Preview 2024 Rd 9 Carlton vs Melbourne Thursday 9th May 7:30PM @ MCG

[Aphrodite]

Team is in …


IN: Ollie Hollands, Brodie Kemp, Jack Martin

19

Jack Martin

Age

29

Ht

186cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.2

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

6.3

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

3.7

5star

G

0.9

4star

D

14.9

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

7.0

4star

M

4.3

4star

T

3.6

4star

G

1.1

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.6

3star

, Mitch McGovern

11

Mitch Mcgovern

Age

30

Ht

190cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.1

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

4.6

4star

T

2.2

4star

MG

189.8

3star

D

7.6

2star

K

6.5

3star

HB

1.1

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.9

3star

MG

179.6

3star

D

10.8

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.0

5star

MG

218.0

4star

OUT: Zac Williams (glute soreness), David Cuningham

28

David Cuningham

Age

27

Ht

183cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.3

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.3

5star

G

0.5

3star

D

12.1

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.1

3star

G

0.4

3star

D

11.8

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

5.6

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

5.6

5star

G

0.4

3star

, Orazio Fantasia

14

Orazio Fantasia

Age

29

Ht

180cm

Wt

73kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.6

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

3.1

5star

G

1.4

5star

D

9.8

2star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.4

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.2

2star

G

0.2

3star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.2

4star

G

0.0

1star

, Lewis Young

33

Lewis Young

Age

26

Ht

202cm

Wt

99kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.6

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

4.1

3star

M

4.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

MG

197.9

3star

D

4.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

1.0

1star

M

3.0

3star

T

0.0

1star

MG

26.0

1star

D

14.4

4star

K

8.2

4star

HB

6.2

4star

M

6.4

5star

T

2.0

4star

MG

181.6

3star

AFL team selection: Blues recall four

Carlton's Round 9 team is in.

www.carltonfc.com.au

Round 9 team v Melbourne
Backs:	Brodie Kemp	Jacob Weitering	Lachie Cowan
Half-backs:	Alex Cincotta	Mitch McGovern	Nic Newman
Centreline:	Ollie Hollands	Patrick Cripps	Blake Acres
Half-forwards:	Jack Martin	Harry McKay	Elijah Hollands
Forwards:	Matthew Owies	Charlie Curnow	Tom De Koning
Followers:	Marc Pittonet	Sam Walsh	Matthew Kennedy
Interchange:	Jordan Boyd	Adam Cerra	Matthew Cottrell
	Corey Durdin	George Hewett
Emergencies:	David Cuningham	Orazio Fantasia	Lewis Young

 

[Arr0w]

With Martin in the side, I think Elijah will get more rotations through the middle

Cripps, Walsh, Cerra, Kennedy, Hewett

1 too many?

Durdin should be the sub, but only 1 small forward in Owies is way too lean

Voss will probably consider Hewett as the sub, most of us would say Durdin

 

[xDQ82x]

Expecting Durdin as sub.
Don’t want any of the other 4 (Hewitt, Cerra, Cottrell, Boyd) as subs.
Thought we missed a trick in having Kennedy as sub last week.

Martin gives us an option where defenders are drawn away or when our players lower their eyes.

McGovern improves our defence and transition out of defence.

Like that we are getting games into Cowan.

Dropping players to VFL for a week and then back in … Kemp and Ollie H … not ideal.

Do we all think the pecking order for small forwards is:
Motlop, Fogarty, Owies, Durdin, Fantasia ?

Durdin not the sub. I disagree with the sub tonight ..

 

[Arr0w]

Hi all, I haven't posted for a long time, had a hissy fit after the Essendon game last year and have lurked ever since and bided my time, let's see if this post brings me back.

Before I threw the toys out of the pram (prematurely in retrospect) I frequently questioned our policy of playing our best five mids all the time. Sorry for picking this post out but I think many believe that they are all walk ups when fit whilst I would like to see a more "horses for courses" approach with them.

Simple stats say that we have played 56 games since they all came on board for 32 wins and a draw, a win percentage of 57% which isn't bad considering where we were coming from.

However they have played together only 18 times for 8 wins, a 44% win ratio.

Without them all we have played 38 games for 24 wins and a draw, a 63% win ratio.

I have frequently questioned the policy of playing them every time we can get them together and I think those stats support my view. Not saying that they shouldn't all be in the team at the one time, just that some times we need to structure to the oppositions mids a little better.

IMO we played some of our best footy in the latter half of last season and, without trying to re-ignite the Dow argument, I think he gave us a point of difference in a number of those games.

I do think, however, that Melbourne are one team that they should all play against liked the selections this week and share your hope that one of those five are not the sub,

Good to see you BH

 

[JoeyPBLUES]

There was not one iota of evidence to support that statement that I noticed at the game last week. News footage tonight showed him not training with the main group.

