- Oct 9, 2009
- 13,888
- 16,250
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Edited my post but left Lucas out since he never played a game for us.
-
Mobile App Discontinued
Due to a number of factors, support for the current BigFooty mobile app has been discontinued. Your BigFooty login will no longer work on the Tapatalk or the BigFooty App - which is based on Tapatalk.
Apologies for any inconvenience. We will try to find a replacement.
Game Day Round 5, 2025: West Coast vs Carlton (Gather Round)
- Thread starter HoneyBadger35
- Start date
- Tagged users None
🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.
- Status
- Aug 27, 2014
- 1,645
- 2,037
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Ok updated
WA footy mad
All Australian
- Apr 21, 2022
- 780
- 1,145
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Carlton will beat us convincingly, but i am looking forward to watching our young group of players try there best. If we get thrashed i wont bag the team as we need to start blooding the young guys so Mini has my vote. Simmo said there was nothing coming thru that could warrant there selection, AFL is a far different game to WAFL & without trying these guys you would never know how they are going to perform.
SIMMO WOULDN’T PLAY HIM!!
Log in to remove this Banner Ad
- Jul 23, 2010
- 948
- 1,014
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Eagles by 11 Harley fend-offs
Happy to lose to Carlton (well as happy as I'm ever happy at losing which is not very happy), and then beat the Hawks in round 7. Would make me feel better if Blues can finish higher than the Hawks.
The more I look at our line-up the more excited I am to watch the game.
domad33
Debutant
- Apr 14, 2024
- 106
- 406
- AFL Club
- West Coast
My inner-nuffie says:
Eagles by 10, Dewar with 25D and 4G, Hutchinson with a million tackles, and TK to poll brownlow votes playing out of the WAFL.
My footy brain says:
Cripps, Hewett, Walsh, and Cherra walk it out of the middle from silver service via TDK, they pile 7 goals from CBs without us registering a touch and cruise to a lazy 60 point win with Curnow leading the coleman at the end of the round.
Eagles by 10, Dewar with 25D and 4G, Hutchinson with a million tackles, and TK to poll brownlow votes playing out of the WAFL.
My footy brain says:
Cripps, Hewett, Walsh, and Cherra walk it out of the middle from silver service via TDK, they pile 7 goals from CBs without us registering a touch and cruise to a lazy 60 point win with Curnow leading the coleman at the end of the round.
At the captains run in true nuffy fashion
-Oscars moving like my no longer alive grandfather. Late change wouldnt be surprising
-Harley training solely with the defs
-Midfield group was Williams, Baker, Graham Hutchinson, Hall and Gross. Dewar, Hunt and Davies off on their own assuming the wingers
-Harley and Flyin seem to have a bit of a bromance going on.
-lost count very early on of kicks hitting the deck/missing targets. Know its a light run but sheesh
-Oscars moving like my no longer alive grandfather. Late change wouldnt be surprising
-Harley training solely with the defs
-Midfield group was Williams, Baker, Graham Hutchinson, Hall and Gross. Dewar, Hunt and Davies off on their own assuming the wingers
-Harley and Flyin seem to have a bit of a bromance going on.
-lost count very early on of kicks hitting the deck/missing targets. Know its a light run but sheesh
RookiePick
Brownlow Medallist
- Aug 13, 2014
- 29,943
- 54,091
- AFL Club
- West Coast
But I was assured his body is good. Feels great. No problems.
- Dec 8, 2012
- 764
- 1,628
- AFL Club
- West Coast
God damned master piece
AI MATCH PREVIEW
Desperate in Adelaide:
Gather Round, Round 5 - Saturday at Adelaide Oval
In what can only be described as AFL's version of the "Desperation Bowl," Carlton and West Coast will face off at Adelaide Oval this Saturday in a contest that has somehow become the most pressure-filled match of Gather Round. Two winless teams, one with premiership aspirations slowly circling the drain, the other in full rebuild mode but somehow managing to carry the same 0-4 record. The AFL scriptwriters really outdid themselves with this storyline.
