Do Carlton have a psychological advantage over Essendon?

[jerry]

I saw this being asked at the AFL website.

Wondering whether you guys reckon that the Blues have it over the Bombers psychologically?

 

[topdon]

No! I don't believe this for one second. In our 3 losses to Carlton (in the last 10 meetings) we have lost by a cumulative total of 11 points (1, 3, 7).

Hardly a psychological edge now? Essendon won the two H&A meetings in '99, but it meant nothing in that years Preliminary Final. Essendon won all three meetings against Carlton in 2000.

All this 'psychological edge' crap is sensationalist.

 

[Blues2001]

Originally posted by topdon
No! I don't believe this for one second. In our 3 losses to Carlton in tour last 10 meeting Carlton have won by a cumulative total of 11 points (1, 3, 7).

Hardly a psychological edge now? Essendon won the two H&A meetings in '99, but it meant nothing in that years Preliminary Final. Essendon won all three meetings against Carlton in 2000.

All this 'psychological edge' crap is sensationalist.

I don't think its as 'crap' as you think. I know we haven't dominated meetings between the sides, but because Essendon are so good, just winning games against them is huge. Indeed we've done better than any side has recently, so if anyone has an edge, then it is us.

I dunno if its a big edge or anything, but I reckon we may get into the minds of the players a bit, and definitely the supporters.

BTW, we won by 17 pts in round 3 which makes the cumulative total 28.

 

[topdon]

Okay...my mistake on the total!

But Blues2001, i was responding to the question itself. Do they have a 'psychological advantage' over Essendon...to which i responded with a no. Sure you have beaten us 3 times in the last 3 seasons. This makes our meetings in 1999, 2000 & 2001 - 5-3 Essendon's way. Yes...the 1999 Preliminary Final stung...but there was no evidence of this 'psychological advantage' in 2000.

Not taking away anything from Carlton. The Essendon coaching staff have had some trouble (in 2001) getting their match-ups right....especially late in the game. In both games this season, we have been in a strong position to win (like in all of our 4 losses this season). Essendon have been far from disgraced...and i'll reinterate...this 'psychological advantage' is sensationalism at it's finest.

 

[TD]

Agree with Topdon, I don't think they have a psychological advantage over Essendon, but they do have a psycological advantage over 15 other teams in the league against Essendon.

Carlton know that they can beat us, so they aren't as intimidated as other teams are. Essendon also know they can beat Carlton and similarly are not intimidated by them.

 

[Blues2001]

Originally posted by TD
Agree with Topdon, I don't think they have a psychological advantage over Essendon, but they do have a psycological advantage over 15 other teams in the league against Essendon.

Carlton know that they can beat us, so they aren't as intimidated as other teams are. Essendon also know they can beat Carlton and similarly are not intimidated by them.

Good points TD. A side like Carlton would not lay down and get embarrassed by Essendon in a big game in front of a big crowd in the way Hawthorn and Richmond did. However, when it translates to Carlton playing Hawhorn or Richmond, well Carlton are very vulnerable against those sides.