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

[Aphrodite]

Team is in …


IN: Patrick Cripps

9

Patrick Cripps

Age

29

Ht

195cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.9

5star

K

9.8

4star

HB

16.1

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

5.8

5star

CL

7.4

5star

D

21.0

5star

K

10.1

4star

HB

10.9

5star

M

2.5

3star

T

3.8

4star

CL

6.3

5star

D

12.6

4star

K

4.8

2star

HB

7.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.4

4star

, Sam Docherty

15

Sam Docherty

Age

31

Ht

187cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.3

5star

K

15.1

5star

HB

7.2

4star

M

6.6

5star

T

2.4

4star

CL

1.1

3star

D

22.6

5star

K

16.0

5star

HB

6.6

4star

M

7.0

5star

T

0.6

1star

CL

0.4

3star

D

11.2

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.4

4star

CL

0.6

3star

, Marc Pittonet

27

Marc Pittonet

Age

28

Ht

202cm

Wt

107kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.7

2star

K

2.9

1star

HB

4.8

3star

CL

3.1

5star

HO

22.3

5star

D

8.6

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

4.0

3star

CL

3.7

5star

HO

25.9

5star

D

5.8

2star

K

1.2

1star

HB

4.6

4star

CL

2.4

5star

HO

16.6

5star

OUT: Paddy Dow

15

Paddy Dow

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

7.0

3star

HB

7.1

4star

M

2.1

2star

T

2.9

4star

CL

2.6

4star

D

7.0

1star

K

4.0

1star

HB

3.0

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.0

3star

CL

0.0

1star

D

12.4

4star

K

5.8

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

1.6

2star

T

2.8

5star

CL

2.6

5star

, Corey Durdin, Zac Fisher

16

Zac Fisher

Age

26

Ht

175cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.2

4star

K

8.3

3star

HB

7.9

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.0

5star

MG

384.0

5star

D

17.0

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

0.0

1star

MG

384.0

5star

D

12.2

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

1.2

2star

T

3.0

5star

, 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

 

[JustOneTime]

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.

I've gone the other way....

The Fisher call is a challenging one. Faced with never making it back into the team, he responded in the back half with 4 and 2 tackles in the first two games back, pressure acts and loads of disposals at a good efficiency.

So in that moment he dealt with pressure and played physical. The GWS game; no one presented so it does mean something that Fisher was soft/bad but it means less as the entire unit was off. I personally cross my fingers and discount that performance totally.

Skinny slight players can get up for big games. They struggle to physically cut it week in week out.

I want his 25+ disposals and his spidey senses in the final. I'll back him in based on above speculative analysis. A creative Fisher could help us go all the way.

 

[Crow till I die]

Us interstaters generally stick together...but not this week. Smash them bluebaggers as they shouldn't be in the finals full stop. Carlton by 70+

 

[ferrisb]

There's undoubtedly going to be unlucky players on Friday night.
That's what happens when you have a good side/list.

 

[ferrisb]

View attachment 1795000

OMG, just found out Farouk is a 'bagger!

And a magistrate too!!!

 

[Davey33]

fogs so far in front defensively andwhen not sore in his back has been far more effective rotating up the ground too. Just think he's a long way in front for finals football.

But he can't kick a goal.

 

[Gointocarlton]

OMG, just found out Farouk is a 'bagger!

And a magistrate too!!!

That's not Farouk, that's Tony The Jugoslav ****ing (In my book the funniest character every created in Australian comedy).

 

[Catfish blue]

Interesting stat

Dows last 6 games (full games) has produced a total of 38 clearances (avg 6.33 per game).

That avg would have him top 15 in the competition. Of the top 15, he'd be one who plays the least amount of game time.

He is a clearance animal, and hope he stays inside the 23, and signs on.

 

[Coona Blues]

I really don't think that's the choice.
If Acres doesn't play, Hollands does.
I think Cunners and Fog are fighting for a spot.

This is likely the case, but there is an outcome where neither Cuningham nor Fogarty get a game.

Vossy has to rationalise if he maximises the one wood with the clearance juggernaut or maximise the turnover pressure model. Adding another power mid or two negates the need or indeed space for either to pinch hit in the middle. We may rely on Cottrell, Owies, Martin and the more dangerous Motlop to bring the forward pressure. Arguably that is plenty if we are winning clearance.

Up to eight players are going to be hard done by missing out on a spot.

There is a scenario where a number of players the majority of posters are excluding get a game. I find it impossible to definitively pick the line up this time around.

 

[Arr0w]

This is likely the case, but there is an outcome where neither Cuningham nor Fogarty get a game.

Vossy has to rationalise if he maximises the one wood with the clearance juggernaut or maximise the turnover pressure model. Adding another power mid or two negates the need or indeed space for either to pinch hit in the middle. We may rely on Cottrell, Owies, Martin and the more dangerous Motlop to bring the forward pressure. Arguably that is plenty if we are winning clearance.

Up to eight players are going to be hard done by missing out on a spot.