A Tale of Two Coaching Realities
This match presents a fascinating study in coaching circumstances. Michael Voss, now in his fourth year at Carlton, finds himself staring down the barrel of an 0-5 start despite having a list supposedly ready to contend for a flag. According to AFL heavyweight Eddie McGuire, Voss might be updating his LinkedIn profile by Sunday evening should the Blues fall to the Eagles.
Meanwhile, Andrew McQualter is just getting started on his long-term rebuilding project, making bold selection decisions like dropping former best and fairest winner Tim Kelly to the WAFL. Unlike his counterpart, McQualter has the luxury of time and lower expectations – his job is to build a new game plan, evaluate talent, and develop youth. He could lose by 100 points and still stroll into Monday's review meeting without breaking a sweat, while Voss might need a security escort out of Adelaide Oval if things go south.
Youth vs. Experience: The Battle of Different Timelines
Carlton entered 2025 thinking they were in a premiership window. West Coast entered 2025 thinking they might win more than four games. Both teams have been humbled by reality.
The Eagles have embraced their youth movement, whether by choice or necessity. Tom Gross became the first Eagle since Chris Judd to record 17+ disposals and 5+ clearances on debut. Clay Hall, when actually selected, leads the club in contested possessions. And young Archer Reid has somehow become the Eagles' most reliable key forward while the co-captain Oscar Allen contemplates real estate options in Melbourne or Brisbane.
Meanwhile, the Blues continue to field one of the most experienced midfields in the competition, featuring Patrick Cripps (who appears to be carrying the weight of Carlton's 157-year history on his shoulders), Sam Walsh (who runs so much he might accidentally end up in Port Lincoln by game's end), and a supporting cast that somehow manages to dominate first halves before collectively forgetting how to play football after the main break.
The Tower of Terror: West Coast's Forward Line vs. Carlton's Undersized Defense
If the Eagles can manage to accomplish the seemingly impossible task of getting the ball inside their forward 50 with any regularity, Carlton's defense could face a nightmare scenario. West Coast's forward line suddenly resembles a basketball team with the combination of Archer Reid, Oscar Allen, Jake Waterman, and Jack Williams all standing over 190cm and capable of taking contested marks.
The problem? Carlton's defensive stocks are about as tall as a primary school basketball team. Beyond Jacob Weitering and Jack Silvagni, the Blues' back six features the undersized trio of Nick Haynes, Adam Saad, and Mitch McGovern – none of whom would be excited about the prospect of giving away 10cm and 10kg to their opponents.
This creates the fascinating tactical conundrum: Can West Coast actually capitalize on this height advantage, or will their usual lack of forward pressure allow Carlton's smalls to rebound with ease? The Eagles' tall timber has been more decorative than functional this season, with the ball bouncing out of their forward line faster than a toddler on a sugar high.
If Matt Owies, Liam Ryan, and Cripps can actually lock the ball in, the Eagles' marking monsters might finally justify their existence in the team. If not, expect to see Carlton's half-backs having a career day as they collect more uncontested marks than a training drill.
Key Matchups That Could Determine Which Team is Slightly Less Disappointing
Harry Edwards vs. Harry McKay: Battle of the Harrys
In one corner, West Coast's Harry Edwards, whose development plan has largely consisted of "stand next to Jeremy McGovern and hope something rubs off." In the other corner, Carlton's Harry McKay, returning after three weeks out of the senior side due to personal issues that the club has respectfully kept private. McKay has the potential to absolutely dominate this game, or kick 1.6 and leave Blues fans questioning their life choices. There really is no in-between with Harry.
West Coast's Young Midfield vs. Carlton's Experienced Engine Room
The Eagles will field what can only be described as a midfield still on their P-plates, featuring the likes of Clay Hall (who bizarrely was dropped after a career-best game against Brisbane), Tom Gross (one game into his career and already looking like the Eagles' future), and returning one game high flying forward forward turned wingman Jack Hutchinson. They'll be up against Carlton's battle-hardened midfield led by Patrick Cripps, who at this point is probably considering a mid-season trade to literally any other club.
