AFL 2023 Preliminary Final Carlton vs Brisbane Pre Game Prognostications

[Baggers]

I doubt any tipster will select us to win, and rightly so... on paper just about everything says BrisVegas should overpower us, perhaps easily - fresh and rested list, on their dung heap, weather conditions they're used to. And us? Walking wounded, much smaller pro us crowd and unconvincing victories (scoreboard wise) in recent weeks. David v Goliath stuff.

The one thing we do know is that our group will give it their all.

Although many of us have questioned H being selected of recently times, paradoxically, I'd see him as an imperative inclusion for this game. Martin is a Monty. Unfortunately, JSOS would still be underdone with an insufficient training block to come into such a taxing game in Bris heat.

Ollie will likely make way for Martin, but what a valuable experience he gained on Friday night. Kennedy to make way for H. Cunners sub. Fingers crossed for how Doc comes up.

[Thryleon]

I'm saving my money for the Grand Final.

we will be going to that too.  The bathroom renovation will just wait until another year.

[Micky0]

We need H in if he’s okay to play. He maybe missed some goals but he is so important to the structure - I think people forget he did some great things other than kick goals. And he frees up Charlie.

My head says we are the walking wounded and our season is about done BUT I didn’t realise sitting at the MCG watching that first quarter against GC that from the second quarter on, we would be a completely changed team that would not stop. But it happened.

Also free game for us, nothing to lose - expecting to see no nerves this time around which hopefully means that we hit our kicks spot on and take our opportunities early.

[Micky0]

Also we are a really really tough team. Who knew!

[kruddler]

for 2 people flights are 2300 return with Qantas.  Could have had cheaper with a few different variations.

Not sure what the club are offering.

Cheers

Initially the club had a 2700 (each) option, including 2 nights accomodation and game ticket....and a few other little perks. That sold out super quick.
Then they had a day trip there and back on a chartered flight including shuttling to/from ikon park/airport/gabba for 1800 each. That was sold out 2 hours later when i first heard about it.....may have sold out in 5 minutes for all i know.

Can't even get return on sunday, or late enough sat night to catch the end of the game.

I think i'm pretty much out of options. I ain't driving for 17 hours there and 17 hours back in a weekend.

[PaulP]

I'm not really a fan of this "free hit" mentality that seems to be going around. Whilst I understand the psychological and motivational trickery behind the idea, I think it's false. I think if the players adopt that mentality, they have already convinced themselves that a loss is okay, they have already talked themselves into approaching the game with a less competitive mindset. As we know from our recent history, these opportunities are rare, and there is absolutely no guarantee that the boys will get another one.

I know Brisbane are clear and obvious favourites, but I think both teams are under equal pressure to win, and any loss should be equally felt by both. The boys must forego this "free hit" mentality and must go in believing that a loss will be devastating.

[kruddler]

I'm not really a fan of this "free hit" mentality that seems to be going around. Whilst I understand the psychological and motivational trickery behind the idea, I think it's false. I think if the players adopt that mentality, they have already convinced themselves that a loss is okay, they have already talked themselves into approaching the game with a less competitive mindset. As we know from our recent history, these opportunities are rare, and there is absolutely no guarantee that the boys will get another one.

I know Brisbane are clear and obvious favourites, but I think both teams are under equal pressure to win, and any loss should be equally felt by both. The boys must forego this "free hit" mentality and must go in believing that a loss will be devastating.

You reckon Vossy thinks a loss is ok?

Don't be confused from the outside noise vs inside expectations.
Night and day.

[tonyo]

I'm not really a fan of this "free hit" mentality that seems to be going around. Whilst I understand the psychological and motivational trickery behind the idea, I think it's false. I think if the players adopt that mentality, they have already convinced themselves that a loss is okay, they have already talked themselves into approaching the game with a less competitive mindset. As we know from our recent history, these opportunities are rare, and there is absolutely no guarantee that the boys will get another one.

I know Brisbane are clear and obvious favourites, but I think both teams are under equal pressure to win, and any loss should be equally felt by both. The boys must forego this "free hit" mentality and must go in believing that a loss will be devastating.

Reckon Brisbane has far more pressure on them than we do - they are expected to win and have supposedly been building towards this for three years.

Never underestimate the weight of expectation, and they have certainly have had their 'deer in the headlights' moments this year.  Seen it so many times - I call it expectation paralysis.

Not to mention they will have only played one game of footy in a month (and even that was a walk in the park).  Based on similar situations (Syd v Gee 2016 PF, Coll v Rich 2018 PF, WB vs PA 2021 PF), the secret will be to go super-hard at the start while they are still warming up, and build a half-decent lead - then, the combination of trailing and weight of expectation becomes too big to cope with.

I don't think for one minute this group will settle for an honourable loss.  They are 240 minutes of strong football away from what would probably be this club's greatest ever premiership, if not the greatest ever in the history of the AFL/VFL.

[Thryleon]

I'm not really a fan of this "free hit" mentality that seems to be going around. Whilst I understand the psychological and motivational trickery behind the idea, I think it's false. I think if the players adopt that mentality, they have already convinced themselves that a loss is okay, they have already talked themselves into approaching the game with a less competitive mindset. As we know from our recent history, these opportunities are rare, and there is absolutely no guarantee that the boys will get another one.

I know Brisbane are clear and obvious favourites, but I think both teams are under equal pressure to win, and any loss should be equally felt by both. The boys must forego this "free hit" mentality and must go in believing that a loss will be devastating.

They go in deserved favourites with all the pressure on them.

Once you're in the prelim, all bets are off, our best is good enough, but it's called the gabbatoir for a reason.

The free hit stuff is all about mentality of not having expectations.  We could get blown away and it would be no harm done but a missed opportunity.

It is a relative free hit for us.  A bit like the 99 grand final. No one expected us to win, we didn't and the world kept spinning.

[Lods]

I think that on this occasion it won't be so much about mental attitude.
Our mental side is as good as any now.
We'll give it all we have.
If we lose it will be because we're physically at the end of our rope.