curious to see what people rate as our starting 22
still early days i know
barring injuries and what not
i am hoping for a few debutants against richmond and the suns (ive put in a fair few but meh)
this is the list id like to see

FB: Laidler Jamo Scotland
CHB: Russell Watson Yarran
C: Gibbs McLean Murphy
CHF: Walker Hendo Simpson
FF: Garlett Waite OKeefe

Rucks: Kruezer Judd Lucas
Bench: Warnock Ellard Duigan (Sub: Betts to kick a bag in the last quarter)

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Better to die standing than to live on your knees...
CAR17ON

Don't think there's such a thing as a best 22 in modern football any more, all things considered. Irrespective, I'd say the following is pencilled in already:

B Jamison
HB Bower Russell
C Gibbs Simpson
HF Waite
F Betts Walker
R Warnock Judd Murphy
INT

Leaving what I estimate to be 23 blokes battling it out for 11 spots for round 1.

Armfield, Collins, Carrazzo, Davies, Duigan, Ellard, Garlett, Hampson, Henderson, Houlihan, Joseph, Kerr, Laidler, Lucas, McLean, o'hAilpin, Robinson, Scotland, Thornton, Watson, White, Yarran, Curnow.

I reckon Garlett and Carrazzo are in, pending fitness. 21 guys, 9 spots.

A lot pending on Henderson's fitness for round 1 (I assume he won't be ready?), which will probably give o'hAilpin a recall. That in itself, allows us a bit more flexibility for the second ruck role. Will Hampson be fit enough? Does Casboult come into calculations? Do we play White as a forward instead, and o'hAilpin as the supersub? Richmond don't have a lot of tall forwards to be concerned with either.

Reckon Yarran, Lucas, Scotland, Armfield, Duigan and Laidler are all playing for the same spot, although I think throughout the season Lucas will be given a greater midfield role. Similiarly, Carrazzo, Ellard, Curnow, McLean and perhaps even Joseph depending on matchups looking for the one spot. Reckon it makes our depth look great when we play teams who don't require a lot of lockdown roles on, or on wet days at the MCG, similarly, it looks ordinary when we play teams who make us accountable or can expose us for pace.

Bit worried about our tall forward options without Henderson, and hope that a few different options are trialled through the rest of the preseason. Thornton, White, Casboult all have a chance to sneak into a team that has few spots available.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Agree with your certainties Rhino (Walker maybe not). I'd add Carazzo, Scotland, Joseph and Garlett to that. If Garlett is fit he is a certainty to play. I don't think the rest of those guys missed a game last year when fit.

That leaves about 7 spots up for grabs - with Hendo another certainty if fit enough. Would be surprised if Lucas or Armfield missed too.

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Go Blues

Okeefe to debut in the forward pocket? he's never played in the ones and didn't play last night - you didn't mean kerr did you?

This is something like i'd like and expect to see in round 1 of the real stuff.

FB: Bower Jamo Duigan
CHB: Russell Watson Yarran
C: Lucas Gibbs Simpson
CHF: Betts Hendo Houlihan
FF: Garlett Waite Walker

Rucks: Warnock Judd Murphy
Bench: Hampson Carrazzo McLean Scotland(sub)
Emerginces: Ellard, Robinson, Laidler
Inj: Kruzer

Rotate the resting ruck through FF/FP and let Waite/Walks going on some probing leads.

crap I forgot Army! maybe swap him for duigan. were are starting get some genuine depth it seems.

Why wouldn't Houla be there if he's fit?
Have you forgotten how good he was last year before the injury?

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Even after watching the pre season games the importance of our ball use and decision making is our biggest area of concern. We simply can't pick guys who make poor decisions under pressure and turn the ball over or miss targets. Based on that my side is:

B: Touhy Jamison. Duigan
HB: Yarran Bower. Laidler
C: Lucas. Gibbs. Simpson
HF: Houlihan. Henderson. Walker
F: Kruezer. Waite. Garlett
Foll: Warnock. Judd. Murphy
Int: Russell. Scotland. Ellard. Sub: Robinson

Hoping Kruezer and Hendo are fit but a worry. If not, Hampson & Setanta may come in. AJ and Armfield are good played but their disposal worries me. Watson will be pushing Duigan and Bower for a spot. Good thing is lots of guys should be pushing for spots!

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

I have a sneaking suspicion EDDIEBETTS will be in the first few picked for R1

@ Rexy. Eddie an interesting one and will probably be picked but he did finish off last year quite poorly and although a match winner at times is inconsistent. Can we afford to play such a player with the smaller interchange and with guys such as Garlett, Yarran & Houlihan able to fill the same role as well as other positions. IMO Eddie although talented needs to do more to be part of our next great side. Be interesting to see what happens. The bonus is we now have depth to put pressure on guys like Eddie, we can add names such as Collins, Kerr, Robinson to that list. As a club it can only be a benefit!

