AFL Rd 2 2023 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong

[LP]

Fisher, Owies, Motlop doesn't seem to be working out as a small forward setup and we have become too Charlie and Harry centric...

[member=57]ElwoodBlues1[/member]  I suppose when you look upfield and have twin Coleman medallists spreading it becomes a bit hard to see the other options, but I tend to agree. Not only does it hurt the smalls, by us being too predictable it doesn't help the talls either.

Last night on multiple occasions we saw BigH, Charlie, SoJ and TDK all contesting the same long slow entry marking contest, it can't possibly work. They spoil each other, the pill hits the deck, with our smalls outnumbered 2 to 1.

I've pretty much been a Voss booster until last night, but that rubbish was like watching junior footy. No smalls at the fall, no contest, Nthmond just hoover up the ground ball and run it out unopposed.

[Thryleon]

Not sure what people expect from our small forwards.  They all played a role and you arent going to get too much more out of your smalls than a goal or two, as well as an assist or two, a few tackles, lots of thankless running, and about 7-12 posessions.  Owies and Motlop completed that requirement from what I can tell.

We didnt win because simply, a lack of composure, too one paced, and I didn't like our inability to get out of our backline when the Tigers executed their forward press.  This was exacerbated by lack of composure at times.

We had too many non contributers across the 4 quarters and it showed.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Not sure what people expect from our small forwards.  They all played a role and you arent going to get too much more out of your smalls than a goal or two, as well as an assist or two, a few tackles, lots of thankless running, and about 7-12 posessions.  Owies and Motlop completed that requirement from what I can tell.

We didnt win because simply, a lack of composure, too one paced, and I didn't like our inability to get out of our backline when the Tigers executed their forward press.  This was exacerbated by lack of composure at times.

We had too many non contributers across the 4 quarters and it showed.

My point is Fisher, Martin and Owies were part of that non contributing group...Motlop is still a kid learning the game and gets some slack cut his way but we didnt have much energy when the ball hit the deck forward.
Look at the tackles inside 50...Fisher =0, Owies =1, Motlop= 1, Martin =2.......not a lot of chasing or desire in that lot. Thats zero pressure on the Richmond backs bringing the ball out.
Id be changing personnel, tactics and demanding goals from pressure turnovers, you couple that with poor disposal efficiency from minimal possessions and they were all passengers.
Richmond were equally as shite with their smalls down forward and old man Reiwoldt was the best leading the way with 4 tackles inside 50..he at least still has some fire in the belly.
Dusty and Cotchin had no tackles I50 between them in comparison, they are on the skids and are living off past glories, Dusty will have his moments but isnt the Dusty of old and Cotchin who if he kicked any shorter would be stubbing his toes everytime.
Like I said before I dont rate Richmond but we have plenty of work to do as well especially with our small forwards...

[pinot]

We need better ground ball players forward of center. We have the air covered but when the ball hits the ground the players are not good enough imo.
Jack Graham had 20 possessions 9 tackles as half forward
Shai Boilton had 18 posessions 4 tackles as half forward
..and Dusty 23 possessions always a threat luckily we nullified his influence because we should have been blown out of the water.

In comparison to our crop - not good enough.

[ElwoodBlues1]

We need better ground ball players forward of center. We have the air covered but when the ball hits the ground the players are not good enough imo.
Jack Graham had 20 possessions 9 tackles as half forward
Shai Boilton had 18 posessions 4 tackles as half forward
..and Dusty 23 possessions always a threat luckily we nullified his influence because we should have been blown out of the water.

In comparison to our crop - not good enough.

Best return from a Blues small forward in 2022 was Fisher with 18 goals........thats not good enough to be contenders.

[LP]

Jack Graham had 20 possessions 9 tackles as half forward

Fans give our lot some slack, claiming they are on the way back from injury and have to build, or they are just kids.

But last night was Jack Graham's first hit out for 2023, not a single intraclub or practise game as he had been on an injury recovery program. Straight in, and contributed, no excuses.

Just kids, tell that to Hollands.

[Gointocarlton]

We need better ground ball players forward of center. We have the air covered but when the ball hits the ground the players are not good enough imo.
Jack Graham had 20 possessions 9 tackles as half forward
Shai Boilton had 18 posessions 4 tackles as half forward
..and Dusty 23 possessions always a threat luckily we nullified his influence because we should have been blown out of the water.

In comparison to our crop - not good enough.

Graham was their most influential player for mine (watching them live). At one stage he hobble off and looked gone. He got strapped, came on and continued on. His touches, bumps, tackles and assists were deft. This is what I meant in an earlier post about Jack Martin. Taranto and Rioli got a truckload of it, Graham hurt us more.

[Mav]

Stewart is being assessed by the doctors after slipping and falling awkwardly. But the turf can’t be blamed (and anyone who makes that mistake will be dealt with harshly).

[Mav]

Looks like Stewart might have a medial ligament strain. Subbed off for Parfitt.

[madbluboy]

SDK limped off.