There is a scenario where a number of players the majority of posters are excluding get a game. I find it impossible to definitively pick the line up this time around.

I agree, very difficult to nail down the 22+1

Most likely options will include players that have generally been on the park, so Kennedy and Jsos seem unlikely at the moment

 

[Sweet Seventeen]

I've gone the other way....

The Fisher call is a challenging one. Faced with never making it back into the team, he responded in the back half with 4 and 2 tackles in the first two games back, pressure acts and loads of disposals at a good efficiency.

So in that moment he dealt with pressure and played physical. The GWS game; no one presented so it does mean something that Fisher was soft/bad but it means less as the entire unit was off. I personally cross my fingers and discount that performance totally.

Skinny slight players can get up for big games. They struggle to physically cut it week in week out.

I want his 25+ disposals and his spidey senses in the final. I'll back him in based on above speculative analysis. A creative Fisher could help us go all the way.

Fish is creative, has good evasiveness, uses it very well. If he was still playing as a small forward and playing well, then I would have no problem with his selection. Now that he is playing as a loose across half back, just think he will be found out and become a weak link that could be exposed.

If Acres is right to go, then I think Doc plays in defence and takes Fishs spot. If Acres is still too sore, then Doc plays on the wing.

What they do with Dutchy is also an interesting one. I am 50/50 about it, trust the MC to pull the right rein.

 

[Benaly28]

As others have mentioned, Sydney are a very good wet weather team. If the forecast is correct, it will diminish some of our strengths. Should be a tough match.

Wet weather footy lends itself to a more contested game which we are number 1 at.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[ESKIE]

its gonna be arctic on Friday night

 

[Sweet Seventeen]

Agree with other posters, this weeks team selection is harder to predict than any other match I can remember in recent times.

Blacres availability is vital, yet still believe we will win without him. Maybe this means that Hollands has to play, just to sure up his wing. Kid has been pretty damn awesome.

Will Fish play? Keen on Boyd myself, we shall see.

The Fog versus Cuners argument. Can see both sides, love to see both of them play. Have this feeling though, that Cuners could be that classy x-factor type who could be a real point of difference and match winner for us over this finals series. But then again, with the forecast weather, maybe Fog does make more sense.

 

[Earls Smother]

I agree, very difficult to nail down the 22+1

Most likely options will include players that have generally been on the park, so Kennedy and Jsos seem unlikely at the moment

Agree. Also usually works on the "last in, first out" basis for each area of the ground as well.

For me, that means Fisher out of the backline, Dow out of the middle and Durdin out of the forwards.

That results (IMO) in Doc back to replace Fisher, Cripps in for Dow and Pittonet in for Durdin with the structural change back to 2 rucks.

Who Motlop comes in for is more difficult, because there are a number of relatively even options. I see us keeping the run of Hollands. Yes, he is skinny etc. but so is McInerney for them, so a good match-up. So then it is either Cunners or Fog out. I don't see that playing all of Cunners, Fog, Owies and Motlop is balanced or necessary. Martin and Cotts are both capable pressure forwards and better kicks for goal as well.

Dow is the logical sub in this scenario. Done well previously in the role and capable of playing a full game if he is needed early.

I see this as the "common sense" changes, which Voss usually runs with. Won't definitely happen this way, but I would have it as the favoured version.

 

[Show_Me_The_Money]

Earls Smother whilst I want Dow out there from the first bounce I do agree, he would also make a great sub. Especially if we're going in top heavy which I get the impression is the case. Cant see us making one of the rucks a sub.

 

[Show_Me_The_Money]

Interesting stat

Dows last 6 games (full games) has produced a total of 38 clearances (avg 6.33 per game).

That avg would have him top 15 in the competition. Of the top 15, he'd be one who plays the least amount of game time.

He is a clearance animal, and hope he stays inside the 23, and signs on.

also impressive is that nearly half of those clearances are centre clearances where he either carries the ball forward and sends it deep inside 50m or dishes off a smart handball to a player in more space. Weapon.

 

[Opium]

Interesting stat

Dows last 6 games (full games) has produced a total of 38 clearances (avg 6.33 per game).

That avg would have him top 15 in the competition. Of the top 15, he'd be one who plays the least amount of game time.

He is a clearance animal, and hope he stays inside the 23, and signs on.

But his disposal efficiency.

 

[Catfish blue]

But his disposal efficiency.

Certainly something he can improve on. Perfect for we weather footy lol

 

[Show_Me_The_Money]

Had we not gone on an incredible run of 9 games we wouldn't have made finals either, who is to say that even if we won more games earlier that we would have then gone on that winning streak? That time was the making of our club, the way the whole club showed professionalism and maturity that we haven't seen in a quarter of a century. My expectations this year were bottom half of the eight this year, we did that.

Last year, we finished higher than we had in ten years. Sometimes expectations don't line up with reality.

If anybody at the end of this season could look at it and say we failed then I don't know what to say. We have done exceptionally well to be where we are after where we were 2 years ago. There is NOTHING to be unhappy about.

