Game Day Official Practice Match - Carlton v Sydney Game Day

[JustaBattler]

Sydney game has to point to starting players for round one I would think.

So far I have these all penciled in - in bold.

(Marchbank/Plowman/Cowan/Cos/Kemp/) Weitering Newman
Saad Young McGovern

Acres Cripps (LoB/Holland)
(TDK/Pittonet) Hewett Cerra

Fisher Charlie (Martin/Jack)
Motlop Harry Durdin

IC: Kennedy Docherty (Pittonet/TDK) (Martin/Jack)

 

[new_blue]

Sydney game has to point to starting players for round one I would think.

So far I have these all penciled in - in bold.

(Marchbank/Plowman/Cowan/Cos/Kemp/) Weitering Newman
Saad Young McGovern

Acres Cripps (LoB/Holland)
(TDK/Pittonet) Hewett Cerra

Fisher Charlie (Martin/Jack)
Motlop Harry Durdin

IC: Kennedy Docherty (Pittonet/TDK) (Martin/Jack)

This is how I see it too, although I don’t feel either Marchy or Kemp are in the picture.

Also shows that for Holland to play round 1, needs to be at the expense of J Martin so would need to also spend periods playing the high half forward role.

 

[NavySteel]

I wonder if we'll continue to tinker with Motlop? His link-up ball use was outstanding in Friday - looks so composed and polished, super smart ball user.

There was a chain in the third qtr I think where the flood was on and Mot was on near HFF, and he could have bombed it in F50 as we've become accustomed to, but instead lifted the eyes and dinked a kick to an open Honey. Super footy IQ.

Edit: it was Honey, not Acres!

 

[Robertio]

I wonder if we'll continue to tinker with Motlop? His link-up ball use was outstanding in Friday - looks so composed and polished, super smart ball user.

There was a chain in the third qtr I think where the flood was on and Mot was on near HFF, and he could have bombed it in F50 as we've become accustomed to, but instead lifted the eyes and dinked a kick to an open Acres (I think??). Super footy IQ.

Besides his super IQ i think we have a boy from WA that seems invested in the club and the Melbourne way of life, looking forward to some big things from him.

 

[Jatz]

Absolutely can't wait for Friday night! Should be me and about 50 other people I suspect haha.

 

[Blue__Balls]

Sydney game has to point to starting players for round one I would think.

So far I have these all penciled in - in bold.

(Marchbank/Plowman/Cowan/Cos/Kemp/) Weitering Newman
Saad Young McGovern

Acres Cripps (LoB/Holland)
(TDK/Pittonet) Hewett Cerra

Fisher Charlie (Martin/Jack)
Motlop Harry Durdin

IC: Kennedy Docherty (Pittonet/TDK) (Martin/Jack)

Having gotten along to the praccy match against the Pies (admittedly, hard to pay suuuuper close attention when you're also trying to convince a 5yo that no, we can't leave yet), I think this is pretty well spot on.

Defensive spot will most likely go to Plowman early, unless Marchy plays and kills it in the game against Sydney. Would personally prefer to go with Cincotta (who looked assured and more than willing to put the foot down and go) or Cowan (physically ready, not overawed, maybe just needs more time to absorb the system?) - but that's coming from the perspective of development rather than putting more games into a known depth player. Selection panel may prefer to go with the guy who's been there longer, especially as we'll want to bank some early wins and avoid the pressure of a slow start. Does Plowman represent a better immediate contribution than the other two? Probably. But maybe the difference isn't so big that we can't kill two birds with one stone and get some senior games into the future without it impacting the scoreboard.

