Who??ESPN’s Jake Michaels doesn’t like us
Collingwood or Richmond supporter do you think?
1. Forget the score, Carlton's definitely a better team than Geelong
You can tell me to look at the final score -- and ladder -- all you like, but there's no way you'll convince me the Cats are a better football team than the Blues in 2024.
On Saturday afternoon at the MCG, Carlton dominated Geelong in just about every major area. The Blues finished +35 in disposals, +21 in inside 50s, +19 in contested possessions, +6 in clearances, and had more shots at goal, yet inefficiency forward of centre meant it was the Cats celebrating at fulltime.
Since 2003, there had been 191 instances (not including this effort from the Blues) of teams enjoying such stark advantages in these areas. The win-loss record of those sides was 187-4.
Champion Data's expected scores tell us instead of a 13-point win to the Cats, the two sides should have played out a draw. But even that feels generous to Geelong. My eyes tell me the game wasn't remotely close.
Accuracy, or in Carlton's case, inaccuracy, fluctuates week to week. The numbers would suggest that if you played this game 10 times, the Blues win seven or eight of them, at the very least!
For all of those reasons, I'm not concerned about Carlton and its premiership aspirations. In my mind, they remain far more likely than the Cats to go all the way this season. In fact, I'd go further. Sydney, GWS, Melbourne and Carlton are all better premiership chances in 2024 than Geelong. Stick that in your time capsules.
Doesn’t ESPN just do basketball?
My eyes told me that Geelong was comfortably ahead the entire game. It got close and cats then kicked a couple. Had the game in control and never got behind
It is a silly take.
If someone says Carlton are a good team and could beat Geelong next time. Then I am ok with that view. If they even say Carlton remain favourites for the flag over Geelong given some upside reason…then ok that is an opinion….but DEFINITELY better is (successful) click bate. No point having a sensible view as people don’t comment