I have learnt that we have 10 players on our list 22yo or under that will at least be very good players:

Walker
Betts
Murphy
Bower
Gibbs
Hampson
Grigg
Jamison
Kreuzer
Browne

Then there are some other youngsters I think have promise:

Pfeiffer
Armfield
Anderson
Austin

Throw in our established quality players:

Judd
Fevola
Stevens
Waite
Simpson
Hadley
Thornton

And a few footsoldiers

Fisher
Carazzo
Scotland
Cloke

A quality tall forward is what we badly need....otherwise I'd be confident that we'd be a top 4 side in a couple of years.

Since 2002 we have finished off the seasons particularly poorly due to tanking and/or a lack of confidence/morale.

This year I think we will reverse the trend...Walker will return, Judd on the improve, the team adapting to Ratts game plan plus a group of promising kids growing in confidence.

8 wins for this year is what I'm expecting at this stage.

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There is no footy god

Much learned so far, but the most important issue for me is that we need either a CH or CHB. Waite can play either of those spots, but we need someone to fill the other.

I wouldn't be unhappy with playing Setanta at CHB, along with Jamison and Thornton as other talls, and swinging Waite forward.

But whatever happens, we need another key forward to straghten us up, give Fev support and allow Fisher to go back to the third tall role that he plays so well.

Also...at some stage in the next 2 years we need to start planning for Fev's departure. We cannot afford to have him retire in 4 or 5 years (assuming he finishes his career in navy blue) without having a new plan / structure to take over.

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Mens sana in corpore sano.

Bring back the laurel wreath logo!!!

That we have recruited the best out of the four first year coaches

We know who is our FB, CHB, Ruck and FF, but we desperately need a CHF.

Ackland will not be on our list next year

Young guys coming in for their debut game, look as if they know what to do (big, BIG improvement over the Pagan era)

Armchair experts overly critical of a very young team that they allegally support.

Blues are on the way up and have not had a 10 goal loss this year, even with less experienced players and more injuries.

Another thing i have learnt which seems to contradict a few posters about playing the kids and getting them to have a run

From what i have seen Ratten is responsible in his first 16 games as coach for the Blues from 6 rounds in 2007 to the first 10 rounds of 2008 for introducing 9 debut players

* Mark Austin - round 22 2007 been injured for much of 2008
* Hampson Debut in late 2007 limited in 2008 due to injuries
* Michael Jamison late 2007 Key backman for 2008 injuries have affected him in 2008
* Jake Edwards - Drafted in 2005 debut in 2008 finding his feet in 2008
* Phiefer - 2008 Debut 6 games good prospect
* Browne - 2008 Debut 5 games good prospect
* Armfield - 2008 Debut 1 Game good prospect
* Kreuzer - 2008 Debut 8 games good prospect
* Ellard - Rookie elevation for LTI showed something

And add to that Good game time for 2007 Debutents in Grigg, and Bower

Missing due to lack of oppertunity, Injury or form
Anderson, Jackson, Blackwell, Aisakie

So when looking at that i find it hard for people to say he is not giving the kids ago or giving most of the list an oppertunity.

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CFC TAC Squad everyone over 25 must be traded sounds like Loguns Run

Offer West Coast our first 2 draft picks for JK. We need a CHF bad.

The increase in debuts from late last year is definitely apparent:

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... 05+to+2009

Overall, there have been 9 debuts from Round 18 2007 to now over a total of 15 games, compared to the 5 debuts in the first part of season 2007 (Rounds 1 to 16). There were 6 debuts in the entire 2006 season and 4 in 2005. There is a definite pick-up in new player debuts. It should also be noted that the shape of the list has something to do with this, given that in 2007 and 2008 we have near the youngest or youngest list respectively.

From the Blueseum

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Defence

Has been the biggest improvement with Jamison and Bower the big finds.Armfield looks the goods and whilst we miss a monster masher alah Lake from the doggies O'Hailpin isnt bad. Thornton was going well until injured . Not convinced about Waite in defence. Brown gave it to him a few weeks ago. The other type of player we lack is a Lindsay Gilbee type. One who has exceptional kicking skills. the only player we have in that category is Stevens and as we all know he has no defensive game. more later on that. Browne could make his name minding small forwards like Milne.

Forwards
Fev has been very good but as we all know. As we know we need another tall option down there.Cloke has a crack. Hartlett shows promise but just given up on him because of his hammies. Fisher is your 3rd tall but lacks pace. Has obviously come back too early from his injury.
IMO Betts has been terrific. He is a superb footballer. So smart . In good team he would be a 50 year goal kicker. We need another quick little pest up there. I have hopes that Joseph could be the man. Has all the skills. Does he have the dedication. We will find out.