I've got LOB firmly ahead of Hollands for the time being. That may change later in the year depending on Holland's rate of physical development. LOB looks to have taken another big step over the off-season. Standing up in tackles, demanding the ball while he's already on the move, much more self-assured when he decides to take a player on. Still a little suspect under the high ball, and perhaps a little too quick to go to ground in a grapple (though I suspect that's probably a coaching directive to try and smother the ground ball and play for time for backup to arrive), but I don't know that Hollands is going to be any more effective one-out against mature opposition. Also very impressed with LOB's leadership and voice. While he's holding width, and even after disposing of the ball, he can often be heard barking instructions and directing play for his teammates. There was a nice passage where he hit up Kennedy with a 30m chisel, and while the ball was still in flight was shouting "Run! Run!" to Kennedy who marked with his back to our goals but was able to immediately play on knowing that he didn't have anyone on his hammer. Communication on-field is going to be a big part of our improvement as a team, and LOB delivers on that. Also...the run down the wing where he handballed well into space ahead of hi m and just trusted that his opponent was going to slow down before he did, beautiful. Learning his game and how to use his strengths.

TDK vs. Pitto is 100% coming down to fitness for round one. TDK seemed much more confident crashing a pack up forward and putting the hurt on opposition defenders, and while his set shots are still an issue I think there's a definite role for him as the second tall forward while one of Charlie or Harry are roaming up the ground to help with transition. I reckon Harry and Charlie will kick stacks more goals, but I can see TDK creating more opportunities for Motlop, Durdin and Fisher. If Pitto is ready to go, he's got 70% or more of the ruck duties in my book, supported by TDK. If Pitto isn't quite there yet, TDK in the ruck, though he still has a fair way to go before I'd describe as anything more than a "passable ruck".

I've got JSOS ahead of Martin purely on the basis that I at least know what we're gonna get from JSOS. Has his faults, but effort and involvement ain't on the list. Just needs to be a little cleaner with his finishing. Flexibility is also a factor, as I'd have him down as a viable option to swing back if the injury-prone McGovern copped a knock, or into the middle if we need to put a clamp on a big-bodied mid for a spell.

(DEFENDER) Weitering Newman
Saad Young McGovern

Acres Cripps (WING)
(RUCK) Hewett Cerra

Fisher Charlie (HFF)
Motlop Harry Durdin

IC: Kennedy Docherty (RUCK/FORWARD) (FINAL INTERCHANGE)

DEFENDER - Probably Plow, preferrably Cinc or Cowan
WING - Almost certainly LOB
RUCK - Pittonet (assuming fit)
HFF - Almost certainly JSOS
RUCK/FORWARD - TDK (assuming PItto is fit)
FINAL INTERCHANGE - Probably Martin, but would be happy to see a kid get this spot

Leaves the SUB. Martin would be a strong candidate, Plowman too if we opt for youth in the final defensive spot, perhaps Kemp given his versatility but I'd rather he get full games at VFL in a settled role. Ed Curnow the smokey, not the worst "tactical sub" if we're on the ropes and need to change up the mix on-ball.

 

[JustaBattler]

Blue__Balls - yep I thought that was Lob's best game - ever. All he needs to do is play to that standard and he keeps his spot. The rest sort of pick themselves - with question marks only over Durdin/McGovern and Martin's fitness - toss a coin over Marchbank and the other two- but you'd think Cincotta is ahead of Cowan - who I am impressed with....Sydney game will sort a few of the unknowns out.

 

[The Blue Weirdo]

I know it's only been 1 game, but is Doc droppable(he looked slow) to allow Ed or Dow as a spare mid on the bench to give us more run?

 

[CJMB]

I know it's only been 1 game, but is Doc droppable(he looked slow) to allow Ed or Dow as a spare mid on the bench to give us more run?

Baby, bathwater, etc.

Probably just finished a heavy training block or something.

Replacing Doc with Dow reduces our run & means Cerra, Hewett, Kennedy all have to spend more time in their secondary position to accommodate Dow (who doesn't have one).

I hardly analysed it in slo-mo like JAB or with a series of rewatches like Arrow, not to mention I watched it for the first time yesterday while hungover, but it didn't appear like Doc was only playing mid, he was rotating mid and hbf. So taking him out of the team means someone else has to cover those backline minutes too.

I think Ed's role this year might be more of a HHF type mid-fwd role, occasionally tagging in the 2ndf half, probably ends up starting as sub a fair bit too.

