Preview 2023 Elimination Final - Carlton vs Sydney Friday 8th Sept 7.50PM @ MCG

Aphrodite · Sep 7, 2023

Team is in …

IN: Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty, Marc Pittonet
OUT: Paddy Dow, Corey Durdin, Zac Fisher, Ollie Hollands

After starting the last game as sub, Caleb Marchbank has been elevated into the starting 22.

AFL team news: Who's in for the elimination final?

Some big Blues are back for the clash with Sydney.

www.carltonfc.com.au

Backs:	Brodie Kemp	Jacob Weitering	Nic Newman
Half-backs:	Alex Cincotta	Mitch McGovern	Adam Saad
Centreline:	Blake Acres	Patrick Cripps	Sam Docherty
Half-forwards:	Jack Martin	Harry McKay	David Cuningham
Forwards:	Lachie Fogarty	Charlie Curnow	Matthew Owies
Followers:	Marc Pittonet	Adam Cerra	Sam Walsh
Interchange:	Matthew Cottrell	Tom De Koning	George Hewett
	Caleb Marchbank
Emergencies:	Paddy Dow	Zac Fisher	Ollie Hollands
	Jesse Motlop

reg_lower91 · Sep 5, 2023

Not many people are giving Sydney a chance.

I think it’s a lot more even than what others’ are suggesting.

Really hope the boys don’t let us down… We’ve dropped these ones in the past (where we’re expected to win). Prefer us being in the underdog position to be honest.

Nervous. Excited. All of the above. Go baggers!!!!

TENACIOUS · Sep 5, 2023

gab213 said:
Bring on Friday, people starting this Dow argument again I'm guessing that he will play and probably as the sub with everyone back. Whatever role he plays, I hope that he is able to make a good fist of it and that we win. That's all that I care about at this stage. We need solid performances from our second-tier players to have a successful finals campaign.

Blue and Blue · Sep 5, 2023

Arr0w said:
Looking forward to Charlie and Harry in the finals series

I agree them two can win it on their own

Who needs 16 other players on the field.....all they do is get in the way...

Earls Smother · Sep 5, 2023

Stamos said:
Yeah, and how did we go in Rounds 9, 10 and 11?

It was all a bit of a mess back then. We had Kennedy playing in defence ffs.
I guess it would be interesting to know if Voss moved Doc up to the wing/midfield purely due to Hollands' injury.

I agree we were a mess, but I don't think it had anything to do with those 4 playing together.

Since Hollands came back from his collarbone, they have played together since round 19, where we have beaten some top sides (except Doc out rd. 24). I acknowledge there has been injuries, but there is nothing selection-wise that says Voss doesn't want to play them all.

My feeling on the role players, is you pick the ones with an elite attribute if there is a choice. Gives the opposition more reason to worry about us. Acres and Doc are a given, so it is Hollands and Cottrell we are discussing. They offer elite level run. There are other players in the selection mix who are not elite at anything.

Doc can play back for large chunks and Cotts can play forward for significant minutes. They are not 4 "wingers". Cottrell can be a pressure forward as well as some others, but has the added string to his bow of being able to provide the elite run. He is also a very good kick for goal. Assuming we pick Pittonet, the extra run is even more important.

The Old Dark Navy's · Sep 5, 2023

Blue and Blue said:
Carna mighty blues

We are in the finals, and still the arguing over nothing goes on.
Interesting..............

Come on ... arguing whether one player or another should be in our team playing finals is fantastic. It's great to be involved in the conversation for the first time in 10 years.

ParapMarkets · Sep 5, 2023

The Old Dark Navy's said:
Come on ... arguing whether one player or another should be in our team playing finals is fantastic. It's great to be involved in the conversation for the first time in 10 years.

I find it interesting reading the thoughts of other people over selection.
As good of a topic to discuss as any on a football forum I would've thought in the lead up.

myblueroan · Sep 5, 2023

reg_lower91 said:
Not many people are giving Sydney a chance.

I think it’s a lot more even than what others’ are suggesting.

Really hope the boys don’t let us down… We’ve dropped these ones in the past (where we’re expected to win). Prefer us being in the underdog position to be honest.

Nervous. Excited. All of the above. Go baggers!!!!

I know what you mean, but somehow it seems written in the wind that we win.

gab213 · Sep 5, 2023

reg_lower91 said:
Not many people are giving Sydney a chance.

