AFL Rd 18 2023 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Port Adelaide

[LP]

The last 3 or 4 weeks happen to coincide with introducing Cuningham and Martin into the side.
Cunners has a perfect 4-0 record.

The older heads hold their width to get involved at the right moment, they don't get sucked into play like the kiddies.

[madbluboy]

The last 3 or 4 weeks happen to coincide with introducing Cuningham and Martin into the side.
Cunners has a perfect 4-0 record.

And Fogarty.

[ElwoodBlues1]

At 18, every kid in the system is a "terrific prospect"
Being older Boyd is a little stronger than say Cowan, for now.

We traded up to get Cowan in the draft, he is he 6cm taller and marginally heavier.
Imo Cowan can play on a greater range of players and the other bloke is a poor man's Caleb Daniel minus the headgear who is limited because of his size.
You look at Kemp and he needed consistent senior footy to make the jump...you wear a few bad games to get the final developed product and I see the same in Cowan. I don't see Boyd ever being more than a good ordinary player.

[LP]

At 18, every kid in the system is a "terrific prospect"
Being older Boyd is a little stronger than say Cowan, for now.

Yep agreed, experience counts, guys get it from being in the system long enough, learning the drills, the Handbaggers do it better than most and guys like Cowans barely play a game in AFL for the first 2 or 3 seasons.

The kiddies aren't the messiah.

Last weekend we can all claim Motlop had a good game, but put a second newbie in there, and the story book might have changed drastically, you just can't carry them in AFL like you can in VFL.

With two or more newbies playing AFL any decent opposition will have a spare player almost 100% of the time!

[northernblue]

We traded up to get Cowan in the draft, he is he 6cm taller and marginally heavier.
Imo Cowan can play on a greater range of players and the other bloke is a poor man's Caleb Daniel minus the headgear who is limited because of his size.
You look at Kemp and he needed consistent senior footy to make the jump...you wear a few bad games to get the final developed product and I see the same in Cowan. I don't see Boyd ever being more than a good ordinary player.

Its not that I disagree with you but I'm happy for Cowan to either force his way in or come in for injury.
Weight is not always strength either.

[LP]

Last weekends result should be a lesson to all AFL coaches, that reinforces how important the system is in AFL, and not so much the talent.

Port paid a high price for making so many changes, forced or otherwise.

They defeated us in many keys stats, especially i50s, they still had a lot of talent on the park yet they lost because they suffered a system failure.

[DJC]

We don't want to fall into the trap of playing too many developing players all at once, surely we've learnt that lesson now!

I'm still not yet sold of Motlop being "AFL ready", he had a day out being in the right place at the right moment for some Joe the Goose moments, and much like Dow there were moments Motlop was just spectating sprinkled with a couple of good moments in between. Better sides make those uncomfortable / hesitant circumstances happen all the time, and if you've got too many newbies it hurts the team big time.

None of Jesse's goals came from Joe the Goose moments, one was from very good positioning and body work against a bigger opponent, one was from getting into the corridor for a handball receive and the other two were from classic, front and centre crumbing.

I'm still thinking about my votes but Jesse is in the mix.  However, I'd have him back in the VFL next week if Owies is good to go, or perhaps I'd have him as the sub.  Jesse still has a bit to work on before he's assured of a place in the 22.

[Lods]

What I'm seeing both forward and back is that we're developing a degree of diversity.

It's strange because the with a 'one man out, one man in philosophy' you'd be looking more at 'like for like'.
But have a look at our small forwards.
Durdin, Owies and Motlop all bring different strengths (and limitations)
Martin, Cunningham, Fogarty and Silvagni provide differences of both an offensive and defensive nature.
Add the two key forwards and they're all complementing  one another to make a much more effective and varied forward line.

Saad, Williams (not there at the moment) and Docherty (also playing more wing) are those attacking half-backs but you need some defending types as well.
McGovern provides the intercept role.
Newman, Kemp, Boyd all add different features (Shut down capability, defensive pressure, but also capable of switching to attacking roles)...and with Weitering as the centre piece you have a strong diverse backline.

The fact that some players are capable of filling or developing at multiple roles adds to the variety.
Then you have Cottrell (forward of wing), and Acres ( often defensive side of wing) chiming in to support where needed.

I remember not too long ago there was some complaint about the sameness of players, especially in the midfield, but it looks like variety is a work in progress...and harder for opposition  to match up on.

[LordLucifer]

Finally took a big scalp and with some serious venom too.

I haven't seen the game in full as I was working till 5:00pm on Saturday but did catch most of the last quarter, game was done 7 dusted by the time I tuned in.

Have to wonder if the injury to McKay will be a blessing in disguise ?? I'm not suggesting anything sinister here, just that in his absence, other players will have to step up and carry some of his workload as well. Will be interesting to see (a) if that happens & (b) who it is that does the extra lifting ??

[Gointocarlton]

Thought I'd give a big shout out to Gov. A much maligned player however despite his shortfalls, he has show in recent weeks that he is a critical cog in our defence. Ill take the occasional brain fade give all the positives he has shown lately.
I liken to Weiters, Gov and Kemp to Batman, Robin and Alfred. Kemp is Robin, not sure yet which of the other two is Batman or Alfred.