Rd 1. Carlton v Richmond

[borissey]

This is the 200th match between these 2 Clubs in the VFL / AFL;

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Carlton+v+Richmond

Injuries look like mounting up for us, but the Tigers haven't impressed anyone in the pre-season other than their die-hards.

Blues by 5 goals.

 

[The Blueseum]

Yes, and over those 200 matches Carlton has had an ascendancy of about 58% in wins, and won the first 24 consecutive matches of the 2 teams upon Richmond's inclusion in to the competition. If you took out those 24 wins, it's been roughly 50/50 since about 1920 or so.

From the Blueseum

 

[carlton 4ever]

i hope we win this would be a great way to kick off the year and we have plenty of winable games after it to

 

[Beloved]

I'm with you mate, i'll try to make this post as un-biased as possible.

The names that we have out are boys like Hampson, skilled, but still inexperienced. If it had been players like Scotland and Stevens missing the clash, I think that Richmond would just need to walk through the door. Our pre-season form has pleased me, where as the Tigers have been below par, although practise matches don't account for much.

I think that the key to victory will be our midfield rotation. If we have one man on the wrong Tiger, things could get ugly quick. That said, if we sit down and plot out who has the advantage over who and stick them to their opponent like glue, I think we'll win it by around 20 points.

Simmonds will be a good opponent for Kreuzer, and we should play Matty on him wherever he goes on the field, excluding the Tigers forward line. If it ended up in a situation where Kreuzer has to leave Simmonds to chase down a smaller fella', it would basically result in two free men.

I'm thinking that we should leave Bannister in for the clash. Experience is invaluable, and disregaring his disposal, he's not a bad player to have in the team at all. He has the ability to get free and his work off the ball (shepparding) is very up there.

Jake Edwards should also make his debut, he really strived to get into position on the weekend, and showed that for his size, he can hold his own at Full Forward. I'd throw him at FF whe Fev's dragged up the ground (as we do at times).

 

[Beloved]

Yes, and over those 200 matches Carlton has had an ascendancy of about 58% in wins, and won the first 24 consecutive matches of the 2 teams upon Richmond's inclusion in to the competition. If you took out those 24 wins, it's been roughly 50/50 since about 1920 or so.

From the Blueseum

I love the facts mate, keep up the good work.

 

[judd5]

One last warm up before the season begins.

 

[parrot]

This is the 200th match between these 2 Clubs in the VFL / AFL;

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Carlton+v+Richmond

Injuries look like mounting up for us, but the Tigers haven't impressed anyone in the pre-season other than their die-hards.

Blues by 5 goals.

My main concern, is that our young players are still coming to terms with Rattens new higher possession/high precision gameplan, and it'll take a while before the mistakes/turnovers reduce to an acceptable level - cost us badly in the first quarter V Hawks. Experienced midfielders like Judd and Stevens will play a vital role in adding some stability to our young lineup. I like our new KP forward setup - likely to be Edwards/Hartlett/Fev.

 

[len_jet]

My main concern, is that our young players are still coming to terms with Rattens new higher possession/high precision gameplan, and it'll take a while before the mistakes/turnovers reduce to an acceptable level - cost us badly in the first quarter V Hawks. Experienced midfielders like Judd and Stevens will play a vital role in adding some stability to our young lineup. I like our new KP forward setup - likely to be Edwards/Hartlett/Fev.

I agree however Richmond are in the same boat... they wont be able to hurt us like the Hawks did. Even if they get a 2-3 goal jump we have proven thus far this year that we are more than capable of pegging that back, however I would like to see them come out switched on from the start!

Tickets are booked and I cant wait!

 

[The Real Deal]

The second half against the dogs showed our backline does have some potential. Waite, Thornton, Bower, Jamo all seemed to be moving pretty well. You'd like to think we have the edge in the midfield and their backline isn't flash. I just want to see Juddy burst through a couple of packs and I'll be happy.

Blues by 25 points.

 

[Beloved]

The second half against the dogs showed our backline does have some potential. Waite, Thornton, Bower, Jamo all seemed to be moving pretty well. You'd like to think we have the edge in the midfield and their backline isn't flash. I just want to see Juddy burst through a couple of packs and I'll be happy.