Rucks

McKee has a big job teaching Hampson who was monstered in the ruck Sat night. Hampson needs to learn the art of ruckwork and overhead marking. He really has the x factor on him. If he can develop he will be a huge factor because I have never seen a quicker bloke for his size. Jacobs looks the goods to me. Has a real feel for ruckwork and looks very dedicated to make it. He is a massive improver from last year and would have played if it wasnt for an ankle injury.Kreuzer is obviously there as well but from what I have seen he would be better utilized on the ball like a ruck rover. He may be a CHF or CHB when he gets stronger.
This is an area we are way behind in but at least we wont see Ackland in the future. Full marks to Cloke His heart makes up for his lack of inches.For the first time in a while w.e have potentially 2 fine ruckman.The coaching staff must teach them well.

The Midfield

This was the big thing for us in 08. We have been disappointing overall.
Judd will get better but is left to carry the can
Too many guys hang back and wait for others to do the job. Not enough blocks and sheperds.
YOu cant succeed unless its one in all in
Sat night was the complete opposite and the MC must and I repeat must take a stand.
Stevens
Carrazzo(yes I know he has been playing in defence but..)
Scotland
do not do enough of the team things and are selfish footballers.
Murphy has been very good except the last fortnight. For a number one pick though he is slow and lacks kicking depth and his awareness at times is shit.

Gibbs has been disappointing as well for a number one pick. Yep he has taken the eyes off the pill and has earnt that soft reputation. However I feel he has been really good the past 2 weeks. He will be a very good player for us but must become more aggresive
Simmo is a favourite of mine Has a crack Cant complain about him
Bentick is too slow and too poor a kick.
Pfeiffer lacks pace and isnt the best kick but is definitely tough
Hadley seems very injury prone. The risk hasnt worked so far.
Overall the midfield has been disappointing. There is not enough team players.Our kicking , working together and pace are not up to scratch.

The game plan

Is to get it into the forward line via run and handball.If that doesnt work we retain possession with the chip shit. Why we dont have plan B before the chip shit is because we are shit kicking team. We have too many players who cant kick it 50 m to position. Hughes has to recruit guys who are naturally good kicks of the footy.That is a must. It seems to me that when we play this chip style the players lose confidence in their attacking skills. We appear slow and lacking flow and players forget to run to make position.
Its a better game plan than Pagan had but needs improvement To improve it needs the club to address the areas we are still deficient in
1 Kicking skills
2 Pace. we are still way too slow
3 Toughness. Too many players wait for the cheap and easy stat
4 Leadership from our senior players(Judd being the exception)

The last 2 can be addressed now. I dont think the MC will. I know I have been banging on about this for ages but some players play selfish and it really shits me.its a cancer that has been at the club for 8 years or so. The same players do this week in week out.MEMO MC DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT FOR flowers SAKE
If it means dropping guys because they crack the shits with the runner when they request being moved and the request is denied and they crack the shits so be it. Drop these selfish pricks. we dont want them and we will be better off in the long run if they refuse to play team footy.

Overall there has been some improvement from last year
We have been cut down a fair bit by injury particularly in defence.

Browne, Gibbs, Murphy, Grigg, O'hailpin, Bower, Betts, Armfield, Pfeiffer,Edwards, Jamison and Cloke have shown they will be the future of the club

There is hope for Hampson,Anderson, Ellard, Joseph, Jacobs as well

Saddington, Wiggins and Ackland being on our list is no fault of Ratten.

We still need a major cleanout of about 10 to 11 players with emphasis on
Kicking skills
toughness and team players
Another couple of players with blinding speed would help

Ackland, Wiggins and Saddington serve no purpose being on the list

Ratten needs to play everyone on the list.
That includes Aisake and Benjamin
in order to see if they have the mental application to make it 3 games minimum.


Call it tanking
Call it what you like
I know its early days but I have been a tad disappointed with our efforts.
We havent improved in certain areas

We still seem to be confused on the field and dont have a structure.

The next 12 matches will be very interesting.

Actually got to play shit first. Even as average as Fisher's been this year, as well as the simplicity of using stats, he's taken 10+ marks in 5 games this year.

..also, in regards to the Fish.. ..he's being played out of position, and i think you won't see him dropped for it at all.. ..he's sacrificing his own game (goals), for the team's benefit.. ..leading up as a marking target for link up play..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

There has definitely been major improvements this year and I know we will be a great team in a few years. I am not worried at all and I know Ratten is the right man to be in charge.

We have learnt it will take years for us to learn to kick the ball in.. block and shepherd....

.... and we cannot learn these things till our players are around 24 to 28 )ie Fev will have retired and Judd will be a crippled 30 year old cos noone supports him and he has to do it all on his own.....

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Are you saying trade Fev?

