Carlton game

[Mr Eagle]

Any thoughts on how we will go?

Mr Eagle says: Carlton by 18.

I am honestly not expecting a win - I just want to see a competitive four quarter effort. Carlton are not the side they were last year, but I think we'll be relying on our youth and always-uncertain middle generation too much to have any real confidence of a win. And Optus really does (IMHO) give Carlton a home ground advantage.

[TheRealBuzz]

If our midfield can break even with theirs, and we play four quarters of hard footy, then I don't see why we can't win.

They're missing their FF (McKernan), CHF (Whitnall) and without SOS down back they look very short.
Play Gardy at CHF and they'll struggle to hold him.

Perhaps the hunger for footy has clouded my judgement, but I say the Eagles by 22 points.

Our young side will be intimidated by Optus Oval though.

[MDB]

Michael Braun will line up on Camporeale - just thought you might like to know that.

[iceman]

i honestly cant see us winning, mainly because its at Optus Oval.... thats not to say i wont be cheering for us to win!!!

[TheRealBuzz]

The squads:

West Coast Eagles:
Gardiner, Judd, Kerr, Fletcher, Taylor, Cousins, Braun, McIntosh, Wooden, Chambers, Jones, Cox, Merenda, Collica, Jakovich, Sampi, Hansen, Peter Matera, Munro, Green, Read, Haynes, Wilson, Humm, Wirrpunda, Lynch, Carroll, Tuckey.

Carlton:
Livingston, Pickering, Mansfield, Smith, Lappin, Davies, Gallagher, Cranage, Camporeale, Murphy, Merrington, Eccles, Bradley, Manton, Allan, Fevola, O’Keefe, Hulme, Prendergast, Beaumont, Fletcher, Thornton, Wiggins, Sporn, Hotton, Plunkett, Franchina, Bray.

[Voice of Reason]

Originally posted by TheRealBuzz
The squads:

West Coast Eagles:
Gardiner, Judd, Kerr, Fletcher, Taylor, Cousins, Braun, McIntosh, Wooden, Chambers, Jones, Cox, Merenda, Collica, Jakovich, Sampi, Hansen, Peter Matera, Munro, Green, Read, Haynes, Wilson, Humm, Wirrpunda, Lynch, Carroll, Tuckey.

Carlton:
Livingston, Pickering, Mansfield, Smith, Lappin, Davies, Gallagher, Cranage, Camporeale, Murphy, Merrington, Eccles, Bradley, Manton, Allan, Fevola, O’Keefe, Hulme, Prendergast, Beaumont, Fletcher, Thornton, Wiggins, Sporn, Hotton, Plunkett, Franchina, Bray.

I honestly don't give a tinker's cuss, or even a fat rat's clacker, as to whether we win or not. The Farmer Cup is just match practice for the real thing. It is the performance that matters and I could do without any injuries too.

That Carlton squad looks pretty weak to me, so anything's possible. Optus at this time of year is usually less of a problem as it's not a mudheap, but I understand they haven't had much of a summer, so it may be no good. Shocking ground for watching football.

[eagleskickass]

Well this might be blind faith, but looking at both squads i ACTUALLY give WCE a strong chance:O
I mean, it is no where near Carltons best side, and we are missing a few of our better players, but i really am excited, and think we might just pull it off:D

[GoEagles]

My tip: We'll improve on our last game against Carlton at Optus Oval :D

I dont think we'll win (because the game is in Melbourne) but as long as there are small signs of improvement, good form by players who need to step up this year, some of the rookies in action, Troy Wilson taking out Livingston, Pickering, Mansfield, Smith, Lappin, Davies, Gallagher, Cranage, Camporeale, Murphy, Merrington, Eccles, Bradley, Manton, Allan, Fevola, O’Keefe, Hulme, Prendergast, Beaumont, Fletcher, Thornton, Wiggins, Sporn, Hotton, Plunkett, Franchina, Bray All in one hit! I'll be a happy man :D

[Mr Eagle]

Originally posted by TheRealBuzz
West Coast Eagles:
Gardiner, Judd, Kerr, Fletcher, Taylor, Cousins, Braun, McIntosh, Wooden, Chambers, Jones, Cox, Merenda, Collica, Jakovich, Sampi, Hansen, Peter Matera, Munro, Green, Read, Haynes, Wilson, Humm, Wirrpunda, Lynch, Carroll, Tuckey.

I sincerely hope we do not have to resort to using McIntosh and Jakovich in the key defence roles (so much for the youth roll-out), but uhh who else is there in that group? Carroll seems the only other serious option. Willo maybe? :)

[jod23]

I certainly give us a shot looking at those lineups....if anything it will be close. That squad still has to be culled and 4 players will miss out? Wonder who they will be?

[daddy_4_eyes]

Carlton has had quite a few injuries this pre-season as well as the inhouse argueing about Bradleys contract. Off the field carlton are very disorganised right now, so if the eagles are to beat them this year this would be our best chance.

Eagles by 10pts (biased prediction of course ;))

[kuepper]

Whilst I do agree that Carlton are missing a few, I think you'd have to be _very_ lucky to get up especially at optarse ... I am sure you all remember last year's effort over there (yes, for both our respective sides)

As such, with you haveing major backline issues IMHO I like the Blues by 30 odd.

[Blues2001]

Originally posted by Voice of Reason


I honestly don't give a tinker's cuss, or even a fat rat's clacker, as to whether we win or not. The Farmer Cup is just match practice for the real thing. It is the performance that matters and I could do without any injuries too.

That Carlton squad looks pretty weak to me, so anything's possible. Optus at this time of year is usually less of a problem as it's not a mudheap, but I understand they haven't had much of a summer, so it may be no good. Shocking ground for watching football.

I agree we have a weak lineup and this is no gimme for us. However, you have absolutely no idea about Optus Oval. It has the best surface in the AFL and it won't be a mudheap in July, let alone February!!! You have nothing to worry about there. Definitely NOT a shocking ground to watch football - always close to the action and a good atmosphere.

[Voice of Reason]

Originally posted by Blues2001


I agree we have a weak lineup and this is no gimme for us. However, you have absolutely no idea about Optus Oval. It has the best surface in the AFL and it won't be a mudheap in July, let alone February!!! You have nothing to worry about there. Definitely NOT a shocking ground to watch football - always close to the action and a good atmosphere.

It's better than it was, but I have walked over it many times and don't like it.

For visiting supporters it is the worst ground at which football is still played, forced into a tiny bit behind the goals that is physically dangerous to old people and children in the shadow of the Leg Ends stand. Plus public transport/car parking is ****house. And we usually lose!! (so yes I'm biased).

But as it's your home ground, I can understand why you feel as you do - and it is a throwback to other times, which I quite like, though I always preferred Vic Park (strangely, though of course we usually won there!).