Getting a little carried away down in Bluebagger Land. Wonder if they will be asking for after the siren footage on Saturday. 

  On 07/08/2023 at 15:47, JimmyGadson said:

Grundy will be in. 

Watch this space. 

@FearTheBeard how are ticket sales tracking?

This could be 70k surely. 

All of level 1 is reserved, Level 4 barely touched in public reserve.

AFL is about 30% ahead of where it was in the round 12 game and MCC is up to row X level 4 so expect it to be reserved up to row AA come game day.

Im thinking somewhere between 58-65K depending on how big the GA turnup is. Traditionally don't get massive crowds against Carlton, havent had 60K since 1982 (Understood both sides have largely been [censored] since then).

  On 08/08/2023 at 06:25, FearTheBeard said:

All of level 1 is reserved, Level 4 barely touched in public reserve.

AFL is about 30% ahead of where it was in the round 12 game and MCC is up to row X level 4 so expect it to be reserved up to row AA come game day.

Im thinking somewhere between 58-65K depending on how big the GA turnup is. Traditionally don't get massive crowds against Carlton, havent had 60K since 1982 (Understood both sides have largely been [censored] since then).

Great Intel ftb. I was shocked that we hadn't had a crowd over 60k in the home and away since 1982 and went back and checked it and actually couldn't find that game. Is 1982 the right year? Even in the finals against Carlton our crowds haven't been massive in that time with 68k in the 88 prelim at Waverley, 56k in the 94 qualifying final and 75k at the famous final in 2000 (we won all three of those btw). I'm surprised as Carlton have huge support and combined we've played in half a dozen GFs since 1982. Anyway - there ya go. 

This is really going to be a midfield battle. the Saints contained the Blues pretty well but didn't have the talent in the middle to maintain their dominance, i suspect we have more midfield talent than the Blues so they'll be relying on pressure to cause mistakes. 

Without McKay/SOS i think they'll struggle to kick 100 points against us, and as long as we don't just bomb it to Weitering over and over again we should be fairly dangerous in attack. I don't see a natural match up for Petracca in their side. 

Just read the match now starts at 7:30 pm, start time has been pushed back 5 mins. You can now maybe fit one more banana fritter in for dessert.

Edited August 8, 20231 yr by Dee Zephyr

  On 06/08/2023 at 09:51, dazzledavey36 said:

I think I'm done trying to experiment with Brown or Grundy as forward options. We know what we're going to get with them.

Grundy on form alone in the VFL does not deserve a recall. His last VFL game playing mainly as a forward he was unsighted all game until they had to throw him in the ruck in the last quarter against Williamstown.

Has zero awareness as a forward and his leading patterns was non existent. A hard pass.

Even hearing Goodwin at today's press conference today he didn't sound all that convincing that Grundy would be the replacement. 

It may seem they could turn to Schache who is known to pinch hit in the ruck.

The lady game for Casey was in horrendous conditions 

While everyone is concerned about Petty, I think a bigger issue is these in-game fade-outs for long periods, not much is being said about it because we are winning. However come finals, I hope this is ironed out with better preparation, concentration and team defence, especially from the midfield.

This has probably coincided with Oliver out and Petracca forward so hopefully the inclusion of Oliver is the start of tidying this up. When the midfield doesn't defend as well as they should it just puts pressure on our defence. And with Petty (out of the defence group and injured and who is arguably also our best defender) if we are going to trust guys like Joel Smith and Tomlinson to take up that role, it is now so important for our midfield to defend hard up the ground.

If we tidy this up, we'll be hard to stop, but it's definitely a slight concern for a side sitting 2nd, we just need to absorb the pressure better. This is another reason why Oliver is so important to us structurally heading into finals.

Well we know it won’t be Brown or TMac replacing Petty. 

I think it’ll be Smith, with Hibberd or Tomlinson into the backline. 

  On 08/08/2023 at 08:00, Kozzie4PM said:

Great Intel ftb. I was shocked that we hadn't had a crowd over 60k in the home and away since 1982 and went back and checked it and actually couldn't find that game. Is 1982 the right year? Even in the finals against Carlton our crowds haven't been massive in that time with 68k in the 88 prelim at Waverley, 56k in the 94 qualifying final and 75k at the famous final in 2000 (we won all three of those btw). I'm surprised as Carlton have huge support and combined we've played in half a dozen GFs since 1982. Anyway - there ya go. 

My apologies, it was 1980. Don’t know why I remember 1982. But ye 43 years is a long time. Need a good Melbourne away turnout to get it over 60k and I just don’t trust our members to pay for reserved tickets.

TMac is playing in the VFL this weekend. It may well give us another option in coming weeks.

Smith goes forward, Hibberd covers down back. the Blues don't have quite as many talls as we usually might so we can afford to go a little smaller down there. 

Smith has shown the capacity to clunk a mark up forward 

McDonald and Brown are both very good forwards when fit. It's a big if but if one of them can get the body right we'll be in business. I've got a sneaky feeling about McDonald for some reason.

As for who plays this week - who knows?