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

If Cerra can replicate his dynamic form he showed against the Filth in the final round last season and last week for most of the start of next season, we should be able to cope with Walshy's absence just fine.

Looking forward to seeing more of our gun kids Ollie, Cowan and Cincotta too.

Hopefully no injuries or suspensions in this hit out

 

[Sector 7G]

I know it's only been 1 game, but is Doc droppable(he looked slow) to allow Ed or Dow as a spare mid on the bench to give us more run?

It's a practice match. You don't worry about the thing you know. Doc can play.

You want to see improvement in the thing you don't.

Are TDK/LOB going to improve? - Good signs.

Are the new kids any good? Pretty happy with Hollands and Cowan in the firsts and Lemmey, Binns and OKeefe in the 2s

Is the disposal or goal kicking going to improve? Was disappointing but it was a 37km/h wind.

Can we stop run ons from oppositions? Was the most disappointing part of the day for me.

 

[thylacine60]

It's a practice match. You don't worry about the thing you know. Doc can play.

You want to see improvement in the thing you don't.

Are TDK/LOB going to improve? - Good signs.

Are the new kids any good? Pretty happy with Hollands and Cowan in the firsts and Lemmey, Binns and OKeefe in the 2s

Is the disposal or goal kicking going to improve? Was disappointing but it was a 37km/h wind.

Can we stop run ons from oppositions? Was the most disappointing part of the day for me.

bang

 

[The Blue Weirdo]

Baby, bathwater, etc.

Probably just finished a heavy training block or something.

Replacing Doc with Dow reduces our run & means Cerra, Hewett, Kennedy all have to spend more time in their secondary position to accommodate Dow (who doesn't have one).

I hardly analysed it in slo-mo like JAB or with a series of rewatches like Arrow, not to mention I watched it for the first time yesterday while hungover, but it didn't appear like Doc was only playing mid, he was rotating mid and hbf. So taking him out of the team means someone else has to cover those backline minutes too.

I think Ed's role this year might be more of a HHF type mid-fwd role, occasionally tagging in the 2ndf half, probably ends up starting as sub a fair bit too.

I just think there is always going to be 'certain players' that are considered un-droppable, and he is definitely one of them.
Also adding another quicker player to our already big bodied mid field group might benefit the team more.

 

[Stamos]

I just think there is always going to be 'certain players' that are considered un-droppable, and he is definitely one of them.

There's a very good reason for that

 

[The Blue Weirdo]

There's a very good reason for that

Murph was also in this group.

 

[Jatz]

Murph was also in this group.

Deserved to be as well.

 

[Countryblueswitnotattoos]

Having gotten along to the praccy match against the Pies (admittedly, hard to pay suuuuper close attention when you're also trying to convince a 5yo that no, we can't leave yet), I think this is pretty well spot on.

Defensive spot will most likely go to Plowman early, unless Marchy plays and kills it in the game against Sydney. Would personally prefer to go with Cincotta (who looked assured and more than willing to put the foot down and go) or Cowan (physically ready, not overawed, maybe just needs more time to absorb the system?) - but that's coming from the perspective of development rather than putting more games into a known depth player. Selection panel may prefer to go with the guy who's been there longer, especially as we'll want to bank some early wins and avoid the pressure of a slow start. Does Plowman represent a better immediate contribution than the other two? Probably. But maybe the difference isn't so big that we can't kill two birds with one stone and get some senior games into the future without it impacting the scoreboard.

I've got LOB firmly ahead of Hollands for the time being. That may change later in the year depending on Holland's rate of physical development. LOB looks to have taken another big step over the off-season. Standing up in tackles, demanding the ball while he's already on the move, much more self-assured when he decides to take a player on. Still a little suspect under the high ball, and perhaps a little too quick to go to ground in a grapple (though I suspect that's probably a coaching directive to try and smother the ground ball and play for time for backup to arrive), but I don't know that Hollands is going to be any more effective one-out against mature opposition. Also very impressed with LOB's leadership and voice. While he's holding width, and even after disposing of the ball, he can often be heard barking instructions and directing play for his teammates. There was a nice passage where he hit up Kennedy with a 30m chisel, and while the ball was still in flight was shouting "Run! Run!" to Kennedy who marked with his back to our goals but was able to immediately play on knowing that he didn't have anyone on his hammer. Communication on-field is going to be a big part of our improvement as a team, and LOB delivers on that. Also...the run down the wing where he handballed well into space ahead of hi m and just trusted that his opponent was going to slow down before he did, beautiful. Learning his game and how to use his strengths.

