Read some posts on this site and others that the Doggies killed us in the midfield..
Without claiming to be a football analytical genious, the stats say that we thrashed the Doggies in the all important contested possessions, and still managed to have more kicks then they did despite our low possession game plan.
I also saw Scotland, Lappin, Stevens, McGrath, Camporeale, Teague and in the latter stages Davies and Walker clean up in the midfield. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that it was our hardness and unbridled exuberance for the footy in the midfield and along the half back line that set up all our forays forward.
Reading that we need to work on our midfield contested possessions having won by what couldve been 12 goals last night was disappointing to say the least, taking some significant shine off a performance replete with it.

The key - Brett Johnson.

The decision by Denis to start him on the bench and bring him on in bursts is a bad move.
Granted Johnno isn't the most polished finisher by hand or by foot, but by god when he gets under those packs, he gives the outside midfielders first use.

It was evident in the Adelaide game last year, in fact it stood out like dogs balls.
It was evident last night as well.

His worth to the side has been seriously undervalued, IMO.

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Agreed.

We've been exceptionally fortunate to play all our games at Telstra Dome.

Once we leave the confines of the Dome, without a full strength midfield, we may have problems.

Dont forget we have a bloke called Koutta who is pretty handy in the contested situation. In fact last year we really struggled in games without him to win clearances.
Unless his knee is cactus we should look forward to this gap being filled for the next few years by Koutta. Then I expect Blackwell to start showing his stuff once he puts on a bit of beef in the next few years. If Johnston can continue to be handy allowing koutta to have a rest, I really dont see this part of our game letting us down going forward- barring injuries of course.

Agree re: Brett Johnson, from my observations last year and last night, he might have his failings but boy does he know how to find the footy (actually, the footy finds him). He's a favourite...

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Galaxies in the grain...

Stats say we beat them 7 to 1 in 1st quarter,but by the end of the game they were about the same.The telling factor was definately the heavy imbalance our way in the 1st quarter.Just emphasizes how an important facet of the modern game clearances have become.Remember,being at a 50/50 rate is quite acceptable.Its when you go below this,like last year,that the problems compound all over the ground.So the moral is,last night was o.k.Im telling you mate,if we can keep it at a 50/50 rate for the whole season,then its a top 6 finish,not joking.

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Cory McGrath has been very solid when in the middle and for mine along with Whits, Fev and Chambers, has been one of the real hightlights of the WC.

The rotation of players in the middle has been enormous. Aside from the ruckman there were atleast 10 different heads in the centre square throughout the game.

This is a good sign and it helps to keep up the run but I guess it can also lead to a lack of continuity and communication between such a diverse mix.

When the likes of Braddles, Rats, Browny and Diesel were in the square together on a regular basis it was almost like they were psychic. Mind you having Harry as a ruckman help a tad .

The current crop doesn't yet have that same connection but it is still early. I can only see it getting better, and very quickly.

Frenchy has been solid but he still doesn't always direct the ball to the right spot. We certainly need Kouta in the middle but his days are numbered and so I would love to see Carraz given more time in the middle. Some of his late game bash and crash was just what the Dr. ordered and a joy to watch from my seat.

I will put up my hand and admit Carraz has come on leaps and bounds since I suggested he was playing for himself midway through 2004 in the VFL. A certain blood relative gave me a good old spray.

I thought Carraz was gone but to his great credit he dug deep and pulled out a blinder in the 2nd half of 2004 ‘Lazarus’ is alive and well. Full credit to him and I suspect he will soon become a first pick each week. Being able to play aggressively down back or onball gets him a game infront of Bowyer and AB at this stage.

Moloney was a brilliant pick up for the Dees from the Cats and I hope that Carraz will develop the say way, except better.

Regards Cazzesman

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I hope you're not saying we're going to be falling into the trap of "no Dome, No Carlton" a la the accusation levelled at St Kilda last year.

I think any team without a full-strength midfield on any ground runs the risk of swimming upstream all day.....

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Bloody hell, it wasn't long ago when we couldn't win a game there. Now apparently we will struggle elsewhere?

The reputed disadvantage of playing at TD is that the team becomes too used to the indoor stadium so that they can't handle wind and rain. It isn't so much that the shape or size of it leads to a side that can't play on other grounds. In fact, the sorts of things that TD rewards - fast players who can kick long and accurately and strong marking forwards - is a fair recipe for success on any other ground provided it isn't wet or windy.

But whether it is at TD or any other ground, there isn't much advantage having fast players unless they have the ball. Players like Mitchell, West, Kouta, Brett Johnson, and Francou are vital ball-getters who bring the others into the game even though at least some of them do not have great foot speed. I'd prefer to see Kouta or Johnno feeding the ball out to Campo so that he can storm to 50 and kick a goal rather than expect Campo to go into the middle of the pack to get it himself.

Sorry, if this has been answered somewhere else, but what's happening with your man AB, CM??

Although I think we have looked the best throughout this Wizard Cup campaign with McGrath in the centre square.

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Wouldn't say got thrashed in the middle, but certaintly some of the setups late in the game, wheren't to our advantage. Pagan is still rotating people and considering the game was well and truly won, why wouldn't you.

Hi Heady,

AB is finding it hard to push out the likes of Carraz, JD and Corey. He played in the VFL on Saturday and I thought he looked the most polished of all the senior players. Very clean hands, very slick disposal.

To push ahead of the rest he needs to have a few 25 possession games and kick a few goals running forward. At the end of the day you say 'Yeah AB was solid over 4 quarters but he didn't break the game apart in a way that really caught the eye'.

His development since coming to CFC has been wonderful and he is still only very young in footy terms. He does most things very well and his preperation and training is right up with the best at the club. He just needs to continue being consistant and the breaks will come. When he does get a game he has to work his butt off to get his name up in lights before DP and Co.

I thought against Melbourne he did well when on in the 3rd quarter matched against Brock McLean, who he kept quiet. I noticed that Brock did well in the last whilst AB was warming the bench for most of it.

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Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

Spot on Cazz.Hes just got to bide his time.Hes dropped a notch or two in the pecking order at the moment,but with injuries and form lapses,it can all change very quickly.Just ask McGrath and Carrots.Both were going nowhere for most of last season until the death knock,Got there chance at the last hurdle and have not looked back since.Bentick comes across as a real good type,in the same vain as Wiggo,Prenda and Livo.The sorta young fella that you would never lose sleep over.Still,the pressure is on.The likes of Becker and Smith are already pushing up and showing plenty at this stage.

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