I think it’s a lot more even than what others’ are suggesting.

Really hope the boys don’t let us down… We’ve dropped these ones in the past (where we’re expected to win). Prefer us being in the underdog position to be honest.

Nervous. Excited. All of the above. Go baggers!!!!

This isn't the same team or club, not even close to it

sleep · Sep 5, 2023

So Acres is playing 100%?

DollarsandSense · Sep 5, 2023

coming down from Brisbane for the game. Super pumped. But what are these things you are calling 'jackets'??

bigblueboy · Sep 5, 2023

Arr0w said:
Looking forward to Charlie and Harry in the finals series

Will be interesting to see how they are used, as we have been effectively employing a trial and error approach to our forward structure for parts of the year.

I think there’s some merit in Charlie playing as the hit up CHF and Harry being closer to goal or acting Pagan’s paddock style leading back towards goal.

Opium · Sep 5, 2023

sleep said:
So Acres is playing 100%?

98% is that good enough?

JustOneTime · Sep 5, 2023

I'm less concerned over Dow vs Kennedy or whether Hollands plays.

Sheer desperation and embarrassment at our performances mid season drove the team to be 1) desperate on tackling and physicality, and 2) to take chances on the corridor. This finally meant we didn't care who played as it was a team agenda that allowed us to bully sides.

Once we lose points 1 and 2 like GWS we potentially fall back to early season form and pump in high down the wings which is something that would mean we lose our first final.

Either they know the parameters now of success and smash Sydney based on the 9 run win or they lose that focus post GWS and get a bit nervous and dont take on the corridor. Just hard tackling is not enough if we punt in repetitively down the wings and to packs of 9 inside fwd 50.

Voss has to set the mindset. Be hard as nails, take on the corridor as we have midfield dominance in ability/physicality vs Sydney and destroy them.

Please dont play scared/nervous of losing Carlton. It would be another year oif lost opportunity.

Just quietly, i think they can do it as they know the parameters. It is just the confidence to pull the corridor kick in a final!!!

gab213 · Sep 5, 2023

bigblueboy said:
Will be interesting to see how they are used, as we have been effectively employing a trial and error approach to our forward structure for parts of the year.

I think there’s some merit in Charlie playing as the hit up CHF and Harry being closer to goal or acting Pagan’s paddock style leading back towards goal.

It will be interesting to see how it goes but I think Charlie will play deeper than Harry. That's not to say that Charlie will be anchored close to goal but I see Harry playing more of a CHF role and running further up the ground at times.

gab213 · Sep 5, 2023

JustOneTime said:
I'm less concerned over Dow vs Kennedy or whether Hollands plays.

Sheer desperation and embarrassment at our performances mid season drove the team to be 1) desperate on tackling and physicality, and 2) to take chances on the corridor. This finally meant we didn't care who played as it was a team agenda that allowed us to bully sides.

Once we lose points 1 and 2 like GWS we potentially fall back to early season form and pump in high down the wings which is something that would mean we lose our first final.

Either they know the parameters now of success and smash Sydney based on the 9 run win or they lose that focus post GWS and get a bit nervous and dont take on the corridor. Just hard tackling is not enough if we punt in repetitively down the wings and to packs of 9 inside fwd 50.

Voss has to set the mindset. Be hard as nails, take on the corridor as we have midfield dominance in ability/physicality vs Sydney and destroy them.

Please dont play scared/nervous of losing Carlton. It would be another year oif lost opportunity.

Just quietly, i think they can do it as they know the parameters. It is just the confidence to pull the corridor kick in a final!!!

Whatever happens from here, I don't think that it could ever be viewed as a year of lost opportunity. This will be seen as a year where we turned a very big corner. If everything goes right we could very well pinch a flag here. My excitement is for what is yet to come, this team is only just starting to realise its potential, I'm super excited for what we will see in 2024, I think we will kill it.

Blue Reaper · Sep 5, 2023

The Blue Weirdo said:
I like Boyd as our lockdown small defender, but feel it's too risky bringing in another underdone player to add to the very rusty Harry, Walsh and Cerra.
Kennedy shouldn't be considered beyond sub status.

Yeah, I’m a bit wary of bringing in so many at one time without game fitness/hardening. But I have full trust in the club’s selection committee; reckon they’ve done a superb job over the past couple months.

