Those that continue to underate Thornton obviously have not been to many Carlton games this year. His kicking efficiency is one of the highest in the team and I don't see any issues with his decision making.

Just ask Gavin Brown or Alan Richardson if they rate him. His ability to leave his man and support the other defenders has been critical. He and Jamo have worked well as a team down there.

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Life is made up of 3 things: Pre-Season, Post Season & Footy Season.

Would be interested to get your thoughts then on any differences in his game from last year.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

No, it's just that they are not as biased towards Thornton as you are. You have already said previously that you know the guy, so you probably study every move he makes when you go to the games. Watch anyone for long enough and you will see them do good things that go unnoticed in general play.

Look, I thought Thornton was finished last year and I must admit he has been a lot better this year at playing to team rules but unfortunately I still see too many deficiencies in his game and if he happens to have a bad patch again he will find himself on the outer. With guys like Laidler, White and Davies (plus the new draftees Watson, McCarthy etc.) only getting better with age and if Bower happens to get back to his best he will find it hard to get back in the team. His 1-on-1 body work and spoiling will have to get better to stay ahead of the pack.

That being said he has certainly fulfilled his role in the team this year and I hope for his sake he can keep playing well and have a successful finals series. He deserves some success after years of being one-out in a terrible backline.

My order (at the top of their game for their careers to date):

1. Bower
2. Thornton
3. Laidler
4. Setanta
5. Henderson
6. White
7. Austin
8. Davies
9. Watson

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"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself" - Henry Ford

This is who I think should play on tall defenders whilst Jamo is out:

1. O'hAilpin (199cm)

2. Henderson (196cm)

3. Thornton (192cm)

4. Laidler (189cm)

5. Bower (192cm)

6. White (190cm)

7. Austin (193cm)

Laidler and White are too small, and I think Hendo could really fit into that backline with his size. Hendo has experience playing in the backline whilst playing with Brisbane because he couldn't take Jonathan Brown's Forward spot.

Fletc...

Nope, can't even do it as a joke.

Easy to see why we recruited Watson and McCarthy last year...and even Mitchell. No doubt in my mind that we will not be a true Premiership threat until we have 2 more key backs who emerge alongside Jamison, and one more key forward alongside Waite and Walker.

To answer the question, based on exposed form over each of their careers...

Bower
Thornton (as long as he's not on a big-bodied defender)
White
Henderson
Austin
O'hAilpin

But I expect our next Premiership backline to contain Jamison, and two of Watson, Bower, White or McCarthy (depending on match ups, there may be 2 or 3 tall backs in the team).

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Mens sana in corpore sano.

Bring back the laurel wreath logo!!!

I think Craig Bradshaw is probably the best.

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The Spirit of Carlton compels you!

I have two issues with Thornton, firstly is the amount of times he kicks backwards... I just hate seeing it! and secondly when the balls comes to the forward Thornton is on, seeing Thornton trailing behind the forward taking the mark and Thornton watch Thornton lose it... it happens a bit!


But no doubt he has been better this year and have helped us out when we have needed!

1 - Bower (should be our CHB when fully fit).
2 - Thornton (is best equipped to fill in at CHB or FB when the time is needed. His experience as a back-up defender is valuable).
3 - White (still got a bit to learn in a 1 on 1 contest, but is solid in other areas).
4 - Henderson (prefer him FWD, but is a capable back)
5 - O'hAilpin (prefer to have as a roaming FWD / Ruck)
6 - Austin (Not being able to see any VFL, he's the hardest to assess).

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@cecil_anderson

I think you need to be fair and judge him on what he's doing this year. Much, much improved in those areas.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

..as the 3rd tall that can float loosely to help other defenders and/or intercept in coming kicks Thornton is the best, and by a fair margin.. ..reads the play coming in exceptionally well.. ..the best on our list to fulfill that 'maxwell' role.. ..in the early years he played on all sorts and under immense pressure did as well as could be expected.. ..in '09 for most of the season he was up there with the best in the afl for intercepting marks.. ..with improved work-rate and spread up field he rarely kicks backwards.. ..it's only when there's no safe option fwd would he kick back to maintain possession.. ..with a better gamestyle he's certainly playing better.. ..easily part of our best back six this season, and over his career pretty much every season..

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

I don't think 2 of those 4 will be in our 2011 premiership team.
In fact I expect (if fit) Jammo, Laidler, Duigan, TBird, Yazza, Gibbs and Russell in the backline...and maybe Hendo to fill the backline in this years premiership team.

Might happen...you never know.

]
I know its easy to say they will not given another 6 teams vying for the same result, but on the flipside we have a chance if we end in the top 4 and near to a full list

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Shouldn't this thread be titled "Re: Rating our tall bakcs"?


Wow, what a terrific audience

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

I have no problem with players switching play by kicking directly across the ground. In doing so you keep the opposition one step behind. I have a major problem with players who regularly go backwards 45 degrees plus. The opposition have time to set themselves and you're [REDACTED].

Thornton is public enemy number one in that regard.

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Rating our bakc, sakc and crakcs?

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Absolutely slaughtered Cloke (the Collingwood version thereof) the only time they matched up. I'f live to see him down back against a tall forward line.

On current form Thornton is way ahead of the others who can't even get on the park.

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

I think we can safely say now that Hendo could fit right into that CHB position when Jamo comes back. Hendo was very good today and I prefer him in the backline now, he hasn't grasped the forward line

Agree with that BKB

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When you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way!

It's been done to death, but for us to genuinely challenge for a flag we MUST get some consistency in our talls (form and fitness). As long as we keep having to cover gaps we're going to find it very difficult.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Jamo hurting his knee may end up being a blessing in disguise. It has forced the match committee to put Henderson down back and I firmly believe when we play the top teams that is where he needs to be. His 6 quarters to date have been pretty good against Kennedy and Reiwoldt.

The way I see it panning out is that Jamo, Hendo and Laidler will be our tall backs.