You have made a big statement there (Williams has spat the dummy, club is telling lies about it etc). What facts are you basing this statement on?

Seeing Zach after the game in person outside the rooms he looked bloody sore. Was in good spirits (considering) all good with team mates etc not even 1 iota of any semblance of Zach cracking the sads. Obviously all the boys appeared disappointed etc but Zach no more/no less. Suspect could be a figment of the OP's imagination

 

[JJBagger]

Durdin not the sub. I disagree with the sub tonight ..

Cerra, Hewett or Cottrell?

 

[Benaly28]

Cerra, Hewett or Cottrell?

I’d say Hewett or Cottrell.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Earls Smother]

Surely all the big bodied mids get a full game vs Melb

Playing Devil's advocate here, but we picked 1 less last week in the 22. Kennedy got a rest and will be better for it. Anyone who doesn't think Hewett looked a step off last week wasn't watching. He has only had a 6 day break (2 in a row) and certainly doesn't get any sharper when he is sore.

We have dropped forwards and defenders, but 1 of the ins is already a mid (Ollie). I understand that will push Cotts back forward. With Martin in, we have less need and room to rest a mid like Kennedy forward, particularly with TDK down there at times as well. That mix needs to be surrounded by smaller, speedier players, not resting mids.

Is Hewett a better footballer than Durds? Yes, but to me, the balance of the side this week simply has less room onfield to accommodate the extra mid. You can't sit 2 of them on the bench all the time at the expense of other rotations imo.

Once we went on our winning run last year, we only played the 5 mids together once, ironically against Melbourne in the semi. That was because Martin was suspended and Kennedy played as a forward. Kennedy was then sub in the prelim when we had them all back. Dow stepped in when we had 2 of the main 5 missing to keep the balance at 4.

 

[myblueroan]

Durdin not the sub. I disagree with the sub tonight ..

Not Kennedy again?

 

[BlueJet]

I actually don't think Charlie does have the athleticism anymore and reckon his knee problems have affected this side of his game more than we know.

He's not fast and he rarely uses his supposed elite tank and has laid 1 tackle a game this season to Harry's 3.5.

One on one i'd back him in most times and taking a grab on the lead is bread and butter but as you say, with the slow ball movement further up the ground allowing extra numbers time and the seemingly blindingly obvious high bomb to either him or Harry it leaves him little option but to try and wrestle.

Couple this with a lack of ground level pressure from the rest of our forwards and we waste a s**t load of forward forays.

There's two ways to beat May and Lever, move the ball quickly and/or lower the eyes. Either one will nullify their intercept game. Of course to do this you need to first win the contest then hit targets quickly or you need to pick your way through and keep hitting targets.

Unfortunately the team hasn't been very good at executing either of these strategy's.

You may be right but he should still be able to outrun May, who would be salivating at the prospect of CC engaging him in a static 1v1.
At the very least, getting Charlie up the field provides space for others to work into as leaving him as a stationary option deep plays to the strength of their backline.
We can work to split the two tall defenders & push an advantage, TDK & H have a significant height/reach advantage over May & Lever isn't really elite 1v1.
H deep manned by May & Charlie at CHF just makes a lot more sense to me.

 

[BlueJet]

He hasn't been able to run properly for weeks

Rest him or play him as a decoy then.
Having him get mauled all game by May does little for him or us.

 

[Blue since 72]

You may be right but he should still be able to outrun May, who would be salivating at the prospect of CC engaging him in a static 1v1.
At the very least, getting Charlie up the field provides space for others to work into as leaving him as a stationary option deep plays to the strength of their backline.
We can work to split the two tall defenders & push an advantage, TDK & H have a significant height/reach advantage over May & Lever isn't really elite 1v1.
H deep manned by May & Charlie at CHF just makes a lot more sense to me.

Definitely curious as to how Voss deals with their defence. I hope I don't sit there and watch 65 entries go straight back out.

 

[kreuze_missile]

A loss tonight and I might have to rethink my signature

 

[Ald Gardiner]

Playing Devil's advocate here, but we picked 1 less last week in the 22. Kennedy got a rest and will be better for it. Anyone who doesn't think Hewett looked a step off last week wasn't watching. He has only had a 5 day break and certainly doesn't get any sharper when he is sore.

We have dropped forwards and defenders, but 1 of the ins is already a mid (Ollie). I understand that will push Cotts back forward. With Martin in, we have less need and room to rest a mid like Kennedy forward, particularly with TDK down there at times as well. That mix needs to be surrounded by smaller, speedier players, not resting mids.

Is Hewett a better footballer than Durds? Yes, but to me, the balance of the side this week simply has less room onfield to accommodate the extra mid. You can't sit 2 of them on the bench all the time at the expense of other rotations imo.

Once we went on our winning run last year, we only played the 5 mids together once, ironically against Melbourne in the semi. That was because Martin was suspended and Kennedy played as a forward. Kennedy was then sub in the prelim when we had them all back. Dow stepped in when we had 2 of the main 5 missing to keep the balance at 4.