I’m finding it hard to settle on a team that might be selected; a good conundrum to face, I suppose. In any case, there will be a few genuinely unlucky players.

Blue Reaper · Sep 5, 2023

reg_lower91 said:
Not many people are giving Sydney a chance.

I think it’s a lot more even than what others’ are suggesting.

Really hope the boys don’t let us down… We’ve dropped these ones in the past (where we’re expected to win). Prefer us being in the underdog position to be honest.

Nervous. Excited. All of the above. Go baggers!!!!

I feel Swans are a genuinely worthy opponent for our first final. Reckon it’ll be a cracking game. (Hope I’m absolutely wrong and we smash them to smithereens).

Stamos · Sep 5, 2023

Earls Smother said:
I agree we were a mess, but I don't think it had anything to do with those 4 playing together.

Since Hollands came back from his collarbone, they have played together since round 19, where we have beaten some top sides (except Doc out rd. 24). I acknowledge there has been injuries, but there is nothing selection-wise that says Voss doesn't want to play them all.

My feeling on the role players, is you pick the ones with an elite attribute if there is a choice. Gives the opposition more reason to worry about us. Acres and Doc are a given, so it is Hollands and Cottrell we are discussing. They offer elite level run. There are other players in the selection mix who are not elite at anything.

Doc can play back for large chunks and Cotts can play forward for significant minutes. They are not 4 "wingers". Cottrell can be a pressure forward as well as some others, but has the added string to his bow of being able to provide the elite run. He is also a very good kick for goal. Assuming we pick Pittonet, the extra run is even more important.

No, but Doc was back prior to Hollands' injury, and then moved up the field to wing/mid for his last 10 games.
So I'll be surprised if Doc plays back this week. And I don't think he'll get huge mid minutes with Cripps, Hewett, Cerra and Walsh playing.

I think Cottrell is a lock, so playing Hollands would likely mean 2 of Cunners, Fog and Motlop missing.
Especially in finals, I don't think we get more as a side playing Hollands, and then Cottrell more forward, than what we do playing Cottrell more wing and fitting in another of those forwards instead.

Stamos · Sep 5, 2023

Late call looms for Blue Acres; Collingwood confirm tall timber to face Dees in finals opener

Collingwood coach Craig McRae is intent on picking Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox despite wet and cold conditions predicted for Thursday, while Jack Crisp says his team needs to play smart to avoid the Demons’ intercept kings.

www.theage.com.au

Archive nor working, as the Carlton stuff has been added to a previous article.

On Acres:

Carlton will give Blake Acres

13

Blake Acres

Age
29

Ht

193cm

Wt
92kg

Pos.
Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D
17.5

4

K
8.9

3

HB
8.6

5

M
3.7

4

T
3.2

5

CL
1.9

4

D
12.7

3

K
5.0

2

HB
7.7

4

M
4.0

4

T
2.7

4

CL
1.0

3

D
8.2

2

K
3.8

2

HB
4.4

4

M
1.2

2

T
2.4

4

CL
1.8

4

until Thursday to prove his fitness for their elimination final, in a call that is likely to have knock-on effects for the Blues at selection.
Acres took part in the Blues’ session on Tuesday, but his bruised collarbone will be put to the test at the club’s captain’s run later in the week before a decision is made on whether he faces Sydney on Friday night at the MCG.

Recruited from Fremantle, the hard-running Acres has made an instant impact in his first season in the Navy Blue, registering a career-best disposal tally. A big-bodied wingman, he is also strong in heavy traffic, ranked fourth for contested possessions at the club behind Patrick Cripps

9

Patrick Cripps

Age
29

Ht

195cm

Wt
93kg

Pos.
Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D
25.9

5

K
9.8

4

HB
16.1

5

M
3.4

3

T
5.8

5

CL
7.4

5

D
21.0

5

K
10.1

4

HB
10.9

5

M
2.5

3

T
3.8

4

CL
6.3

5

D
12.6

4

K
4.8

2

HB
7.8

5

M
2.0

3

T
3.2

5

CL
1.4

4

, Adam Cerra and George Hewett

29

George Hewett

Age
29

Ht

187cm

Wt
87kg

Pos.
Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D
17.7

4

K
7.4

3

HB
10.3

5

M
2.7

3

T
4.1

5

CL
3.3

5

D
13.8

3

K
4.8

2

HB
9.0

4

M
1.8

2

T
3.2

4

CL
2.8

4

D
11.2

3

K
7.8

3

HB
3.4

3

M
3.4

4

T
4.0

5

CL
0.4

3

. Among wingmen, he sits third for that stat this year, behind All-Australian pair Josh Daicos

