Preview 2026 Opening Round - Carlton v Sydney Thursday March 5th 7:30pm @ SCG

[haveago]

Interesting point in The Age today about the new centre ruck rule (now known as 'The Pittonet Rule' ).

Because of the risk of PCL injuries at centre bounces, clubs are going to be reluctant to pinch hit with keys forwards like Harry.

DO NOT want to see Big H in any centre throw ups. Throw ins and inside 50 ball ups where there is no line
and more body on body rather than jumping head on, I am not against.

This is why I think we should play Young as our 5th interchange player.

He can pinch hit in the ruck and also can play KP if required.

He may only play 30 % game time if only used when Pitto needs a breather.
I think that can work now if having a full bench of 5 fit players.

I am not a big fan, but he has gone OK in the scratch matches.

Better option than Reidy.

 

[ETET]

Re the PCL issue. Am I stupid (Dont answer that please) but can't the rucks just wear knee guards.

I am not talking roller derby style (though bright pink ones would look great).

They wear shin pads jut get knee ones. Do they not stay up as well on the knee.

 

[AndyLucimitis]

Re the PCL issue. Am I stupid (Dont answer that please) but can't the rucks just wear knee guards.

I am not talking roller derby style (though bright pink ones would look great).

They wear shin pads jut get knee ones. Do they not stay up as well on the knee.

PCL 's come from forcing of the knee back in its socket - i.e lower leg pushed back with force which is why it's a common injury in car accidents with people legs forced into the dashboard etc.

Would knee pads help this ? Not sure ?

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

As silly as it was I don't think he was that realistic a chance for next week anyway, he still hadn't played a full game. Reckon they were targeting round 1 or after the bye.

I agree, but does it also stop him from playing in any other VFL practice matches in the mean time?

 

[Red_man2008]

Six possies and zero tackles. 73 meters gained. It looks like his 2025 Carlton form is still alive and well. Reckon he'd rather be at Bondi!

73 metres. lol. He kicked a 65 metre goal and a 5 metre one. So his four other touches went 3 metres. What a terrible footballer.

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

Could someone play a defensive role on Errol???

Perhaps Chesser, certainly has the speed and endurance to run with him…

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

To beat Sydney MUST stop their big 4.

Heeney/Warner/Gulden and their full forward.

And the flying lizard

 

[JuddgementDay]

All of the sudden we have spring in our feet and coming into this game with much more optimism

Just bring our new game style into this game and bring it on!
I'm excited



<<Insert Big Kev GIF>>

 

[AndyLucimitis]

There couldn’t have been a tougher assignment than this game first up, especially at the SCG. Not expecting to win but just looking for the team to quickly cement its identity.

..and playing a team that, according to the media, has the flag all sewn up.

Do they still realise they have Big Cox as their coach ??

 

[Robertio]

All of the sudden we have spring in our feet and coming into this game with much more optimism

Just bring our new game style into this game and bring it on!
I'm excited

FIFY mate

 

[Blue since 72]

I agree, but does it also stop him from playing in any other VFL practice matches in the mean time?

I think so, so yes silly thing to do but I guess he gets a few more weeks of training into the legs at least.

 

[Blue since 72]

Perhaps Chesser, certainly has the speed and endurance to run with him…

That's what i was thinking. Given Gulden's importance have Chess sacrifice his attacking game and basically tag him. We don't need Errol hitting Charlie lace out.

 

[Accidental genius]

There couldn’t have been a tougher assignment than this game first up, especially at the SCG. Not expecting to win but just looking for the team to quickly cement its identity.

More interested in how we look in the next 3 games vs Richmond, Melbourne, North (2 of which we lost to last season).

I don’t consider cox that good a coach but Voss isnt too special either so coaches probably cancel each other out.

List is probably slightly in their favour but we made some good changes this off season…lot more balanced.

Different story in Sydney….but in Melbourne I’d give us a chance.

 

[Coona Blues]

Be interesting to see if the club offer him another year (out of contract end of this year).

If the club is keen on retaining the likes of Wilson and with them trialling the likes of E Hols and Cerra along with Williams moving back calls will need to be made.

I very much doubt if he, Saad goes on next year.

It will be interesting though, I have anointed a “sunset six” from our list to be gone in one or two years.
Saad, Newman, Williams, Haynes, McGovern and Acres are the names. Interestingly, five are defenders and the other plays a largely defensive role.

Florent becomes a leader of sorts in defence and a staple. For mine Cowan and Carroll are already locks (unless Jeff is deployed off a wing). With our proliferation if mids mature and developing, I feel it is highly likely Cerra is deployed on a back flank as he spent much if his time at Freo and periods with us. His ongoing soft tissue injuries lend the thought that a little less running may be prudent, and with Cody joining those we already have someone will need to make room in the middle. Wilson and Charleson are good prospects, but need to step up. Boyd could consolidate a spot and there is a chance Monahan could push for a senior spot. I am fairly certain the coaches would like Elijah to become a rebounding defender, but events V the Cats suggest, he prefers forward or midfield.

