Preview 2025 Rd 2 Carlton vs Hawthorn Thursday 20th March 7.30PM AEDT @ MCG

[Aphrodite]

1 change

IN: Curnow

OUT: Evans

AFL team selection: Curnow back home

Carlton has named its team of 23 for Round 2's first home game against Hawthorn.

www.carltonfc.com.au

 

[Crazyjoedevolamk11]

Voss's presser left me cold....not looking forward to tomorrow night's game at all

 

[Benga]

Doesn't really sound like us, does it?

I don't disagree he changes our forward line, I just don't think we'll get it down there enough to win.

Getting it into our forward line has never been our issue

 

[morningbrown]

If I see Cripps in the ruck tomorrow night I'll spew up

 

[Soapy V]

I’ve said it before, Arr0w. But I fundamentally disagree with those who say Voss doesn’t have a clear gameplan. He has a very clear game plan and he has emphasised it continually since he got here.

The bigger issue is as to why the players (with the exception of a 6-week stretch in 2023) don’t play it. Is it because they can’t play it? Or is it because they won’t play it?

If it is the former, then the coaches need to review the gameplan and adjust it. If it’s the latter, then list management needs to find some players who are all in.

Of course he has a game plan. Every coach does

The questions you then ask are the same I'd like answers to.

1. It's either the game plan doesn't work and he has no back up or doesn't adjust it to suit situation
2. The players haven't bought into it and can't execute it
3. The players are lazy and/or not good enough

This is where it sits for me as the more data and stats I read of the last 12 months the more concerned I get. We are in a serious hole and something drastic needs to happen for us to turn it around

 

[Ahuitzotl]

Look, we can win this if we
1. Apply defensive pressure across the ground when required.
2. Use the ball intelligently.
3. Respond positively to pressure.
4. Play under umpiring which ignores the “free kick Hawthorn” policy.

So, going by recent observation, a win is highly unlikely - but still possible!

 

[Soapy V]

Look, we can win this if we
1. Apply defensive pressure across the ground when required.
2. Use the ball intelligently.
3. Respond positively to pressure.
4. Play under umpiring which ignores the “free kick Hawthorn” policy.

So, going by recent observation, a win is highly unlikely - but still possible!

100% correct

Issue I have it seems to be us wishing for the same stuff every week only to be disappointed.

What did Freud say about the definition of insanity?

 

[Jatz]

I’ve said it before, Arr0w. But I fundamentally disagree with those who say Voss doesn’t have a clear gameplan. He has a very clear game plan and he has emphasised it continually since he got here.

The bigger issue is as to why the players (with the exception of a 6-week stretch in 2023) don’t play it. Is it because they can’t play it? Or is it because they won’t play it?

If it is the former, then the coaches need to review the gameplan and adjust it. If it’s the latter, then list management needs to find some players who are all in.

How do you know they're not playing it and it's just a bad game plan? Just because he has one, doesn't mean it'd be successful.

 

[Jatz]

Getting it into our forward line has never been our issue

Disagree but that's ok.

They restricted Sydney to 40 I50 entries in OR but conceded 58 to the Bombers. Will be very interested to see how many we get tomorrow. I won't at all be surprised if the number starts with a 4.

 

[JimmyRabbit49]

something drastic needs to happen for us to turn it around

Like losing to a team that finished dead last in 2024 and was tipped to struggle to win a game in 2025?

 

[JimmyRabbit49]

Disagree but that's ok.

They restricted Sydney to 40 I50 entries in OR but conceded 58 to the Bombers. Will be very interested to see how many we get tomorrow. I won't at all be surprised if the number starts with a 4.

The main reason the Bombers got so many inside 50's is they won the clearances by 19 (50-31), which is worse when you consider the lost the centre clearances by 4 (11-15), and the contested possession by 24 (150-126).

Replicating those clearance and stoppage wins should be right in our wheelhouse which should see us create plenty of opportunity inside 50 - capitalising on those opportunities and keeping our defensive structure to prevent being caught out on the rebound is going to be the challenge.

 

[Uncle Fester]

That he learned that Cripps should be the last Carlton player to go into the ruck when we need him to lift (or carry) the team in the last quarter.

Sheer stubbornness or sheer stupidity?

