Actually, Scotland was BOG according to Ch 9 on Sunday. Slow to start, occasionally sloppy but his 2nd half was outstanding.

Also according to both coaches

At 32, Scotland needs to leave the game.

Still tends to kick ball too high at times, Dogs are simply rubbish.

Why should a bloke in form leave the game?

Simple reason, holding up development of younger players

Well, let's hope skinny Bootsma and Buckley bulks up and stays injury free. Same with injury-riddled O'Keeffe. Who else do we have to replace Scotland if he's not around in 2013? This isn't about best 22, this is about depth...

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Essendon-Only team to have ever been found guilty of salary cap breaches in a premiership year!

Actually not such a good reason. Despite this year problems the "window" is well open so your best players play next year. You don't develop as much in that situation as you're trying to win a flag, only if you're rebuilding like Melbourne do you develop more. Even then development was helped by getting rid of James MacDonald. If Scotland is in form he plays, no ifs or butts.

Scotland is the least of our worries. At this rate he could play another 2 or 3 years at a high level.

Not a good reason alone.
Scotland is a great voice on the field along with Laidler when he's up and running.
With kids in Watson, Bootsma and even Yarran and Tuohy spending plenty of time there, his contribution in the overall scheme of things is very valuable.
Great person around the club and I think we'll let him make the call and back him as to what he wants to do.

I was going to put this in list management but with the kids we are developing this is how we could look in 2013 minus some possible additions.

Look at a possible top 30

B: Touhy Jamison Laidler
HB: Yarran Waite McInnes
C: Simpson Carrazzo Garlett
HF: Gibbs Henderson Robinson
F: Betts Mitchell Walker
Foll: Hampson Judd Murphy

Plus: Bell Collins Ellard Lucas Kruezer Bootsma Watson Casboult White Dale Duigan Dale

This doesn't include some very good players plus what we can add to the list this off season.


Can't tell me that this line up well drilled and structured wouldn't be top 4.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

A fit Mitchell and Casboult off good pre-season's could be very important. Actually a key. Mitchell is just starting to look like he can play if the VFL is any guide. Both are showing quite a bit despite long interruptions. Both powerful marks. Allows Waite to play a 3rd tall role and play one ruck with Casboult. Don't want Waite in a KP if possible. Henderson then could stay at CHB.

So two guys that cant chase out of the forward line and Waite all in the one side???

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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.

Carlton Circa 2013

B: Henderson Jamison Laidler
HB: Armfield Duigan Yarran
C: Scotland Judd Gibbs
HF: Walker Waite Simpson
F: Garlett Casboult Betts
Foll: Kruezer Murphy McLean
I/C: Carrazzo Bell Lucas Robinson

EMERG:McInness Buckley Rowe

N/A: Bootsma Bower Ellard Hampson Collins Curnow Davies Joseph Kerr McCarthy Mitchell O'Keeffe Rowe Russell Thornton Tuohy Warnock Watson White

Bray, Carter, Dale, Heyne Lodge

Tend to agree. 3rd man role if we can.

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Essendon-Only team to have ever been found guilty of salary cap breaches in a premiership year!

Don't think Waite is thought of as backman at the club anymore. Premier forward is the tag nowadays.

The Mick Malthouse line up Round One 2013.

B: Bootsma Jamison Laidler
HB: Yarran Watson OKeefe
C: Walker McLean Gibbs
HF: Robinson Henderson Judd
F: Betts Casboult Waite
Foll: Warnock Bell Murphy
Int: Lucas Touhy Carrazzo Simpson


Bigger bodies, Size and reach. Better ball use. Power up forward to contest and bring ball to ground.

Settles back 6 that can match up on anyone and work well together (McInnes inj)

Size around the ball. Some real mongrel. Lots of midfield rotations.

Warnock ahead of Kruezer for pure ruckwork ability.

Some very good players and some talented kids to push for spots as well.

That type of side playing a very disciplined and well drilled game style is right up there. I can also see a lot of improvement in each individual player compared to last few years.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Too tall and slow right off the bat. We'd get pasted by quality teams.

B: Lucas Jamison Laidler
HB: Yarran Watson/McCarthy Tuohy
C: Walker McLean Gibbs
HF: Robinson Henderson Simpson
F: Betts Kreuzer Waite
Foll: Warnock/Hampson Judd Murphy
Int: Carrazzo Bell Buckley Armfield

Throw down the challenge to Lucas to help create drive from defence and to tag-team with Tuohy and Yarran in making runs. They'd be a force to be reckoned with.

Open up the CHB & lead ruck role to a two man competition; may the best player win.

Tell Kreuzer he needs to have more strings to his bow while he works on his vertical leap; you cannot leave him out of the team in favour of Casboult.

Finally, O'Keffee and Bootsma are not ready; sacrifice a smidge of kicking ability to inject the pace and application of Armfield and the pace, guile and versatility of Buckley (take note Garlett).

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Premiership bloody windows! It wouldn't surprise me if that buzz term has had a hand in actually keeping us back. Either way, you bloody want to be left in a good position when everything pans out, win lose or draw. Do we really want to bottom out to such a extent again? It's only one player but, jeez. It wouldn't even surprise me if he fell into a heap next year anyway. There are certain signs.

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Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

I was just thinking before about MM's ruck preference. Kreuzer playing 2nd ruck FF role Brown use to play for the Pies to resurrect his career.

OR Jolly ype being Warnock who is maturing now and if gets a strong preseason, and develops his upper body and hips...mmmmm...MM might like Megan Gale. and then what?

Garlett...I hope it goes the other way...but big call on Buckley to be strong enough to handle seniors....hope so.

Bonus if Lucas makes it, frees Army midfield imo.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

With all these trades happening what a side we will have next year.

B: Toy Jamison Laidler
HB: Yarran Henderson OKeefe
C: Goddard Caddy Simpson
HF: Walker Cloke Robinson
F: Betts Casboult Lynch
Foll: Kruezer Judd Murphy
Int: Waite Carrazzo Gibbs Touhy


That's one hell of a side!

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015