An observation on Carlton

[Bomber]

Ive noticed it, especially in their past games, but Carlton IMO are not very good under pressure. The likes of Kouta, Bradley, Camporeale tend to give the ball up very easily if presented with pressure.
Hawthorn were in it untill 3/4 with pressure, Collingwood made Carlton look ordinary (both were) in the first half, and Footscray all day today.
Give them space they will tear u up, but they only have limited players who are really prepared to put their bodies in IMO.
North are running into good form at the right time, and will be tough to beat - Especially if carey decides to turn it on in Sept!

 

[molar]

After watching the Kangaroos in their past two games, it seems they are improving. However, to make a third consecutive final appearance is a pretty big ask. North have not beaten Essendon since 98 and Carlton played all over them. I think Melbourne is a smokey for a Grandfinal experience.

 

[walshy1993]

just a thought on todays game
was carlton foxing
bradley and hickmont didnt play
whitnall pretty much played the game from the centre of the ground and hamill played from the goal square
any thoughts?

 

[Barney]

I agree with walshy,carlton played some kids from the ressies and rested Bradley for the main event.You can bet they will play Murphy and Joe Misiti's mate Fraser Brown.
North were good but i am not getting carried away..Geelong are ordinary though it was nice to see Colbert and Stevens play ok.

Go Roos

 

[sainter]

While anything is possible, I honestly could not see Melbourne challenging the top three sides when it counts in finals time.

On a personal point of view I was very happy to see Sean Charles towel up Farmer today. The dees have a good forward line but guys like Schwarz and Farmer are far too inconsistent. They also have a fairly average backline. Obviously their strength is in their midfielders but I could not see any of the top three teams having too much trouble beating them.

I think the kangaroos can never be underestimated and with the form of Corey McKernan on Friday night, have the potential to beat anyone on any given day.

Essendon is by far the most even team across the board with good players in every position. Carlton are a great side but are more reliant on their name players. When these players are held, they will be in a lot of trouble.

 

[Daniel]

I agree, Sainter. I don't see why Melbourne should unduly trouble the top sides.

Melbourne are dangerous if they are allowed to use the style of play they enjoy, creating loose players through the midfield and kicking short most of the time. But if a team imposes its own style of play and has its fair share of possession, as the best sides should, then Melbourne should not cause too much of a problem.
That's how I see it, anyhow.

 

[dons_r_tops]

The Only reason Melbourne will trouble anyone is if jeff farmer hits a purple patch, but he will probably not be able to sustain it for a whole four weeks anyway. The saints made melbourne look farily average up until the last quarter and they are definatly the worst performed team going around.

Bombers Rock 2000

 

[Grendel]

Good side the Dees. Very underated, I think it was Dan24 who said they gave him a shiver.
While they have a very good midfield, its guys like White,Neitz and Shchwartz that also give them some good size around the ground.
Cant see them winning the big one, but anything can happen in finals.

 

[Bomber]

They are a real dark horse the Dees!

They will play Essendon first week, and always seem to give Essendon trouble. Over the past 10 years Melb is the team I dont really love playing!

Say Essendon beat Melb, then North Roll Carlton (which I think is very possible) - then they will end up on the North side of the draw - to meet in a Prelim. Blind Freddy can see they always play well against North, and have often slipped in for an upset - so give them a chance. With a bit of luck they would have beaten North two weeks ago.

 

[Bernie]

As much as it disappoints me, the spirit and discipline shown by the Dogs on Saturday was exceptional. Their display gives all teams ( in any sporting code ) heart - it can be done thru' that self-belief and 'team spirit'.

So what does it mean ?

1. If the Dogs don't meet the Lions ( they have a bad record there ) , they can challange, including injuries. The game AFTER this Friday - Dogs V Dons - looks interesting. Can the Dogs show the same discipline or will Sheedy come up with a plan to counter the flooding ( sounds like Noah ! ). Remember what the Bombers did to the Tigers, where the Tigers started going backwards to go forwards.

2. Blues - definate shades of '99 where they got so frustrated cause they couldn't do the 'perfect pass', they just went round and round. This exposes their 'older' recruits. The Blues need to 'divide and rule' so that the opposition feels isolated.

The point being .... Essendon's display on Sat. nite was very, very tough, esp. the way the forwards were totally unrelenting. The Gods are smiling ( no injuries to speak of ), the opposition's freaked out .. I can't see any team getting within 5 goals.

Time to plan for 2001, guys.

 

[sainter]

Plan for 2001?

Surely not!

Not when the VFL finals are approaching.

And while I have changed the topic, I may as well go on.

The VFL competition has:-

- free entry for home members

- St Kilda are in third place and will be featuring in the finals

- $4 entry for away members

- St Kilda are in third place and will be featuring in the finals

- Play at grounds like Moorabbin, Waverley, Trevor Barker Oval (Great grounds)

- St Kilda are in third place and will be featuring in the finals

- Watch footy as it was made to watch

- St Kilda are in third place and will be
featuring in the finals

- Great atmosphere

- St Kilda are in third place and will be featuring in the finals

- Opportunity to watch the future stars of the AFL

- St Kilda are in third place and in the finals

Sorry, I will shut up now!

Back to Bernie's last post, I find it slightly bemusing that the week after Carlton was embarrassed by a determined bulldogs outfit you are conceding the season.

Are you just trying to cover yourself in case Essendon are too good?

Or are you doing a Denis Pagan and trying to play mindgames?




[This message has been edited by sainter (edited 18 July 2000).]

 

[The Dutchman!]

Sainter

As ever, love your work! And given our likely absence I know who I'll be supporting in the magoo finals!!!!

Dutch

 

[Bernie]

Sainter,

Is this a ploy ? I saw the Bombers on Sat. nite and, as you can tell, was impressed. The last time I saw them was V North ( and was impressed ). Actually I haven't not been impressed with their intensity, AND they really haven't been challanged ( except maybe by Sydney ).

That's why I'm less than confident - e.g. lst year both Hird AND Lucas were out AND the players kept getting suspended. Even on Sat. the free kick count was against them ( that crueled Geelong and Carlton ) but they weren't phased. I thought Hawthorn played OK and Fletcher was beaten ... but 80+ point winners !!

I guess the Gods always bring down those who they raise up - but probably not this year. That happenned last year ( and to Jeff as well ! ) Put it this way - I live in hope.

 

[Jungle Juice]

Bomber,

I have to agree with you re: Carlton's ability under pressure...... to only beat Essendon in a Prelim Final by a point (in front of 75k Essendon fans) was pretty darn ordinary.

 

[Be fair dinkum]

Essendon will win this years flag by at least 14 goals.
This is a very one-sided year;boring in fact.
Lets stop it now and get on with the Olympics.
p.s.and I don't even like Essendon.