Who will be better in 2026? Carlton or North Melbourne.

[Makeshift Park]

Comben, McKercher, Daniel, McDonald, Fisher, Corr... Really Archer and Pink are the only ones who actually show any intent of actually defending while the others run around chasing kicks to the teams detriment.

McDonald is very accountable, he just can’t be trusted doing anything ambitious ball in hand.

Would be disappointed if Fisher and Corr are anything more than emergencies for the senior team at this point.

FOS is a very balanced and accountable defender, albeit young, and probably destined for the midfield within a couple seasons.

Agree there’s a challenge in the backline chemistry atm, insofar as none of our three first-choice key defenders (Logue, Comben, and Pink) are great distributors, so we need at least two defenders with great offensive weapons. FOS, Kerch and Daniel are all great users. Archer is a good small lockdown type. Hoping that some configuration of those 7 plus Goater and McDonald can do the job until Dawson and Thredgold are ready.

 

[Makeshift Park]

North conceded over 500 points more than the Blues did in 2025 and that was in a season that was considered a complete disaster for us.

I put it to you that the reason for that was far more to do with the lack of consistent midfield accountability from anyone aside from Xerri or Parker. Wardlaw will get there with a proper tank. FOS too, when he moves position.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

I put it to you that the reason for that was far more to do with the lack of consistent midfield accountability from anyone aside from Xerri or Parker. Wardlaw will get there with a proper tank. FOS too, when he moves position.

Played a part but end of the day Daniel, Comben and McKercher who are three mainstays of the backline are genuine liabilities defensively as of 2025.

 

[the big lebowski]

Norths backline has the very simple issue of a complete lack of interest in defending an opponent.

Comben, McKercher, Daniel, McDonald, Fisher, Corr... Really Archer and Pink are the only ones who actually show any intent of actually defending while the others run around chasing kicks to the teams detriment. My good mate is a mad North nuffie and bemoans it just about every week that they play. Same goes for most of your midfield too to be honest.

North conceded over 500 points more than the Blues did in 2025 and that was in a season that was considered a complete disaster for us. I'll take Carltons backline any day over that lot.

It’s not a lack of intent. It’s an inability to execute a defensive game plan the coach is trying to implement.

Agree it’s bloody horrible. So bad that the word is clarko has relented and admitted things need to change gameplan wise.

No idea how it will change but it’s been acknowledged publicly (months after it was rumoured) by Barlow in a presser last week.

Who knows if it will be better, but it will be different

 

[Shack18]

North will be better than Carlton next year

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

It’s not a lack of intent. It’s an inability to execute a defensive game plan the coach is trying to implement.

Agree it’s bloody horrible. So bad that the word is clarko has relented and admitted things need to change gameplan wise.

No idea how it will change but it’s been acknowledged publicly (months after it was rumoured) by Barlow in a presser last week.

Who knows if it will be better, but it will be different

Well I'm sure North fans would look forward to hopefully seeing a difference in 2026 then. The last few years it really has been shambolic, especially for a Clarko coached side.

 

[South of the Yarra]

There is no comparison between the two lists. North will finish higher and easily.

 

[bradfisher14]

Never ceases to amaze me just how rent free we are in pies fans minds despite the fact we have been shambolic for nearly 30 years. We must’ve done some serious emotional damage to these people. I almost feel bad at this point lol

 

[South of the Yarra]

Never ceases to amaze me just how rent free we are in pies fans minds despite the fact we have been shambolic for nearly 30 years. We must’ve done some serious emotional damage to these people. I almost feel bad at this point lol

And yet it is you raising Collingwood in a North vs Blues thread. Rather ironic.

 

[gab213]

Stoopid Fred

 

[Fadge]

Stoopid Fred

Why?

According to all the betting agencies, Carlton v. North will be much closer than Carlton v
Collingwood, and you've spent a fair amount of time contributing to the latter thread.

 

[gab213]

Why?

According to all the betting agencies, Carlton v. North will be much closer than Carlton v
Collingwood, and you've spent a fair amount of time contributing to the latter thread.

Why? Because you Collingwood supporters have infested it, now shoo

 

[Robertio]

Why?

According to all the betting agencies, Carlton v. North will be much closer than Carlton v
Collingwood, and you've spent a fair amount of time contributing to the latter thread.

Same Pie posters in a Carlton thread again, Blues have done a number on you mate we are rent free in your head, was funny for a while but the same old shit in different threads everyday is getting boring and it's only going to get worse with school holidays coming up.

 

[Worm4]

Same Pie posters in a Carlton thread again, Blues have done a number on you mate we are rent free in your head, was funny for a while but the same old shit in different threads everyday is getting boring and it's only going to get worse with school holidays coming up.

Fadge bringing up gambling again. Would never have thought.

 

[Frank Thring]

As a North supporter, I find it encouraging that others are now comparing us to teams who consistently miss finals

 

[South of the Yarra]

Fadge bringing up gambling again. Would never have thought.

Worn bringing up Fadge again. Would never have thought.

 

[Worm4]

Worn bringing up Fadge again. Would never have thought.

Fadge and SOTY in another Carlton thread. Blow me down with a feather

 

[South of the Yarra]

Fadge and SOTY in another Carlton thread. Blow me down with a feather

I am here for Shinboners.

 

[RUNVS]

I am here for Shinboners.

I never got that nickname because the shin bone is one of the weakest bones in terms of how easily it can hurt. One small kick and the shin bone will hurt for days. I suppose it is better than them being called the "elbowers" or something but not much.

 

[South of the Yarra]

I never got that nickname because the shin bone is one of the weakest bones in terms of how easily it can hurt. One small kick and the shin bone will hurt for days. I suppose it is better than them being called the "elbowers" or something but not much.

Isn’t it because the players worked in the abattoirs?

 

[RUNVS]

Isn’t it because the players worked in the abattoirs?

Possibly, though I genuinely don't know the connection between shin bones and abattoirs.

 

[South of the Yarra]

Possibly, though I genuinely don't know the connection between shin bones and abattoirs.

Kangas fans may be able to help but I have heard two theories. The first the players arrived at training with blood on their shinbones the other was that shin boning was part of the job in the abattoirs

 

[Andrewgtv05]

This is like starting an argument on who was a better person Between FDR and Hitler

 

[Frank Thring]

I never got that nickname because the shin bone is one of the weakest bones in terms of how easily it can hurt. One small kick and the shin bone will hurt for days. I suppose it is better than them being called the "elbowers" or something but not much.

The way we have been playing over the last 6 years, the name suits based on your description

 

[bungalow_bill]

They're trending up, you're trending down and they beat you last time

Logic would dictate they will fly past Carlton in 2026

It was a close win, and to be fair the Blues would have won if they had klcked more accurately. Plus they thrashed them by 82 points in their previous match up.