Hard to get massively psyched, credit to those who are but the deja vu of losing the QF and playing a semi again is draining even with a media blackout and people ribbing you about another potential straight sets exit. Not playing a scrub either, we're playing a side full of belief and 10 wins from the last 11. I don't like pumping up my positivity too much before these games because then you just start tearing your hair out when you aren't smashing them, this really is one of those games you have to just wait and see and pre game talk from commentators really isn't going to add anything.
At first I thought selection was pretty safe but going all in on Max with a toe issue worries me a bit. Sure we might have something up our sleeve but how often does Goodwin go creativity over system? De Koning was impressive last time.
Then there's Tomlinson, in my view three defensive talls would have been more handy last week than this week. Hopefully it frees up Lever to do his thing and we generate a lot more score from turnover. I would love Spargo to get at least 12 possessions in this game in the wing/HFF area.
I'm past the point of caring whether the method stacks up or not and do not want to be talking about missed shots at goal costing us the game. Make it work, hit them on counters hard, get more running open goals. The pass mark in win, not method. I expect us to take the game on and try to expose Carlton's backline with smarter decision making and fewer dump kicks. We need to start very well and get a lead in this game because if Carlton with their contest game start well it's going to be very hard sailing. There will be time to play the territory game when we've got a lead, I'd love to see us start how we did against Brisbane with fast movement and looking through the corridor.
It's also been a rough week that would have likely had an effect on the guys. I see two ways this will go, we use it as supreme motivation that you can take to the bank or I see them quite drained and deflated which could cost us. I'd honestly understand either way but man I hope it's the former.
Just going to enjoy a game of footy tonight with not too many preconceived ideas or expectations, desperately hoping it's not our last for 2023 the year of the Dee. Let's go boys!
