I am not sure whether you are serious or not?

good luck to them when the ball hits the ground

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Koperek.

What's this? Richmond actually want their ruckmen to do ruckwork? They're looking at another key forward to support Riewoldt? My goodness.

All good. Little bit taller but completely manageable.

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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.

Sure ... I think Bower fumbles too much .... makes too many bad decisions ... too slow at times. Last year he kept getting caught ... sloppy handballs. Also at 192 cm he is not tall enough for a key position considering we will play Jamo at FB.. Jamo at 193 ... Thornton 192 ... White 190 ... Austin 193 ... I don't think any of these players will work at CHB. What we need is some real height at CHB (obviously not just height). I think Carlton needs to bite the bullet and play Watson (196) from game 1.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

Fair enough. Would you then pick Bower as a third defender over Laidler?

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

...and replace Bower??

Lets put season 2010 in perspective. In the preseason Bower was an absolute standout in the match simulations and trials. Then he did his quad which we never fully rested and he never fully recovered.

The Bower we saw last year is not the Bower of 2009 (who was damn good and close to AA selection by the halfway mark of the season).

Makes too many bad decisions, or he looks like he makes bad decisions?
As I said in an earlier post it is the results which count and Bower seems to get away with his boldness to attack the opposition lines.

Scarlett, Harlett Mackie...all AA's and KP's who played an important part of a successful defense for Geelong. They were not taller than Bower.

Like you however I do prefer more height than what Bower offers, and I really hope we get to see Watson (start his apprenticeship) and learn to play the position in 2011. I just hope if he is given the chance he isn't knocked with his results he produces. He will be developing.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Fair enough ... but if you have to play Bower ... then it would be on a half back flank ... and I just think we will probably have better options this year.

Possible Back Flankers: Yarran, Laidler, Duigan, Russell, Scotland, Davies, White, Thornton, Bower.

Initially I would pick Bower last in this lot. I admit ... Laidler and Duigan may not be what we hope ... but lets see.

I think other teams have worked out Bower. They know he will run no matter what ... and they keep catching him. I don't think his skills under pressure are good enough. Hopefully I am wrong.

Absolutely agree about Watson ... Carlton must persist ... if he makes a few mistakes so be it. In the long run it will pay off big time.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

It isn't the size or strength. Bower just hasn't got the footy nous for KP. Play him in the BP with Watson as FB, and Scotland specifically (a la Maxwell) the backline general in the other BP.

HB is Yarran, CHB is Thornton on his LAST chance, and other HB is Duigan.

Mixture of youth, run, height, kicking skill (Bower and Thornton?) and experience.

Not saying this is the best mix but looks a good starting option. By making Scotland who I rate highly a Maxwell type player I don't think he would be wasted in the back pocket. Plus I think we now have the younger players who can play midfield.

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"Get ready, Teddy - you're on": Ron Barassi half time 1970 Grand Final

I can't see Bower in the back pocket either.

Back Pocket Options: Armfield, Joseph, White, Thornton, Bower.

Once again ... I would pick Bower last out of this lot.

My backline would be:

Armfield Jamison White
Yarran Watson Scotland

I would play Laidler and Duigan off the bench.

If they want to use Armfield up the ground (as they have said) then I would have Joseph in the pocket.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

I'm sorry Rob but you're just showing that you loathe Bower's play and have completely forgotten Scotland's spell on the HB many moons ago. Those rankings are a long way off the norm.

I haven't even seen Bower caught enough for this to be plausible. Bower's problem last year was getting out-positioned and out-bodied, not caught with the ball. You might be confusing him with Davies.

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

I don't think so. He was caught or impeded easily many times in 2010. Most of all I think Bower is a poor decision maker under pressure (as is Thornton). I wish he could play as he did in 2009 but I think the opposition has worked him out. He almost always plays on even when he is in a bad position and has no support.

I can't see where we could play him. I hope he has a good year.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

Unless you're prepared to cite regular examples of the play you're talking about (which is unfair on you IMO) then we'll have to agree to disagree. I think we're going to have a selection headache in a season or two with Bower, Jamison, Watson & McCarthy, however.