Blues by 25 points.

We've continuously been playing half of the game with a solid defence, we just need to convert it to a full game and we'll be right.

Although, we've been working on this issue for quite some time now...

 

[mediumsizered]

We've continuously been playing half of the game with a solid defence, we just need to convert it to a full game and we'll be right.

Although, we've been working on this issue for quite some time now...

The positive to come from our defence so far during the pre-season has been that, other than the Hawthorn game, we have not conceded 100 points. Even better, take off the 4 super goals kicked by Hawthorn & there score would have been 91 points, giving us a whole pre-season without conceding 100 points. Some good signs in this.

 

[iRemember87]

Our biggest concern is now the ruck.

With Hammer, Ackland and A O'hAilpin all out injured it leaves Cloke who is a small ruckman to do the load of the work.

The benfit we have is that Simmonds is coming off a short preseason, he had an injury prone 2007 which carried into 2008, which means he will probably share a lot of the ruck with Pattison.

I see our best structure being Cloke taking the centre hitouots then staying centre to CHB to take the ruck around that area and then letting Kreuze Control take ruck in the forward line.

This would allow Cloke to rest and maybe share the main ruck duties with somebody like Setanta (hoping he is ok).

With such a strong midfield, we need to give them every opportunity with good ruck work, Cloke is a fantastic tap ruckman, and by all account so is Kreuz, players like Judd and Stevens will have to use their smarts and rove a fair bit off the RFC ruckman.

RFC midfield is probably what i would consider their weakness, apart from Foley they don't have any stars apart from Deledio who from all reports will be used forward for his pace on the lead. So with that i think we should start Carrazzo on Foley, make Foley accountable as Carrazzo is a ball magnet, if that fails get Glove Mark II (Jackson) onto him, Jackson has big endurance and can get a fair bit of the ball.

RFC will tag Judd, according to most RFC fans it'll be Johnson (they seem to think he has a good record) but recent history shows Judd tears him apart, and then RFC have the headache of also tagging out Stevens, which hopefully will leave players like Murph (if available), Simpson & Gibbs to be open for plenty of action.

Our forward line looks pretty strong, Fev will always be double teamed, so who ever if free needs to make sure they take advantage of this. Edwards has fantastic hands however his kicking is astray, and Hartlett if he can stay fit could fill the void at CHF. One key to our forward line is Betts, after re-watching games from the past 2 years, and the NAB cup against Port, Betts has what i would say the best forward line pressure at the club, his pace and determination have sparked the team in many previous wins, we need his pace and pressure to hold the ball in.

Out backline looks settled, 2008 will be more about establishing a solid outfit down back that is stable and works together, if you look at all the previous premiership teams their backlines don't change from round 1 to 22, which is something we haven't had for 6 years....and i expect Hadley to fill the Walker void across half back.

Although my confidence of a win has decreased with the injuries recently, i still expect our mids and forwards to out muscle the weaker Tigers and win by 5 goals.

 

[sosos]

My main concern, is that our young players are still coming to terms with Rattens new higher possession/high precision gameplan, and it'll take a while before the mistakes/turnovers reduce to an acceptable level - cost us badly in the first quarter V Hawks.

Completely agree with this.

The players need the confidence in each other to excecute it as well.

Especially need to avoid giving the ball to players under pressure and also not put a player under pressure by a poor disposal.


I think this game may be close.

Seatanta shouldn't play, still not fit.

This leaves Cloke and Kreuzer to ruck. They should do alright.

I'm wondering who you all think will take Richo?

 

[SolidTiger]

During most of the Pre-season the blues supporters have been saying how much they have improved and that they are now at least above the poorer performing teams in the comp.

Richmond has finished last last year and are favourites to finish last this year. If you can't beat us then that will mean that the Blues have not only not improved, but have gone backwards.

 

[juzza316]

During most of the Pre-season the blues supporters have been saying how much they have improved and that they are now at least above the poorer performing teams in the comp.

