Rnd.2 Match Day Thread Carlton V Sydney. 4.40pm Etihad Stadium.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Watching today I'm reminded why I'm still recovering from the decision to exclude Laidler late in the year in 2014. And I say that as a fan of Horse.

He's a hard competitive more skilful than recognised footballer.

[aguy]

A very encouraging game.

Terrific game from Sinclair and Tippett in the ruck. They've become a formidable pair.

The new guys from last week backed up well. I especially liked papley taking his mark against Simpson before goaling.

Cunningham played a very good game. Towers was a Bit quiet today and Lloyd wasn't as active as last week but still played a very important link job. Mills looking solid for a very young guy. A few poor decisions from him but that's to be expected for his early games.

Like I said overall very pleased

[neilfws]

Tippett and Sinclair what a ruck combo can get hitouts and go forward and kick goals beautiful to watch and Robbos goal was parker-esque

Really liking Tippett's attitude this year and I'm liking him with Sinclair even more. Great to have a working ruck/forward combination again. Different to the Mumford days (enjoyed watching him crash and bash in the Geelong game today), but different in a good way.

Two solid wins to start the season, pretty good. Hope they don't let down their guard next week.

[liz]

Very hard to pick the best players. Most of the senior players were excellent, and the youngsters contributed well too.

I especially like the look of steely determination on Tippett's face. Even though the game was already won, there was no way he was going to miss any of those final quarter shots at goal.

Papley's going to face tougher challenges, but he's a young man with a heap of confidence in his ability at this level. To even attempt that mark was one thing. To complete it, against a significantly taller and very experienced opponent, was classy.

Jack seems to be the forgotten player in the media amongst our senior midfield core. Kennedy, Hannebery and Parker all get plenty of recognition but Jack's putting his hand up and saying "What about me?" in the best possible way.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Very hard to pick the best players. Most of the senior players were excellent, and the youngsters contributed well too.

I especially like the look of steely determination on Tippett's face. Even though the game was already won, there was no way he was going to miss any of those final quarter shots at goal.

Papley's going to face tougher challenges, but he's a young man with a heap of confidence in his ability at this level. To even attempt that mark was one thing. To complete it, against a significantly taller and very experienced opponent, was classy.

Jack seems to be the forgotten player in the media amongst our senior midfield core. Kennedy, Hannebery and Parker all get plenty of recognition but Jack's putting his hand up and saying "What about me?" in the best possible way.

Agree about Jack, is it just me or does he seem to have regained that agility and explosiveness that seemed to have dropped off the past couple couple of seasons? It makes such a difference to our midfield when we have someone who can explode or quick step out of a pack rather than just bullock through and shoot a scrappy handball out of a tackle.

[Mug Punter]

Was a bit distracted watching the game so I'll be interested in others' opinions here.

A good all-round performance, winning the games you should.

I like the Tippett-Sinclair combo and I was thrilled to see the three newbies back up last week's performances, they look like keepers to me If Papley can be a small forward who contributes 25-30 goals this season he'll be worth his spot for the full year.

Robbo looks to have improved, he'd be miles ahead of BJ, whose elder bro had another good game. It will be the improvement in the bottom six of our 22 this year that will determine how far we go in September and from two rounds I'd say that the following players have improved significantly this season over 2015 - Jones, Heeney, Lloyd, Robbo and Mitchell.

Buddy looks great doesn't he, back to his best and I reckon he's got a bit left in him too.

Thought Towers had another game where he contributed well. One passage of play in the 4th was great from him where he made a tackle then backed up to deliver the ball upfield for a goal. I love the fact that him and blokes like Hewett just do a role for the team and they both look every inch AFL footballers.

Today we did what good teams do, put weaker teams away and Carlton, despite being an improved side with some good young talent, are still weak. Next week will be our sternest test and I'm really looking forward to it.

Isn't it great to be enjoying the footy again after all the bad energy of last year

And the other good news is the form of the twos with a big win over the Lions, our depth really is starting to improve

[Cheer_Cheer]

My overall impression of our side now is that we are very well balanced. A really nice mix of players across the whole park. Our handballing has been exceptional so far and our kicking has improved. Still needs more improvement but very pleasing to see it heading in the right direction. Kizza is looking fantastic. Moving better than he has for quite a while. Listening to Eddie was hard.

[Nico]

KJ was very good out of the centre again. We had many clean centre clearances and boy has it made a difference to our game. It puts so much pressure on the opposing defence and 0ur mids just swarm forward to pick up any spills.

Both Tippett and Sinclair were excellent at centre bounces. Sinclair takes the ruck duel and then continues forward to win the footy. Tippett was sensational around the ground and a lot of his grunt work below his knees goes unnoticed. Really, really strong in the packs. BOG for mine.

I just love the way we play the corridor and how players immedaitely go on the move to find space there. Exciting footy to watch and we can get better. A few times we went that one extra handpass when we had them dead to rites with an open forward line, and caused a turnover. I reckon a couple resulted in turnover goals.

[barry]

No weak links. Good signs

[Mug Punter]

KJ was very good out of the centre again. We had many clean centre clearances and boy has it made a difference to our game. It puts so much pressure on the opposing defence and 0ur mids just swarm forward to pick up any spills.

Both Tippett and Sinclair were excellent at centre bounces. Sinclair takes the ruck duel and then continues forward to win the footy. Tippett was sensational around the ground and a lot of his grunt work below his knees goes unnoticed. Really, really strong in the packs. BOG for mine.

I just love the way we play the corridor and how players immedaitely go on the move to find space there. Exciting footy to watch and we can get better. A few times we went that one extra handpass when we had them dead to rites with an open forward line, and caused a turnover. I reckon a couple resulted in turnover goals.

I'd rate Kizza as our most improved and he was by no means poor last year

[Panttz]

You know everyone is happy when there are only a couple of pages on these kinds of posts!

Looking ahead, who makes way for Rohan and Reid when they return?

I'm guessing McVeigh comes in for Hewitt or Robinson. Who else makes way?

[giant]

Very good performance. Mitchell is turning into an outstanding AFL midfielder. Are Tippet and Sinclair becoming the blueprint for the new ruck regime? Early days, but good signs.

Tougher test next week - bring it on!

[Industrial Fan]

McVeigh in jones out.

Carlton were good in patches but couldn't sustain the effort.

Big men ripped them apart, youngsters were good again. Mills had a fair few clangers and poor decisions this week.

[giant]

One thing that I was wondering after Boekhort's blatant staging: is there actually the capacity for the umpire to reverse a decision? I mean, can they look up at the replay screen, realise that they've been conned and give the ball back to the team that has been cheated?

No but you'd hope the tribunal has the balls to lighten his wallet by a few $.

[mcs]

You know everyone is happy when there are only a couple of pages on these kinds of posts!

Looking ahead, who makes way for Rohan and Reid when they return?

I'm guessing McVeigh comes in for Hewitt or Robinson. Who else makes way?

Don't forget that the first one likely to be back is McGlynn, who had a strong game in ressies yesterday. I think he comes in for Robinson probably as the first change, but no idea who drops out for Reid and Rohan when they are fit. Our team is looking really balanced at the moment, and playing some great early season footy.

On a broader note, the lower interchange limit is certainly helping to open up the play - the footy over the first two rounds has been excellent in general, I'm actually sitting and enjoying watching not involving the Swans for the first time in a few years.