TDK vs. Pitto is 100% coming down to fitness for round one. TDK seemed much more confident crashing a pack up forward and putting the hurt on opposition defenders, and while his set shots are still an issue I think there's a definite role for him as the second tall forward while one of Charlie or Harry are roaming up the ground to help with transition. I reckon Harry and Charlie will kick stacks more goals, but I can see TDK creating more opportunities for Motlop, Durdin and Fisher. If Pitto is ready to go, he's got 70% or more of the ruck duties in my book, supported by TDK. If Pitto isn't quite there yet, TDK in the ruck, though he still has a fair way to go before I'd describe as anything more than a "passable ruck".

I've got JSOS ahead of Martin purely on the basis that I at least know what we're gonna get from JSOS. Has his faults, but effort and involvement ain't on the list. Just needs to be a little cleaner with his finishing. Flexibility is also a factor, as I'd have him down as a viable option to swing back if the injury-prone McGovern copped a knock, or into the middle if we need to put a clamp on a big-bodied mid for a spell.

(DEFENDER) Weitering Newman
Saad Young McGovern

Acres Cripps (WING)
(RUCK) Hewett Cerra

Fisher Charlie (HFF)
Motlop Harry Durdin

IC: Kennedy Docherty (RUCK/FORWARD) (FINAL INTERCHANGE)

DEFENDER - Probably Plow, preferrably Cinc or Cowan
WING - Almost certainly LOB
RUCK - Pittonet (assuming fit)
HFF - Almost certainly JSOS
RUCK/FORWARD - TDK (assuming PItto is fit)
FINAL INTERCHANGE - Probably Martin, but would be happy to see a kid get this spot

Leaves the SUB. Martin would be a strong candidate, Plowman too if we opt for youth in the final defensive spot, perhaps Kemp given his versatility but I'd rather he get full games at VFL in a settled role. Ed Curnow the smokey, not the worst "tactical sub" if we're on the ropes and need to change up the mix on-ball.

Martin would be the perfect 'tactical sub' IMO. Has a history of fading in and out of games, but is a genuine match winner. Could easily come on at three-quarter time and win the game off his own boot.

If required earlier, he could switch with Fisher if a mid goes down or with JSOS if we need to cover a tall or ruck.

 

[teagueyubeauty]

Playing lots of Thursday/Friday night games means we can be tactical looking at the twos as well.
Someone like Martin as sub is a good idea but you still need to get the minutes into him, so whatever game time the sub plays he makes up for the rest at lower intensity in the 2’s.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[Sweet Seventeen]

Blue__Balls - yep I thought that was Lob's best game - ever. All he needs to do is play to that standard and he keeps his spot. The but rest sort of pick themselves - with question marks only over Durdin/McGovern and Martin's fitness - toss a coin over Marchbank and the other two- you'd think Cincotta is ahead of Cowan - who I am impressed with....Sydney game will sort a few of the unknowns out.

Justa on Cincotta, I was impressed with his willingness to take the game on and use his burst and pace. Without Zac, he is exactly the player we need, running off half-back. He is also strong enough to stand up in a tackle. I hope he gets picked, then plays well again. We should then see him line up in round one.

 

[JustaBattler]

Justa on Cincotta, I was impressed with his willingness to take the game on and use his burst and pace. Without Zac, he is exactly the player we need, running off half-back. He is also strong enough to stand up in a tackle. I hope he gets picked, then plays well again. We should then see him line up in round one.