Richmond has finished last last year and are favourites to finish last this year. If you can't beat us then that will mean that the Blues have not only not improved, but have gone backwards.

One game doesnt make a season. If we lose to Richmond, it doesnt neccesarily mean we will be down the bottom all year.

 

[Beloved]

Completely agree with this.

The players need the confidence in each other to excecute it as well.

Especially need to avoid giving the ball to players under pressure and also not put a player under pressure by a poor disposal.


I think this game may be close.

Seatanta shouldn't play, still not fit.

This leaves Cloke and Kreuzer to ruck. They should do alright.

I'm wondering who you all think will take Richo?

My concern isn't that they over-handballing as such, but more that the handballs delivered are real up and unders. If they were low, spearing handballs then it may easily be pulled off. Judd executed a few of these on the weekend.

 

[Beloved]

During most of the Pre-season the blues supporters have been saying how much they have improved and that they are now at least above the poorer performing teams in the comp.

Richmond has finished last last year and are favourites to finish last this year. If you can't beat us then that will mean that the Blues have not only not improved, but have gone backwards.

And you honestly beleive that one game defines a teams season?


Oh dear... You may want to check the the odds before you pretend to know about them.
Bottom eight favourites:
Fremantle
Sydney
Kangaroos
Carlton
Bulldogs
Essendon
Richmond
Melbourne

http://sportingbetblog.com.au/2008/02/28/afl-season-preview-2008/

 

[juzza316]

And you honestly beleive that one game defines a teams season?


Oh dear... You may want to check the the odds before you pretend to know about them.
Bottom eight favourites:
Fremantle
Sydney
Kangaroos
Carlton
Bulldogs
Essendon
Richmond
Melbourne

http://sportingbetblog.com.au/2008/02/28/afl-season-preview-2008/

Eddie, that was on the 28/2/08. Since the tigers got belted on the weekend, they are now equal favourite with the Dees on Tabsportsbet and other betting sites.
Hopefully after round one, richmond will firm into outright favourites

 

[Blue Dimension]

Geelong lost their first game last year. Obviously that meant their season was over.

 

[Beloved]

Cheers for the update.

Either way, I'm hoping that the clash agains the Tigers is a good one. As long as they don't win by a blowout (or win at all), i'll be pretty satisfied.

 

[AlecDuncan]

My concern isn't that they over-handballing as such, but more that the handballs delivered are real up and unders. If they were low, spearing handballs then it may easily be pulled off. Judd executed a few of these on the weekend.

Even up & unders are better than ones that go to a teammate's feet. I've seen too many of those this pre-season already.

 

[len_jet]

Centrebet have Richmond favs for the spoon as at... now!

RICHMOND 3.75
MELBOURNE 5.00
ESSENDON 5.25
KANGAROOS 8.00
WESTERN BULLDOGS 8.00
CARLTON 13.00
BRISBANE 21.00
ADELAIDE 26.00
WEST COAST 26.00
SYDNEY 34.00
COLLINGWOOD 51.00
HAWTHORN 67.00
PORT ADELAIDE 67.00
FREMANTLE 81.00
ST KILDA 81.00
GEELONG 251.00

 

[Beloved]

Even up & unders are better than ones that go to a teammate's feet. I've seen too many of those this pre-season already.

Too right. More handball drills Brett!

 

[RichosGuns]

What player's are likely to be missing for you guys?

For us, Cotchin is the only certainty, but Polak, McGuane are under a cloud and Schultz is almost a certainty to miss. Talented youngsters who probably won't play for one reason or another include Polo, Edwards and Conners. We might be playing a fairly short team with alot of talls injured.

 

[Silvagnis]

What player's are likely to be missing for you guys?

For us, Cotchin is the only certainty, but Polak, McGuane are under a cloud and Schultz is almost a certainty to miss. Talented youngsters who probably won't play for one reason or another include Polo, Edwards and Conners. We might be playing a fairly short team with alot of talls injured.

What's happened to Edwards?

He looked a likely type last year and has disappeared.

Has the recruitment of Morton pushed him out of your best 22?