Beyond question, very exciting!

We currently have a total of 43 players in all categories on our list. I suspect that as many as a dozen won’t be at Princes Park in 2008 or 2009 at the worst. A big call you might initially think, however if we are gunna be a top 4 side and a challenger for that elusive 17th flag, then the realities are that the next 2 trading/draft periods are crucial to our ongoing list consolidation.

We all know the quality of our recent draft picks and the difference it has made around the place. We also know that the only thing needed now is time and experience and a bit more depth. If we are patient, there is no doubt that we can surprise the competition by grabbing at least one flag before some of the more fancied Victorian clubs do.

I think that very few of the following list of players will be with us when we do go all the way. Some will go at the end of this season whilst a couple of others may last an extra year or so:

Raso
Young
Koutoufides
Teague
Bannister
Lappin
Saddington
McLaren
Whitnall

That leaves 34 players of the current list to fight for spots. In my view there are another 9 who I think provide depth and might step up to become regulars in the seniors. Some exciting kids on this list:

Hampson...Ruckman - Forward
Anderson...Defender
Benjamin...Midfielder
Flint...Defender
Austin...Defender
Jackson (RL)...Midfielder
A O'hAilpin (RL)...Ruckman - Forward
Jacobs (RL)...Ruckman
Jamieson (RL)...Defender

Now finally to the 25 whom I expect to form the nucleus of this years’ team (without the veterans):


FBacks:....Scotland...S O'hAilpin...Thornton
HBacks:...Walker......Waite...........Bower
Centres:...Simpson...Stevens........Russell
HForws:...Houlihan...Kennedy.......Hartlett
FForws:....Betts.........Fevola..........Fisher
Follows:...Cloke........Bentick.........Murphy
Interch:...Ackland..Carrazzo..Gibbs..Grigg

Emerg:....Blackwell...Edwards.....Wiggins

If that don’t get ya excited, well nothing will.

Onward and upward the mighty Blue Baggers!

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

Agree with a lot of that Brizzy but I hope Raso shows us something this year, would be the icing on the cake if he did.

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There's so much I could say...

Without knowing shit all about anything football, I reckon Raso will be our new M Lappin. So there

I seeee...................

ya got that job at deed poll Aitch Tee Pee................?


kindest regards tommi

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that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

I got nothing. But that was hibiscus funny!

Is that outta da place HTP?

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

Whitnall is 27 and coming off a best and fairest.

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"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

Here Synners Synners synners! Where art thou?

Did Thomas avoid the bullet even though he coached them into the finals?

Thomas still had enough talent to get them into a Grand Final but failed despite not having his best team on the park on more than one occasion. Likewise, Whitnall's 2006 won't stop him being overtaken by younger talent who might have more to offer the side in terms of pace and genuine key position size.

Lance may struggle to get a game by the end of the year. He wouldnt want Waite, Fisher, Bower, Hartlett, O'Hailpin, Austin,Benjamin,Flint,Kennedy to find form.

This is the point. If these guys find form and remain uninjured then competition for spots will heat up.

This hasnt been the case in the past. Dont worry Big Red will play this weekend and will be given every opportunity in the seniors to find form. He has been hampered by a knee preseason, but if he doesnt improve while others do then he faces the chop.

Without knowing shit all about anything football, I reckon Raso will be our new L Whitnall. So there

Constantly underdone or injured?

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

I agree in large party with brizzy.

we are a team in the making with significant additional changes coming.

Whitnall unlikely to be there because of the reasons that we see right now.

Lappin and Kouta to retire.

Bannister, Teague Saddington & Mclaren to be delisted.

Raso - wont make it - as will be the case with some of our other young players.

But surely Ross Young deserves some kind of a chance..

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My Blue Heaven

Does Raso have a brother?

HA!

In my opinion if Raso can get to string a few gaes together.. he will be our new Mil Hanna.
He reminds me of him in every way.
Mil was a gun i reckon.. that in between size.. but speed and can carry the ball..... a good mark and a good kick.

I reckon Raso is a huge chance to be a very good footballer if he can get onto the track.

Great late pick.

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

I've watched Raso for a few years now and the only player i can link him too (current Carlton player that is) is Lappin & if he continues to develop the way he is (albeit a little bit quicker) then i could see him fitting into Lappin's role quite easilly!

Big year for Raso is 07'.....................BIG year! Good luck to the kid.

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"
- Aristotle

yeah Raso is one of those players that seems to move well... at training anyway. best of luck to him this year

has he put on a bit of weight recently?

If Raso doesn't make it, will it silence a lot of the critics who wanted us to draft kids late instead of trading for veterans?

Trading players like Thompson, Hay, Everitt and Gardiner or upgrading late picks is smart recruiting. Late picks like Raso are just a lucky dip or the icing on the cake even though I think we should have invested in kids.

I still reckon it's a better way to go as your last pick,it's like a 50/50 chance of working,they either make it or not and a recycled player could be o.k for 1 or 2 years.The only concern with Raso is his weight,is it still only 79kilo for a 191cm.

Thought so!!

And they better stop molly-coddling Brycie and give him some game-time or else he'll end up like Longmuir: drafted 2005, delisted 2006

I loved that celebration of Murph's second goal last week (right at the top of Q4) - just wish I could get the screen-capture!

Not that there will be other chances for such a pic!

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[Sam Jacobs] looks like a 7' Lance Whitnall, and [Mitch Robinson] looks like a 4' Lance Whitnall
(The SEN team during the Carlton v Cats 2009 pre-season match)