Yep, with Martin back and 2 rucks, you would see two mids together on the bench too often - my guess is Hewett for sub.

Expecting way more from Cerra, 5 mids over the top in any case for this one

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Durdin not the sub. I disagree with the sub tonight ..

I do think Durdin needs to be on the ground. 2 small forwards are the minimum IMO and we need the pace.

Assuming the sub comes from the interchange players listed, I can't see it being Boyd as we need that run and kicking out of defence and he has been in form. Can't see it being Kennedy again or we riot. So Cottrell, Hewett or Cerra.

Hewett and Cerra were down last week and if Kennedy is a starting mid, you'd think it will be one of them. However, Cottrell is the perfect sub type, as much as I'd prefer him on the ground full time.

This will be interesting.

 

[CCurnow3votes]

I actually don't think Charlie does have the athleticism anymore and reckon his knee problems have affected this side of his game more than we know.

He's not fast and he rarely uses his supposed elite tank and has laid 1 tackle a game this season to Harry's 3.5.

One on one i'd back him in most times and taking a grab on the lead is bread and butter but as you say, with the slow ball movement further up the ground allowing extra numbers time and the seemingly blindingly obvious high bomb to either him or Harry it leaves him little option but to try and wrestle.

Couple this with a lack of ground level pressure from the rest of our forwards and we waste a s**t load of forward forays.

There's two ways to beat May and Lever, move the ball quickly and/or lower the eyes. Either one will nullify their intercept game. Of course to do this you need to first win the contest then hit targets quickly or you need to pick your way through and keep hitting targets.

Unfortunately the team hasn't been very good at executing either of these strategy's.

Aren’t you a bag of laughs!

Hope you enjoy the game.

 

[CCurnow3votes]

Durdin not the sub. I disagree with the sub tonight ..

Mr Hewy Lewis it is!

 

[BlueJet]

Aren’t you a bag of laughs!

Hope you enjoy the game.

It was pretty tame for on here IMO.

 

[AceAndy]

Hi all, I haven't posted for a long time, had a hissy fit after the Essendon game last year and have lurked ever since and bided my time, let's see if this post brings me back.

Before I threw the toys out of the pram (prematurely in retrospect) I frequently questioned our policy of playing our best five mids all the time. Sorry for picking this post out but I think many believe that they are all walk ups when fit whilst I would like to see a more "horses for courses" approach with them.

Simple stats say that we have played 56 games since they all came on board for 32 wins and a draw, a win percentage of 57% which isn't bad considering where we were coming from.

However they have played together only 18 times for 8 wins, a 44% win ratio.

Without them all we have played 38 games for 24 wins and a draw, a 63% win ratio.

I have frequently questioned the policy of playing them every time we can get them together and I think those stats support my view. Not saying that they shouldn't all be in the team at the one time, just that some times we need to structure to the oppositions mids a little better.

IMO we played some of our best footy in the latter half of last season and, without trying to re-ignite the Dow argument, I think he gave us a point of difference in a number of those games.

I do think, however, that Melbourne are one team that they should all play against liked the selections this week and share your hope that one of those five are not the sub,

Great to see you back BH

 

[sparkybagger]

Hewett as sub for mine. He looked to be nursing his ongoing neck/back issues the last couple of weeks but I haven't seen him down the rehab gym with us old blokes for the last month or so, which is a good sign.

 

[AceAndy]

Hewett as sub for mine. He looked to be nursing his ongoing neck/back issues the last couple of weeks but I haven't seen him down the rehab gym with us old blokes for the last month or so, which is a good sign.

Agree with Hewett as sub, lot of talk here re Durdin as the sub but I am not sure a small forward as sub will work that well.

 

[Aphrodite]

 

[Blue since 72]

Aren’t you a bag of laughs!

Hope you enjoy the game.

You play well Charlie and I will.

 

[Beyond Blue]

Pull the Lever: How Blues can overcome their Demons

Jake Lever's defensive dominance has been influential in the Demons' success, particularly against Carlton where he's performed better than he has against any other side

www.afl.com.au

In last year’s final Lever just zoned off Kennedy all game and whilst MK got him once with a goal in the third, Lever otherwise did as he pleased that night.

The team we’ve picked this week won’t allow Lever to get onto Durds or Owies, it has to be Elijah or Martin, which makes it a bit harder for Lever to freely zone off.

 

[Stamos]

In last year’s final Lever just zoned off Kennedy all game and whilst MK got him once with a goal in the third, Lever otherwise did as he pleased that night.

Yes, luckily he didn't want it in the last 30 seconds

 

[HaydossJ]

Huge game for McGovern tonight - who will no doubt spend some time on Fritsch.

He has been average defensively this season and has been caught being too aggressive/ball-watching on a number of occasions.