Preview Round 2, 2025: Carlton v Hawthorn, Thursday 20th March, 7:30pm @MCG

[Mr Meeseeks]

Nash v Cripps will be a great watch. Interesting to see how Cripps who think is a wonderful player goes in the unfamiliar territory of playing on a bloke bigger stronger and faster

He IS a wonderful player, you dont get 40+ brownlow votes just because the umpires might like you. He doesnt have many mates though, that is their issue

He will come out breathing fire this week and Nash is a great matchup for him.

 

[JRH]

Serong in for scrimmers
Breust in for frost as sub

 

[BIGHAWK23]

Weddle to the third tall

Gunners to Weitering

 

[extractasam]

Weddle to the third tall

Gunners to Weitering

Carlton boards talking about Curnow being back so it will be dependant on what we think matchup wise.

Had a look and Barrass had 9 kicked on him by Curnow last time they played. Obviously our defensive system is a lot different and that wce side was terrible etc, but food for thought. We also have history of sending Weddle to Curnow. Maybe Weddle/Battle are the direct opponent with Barrass in more a drifting across role playing off McKay when he’s deep

 

[ahhhhhh]

Carlton boards talking about Curnow being back so it will be dependant on what we think matchup wise.

Had a look and Barrass had 9 kicked on him by Curnow last time they played. Obviously our defensive system is a lot different and that wce side was terrible etc, but food for thought. We also have history of sending Weddle to Curnow. Maybe Weddle/Battle are the direct opponent with Barrass in more a drifting across role playing off McKay when he’s deep

Last time they rushed back and underdone Curnow for us; it didn't work out too well.

 

[kazzooka]

Carlton boards talking about Curnow being back so it will be dependant on what we think matchup wise.

Had a look and Barrass had 9 kicked on him by Curnow last time they played. Obviously our defensive system is a lot different and that wce side was terrible etc, but food for thought. We also have history of sending Weddle to Curnow. Maybe Weddle/Battle are the direct opponent with Barrass in more a drifting across role playing off McKay when he’s deep

Battle and Frost both have good records on him.

I think play Frost on him all game as a pure stopper, Barrass on McKay let Battle play on the 3rd and intercept/be attacking.

We have enough options to stop him and McKay.

 

[Bugs1977]

 

[peetoo]

You’d think hawks would be happy with 2

 

[burger09]

Have we ever had a successful challenge?

I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[StillAtLarge]

Sounds crazy (even looks bonkers on the screen as I type this) but I would be tempted to play two rucks and heavily work over De Koning. Having someone like Reeves occasionally stationed deep forward guarantees we never get outmarked also- that's Carlton's only reliable way to rebound.
We'll need Reeves at times this year rucking solo to give Meek a rest but I really don't want Carlton's mids getting first use like Essendon did so I'd see what two rucks looks like in a game where I think we can afford to look at it.

PS More than happy to accept some criticism for this idea hahaha

 

[ahhhhhh]

Sounds crazy (even looks bonkers on the screen as I type this) but I would be tempted to play two rucks and heavily work over De Koning. Having someone like Reeves occasionally stationed deep forward guarantees we never get outmarked also- that's Carlton's only reliable way to rebound.
We'll need Reeves at times this year rucking solo to give Meek a rest but I really don't want Carlton's mids getting first use like Essendon did so I'd see what two rucks looks like in a game where I think we can afford to look at it.

PS More than happy to accept some criticism for this idea hahaha

I strongly disagree. Reeves's forward craft is not up to it and he cannot apply any pressure to keep the ball in there. Weitering would have a field day.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Have we ever had a successful challenge?

I'm not getting my hopes up.

Sicily last year. Which was absolutely bewildering with some of the comments our defense team made.

 

[Dinsdale]

Danger game, bank the 4 points and move on.

 

[TylerDurden]

Sounds crazy (even looks bonkers on the screen as I type this) but I would be tempted to play two rucks and heavily work over De Koning. Having someone like Reeves occasionally stationed deep forward guarantees we never get outmarked also- that's Carlton's only reliable way to rebound.
We'll need Reeves at times this year rucking solo to give Meek a rest but I really don't want Carlton's mids getting first use like Essendon did so I'd see what two rucks looks like in a game where I think we can afford to look at it.