The tactical battle here will be fascinating: Can West Coast's youthful enthusiasm and desperation outwork Carlton's skill and experience? Or will Carlton's midfield dominate early, before inevitably surrendering another half-time lead as is tradition in 2025?
Jake Waterman vs. Carlton's Defensive Structure
Jake Waterman returns from injury this week, bringing with him the strong hands, aerial prowess, and contested marking ability that earned him All-Australian honors last year. Playing above his height and with a remarkable strength in the contest, Waterman's return gives the Eagles' forward line the multiple key targets they've desperately needed. His presence alone could transform an Eagles attack that's been floundering, especially if Carlton's defense continues to lose its way after half-time as they've done all season.
Matt Owies vs. The Weight of Expectation
Former Blue Matt Owies now finds himself in the Eagles' forward line, bringing that special quality of a player with a chip on his shoulder. Will he haunt his former club with a bag of goals? Or will he fade into obscurity like so many small forwards before him when playing against top-tier opposition? (Editor's note: Carlton isn't exactly "top-tier" at the moment, but you get the point.)
Charlie Curnow vs. His Own Athletic Prime
Charlie Curnow hasn't looked at his athletic best since rejoining the side in Round 2. Going up against a McGovern-less Eagles defense should be the perfect opportunity for him to rediscover his form. If he can't dominate against this Eagles backline, Carlton fans might start wondering if he accidentally swapped bodies with his brother Ed during the offseason.
Historical Context That Makes This Even More Depressing
Carlton has won the last four matches against West Coast after the Eagles had peeled off seven successive wins prior. The recent history has been particularly brutal, with the Blues winning by an average margin of 81 points in their last three meetings.
For West Coast, a loss would mark their first 0-5 start in the club's 39-year history, which is saying something considering they've had some truly dire seasons in 2008, 2010, and the memorable wooden spoon campaign of 2023.
Tactical Considerations That Both Teams Will Probably Ignore Anyway
Carlton has developed an impressive ability to surrender half-time leads in all four of their fixtures this season. The 25-point buffer they gave up against Richmond in Round 1 remains a masterclass in how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Tactically, they might want to consider actually playing football for four quarters instead of two, but that's just armchair coaching.
For West Coast, the return to "territory football" under McQualter has shown glimpses of promise but has mostly resulted in the ball being moved efficiently into their defensive 50, where opposition forwards gleefully convert. Just ask Jesse Hogan, who kicked nine goals against them last week. The Eagles might want to consider the revolutionary tactic of "not letting the opposition kick goals" if they're serious about winning.
Final Thought
As Carlton enters this match with the weight of expectations crushing their collective souls, and West Coast enters with literally nothing to lose except another football game, the stage is set for one of those classic AFL upsets that makes tipping competitions a fool's errand.
Michael Voss will be pacing the coaches box like a caged tiger, while Andrew McQualter will be stoically watching his bold selection decisions play out on the field. The Blues should win this comfortably on paper, but footy isn't played on paper (which is fortunate for trees everywhere).
In what will surely be described as "The Miracle in Adelaide" by Eagles supporters and "The Final Nail in Voss's Coffin" by Blues supporters, look for West Coast's young midfield to harass and pressure their more experienced opponents into uncharacteristic errors. Harley Reid will remind everyone why he was the number one draft pick, Jake Waterman will show why he earned that All-Australian blazer last year, and Matt Owies will kick the sealer against his former club.
Prediction: West Coast by 8 points in a match that will feature more lead changes than a dog walking service and result in Carlton launching an "extensive review" of their football department by Sunday morning.
Eagles Training Notes: West Coast skippers switching it up
There was no shortage of en energy and intrigue as West Coast got through their final session in Adelaide before taking on Carlton. Here’s what we saw....
thewest.com.au
Anyone?
🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.
Eagles Training Notes: West Coast skippers switching it up
There was no shortage of en energy and intrigue as West Coast got through their final session in Adelaide before taking on Carlton. Here’s what we saw....
Anyone?
HR9 in the comments
What was the comment??
incoming
HR flipping the bird
Thank you all.
How sweet a win would be.
How sweet a win would be.
- Status
Similar threads