7

Josh Daicos

Age
26

Ht

178cm

Wt
77kg

Pos.
Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D
15.6

4

K
8.3

3

HB
7.3

5

M
3.3

3

T
3.6

5

CL
1.3

3

D
16.2

4

K
9.2

4

HB
7.0

4

M
3.3

3

T
3.5

4

CL
1.5

4

D
13.8

4

K
7.6

3

HB
6.2

4

M
3.2

4

T
4.2

5

CL
1.2

4

and Errol Gulden. Acres is one of only eight players on the Blues list with finals experience, several of whom are unlikely to feature this week. He was close to the Dockers’ best player in their semi-final defeat to Collingwood last year at the MCG.

Opium · Sep 5, 2023

DollarsandSense said:
coming down from Brisbane for the game. Super pumped. But what are these things you are calling 'jackets'??

You'll soon find out. Dress warm.

rp84 · Sep 5, 2023

azlou said:
Glad you could make it down mate hope your mum is going too

Thanks mate!

Gave up my good seats to take her and my sis along. Nervous as hell!

Stamos · Sep 5, 2023

Stamos said:
Late call looms for Blue Acres; Collingwood confirm tall timber to face Dees in finals opener

Collingwood coach Craig McRae is intent on picking Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox despite wet and cold conditions predicted for Thursday, while Jack Crisp says his team needs to play smart to avoid the Demons’ intercept kings.

www.theage.com.au

Archive nor working, but the Carlton stuff has been added to a previous article.

On selection:

If Acres is ruled out, Sam Docherty shapes as the obvious replacement, having played on the wing early in the Blues’ nine-game winning streak before being shifted inside the centre square after injuries hit their key midfielders.
The Blues will make at least three changes to the side that lost to Greater Western Sydney in the final round, having already declared Docherty, Cripps and forward Jesse Motlop available to face the Swans.

Impressive youngster Ollie Hollands would be under pressure to retain his place in the 22 if Acres is passed fit though could be spared if the Blues opt to play the versatile Docherty, an All-Australian half-back in 2017, in defence instead of Zac Fisher or Alex Cincotta.

Paddy Dow was important in the Blues’ charge to the finals but is shaping to be a hard luck story now that the club’s best midfielders are all available. With the selection squeeze on, the former No.3 pick may find himself as the sub after starting in the 22 for the past four games.
Coach Michael Voss and his match committee also have a tough decision on whether to play Marc Pittonet as a second specialist ruckman in the wet.
The Blues risk going in top-heavy on a greasy surface with Harry McKay and Tom De Koning also in the 22 though conditions may result in more stoppages and suit a robust big man like Pittonet.

McKay, the 2021 Coleman medallist, had limited impact as the second ruck against the Giants as he searches for form after a stretch out with a knee injury.

reubsblues · Sep 5, 2023

Really hard to argue with this side

The Old Dark Navy's · Sep 5, 2023

reg_lower91 said:
Not many people are giving Sydney a chance.

I think it’s a lot more even than what others’ are suggesting.

Really hope the boys don’t let us down… We’ve dropped these ones in the past (where we’re expected to win). Prefer us being in the underdog position to be honest.

Nervous. Excited. All of the above. Go baggers!!!!

The statistics say that we should win but finals pressure can produce anything. Swans give up more inside 50s than any finals team and are the worst clearance side. This suggests we are going to give our forwards a lot of looks at the goals. Where the Swans excel is slingshoting from defence and I'd suggest we are one of the worst sides at defending this. However, our defence is one of the best and repels better than most.

The weather only makes this more intriguing.

The Old Dark Navy's · Sep 5, 2023

reubsblues said:
Really hard to argue with this side View attachment 1794890

I'd much prefer Cincotta or Cuningham over Fisher. A non physical runner and accumulater does not suggest finals footy.

btw AFL taking the piss with 3 n's in Cuners name and no i.

Preview 2023 Elimination Final - Carlton vs Sydney Friday 8th Sept 7.50PM @ MCG

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