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

Yep ... its getting tough to pick a team ... so many options. People outside the club and in the media just do not realise the player depth that Carlton is building. I heard a discussion on the radio the other day comparing Melbourne and Carlton ... and commentators were saying how much more depth Melbourne had. They just don't realise ... or haven't bothered to study the list.

I think we are going to have a very very good year.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

Russell? Our best defender.

My ideal backline:

Russell Jamo Watson
Yarran Bower Laidler

Duigen on the bench. Scotland plays more midfield and Armfield will be playing wing/hf.

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Koperek.

As long as we win Round 1, I don't care who we pick!

Oops .. forgot about Russell ....

My backline would be:

Armfield Jamison White
Yarran Watson Russell

Somehow I would/must fit Scotland into the team ...

White I guess is the questionable player. In White's position I would rather play Thornton/Joseph/Davies/Scotland than Bower.

So where could you put Bower in that lot?

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

This would be an absolute disaster. Scotland doesn't have the skill, decision making nor the size to play the Maxwell role. Thornton's time in the backline is done, unless it is an absolute last resort. He's certainly not a CHB. Bower can take Riewoldt.

For Round 1, the back 6 should be
B: Laidler, Watson, Duigan
HB: Russell, Bower, Yarran

You do realise that he played injured all last year, and if we had anybody else, he would have been rested to recover properly.

I like that back 6, obviously havent seen enough of the full back line but from what Ive read and heard there is alot to get excited about in that lot.

I really dig your posts BR but not this lot.

IMO you are attacking the man.

Laidler and Duigan are going to be fantastic. I'm a big Duigan fan.
These players you mention...."Yarran, Laidler, Duigan, Russell, Scotland, Davies, White, Thornton" ahead of Bower because Bower keeps on getting caught? Because other teams have worked him out? Mate, you're making things up.
We haven't worked out Bower, neither have you. So how the hell are the opposition going to work him out? He rarely gets caught...I know he looks like he is going to get caught....but he doesn't. That's the point!

I've sen 19yo Bower against Barry Hall and I've seen Thornton against Hall too. Bower was the winner TBird was ragdolled, and Bower was only 19yo.

I think you're over rating White. He is one lucky man to have inaccurate kicking against him create the image you are adopting. White can't do what Bower does; hasn't even shown glimpses of similar capability. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against White, but if you force us to compare...well I will...and so will many others.

Bower is a better mark and a more attacking marking, spoiling and running tall than all those you mention. Those you mention don't bring to the table what Bower vrings; yes those qualities you so easily have dismissed.

Give me examples of Bower getting caught. I mean dead set stopped in his tracks. Free against. Rare mate....surprisingly for all os us...it's rare! He is what you call uncanny or unconventional...spontaneous... Bower style...crazy horse Gary Cowton had some of Bower's traits, but in terms of a footballer from an early age Bower leaves Cowton for dead because Cowton only cane good after he hit 27yo.

Let go of your bias, and don't worry about looking for eg's of him getting caught...you may find 1 or 2...but in this game of AFL everybody gets caught...yes even JUDD...but those few times are negligible, it's normal...that's why you shouldn't be hanging Bower...just because he doesn't move like Motley or Bradley...if so, you're knocking style not results.

Just trying to help you out with the battle within BR.....I reckon it's a case of 'perception is reality' as is the case with all (but thnkfully not many) the Bower detractors ever since we got him on board.

Just remember Bower and Kennedy were interested targets for the WCE in the Judd trade, and we did not want to give up either....for good reason too. I'm spewing we lost JK, but on the flipside we at least held a very tall fast attacking HBF who we have thrown to the wolves in an attempt to patch up a role at CHB we have no one else to play there...that's not Bower's fault.

Oh yeah, have you see Russell and Bower compete against each other? I have...no competition: Bower eats him up. Perhaps that impresses you....I'm a huge Russell fan too.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue