Are we done with the light blue jumpers now? Can we all move on from that?

Watched the Lions last night. That were so awful it was hard to really get a read on them.

If we keep the ball moving through the midfield in a way that allows them to take time and target Brown, I can't see them getting us. The other one we need to cover tightly is Clark - if Jamo is right and heads to Brown, I guess T-Bird gets Clark?

Also the usual suspects, Black, Rich & Mcgrath

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Cheats never prosper (except in the AFL)

LOL at the nervous nellies

Blues by 56

Should be simple changes this week. Ins Kreuzer and Hendo. Out Setanta and Waite. Would like to see Tuohy get a full game.

Changes

Out
Zach
Sentanta


In
Henderson - Need more genuine forwards
Warnock - Need more genuine Rucks


Would love to see Kruezer back, but he needs another game in seconds.

Would also like to see Waite go back and take Brown, (remember if Brown kicks 10 we only need 11).

We need to work towards getting the mix right

Brown's strength is his ability to get free and take chest marks inside 60. Outside that, it doesn't matter. I'd go with Bower if Jamo isn't available. Not as strong but likes to run. Should be able to make a contest and then run away and either expose the corridor or blow Brown up. Brown isn't the player he was, even though he is no slouch. He will have to earn more footy because he hasn't got Aker, Voss and co. feeding him like the good old days.

Clark is hot and cold and I reckon Gibbs will get him when he is forward. Gibbs isn't as fast as Clark but reads the angles well and he can keep him quietish.

Like most games, now, this will be won in the midfield. We have as good a midfield as anybody so if the footy is in our half most of the game, Brown can please himself what he does.

We owe this mob a lot. Time to start extracting vengeance.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

This will be a smashing, 10-15 goal range we will win by.

Kreuzer in for Carlos
Henderson for ? (Waite if injured)

I want Touhy to play a full game on McGrath, perfect matchup.

Simple game to win - starve the Brions forward line of the ball and the rest will take care of itself.

Of course kicking straight will be good too.

Guess a lot depends on how we choose to use Kreuzer straight back.

If we want to ease him into it, playing predominately as a forward - Setanta goes
If we want to play him as a second ruck - toss up between Setanta or Hampson, irrespective of form. Possibly both if they want to bring back Warnock too.
If we want to play him as a Goodes ruck rover role - maybe Curnow goes back to get some touch in the 2s. Ellard maybe..or Armfield.

We can play "too tall" if we go how West Coast plays Naitanui as a ruck rover. Playing Kreuze forward for most of the game will require like for like.

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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?

For those suggesting we drop Setanta, who's Plan B for Brown if we play Jamo and he doesn't stand up? It only leaves Thornton, especially if Waite is out. I think we either need to keep Setanta in or bring in Bower to give us another option on Brown apart from Jamo. I am not sure T-Bird is a suitable backup.

Aside from last year's game, Thornton's got a relatively decent record on Brown. They may drop him for Bower. Setanta may make way for Henderson who could also have a crack at him.

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

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Reckon Armfield could also be in the gun for Houlihan, given Pearce beat him quite comfortably for 3 quarters.

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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?

Contain Simon Black and Jono Brown won't see enough of the ball to be a factor.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

Things to take out of Brisbane's game on Saturday night:

* - LRT nullifying Merrett was a game winning move. Who best takes a similiar role? Henderson or Setanta?

* - Teams no longer pay Black any respect, as evidenced by the growing gulf in his handball : kick ratio, teams aren't going to sit on him anymore.

* - In terms of putting time into specific players, Rich would be an obvious one (Gibbs), Redden is their engine room at the moment, didn't think Sydney paid him proper respect (Ellard), and a defensive tag on Pearce Hanley is also worth looking into. The bloke is a beautiful kick off half back. Don't be sucked into tagging Adcock, who I don't feel is anywhere near as damaging as possessions would indicate.

* - If Power starts forward - Russell takes him. Midfield - Carrots. A necessary distinction.

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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?

I have been Thornton's biggest critic. But no way known should he be dropped after his last few weeks.

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"I had to eat"

I can't see them dropping him either, but if the MC decide Bower is necessary as Brown-insurance, he's next to go. The other option would be to play the extra tall down back. Doubt they'll be changing the policy there too quickly.

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

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Rockliff should return this week. He and Redden are their genuine midfielders now. Rich will hurt you if he's given space.

Henderson can always go back and play on Brown.

Henderson is a superior forward to Setanta. We would then need a second ruckman and that would involve dropping a medium/small for Kreuzer/Warnock...difficult decisions. Henderson needs to get games before the finals, he has done enough in the reserves now.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

After watching Voss & co brushing off our midfielders for so many years I am looking forward to seeing them chase our tails for a bit.

Prediction - at some point in the match Brown is going to try and take Mitch Robinson out just to show what a big tough man he is. At this point, Mitch will either bounce straight off him, or pick himself up and return the favour.

This!

Houlihan for Armfield may be a chance as well.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Winning form is good form.
Winning teams need no change.

Having said that, there's always the obvious changes that can happen, when there's a better OPTION available.

Against that backdrop I would suggest the following (just my opinion):

Kreuzer > Setanta for FF role
Warnock> Hampson for No 1 ruck role
Henderson> Waite for CHF role
Bower> TBird for 3rd tall role
Houlihan > Ellard, Armfield, Curnow, in class and forward role (not that they are considered fwds like Houla is)
Laidler > Tuohy (although Tuohy may prove this wrong if given a decent chance).

That looks like too many changes to make in one week, but over time, I think those changes are likely to happen in the 2nd half of the season.
There's still 12 games to go before the finals, so we're in no rush to make wholesale changes because we need to get games into players before finals. Plenty of time and games in 2011 for changes.

The point is there's plenty to come into this team to improve our ability and strengthen the team.
But it's all about balance, and there's always going to be injuries to contend with, but for now, the abovementioned (except Laidler) are available, and the MC have them all on their radar...we all do.

If Waite and Jammo don't pull up, then I have no doubt Kreuzer and Bower will get a call up.
The word from Ratts is Jammo should be right...so Bower on hold to allow TBird to continur to build on his form?

I'm expecting Kreuzer to come in for Setanta or Hammer, and I can't see Warnock being left out either.
If Waite doesn't pull up, then Hendo is the obvious replacement. I still would like to see Hendo as the CHF in the team now that he's fit and ready.

Will Tuohy be given another shot at senior level? I'm hoping he's given another chance. He can hurt the Lions.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue