Young Blood

Basic football is such a great way to describe Stringer. The way he moves/looks/plays/still has some sort of reputation.....

I definitely don't think its time to really worry about Garlett. As with Bett's who certainly hasn't set the world on fire this season, small forwards who only really play across the forward line will have down games because they're not in and around the contest as much as the forwards who spend more time up the ground (Fritsch, Spargo, Hannan, ANB etc.)

If you're looking for score involvements Bugg is definitely ahead of him. I didn't watch todays game but I would have thought he might have been on the end of a few more and hit the scoreboard. VFL level is obviously different to AFL and its possible someone like Garlett is struggling because he really hasn't played much VFL football since he's been at Melbourne at least (not sure about Carlton). Certainly don't want to give him outright excuses but he has been in this position before where his form has dropped. I definitely think he can get out of this slump. He's been unlucky that our small forwards have played three pretty consistent games across the board. Looking for second half of the year for Jeff(y) to find his form and hopefully be a part of a run home to finals.

How many mm did Adelaide get last night? sheesh!

Would Bugg now be ahead of Jeff in selection for next week? How's Jeff's pressure been around the ground??

Yeah sucks but it looks like there will be rain late morning at least.

Rucks usually take 2-3 years to work into AFL caliber. I think we need a back up for Maxy quicker then that.

It has to be a bit of a concern. This season if Max was injured Peds would back him up hopefully admorably as he did last year. But Peds is 31 and would only have a year max left in him after this you would think. Hope we can get plenty of match experience and continue to develop our two young rucks.

ah thats better binmans was making me feel uncomfortable. Whats the knock on Harmes again? Thought he's been pretty consistent all year and happen to play more time in the middle last week which pushed his numbers up.

How's Lachie Filapovic going in the ruck? Keen to know how his ruck work is going but also his contested work around the ground. Seemed a bit fumbly and lacked confidence with ball in hand when I watched him a few times in the development team last year.

He'd be one of the best backup players in the comp next year in terms of playing a role. Apart from tagging he is probably out best wet weather player (if thats a thing?). This year his role is really clear. With his experience he positions himself really well, knows how to use his body really well in all contests and would still be in our top 5 kicks in the team. Yes he has make some kicking errors this year again but he has also been the one willing to take risks kicking into the corridor when our team tightens up in games. You definitely couldn't say unequivocally no for a return next year. He is way to valuable still. Like most on here I think reassess at the end of the year but his works this year so far would lead you to think he could carve out a similar role next year between AFL/VFL.

It's still crazy to me how Cripps is the same height as Hogan and Weideman

Joel Smith. I think he could eventually be in our best 22. He has a lot of potential and sound like he's building form in VFL. Wouldn't be in my current proven best 22.

Weitering has been building form in the VFL. We know what he can do when in form. Marchbank really underated and Murphy can still bob up and be a match winner. I hope you're right. Forgive my pessimism. Been a long time since I saw us win four in a row. Also we haven't hit our straps at the G yet.

I've watched Carlton really take it to decent teams this year. The key will be maintaining our pressure around the contest. It's where young teams like Gold Coast last week struggle to stay in the game because of turnovers and lack of composure/experience. Still Curnow brothers are now playing. Add Weitering, Murphy and Marchbank. This is a danger game. We might be top four for winning quarters but as we've seen one quarter blitz and we don't cope well. Hopefully we do this week.

Both Curnows playing with Murphy, Weitering and Marchbank returning. A lot of demonlanders wish to play a full Carlton side is pretty much granted.

Interesting to be a fly on the wall in the tribunal deliberations. Especially the second one which took longer. "OK so Charlie's excuse of not seeing the umpire and trying to get players away from the fight was a good one. We don't have another angle where we see him make eyes directly towards the umpire so its all good" "Now Ed is a bit more tricky. We should also take a bit longer to show that we're taking it seriously and considering actually giving him the week. He does see the umpire and reaches out towards him. Lets just say that he didn't mean to make contact and they were all happy shaking hands at the end of the game so that ones all good too" "Carlton and more importantly the AFL/$$$ will be pleased with our work here"

May as well let Ziebell off for possibly crushing a guys skull with his knee and full weight.

push an umpire away from a fight and you can claim you were shepherding him for safety reasons

Both were intentional. Charlie admits he is shepherding people from the fight. He claims he didn't see the umpire??? he is running towards the guy in fluro green!

Both Curnows have been cleared to play.

Surely Ed can't get off. He doesn't have the excuse Charlie has. This is already ridiculous. Making exceptions all over the place. We're heading towards soccer where you're allowed to touch the umpires chest or shoulder when pleading a case because its not threatening. Good one AFL.

I get so nervous when I hear others talking about winning games beyond this week. If we don't show up we could just as easily lose by 3-4 goals to the blues and it will all come tumbling down again for the doom and gloom supporters and media. This Carlton team are really dangerous. Regardless of whether the Curnow boys sit out, they possibly have Marchbank and Murphy back. I've watched a few games of theirs this year and they will take more scalps throughout the year. Could be ours if we don't bring the intensity against this young team.

I remember seeing Neeld at a cafe in Northcote shortly after him leaving the dees. I gave him a nod with an sympathetic grin and he just looked at me with those weird crazy twitchy eyes. I feel like he's at home just watching the news of him and Essendon with those same weird crazy twitchy eyes.

Maybe he kicked the ball from half back steve?