Good to have a hard body willing to smash in as a defender - we need someone else part from Newman with a bit of mongrel back there.

 

[Arr0w]

Good to have a hard body willing to smash in as a defender - we need someone else part from Newman with a bit of mongrel back there.

Rating Cincotta high on the #mongrelmeter?

 

[Earls Smother]

The interesting thing with the sides above (JaB and BB) is they only have 2 wingmen.

I sound like a broken record harking back to Voss's "lack of run" issue all the time, but it doesn't appear solved by actually leaving a runner out. For most of the latter part of last year, we played O'Brien, Cottrell and Newnes (or a half-arsed replacement like Setters). One's gone and another is injured. Acres only replaces one of them. We also don't have Walsh.

It can be argued that Cerra, Doc, Fisher etc. can spend time there, but the fact remains that those guys were already in the side when we were picking the 3 wingers last year. It is bloody tough for a mid to "rest" on the wing and Fisher is more suited to pushing up from half forward.

I agree with the bolded certainties above, but I personally think we will pick a genuine runner in at least one of the HFF or final bench spots. Who they leave out will likely come down to the fitness of Martin and Pittonet. As for the "in/s", it likely depends on whether they think Hollands is ready, otherwise Ed. There must be some chance we pick both, given we are down 2 of our best runners in Walsh and Cottrell, from a side that was already deemed by the coach to lack sufficient run.

 

[JustaBattler]

Rating Cincotta high on the #mongrelmeter?

I reckon he will fit in nicely alongside Newman, Boyd, Cowan and McGovern.

 

[Blue__Balls]

The interesting thing with the sides above (JaB and BB) is they only have 2 wingmen.

I sound like a broken record harking back to Voss's "lack of run" issue all the time, but it doesn't appear solved by actually leaving a runner out. For most of the latter part of last year, we played O'Brien, Cottrell and Newnes (or a half-arsed replacement like Setters). One's gone and another is injured. Acres only replaces one of them. We also don't have Walsh.

It can be argued that Cerra, Doc, Fisher etc. can spend time there, but the fact remains that those guys were already in the side when we were picking the 3 wingers last year. It is bloody tough for a mid to "rest" on the wing and Fisher is more suited to pushing up from half forward.

I agree with the bolded certainties above, but I personally think we will pick a genuine runner in at least one of the HFF or final bench spots. Who they leave out will likely come down to the fitness of Martin and Pittonet. As for the "in/s", it likely depends on whether they think Hollands is ready, otherwise Ed. There must be some chance we pick both, given we are down 2 of our best runners in Walsh and Cottrell, from a side that was already deemed by the coach to lack sufficient run.

I do think there's a pretty significant difference between the Newnes/Cottrell/2022-LOB combo and Acres/2023-LOB. We essentially replace Cottrell and Newnes splitting a wing and HFF, with Acres playing pure wing and having another dedicated forward in the side.

Assuming they're both fit, that's probably the sacrifice that gets made to be able to start both Pitto and TDK. Two pure wings who can carry 95% of the load, plus a ruck/forward so we a) don't have to use JSOS as ruck relief and b) can maintain structure when one of Harry or Charlie are on the bench or pressing up the ground. Versus one pure wing and two part-timers who split their time on a half forward flank where they maybe bob up for a goal a game between them?

Factor in to that - Newnes was certainly serviceable as a pseudo-forward, as is Cottrell. But if we play Acres, LOB and Cottrell (for example), where are Acres and LOB plonked when they're being spelled on the wing? I don't really see a second position for LOB, and I don't think Acres has the same forward craft as Newnes did. Is adding another runner beneficial if it means Acres gets hidden in a forward pocket at times for the sake of rotating another wing? Or do you just trust that Acres and LOB can go harder for longer than whoever the opposition throw at them?

The option for a tactical sub also mitigates having one less runner, as we're not reliant on an injury to inject some fresh legs.

 

[Arr0w]

I reckon he will fit in nicely alongside Newman, Boyd, Cowan and McGovern.

Yeap, they are the 4 from the backline