior return for McGovern, The Age.

I agree, if he is fit, can train and run flat out, straight in.