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

@ Rexy. Eddie an interesting one and will probably be picked but he did finish off last year quite poorly and although a match winner at times is inconsistent. Can we afford to play such a player with the smaller interchange and with guys such as Garlett, Yarran & Houlihan able to fill the same role as well as other positions. IMO Eddie although talented needs to do more to be part of our next great side. Be interesting to see what happens. The bonus is we now have depth to put pressure on guys like Eddie, we can add names such as Collins, Kerr, Robinson to that list. As a club it can only be a benefit!

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

B Yarran Jamo Bower
HB Russell Watson Armfield
C Lucas Gibbs Simpson
HF Garlett Waite Laidler
F Betts Walker Robinson
R Warnock Judd Murphy
I Hammer Scotland Ellard Sub Duigan

Not considered due to injuries: Kreuzer, Hendo & Carrots

FB: Russell Jamison Watson
HB: Laider Bower Yarran
C: Simpson McLean Murphy
FOL: Warnock Judd Gibbs
HF: Walker Henderson Carrazzo
FF: Garlett Waite Betts

INT: Armfield, Scotland, Hampson
EMG: Robinson

Take Kruezer easy imo

Ellard, Duigan, Cachia as top ups but this was very, very hard!

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#23: Lachlan Henderson

Watson Bower Army

Laidler Waite Russell

Garlett Gibbs Lucas

Walker Hendo Houla

Betts Kruise Kerr


Warnock Judd Gibbs

Murph Scotland Simmo Hammer.

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

And the previous year too.

He's got experience, class and skills over any newcomers...that's a big advantage regardless what you think of Houla.

No doubt imo Houla will be selected if fit.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Duigan not good enough
Tuohy not good enough
Jamison not good enough

Like Walker in the forward line and hope he can shine - but don't think he is good enough either.


B: Russell Bower Laidler
HB: Yazz Watson Scotland
C: Lucas Gibbs Simmo
HF: Garlett Waite Houlihan
F: Betts Kruise Kerr
R: Warnock Judd Murphy
IC: Hendo Walker Carrots
E: Hamspon

Assuming Hendo & Garlett come up, but Kreuzer & Carrots do not -

Armfield Jamo Watson
JR Bower Laidler Yarran
Simmo Judd Scotland
Garlett Hendo Tex
Betts Waite

Warnock Gibbs Murphy

Inter: Hammer, Hoops, Robbo/Ellard/Brock
Sub: Lucas

The choice between Robbo/Ellard/Brock for the spot off the bench as the hard inside mid is a tough one. I'd say these 3 are ahead of Cachia, Curnow & Twomey, and Robbo has his nose in front overall, but pre-season form will decide from here...

I've got Lucas as my sub because he can play a few different roles and I think the sub spot probably suits a young developing player. You could easily swap Lucas with Watson or Yaz, depending on match-ups.

Next few weeks will be interesting...

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

We can't have guys who make poor decisions under pressure and miss targets and based on that you choose Touhy? This confuses me. I love Robbo as the sub though!

Anyway..

Duigen Jamison Russell
Laidler Bower Yarran
Carrazzo Judd Gibbs
Houlihan Walker Simpson
Betts Waite Hampson
Warnock McLean Murphy
Lucas Garlett Scotland (Robbo)

Unfortunately Hendo probably wont play round 1. Would rather Walks/Waite as CHF then Ohailpin. Duigen or Joseph, I can't decide.

Dont expecr Kreuzer back before round 10.

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Koperek.

I reckon after making such a big effort to keep Walker during trade week, and now promoting his wares as a forward, there's no way in hell we'll start him off in the twos. Whether he's in our best 22 or whatever is another matter, but I'd bet vital organs he lines up against Richmond.

I reckon Garlett and Carrazzo will play, but for the time being, we've shown that match practice/fitness is crucial for round one and won't be considered otherwise. Until they play some praccy matches, I wouldn't consider them certainties. Joseph I reckon will start to become a matchups based inclusion. I can't see who he plays on against Richmond.

Scotland could be an interesting one. If the young blokes continue to put their hand up, I reckon it could be at the expense of Scotland, rightly or wrongly. Age isn't on his side all of a sudden.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Cotchin.

The coaches spoke about how playing taggers throws out the zones and structures. I hope they have the courage to not play taggers and have the 18 Blues on field being one giant tagger that chokes the life out of the opposition.

The more I see of Bower I don't think he's in our best 22.........