2015 NAB Cup: Carlton v Geelong Etihad Stadium Sunday 22/03/2015

[Mat0369]

It's all about structure and he isn't going to get games ahead of Judd, Murph, Gibbs, Simmo, Carrots. and Curnow. Then it comes down to versatility and that is where Bell/Boekhorst have him covered because Bell can play as a half forward and hit the scoreboard and Boekhorst has pace to burn which Carlton need when you have just lost Jeff Garlett.

[Mat0369]

Bell is turning it on at the moment as well. He is breaking lines and hitting the scoreboard

[Pkbaldy]

So why can't Cripps rest up forward? Because I have seen him doing it a few times now. And usually gets a touch or 2 from it. In my opinion they will have to play Cripps, if they want that extra clearance power. Boekhurst hasn't been doing anything special to make him deserve a spot to play in round 1...

[Ricochet]

Yeh Cockatoo goes alright

[Mat0369]

Because Cripps doesn't have the ability to play as a forward yet. He doesn't have the pace to play as a crumber, he doesn't have the ability overhead and he doesn't hit the scoreboard. Through the NAB he has played the majority of the time in the center square with the absence of at least one of Gibbs, Murph and Judd. If he plays it has to be as a pure mid, you can't have a slower clearance guy come into the game as a sub, it doesn't work. You are also not going to force the core guys to play the majority of the game forward so Cripps can play in the center square when they are all ahead of him.

Boekhorst has the pace to play as the sub but is probably throwing it away at the moment. If Tutt comes on and gets a bit of the pill as the sub he might get the vest round 1. Same goes with Smith, they have some pace to come on and impact games. The only spot up for grabs in the Blues 22 if Walker is fit for round 1 is the sub role.

[Pkbaldy]

Alright rising star odds.

Nakia Cockatoo @ $12
Paddy Cripps @ $21

[Mat0369]

Cockatoo reminds me of Cyril, he just sort of lingers around for the majority of the quarter then goes bang and does something brilliant

[Pkbaldy]

"Ahh sorry Paddy, you won't be playing today... 25+ touches handful of tackles and clearances just aren't enough to make the squad for round 1. Instead we will go for the guy who can barely get the ball and he's ability to read the ball isn't that good BUT he can play on the flank so he gets the job, sorry mate."

Yeah doesn't sound right....

[Mat0369]

And playing Cripps as the sub isn't going to really do a hell of a lot for his development when he can play full games in the VFL

[Pkbaldy]

I wouldn't start him as a SUB anyway. Would rather Curnow as the sub. Get him on midway through the 3rd quarter he will kill it.

[Mat0369]

I wouldn't start him as a SUB anyway. Would rather Curnow as the sub. Get him on midway through the 3rd quarter he will kill it.

???

You realise Curnow is probably the number 1 tagger in the league right now with no Crowley and Caff? Picken is the other guy that could claim that mantle

[Pkbaldy]

I wouldn't start him as a SUB anyway. Would rather Curnow as the sub. Get him on midway through the 3rd quarter he will kill it.

???

You realise Curnow is probably the number 1 tagger in the league right now with no Crowley and Caff? Picken is the other guy that could claim that mantle

shower my bad, Carrots not Curnow. Getting old so sending him out in the 3rd quarter would be good for him.

[Mat0369]

shower my bad, Carrots not Curnow. Getting old so sending him out in the 3rd quarter would be good for him.

Carrots has actually looked amazing this pre-season. Considering his calf has been giving him trouble the last two years he looks the fittest I have seen him in a while. Again, Carrots is not exactly the type of guy you want as the sub, he is an accumulator and not an impact player that will come on and break the lines and hit the scoreboard. What might actually help Cripps is if Carlton start Walker as the sub round 1 to ease him back in

[H1bb3i2d]

I'm not really believing Bartel came on at HT just looking at the game stats now. Wow, he's really pressing his case in my team over Goddard. And this is with SJ in the side.

[Pkbaldy]

Yeah 17 touches since half time isn't too shabby  ;)