PS More than happy to accept some criticism for this idea hahaha

It's not crazy. Meek is struggling to run out games at present. Was going to ground in ruck contests in the 2nd half, due to pure exhaustion.

 

[killerspud]

P

On Pixel 6 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[killerspud]

I'm thinking it will be CJ in for Scrim as the sole change but I'd be starting Frosty down back (with CJ sub) in place of Scrim and even though he's not as versatile as Scrim I trust him to do the job on one of their tall's in McKay or Curnow if he plays. Barrass can then take the opposite one to Frosty which will allow Sic + Battle to keep on with the intercepting roles they've been playing.

The only other player who I feel hasn't looked 100% fit is Ginni who has been dealing with the ankle. He looked a lot better on Friday night so hopefully it's on the mend.

Danger game, bank the 4 points and move on.

It's not crazy. Meek is struggling to run out games at present. Was going to ground in ruck contests in the 2nd half, due to pure exhaustion.

,,lbblllh

On Pixel 6 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[matey]

It's not crazy. Meek is struggling to run out games at present. Was going to ground in ruck contests in the 2nd half, due to pure exhaustion.

Yeah he looked a little sluggish at times. His game style is so physical ….. any sign of a drop in his energy levels needs to be addressed. Maybe we need to look at rotating the backup ruck role between Nash/Chol/Weds when Meek needs a breather but Nash has an important role on Cripps and Chol is our only key forward at the moment so it’s a delicate balancing act for the coaches.

 

[BIGHAWK23]

It's not crazy. Meek is struggling to run out games at present. Was going to ground in ruck contests in the 2nd half, due to pure exhaustion.

Was rucking against two rucks

Chol attended less than 5 CBA

 

[VandoHawk]

It's not crazy. Meek is struggling to run out games at present. Was going to ground in ruck contests in the 2nd half, due to pure exhaustion.

Meeky had to constantly ruck against two completely fresh rucks after slogging it out against Grundy. Draper may be a bit spuddy but he charges forward at every opportunity, so Meek had to run to cover then match up vs Bryan off the bench.

He will only deal with TDK this week, who is a challenge but certainly won't wear him down in the same manner.

Until Reeves shows a consistent ability to kick goals at Box Hill, I'd resist bringing him in. I wouldn't mind Ramsden but the same logic applies.

 

[QuietB]

Meeky had to constantly ruck against two completely fresh rucks after slogging it out against Grundy. Draper may be a bit spuddy but he charges forward at every opportunity, so Meek had to run to cover then match up vs Bryan off the bench.

He will only deal with TDK this week, who is a challenge but certainly won't wear him down in the same manner.

Until Reeves shows a consistent ability to kick goals at Box Hill, I'd resist bringing him in. I wouldn't mind Ramsden but the same logic applies.

I think the Hawks have already lost a tiny bit of dynamism and run with a significantly taller back line this season. Reeves does not help that problem.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Huge chance that Nash does some ruck work this Thursday night. He'll likely be going head to head with Cripps most of the game, and for whatever reason, Voss loves making Crippa play as the second ruck around the stoppages whenever Pittonet isn't available.

 

[hawkheart]

Sounds crazy (even looks bonkers on the screen as I type this) but I would be tempted to play two rucks and heavily work over De Koning. Having someone like Reeves occasionally stationed deep forward guarantees we never get outmarked also- that's Carlton's only reliable way to rebound.
We'll need Reeves at times this year rucking solo to give Meek a rest but I really don't want Carlton's mids getting first use like Essendon did so I'd see what two rucks looks like in a game where I think we can afford to look at it.

PS More than happy to accept some criticism for this idea hahaha

I think that’s playing reactively not proactively

 

[Dewnior]

Meek won't have two genuine rucks working him over. Small hands is still injured.

I'd be backing Meek to hold his own on DeKoning and Nash on Cripps.

We don't need a lumbering ruck as back up.

 

[Flag08]

Going to be wet now. CJ in please.

 

[VandoHawk]

Actually that's a good point.

Carlton like to use Cripps at some ruck stoppages to break tags, get him moving etc. Nash is probably one of the only players in the comp that can actually match him in that area too.