An injury-ravaged Carlton could field as many as five debutants for their must-win clash with West Coast in Perth on Sunday.
The AFL ladder has come to resemble a footballing version of snakes and ladders,so let’s have a bit of fun and forecast exactly how things will look in 10 days’ time.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said his whole club was frustrated with its performance this season. Meanwhile,the data backs up Sam Mitchell’s hope that his surging Hawks play a brand of footy that will stand up in September,and Carlton will blood at least one debutant this week.
As the Blues lick their wounds from their horror loss to Hawthorn – and another run of terrible injuries to star players – the club’s administration is looking to shore up its future off the field.
Carlton are ravaged by injury,but their problems started when they had close to a full list to choose from. Six weeks ago,when the club’s juggernaut was stopped in its tracks,there was a series of eyebrow-raising moves.
In a league where there are fixturing quirks aplenty,it’s up to teams to make the most of any advantage,particularly when it comes to how many times they play the worst-performing teams.
Sydney coach John Longmire has taken exception to a suggestion by Collingwood coach Craig McRae that his side would have been paid a late penalty in Friday’s match had it been at the MCG,while the injury toll from Sunday’s thrashing continues for the Blues.
The race for the top eight in this most unpredictable of seasons continues apace,with all spots still up for grabs and two games remaining. Where will your team finish?
Some of the competition’s big names dragged their teams over the line in performances that reminded everyone that the best players win flags,while the big four Victorian teams disappeared from centre stage and the Suns finally broke their hoodoo.
Carlton face an uphill battle to qualify for September after they lost their position in the eight as four players,including star forward Charlie Curnow,suffered injuries in a heavy loss to Hawthorn,leaving coach Michael Voss with plenty to ponder.
Michael Voss has vowed redemption after Carlton were left stunned by a 74-point loss to Hawthorn which has left their finals hopes hanging by a thread. The Saints,meanwhile,have crunched the Tigers,while the Western Bulldogs have gone down to Adelaide.