If people can't enjoy and celebrate the great strides that we have made over the past two years then I'd confidently declare that they will never be happy.

The years that our season was over by round 6, those were wasted years.

Not true IMO. I would be unhappy if we lost but very happy if we won.

 

[Opium]

Certainly something he can improve on. Perfect for we weather footy lol

Pretty difficult to have a high disposal efficiency from Clearences

 

[JoeyPBLUES]

its gonna be arctic on Friday night

Should play it at Waverley for old time's sake if that's the case - we can watch from the balconies of the townhouses all around there now

 

[gab213]

Not true IMO. I would be unhappy if we lost but very happy if we won.

Well, of course, I don't think that anybody would be happy to lose, but anyway, we will win this game, then on to next week.

 

[Show_Me_The_Money]

Fish is creative, has good evasiveness, uses it very well. If he was still playing as a small forward and playing well, then I would have no problem with his selection. Now that he is playing as a loose across half back, just think he will be found out and become a weak link that could be exposed.

If Acres is right to go, then I think Doc plays in defence and takes Fishs spot. If Acres is still too sore, then Doc plays on the wing.

What they do with Dutchy is also an interesting one. I am 50/50 about it, trust the MC to pull the right rein.

I too would prefer Doc in defence over Fisher if it means others stay in. Doc uses it well enough too and provides more overhead and defensively. Fisher would actually be a very worthy sub, can play in all positions bar key position. Could come on and provide some skillful drive out of defence, do some hard running on the wing or even go forward and bag a few goals.

 

[Coona Blues]

I agree, very difficult to nail down the 22+1

Most likely options will include players that have generally been on the park, so Kennedy and Jsos seem unlikely at the moment

JSOS has already been ruled out from my understanding, but surely is in the mix if (when) we progress.

Kennedy has no recent form, but if fit, must be genuinely in the mix. Hard to push out those with “form”, but would not shock. No reports from match sim other than a bit of argy bargy.

Marchbank has to remain in the mix. Form building over recent weeks. Horses for courses analysis suggests Swans play McDonald, McLean, Amartey and Hayward as marking options along with Heeney and even Papley in the forward line. Marchy can certainly find a role V Swans.

Hollands has been a lock on a wing all season when fit. His endurance and ability to read play have been under rated by many. He may lack a little strength yet, but consistently stops or at least delays opposition ball movement. The Swans movement is more from D50 and the wings than a turnover model. I actually see Dutchy as a fair option to quell the influence of Gulden.

Corey Durdin reportedly done a hammy, so out of discussions, if he was in them.

I have Fisher down on the list of priorities, but if they are expecting a Saad tag, he would have a use. Does not appear defensive minded enough for the cut and thrust of finals given other options

So many are leaving a 7th defender out, putting Doc in that “hole”. He has played precious little defence this season and I doubt he will be deployed there on Friday.

The Dow debate goes on (and on), so many pros and cons on that front. I like what Dow brings, but can’t rate it ahead of Hewett, Kennedy or Docherty relative to the mix. He does have high clearance statistics, but is not usurping Crippa any time soon. Heweyy and Cerra bring a defensive presence Paddy does not get close to. The sub vest looms as a real possibility.

We haven’t heard many reports on Acres. Undoubtedly a key “piece”, but surely if he is encumbered we must err on the side of caution. We have delayed returns for other stars to be certain of their readiness, I am not sure he plays if it is a 50:50 choice given so many are in line for selection.

Pitto is a fascinating one. Our preferred model is either tandem rucks or JSOS giving a chop out. TDK has improved in leaps and bounds in the back half of the year and is ready for 70-80% ruck time, but that other 20-30% is a quandary. Do we Rob Peter to pay Paul with Harry doing a bit. Crippa would contribute normally, but if his ribs are still an issue, we would be reluctant to do so. I like Pitto in, but it is a difficult argument for him to do 30-40% ruck time. Sure we could plan to sub him off, but that is reliant on no injuries.

Fogarty is a pressure king and an excellent reader of play. A good link man through the middle and handy at clearance. Falls down on the point of disposal, particularly penetration by foot. Not a real forward threat, struggling to kick 40 metres at times.

Cuningham has an element of x-factor, but has seemed a little tired of late. The week off probably refreshes him enough to stay in the mix. Has “saved” his career and will be a factor in 2024. A little unclear if he holds his spot at the pointy end of ‘23 with such competition for the ‘22.

Cincotta is almost a lock for me. Struggled to get up last week with soreness. The mere fact he was selected is a guide to his place in the pecking order. A week off, running on top of the ground, only misses if the MC opt for both Fisher and Marchbank ahead of him.

Boyd has been put up by a few, I don’t see it. Quality player with magnificent disposal. Played a blinder first game back in the twos, then invisible in the next. It is hard to see him pushing past Cinc, Marchy and Fish to reclaim a spot now.

 

[Stamos]

“Very, very simple game to analyse”: The key factors that will swing Carlton versus Sydney

Champion Data's Daniel Hoyne goes through all the key points for the Blues v Swans final.

www.sen.com.au