One of many intriguing facets of our season will be how our defence develops through the year.

 

[Blue since 72]

I very much doubt if he, Saad goes on next year.

It will be interesting though, I have anointed a “sunset six” from our list to be gone in one or two years.
Saad, Newman, Williams, Haynes, McGovern and Acres are the names. Interestingly, five are defenders and the other plays a largely defensive role.

Florent becomes a leader of sorts in defence and a staple. For mine Cowan and Carroll are already locks (unless Jeff is deployed off a wing). With our proliferation if mids mature and developing, I feel it is highly likely Cerra is deployed on a back flank as he spent much if his time at Freo and periods with us. His ongoing soft tissue injuries lend the thought that a little less running may be prudent, and with Cody joining those we already have someone will need to make room in the middle. Wilson and Charleson are good prospects, but need to step up. Boyd could consolidate a spot and there is a chance Monahan could push for a senior spot. I am fairly certain the coaches would like Elijah to become a rebounding defender, but events V the Cats suggest, he prefers forward or midfield.

One of many intriguing facets of our season will be how our defence develops through the year.

Yeah agree with the names to go and yeah tbh I don't really see E Hols best spot being behind the ball, not sure why they're bothering with that experiment given how many half backs we have.

Guess it's a bit musical chairs for some players given our new recruits.

Cerra's an interesting one, he is so slow these days and really struggles to generate any meaningful acceleration so as you say his midfield days may be just about done. Obviously he can hit targets but he couldn't chase anyone down and does he have enough defensive ability to be worthwhile back there. Hindsight obviously but will he see out his current contract (long way off at 2030).

Very curious about the next round of exits from the club.

 

[Michael Jezz]

I think ramadan aside, his form has not been the best for a long time now.

I am still in the camp of keeping him in. Now we've got a more modern style and importantly, several other power runners to go with him, I want to see us learn to use him like a brad hill off half back.

Problem is he has lost a step.

Who would replace saad this week given injuries?

 

[luke livingston seagull]

73 metres. lol. He kicked a 65 metre goal and a 5 metre one. So his four other touches went 3 metres. What a terrible footballer.

Makes you long for SPS.

 

[Just Kreuzing]

PCL 's come from forcing of the knee back in its socket - i.e lower leg pushed back with force which is why it's a common injury in car accidents with people legs forced into the dashboard etc.

Would knee pads help this ? Not sure ?

Was actually thinking the same last night, not a silly idea

 

[Juddrockz]

Pile the media pressure all on Charlie leading into the game and watch him fold like a cheap suit.

 

[tarczonandjane]

I’m personally of the view that the Charlie trade will be a win / win. He will do exceptionally well for them. Florent (I know… not officially part of the trade) and Hayward will not be grabbing as many headlines for us. But they will still be solid footballers, and their efforts at developing our culture will be incredibly important.

So… Charlie to kick four, Hayward to bob up with a couple, Florent to register 21 neat touches, and Talor Byrne to put the icing on the cake by kicking the winning goal for a Carlton side that refuses to take a backward step.

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

That's what i was thinking. Given Gulden's importance have Chess sacrifice his attacking game and basically tag him. We don't need Errol hitting Charlie lace out.

If he can manage to lesson Gulden’s overall impact on the game, that’s a good piece of their handful of match winners hopefully kept under control…

 

[teddy-hopkins]

PCL 's come from forcing of the knee back in its socket - i.e lower leg pushed back with force which is why it's a common injury in car accidents with people legs forced into the dashboard etc.

Would knee pads help this ? Not sure ?

Isn't it more knee on knee that causes PCL injuries rather than lower leg? A direct blow to the front of the knee.

Our ruck stocks are a bit thin so we should probably strap a mattress to the front of Pitto's knee.

 

[teddy-hopkins]

That's what i was thinking. Given Gulden's importance have Chess sacrifice his attacking game and basically tag him. We don't need Errol hitting Charlie lace out.

Not sure Gulden is playing wing this year. I think they're trying him as a mid.

 

[teddy-hopkins]

Not sure if it's a super important stat but Walsh had 7 bounces for the season in 2025.

3 in one game against Geelong.

If we can just keep him this fit for another 8 years we'll be fine.

 

[SurreyBlue]

Re the PCL issue. Am I stupid (Dont answer that please) but can't the rucks just wear knee guards.

I am not talking roller derby style (though bright pink ones would look great).

They wear shin pads jut get knee ones. Do they not stay up as well on the knee.

I was of the same thought. I can't see why a padding wouldn't assist and minimise any impact.