No.. im saying organise a game plan using others with him in the forward line.. and make judds job easier by learning to block/screen and shepherd..... learn kick in set ups so as setanta and a first gamer arent caught having to kick the ball in..... learn to link up and improve the playing pattern on match day and we WILL improve overall much quicker...


fev is a matchwinner whether he is kicking goals or whether he is a decot for someone else...

eddie coming in second leading goalkicker with a dozen is damning to the coaching panel...

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The problem is the guys on the ball with the exception of Bentick dont protect Judd. They dont go in and get the ball themselves enough. Its up to the coaching staff to address it. The problem with Bentick is when the ball is in the open he is too slow and his kicking ordinary.
But at least he takes responsibility in his role for the contested knacker unlike some of his more STAR teammates

Yeah Bentick understands his role and does it...he never shirks a contest...!!!

probably not the most skilled but he does protect the ball and his teamates...

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One guy who impressed me with his courage and comittment last year was Anderson. He just has eyes for the ball. Pity he has been injured but would love him in the team this week.
Injustice if he doesnt get picked and they play Saddington if Bower doesnt play.
Given the MCs form over the years it wouldnt suprise if Saddington is picked.

Joey is close ... and he plays with spirit so it will be good.

He tackles with technique and he isnt afraid to put his body in...

He has to prove he wont get injured ... by stringing a few together and he will be picked... he might come in this week..fingers crossed..

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I think Ratts makes mistakes at the selection table... dropping Pfeiffer and Edwards were inexcusable, I think...

I also kind of agree with Synbad but the problem is that senior players like Stevens and Scotland have been too unaccountable too long. I think he should actually look to run those 2 exclusively on opposition players and punish them for playing wide.

They over possess running off half-back and leading options like Fisher - or Edwards - should be primary targets rather than playing over them.

Carrazzo and Gibbs are basically being wasted. They're both played awfully out of position. Carrazzo getting cheap kicks on half back would make sense if he was a damaging, constructive kick but he isn't. Carrazzo is strong on his feet and a good contested player... get him around the packs to do that.

Gibbs needs to play in the forward half. Let him try and set-up goals and run in the middle with Murphy/Carrazzo/Judd etc etc. Give him some room to breathe and create with the pressure of holding down a man off his shoulders.

Browne, Armfield, Pfeiffer etc are all great pick-ups and need to be persisted with, at rotating at either end and in the middle.

Russell..... well..... last chance I think. Give him something constructive to do or drop him for good. Stick him in a back pocket and give him a man to beat, either in defence or on the ball. His poor skills and lack of creativity are no good in forward 50. If he doesn't prove himself in the next few weeks drop him for Anderson and de-list or trade him. I'll reserve judgement but the signs aren't good.

Also, forget this "we don't have a CHF" stuff.... we just need to carry and hit a player inside the forward half with the ball and feed to Fevola. Edwards and Fisher are great leads and have good hands.. totally worthy between them of the task, with the resting ruck as another tall option.

Walker is a big loss..... can't wait till he comes back


Here's our best 22ish to me

Tall/stay at home backs: Waite, Setanta, Jamison
Creative backs: Simpson, Thornton
Defensive Mids/defenders: Stevens, Scotland
Stoppage gruntmen: Bentick (Carrazzo)
Running Mids: Judd, Carrazzo, Murphy, (Simpson)
Rotation runners: Pfeiffer, Armfield, Browne, Grigg
Small forward/rotation midfielders: Gibbs, Betts
Leading half-forwards: Edwards, Fisher
Targetman: Fevola
Rucks: Cloke, Kreuzer

Would-be-in-but-injured: Walker, Bower, Hadley

BACKUPS

Tall/stay at home backs: Saddington, Austin,
Creative backs: ?????
Defensive Mids/defenders: Russell, Anderson, Jackson, Bannister (inj)
Stoppage gruntmen: Blackwell,
Running Mids: Ellard, Joseph, Houlihan (inj)
Leading half-forwards: Wiggins
Targetman: Hartlett
Rucks: Hampson, Aisake, Jacobs

Not in plan: Sheilds, Hill,

Absolute no hopers: Ackland, Benjamin

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Why is Benjamin a no hoper???

I know he might be axed from the list.. but why is he a no hoper???

Cos as a defensive player on the windy Kramer street oval he is showing he cant be an asset on a fast Telstra Dome surface across HF or the wide open spaces of Subi and the G???

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Good post Benjamin needs a few games in the ones to see if playing a higher standard of footy brings something out of him.
I know this is wrong but I see no point when a guy remains on your list is fit and doesnt get a game and you piss him off, particularly when we are a developing team.
He also has genuine speed . Something we desperately need. Whilst he didnt do a lot compared to someone like mackie, Wodjncski's speed is such a huge assesst for the cats. In some ways it scares teams more so than a hard hip and shoulder .That stood out like dogs balls. we dont have anyone in the team capable of that.
Aisake is in the same boat.
Its up to the MC to broaden their selection processes.