What instructions do you reckon Mitchell would be giving his ruck if Cripps is played there tomorrow night ?

mitchell would never play the man, or instruct his players to do so......... yeah right

sorry couldnt help myself - the post just reminds me why i hate hawthorn so very much, more that the pies, more than *, more than anyone. nasty, thuggish, brutal swine who wrap themselves in the bullsh!t of the family club, yeah family if you mean costra nostra, they have no issue crossing any line if it gives them advantage and get away with it

my kids keep saying just because you hated the 80s & 90s teams, and had issues with the clarkson team, you shouldnt hate this one - they are different people - my @rse - the genes are strong in brown and yellow - you just watch tomorrow - the noise will be all about ginnivan not getting a free when ducks his stupid head for the 4 millionth time, just watch the silence when he unleashes another piece of on field bastardry on some carlton player who is trying to play the ball. i guarantee he tunnels an undefended player in the air, again.

rant over - that feels better

go blues

PS - did i mention that i hate hawthorn

 

[HyphensBack]

Taken me all week to really get interested again

Here’s my take:

Newman is a big out - hoping Hayes or JSOS can work it out but fear we need an old head like Doch down back but is he up to it ??

Charlie was a big out - our forward line is a liability - strange with two Coleman medalists but our small/mid forwards are a huge issue - we need to run and carry more and lower our eyes/ kicks - I like Jack as a swing forward option though (don’t try it too late though)

Big Brute Rucks cause us problems - TDK is super critical to our clearance game but if he is getting beaten up we are in trouble - hate a dual ruck but feel we may need Pitt to play half a dozen games to soften up the Big Brutes

We are capable of great football - but four quarter football is needed - 88% of all games are won between the ears - and 78% of all stats are made up - the Coaches and leaders are critical to our success - Voss and co need to be making in game changes that has everyone going wow

Left Field - imagine if rather than sacking the coach at around 6 - Wright and Co parachuted a different opinion into the box i.e Adam Simpson (tactical) or Ted Lasso (motivational) - Believe!

 

[SurreyBlue]

mitchell would never play the man, or instruct his players to do so......... yeah right

sorry couldnt help myself - the post just reminds me why i hate hawthorn so very much, more that the pies, more than *, more than anyone. nasty, thuggish, brutal swine who wrap themselves in the bullsh!t of the family club, yeah family if you mean costra nostra, they have no issue crossing any line if it gives them advantage and get away with it

my kids keep saying just because you hated the 80s & 90s teams, and had issues with the clarkson team, you shouldnt hate this one - they are different people - my @rse - the genes are strong in brown and yellow - you just watch tomorrow - the noise will be all about ginnivan not getting a free when ducks his stupid head for the 4 millionth time, just watch the silence when he unleashes another piece of on field bastardry on some carlton player who is trying to play the ball. i guarantee he tunnels an undefended player in the air, again.

rant over - that feels better

go blues

PS - did i mention that i hate hawthorn

Have to agree - although i hate all 3 equally and as badly as each other.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Have to agree - although i hate all 3 equally and as badly as each other.

but somehow the "football public" give hawthorn a pass - its probably because they arent a big, proper club...

 

[TheBlueCampaigner]

Taken me all week to really get interested again

Here’s my take:

Newman is a big out - hoping Hayes or JSOS can work it out but fear we need an old head like Doch down back but is he up to it ??

Charlie was a big out - our forward line is a liability - strange with two Coleman medalists but our small/mid forwards are a huge issue - we need to run and carry more and lower our eyes/ kicks - I like Jack as a swing forward option though (don’t try it too late though)

Big Brute Rucks cause us problems - TDK is super critical to our clearance game but if he is getting beaten up we are in trouble - hate a dual ruck but feel we may need Pitt to play half a dozen games to soften up the Big Brutes

We are capable of great football - but four quarter football is needed - 88% of all games are won between the ears - and 78% of all stats are made up - the Coaches and leaders are critical to our success - Voss and co need to be making in game changes that has everyone going wow

Left Field - imagine if rather than sacking the coach at around 6 - Wright and Co parachuted a different opinion into the box i.e Adam Simpson (tactical) or Ted Lasso (motivational) - Believe!

And then we win the premiership! Then a big pink flying pig swoops down, picks me up and carries me away to Homer Simpson’s candy land all to the soundtrack of Sunshine Lollipops! Just like my dream!

 

[Arr0w]

I’ve said it before, Arr0w. But I fundamentally disagree with those who say Voss doesn’t have a clear gameplan. He has a very clear game plan and he has emphasised it continually since he got here.

The bigger issue is as to why the players (with the exception of a 6-week stretch in 2023) don’t play it. Is it because they can’t play it? Or is it because they won’t play it?

If it is the former, then the coaches need to review the gameplan and adjust it. If it’s the latter, then list management needs to find some players who are all in.

It's always the sum of all parts for me

I think we have all dissected last year in one way shape or form, most of which is based on varied degrees of opinion

Based on the now, first game of the year, IMHO, it looked like the players turned their toes up, seemed it was too hard to fight in the trenches

Ultimately, its the coaches/on field leaders responsibility to change that mindset first and foremost, even if it takes dropping name players so it doesn't become habitually poor

Once you get consistent effort in game or a phase of games, you are better equipped to make gameplan and tactical changes, otherwise you are guessing

 

[tarczonandjane]

How do you know they're not playing it and it's just a bad game plan? Just because he has one, doesn't mean it'd be successful.

Because Voss continually says they’re not playing the game plan. He’s told us as much ad nauseum for three seasons now.

At no point did I say anything on whether the gameplan would be successful if implemented as intended. That’s a totally different subject. I do have my doubts with the way the game has evolved.

 

[Matty411]

I sincerely think Curnow changes very little for us this week.

Hawthorn are fast and slick, they're everything we're not. They belted us late last year and they seem to have become better while we continue our downward slide.

It honestly wouldn't shock me if this becomes a 50 point belting.

With everything considered - all of our faults and issues from last week - the main takeaway for me after watching the Cats and Hawks... we are just sooooo freakin' slow. Like treakle. Slow in our ball movement. Slow in our leg speed. Slow in our reactions.

Hawks and Cats were running in waves with purpose and solidarity. It made me sad but also gave clarity.

Can we get that? I'm not so sure. But that's where I'd start (right after we train the **** out of the fundamentals).

 

[David Sylvian]

If I see Cripps in the ruck tomorrow night I'll spew up

Might happen if Crippa ‘loves it’!!!

 

[Uncle Fester]

With everything considered - all of our faults and issues from last week - the main takeaway for me after watching the Cats and Hawks... we are just sooooo freakin' slow. Like treakle. Slow in our ball movement. Slow in our leg speed. Slow in our reactions.

Hawks and Cats were running in waves with purpose and solidarity. It made me sad but also gave clarity.

Can we get that? I'm not so sure. But that's where I'd start (right after we train the **** out of the fundamentals).

i look at it the other way - a very ordinary * ran hawthorn close even though they had a non existent forward line. dont believe the hype. im also a inveterate optimist

 

[gbatman]

We need to play like it's our grand final to win this which will absolutely cook us for next week.

Because we don't have the forwards to win big games we need our talls to stand up and we need to smash the opposition in inside 50s which means smashing them around the middle and on the rebound.

Because we don't have forwards. We also need to be able to handle the opposition completely piledriving us later in the game as well.

One thing about footy is that dominating and going forward a lot and not scoring is exhausting. A lot of people on here have hammered our team for being soft and weak and making a heap of sloppy mistakes. Reality is they were exhausted, they were cooked and they were put under pressure by the teams complete inability to make the ball at minimum stop in out forward end.

If our forwards can't score and can't halve contests in the forward end, watch our defence and midfield cop a hammering. It's not weakness, it's exhaustion.

I don't know how much footy many on here have played, but that is exactly what it is.

The model to beat us is to go tall in defence and flood. Take away the couple of strengths we have up forward and smother them. Crowd the forward line and make their weakness even weaker.

End of the day the team that scores the most wins and if you struggle to score, you struggle to win.

If we play this like our grand final, we might get a win here. But it's likely we will come away sore and with injuries. I think this issue has had a lot to do with us being injury prone over the years.

The easiest it is to score the easier the game and for us there have been no easy games.

 

[CCurnow3votes]

Bring the game we will bring the noise, give us something to cheer about.

I’d love to see a Carlton FC chant go up at the G before the game this weekend - solidarity brothers & sisters!

 

[JimmyRabbit49]

Somehow the almost blanket negativity and henny penny posts on this site always manage to make me stop and put everything into perspective and remember the wise words of Leigh Matthews nothing is ever as good or bad as it seems.

 

[CCurnow3votes]

100% correct

Issue I have it seems to be us wishing for the same stuff every week only to be disappointed.

What did Freud say about the definition of insanity?

Was that something to do with our mothers?

 

[Blues_Man]

Just think it'll be too tall. If we play 3 talls down forward, the Hawks will run the ball out of our F50 with complete ease.

They will do that anyway