When I first saw the AFL pop up about a forwards ACL, I thought it may have been a tall knowing our luck.
Bad luck for Motts though, I was hoping to see what he could do for us this year.
On the positive side, we have enough depth in his position to cover him.
I hope he recovers well and is back up and firing at the end of the season ready for 2027.

Was really enjoying my ski holiday in Europe.
Funny never a day not Talking Carlton with my nearly 18yo son, whilst on lifts, during down time…

In Austria during spare time we were looking at our Under 25 team, and picking our expected break outs…..the impact Jagga Newman and Kemp will have…

In Dolomites now and main theme discussed was our expected improved fitness with former Swan, who we have met, McInnes, in his 2nd year, and his regimes’ support from Hayward and Florent, and their positive impact on the team.

Yesterday we were discussing our experiences how one bad egg in a team can have a such huge negative impact, and we concluded we are really glad the Charlie influence is gone….and the 3 first round picks/ addition of Walker was a great plus too. p

We were Believing our bad luck with injury is behind us and our strengths will shine this year with a super fit team.

Then the news when we woke up this morning, Blue forward has done an ACL. phaaaaaaarqe…not a tall…not Harry, Kemp or OKeefe….or Reidy….my son was teasing me, not telling me the name. I thought the worst.

Relief it was a small, but we actually felt 20yo Motlop had 2 years to mature and add another layer to his game before his next contract. Any injury is bad news for development, for depth, for pressure on spots, and team momentum.

I guess now Ollie Hollands secures a spot. Bonus, and with 2 LTI’s now, we can really balance up our 2026 list and give the comp a shake.

Also have a feeling Taylor Byrne who has a bit of a Cody feel about his game, may be given a chance earlier than expected now that Motlop is out, and a hoping a tall may well be considered along with White if he’s still a possibility. Not that I’m desperate for White to be on our 2026 list….but a KP tall seems a real chance.

Maybe Motlops injury has a Silver lining instead of reflecting the poison chalice we have come use to.

Happy New Year TCers. I’m expecting one. I’ll be back for the Geelong praccy game. Can’t wait.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Feel for Mots, however, he wasn't guaranteed a spot in the 23 so whilst it will impact depth, we have plenty in this role now with the recruits we've brought in and it's not as big a loss as some others would be.

Charlie never did an ACL, maybe this year.
He got hurt during a game and repeatedly injured it again doing stupid things.

Bad luck for Motlop. I was watching the news last night and the sport leads with news of two Collingwood players injuring their calf.
Then as an afterthought they mentioned a couple of players doing ACL's.

Bad luck for Mots thought it might be a breakout year but hopefully Will White gets another go played quite well in debut season and unlucky to not be offered another contract

Needs to nail the goals missed a few last year that were gettable and passes need to be crisper rather than pie floaters but got potential
Won time trial today so has a bit of toe too

I can't be so... blasé?... maybe not the right word... about this. Once again we go into a new season with two soldiers already down for the year with ACLs. It's appalling that we always start at such a disadvantage year after year. Yes, we can top up the list, but the replacements may be of lesser quality and haven't had the time in our system. This @#$%&! blows. And there's still time to add a third, or a fourth. When is it our turn to start a year at full strength?