  On 08/08/2023 at 09:10, Dwight Schrute said:

Smith goes forward, Hibberd covers down back. the Blues don't have quite as many talls as we usually might so we can afford to go a little smaller down there. 

Smith has shown the capacity to clunk a mark up forward 

This is the obvious one, but I still worry about 2nd ruck. I don’t want JVR anywhere near a centre circle, he has just become so important to our success. Schache for mine this week as a lead up forward. 

Out: Petty, Harmes, Jordon

In: Grundy, Oliver, Hibberd

Rivers to cover JJ's role, and JJ the sub.

Poor bugger Petty, season from hell for him all round.

We just need to move on now. I think many were hopeful but thats footy.

On a positive, even though its a big loss, we can still win without him. Not ideal to still be sorting our forwardline out at this time of year.

Petty has only played 14 games this year. With only 6 games since round 9, 4 of which he was subbed off in.

He has also been subbed off in 3 of his last 4 games and 4 out of his last 7.

So as much as it sucks, we ARE used to life without him and need to move on. It probably looks worse after his bag of 6.

The big question is, who can fill the void until Fritsch comes back, I'm hoping it isn't Smith or Grundy.

 

I would say to Joel Smith "Joel Smith, you have 3 weeks as Full forward. Make it yours" 

  On 08/08/2023 at 09:56, layzie said:

I would say to Joel Smith "Joel Smith, you have 3 weeks as Full forward. Make it yours" 

“Until Fritsch comes back and then it’s his…pssssyyyche”

CARLTON’S INJURY LIST

 Adam Cerra Hamstring 1-2 weeks

 Corey Durdin Shoulder Test

 Matthew Kennedy Knee 2-4 weeks

 Harry McKay Knee 3-5 weeks

 Alex Mirkov Heart Season

 Mitch McGovern Hamstring 1-2 weeks

 Sam Philp Foot Season

 Jack Silvagni Knee 2-4 weeks

 Sam Walsh Hamstring 1-2 weeks

 Zac Williams  Knee Season

Updated: August 8, 2023

Early prognosis

The Blues expect Cerra and Walsh to miss at least another week, but Jordan Boyd(suspension) will be available. Silvagni is closing on a return, but it won't be for this week's clash with the Demons. Durdin should return at some level, but don't be surprised if that's through the VFL. – Riley Beveridge

  On 08/08/2023 at 10:00, Demonland said:

CARLTON’S INJURY LIST

 Adam Cerra Hamstring 1-2 weeks

 Corey Durdin Shoulder Test

 Matthew Kennedy Knee 2-4 weeks

 Harry McKay Knee 3-5 weeks

 Alex Mirkov Heart Season

 Mitch McGovern Hamstring 1-2 weeks

 Sam Philp Foot Season

 Jack Silvagni Knee 2-4 weeks

 Sam Walsh Hamstring 1-2 weeks

 Zac Williams  Knee Season

Updated: August 8, 2023

Early prognosis

The Blues expect Cerra and Walsh to miss at least another week, but Jordan Boyd(suspension) will be available. Silvagni is closing on a return, but it won't be for this week's clash with the Demons. Durdin should return at some level, but don't be surprised if that's through the VFL. – Riley Beveridge

They have more key outs than we do - no excuses. 

Based on the weather forecast (high chance of showers) I think Smith as a forward will work well. We’ll need a mobile forward set up on Saturday night.

  On 07/08/2023 at 07:38, Young Blood said:

I think Grundy and Brown will be the last resort.

There's a reason Smith was given time in the forward line, why Melk has been given a spot and why Petty was by far the best no.1 marking option.... MOBILITY.

Goodwin values the above players over Brown and Grundy because they can actually move with pace without the ball. They're simply more dynamic with what they bring. While both of them have some strength, they are probably our two slowest players off the mark. So many times this season they have been unable to make it to a marking contest or lead because they can't get any sort of separation from opponents due to lack of leg speed and burst. I loved seeing Petty get rid his opponent using his strength and quickly out mark the next opponent in front. True forward craft and skill. Alas....

I was pleased to see a lot of posters hoping that it will be Smith to go up forward. Of course he's not the size nor player that Petty is but he can produce part of what he brings. He can break off his man to compete in the air and when the ball hits the ground he can put pressure on the opposition with his pace. He seems to be playing with more confidence this year and I've loved the way he attacks every contest.

Smith also provides what Goodwin loves which is versatility. If Trac spends more time forward and/or Fritta returns then Smith can again be swung back where needed.

This is the key. 

Petty OUT for the rest of the year🤮

Not a huge fan of Smith forward as I don't think he has the craft for it. Not sure we have a lot of other options though.

If he does go forward then Tomlinson needs to come in. I know Carlton aren't tall in the front half but we always look infinitely better when we can free up one of lever or may to intercept. 

Will Grundy come in to give us a tall presence in our forward half for 10-20min a quarter with Max and Brodie rotating through.

Schache about the only other option but I don't think he'll be considered.

  On 08/08/2023 at 10:28, picket fence said:

Petty OUT for the rest of the year🤮

Lucky you said he can’t be a forward anyway 

I have a feeling we’ll put our foot down and beat them comfortably