Really looking forward to Friday nights match against Essendon*. This truely will be the most important game for our club that we have been in for the past 3 years. So much on the line...

Firstly we need to try and erase some of last weeks embarrasment.

Secondly we need to break through with a win against the Bombers...it's been too long.

And thirdly, if we are any chance at all of playing finals a win this week is a must.

Judd playing is a plus. But I cant help but think he will not be 100%. Wont be surprised if he is a late withdrawal. But if he does line up I'd play Judd up forward and see what he can do. The forward line is in need of a shake up so why not give Juddy a go out of the goal square.

Ratts did say preseason that he would play there but rarely has. Ablett has been up forward a fair but this season so why not give Juddy a go....

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HENDERSONALENKO......YOU BEAUTY!!!!!

Nup, tomorrow.

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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.

well just in case i miss them.

these selections are a @#$%&! discrase.

how can they still persist with some of these guys, while we have good kids running around the twos.

seriosuly though hopefully army and houla come in and i'd like to see one of AJ, Carrazzo or Scotland dropped as a matter of principle.

I think we are too negaitve or have to many players of limited nature (namley ellard, carrazzo, AJ, fisher) playing together at once.

I think Jospeh in particular needs a spell in the twos.

''Blues will respond''..........says Ratten..........CFC site.

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/newsar ... fault.aspx

Personally......I'd like less talk about what we're going to do..........and just go out and do it.

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

great, "Judd will play" meaning 8 other blokes have now thought "ok, I can leave it all up to him" . . . .

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Everything before the word "but" is horseshit - J Snow

"This is maybe the biggest defining moment of our season so far," Ratten said.

“It probably is partially a line in the sand [game] - I wouldn’t say it’s a full line in the sand ...Ratten said.

c'mon ratts at what point is the team going to stand up and resurrect the season?
I would have thought the uninspired and weak effort by the team would call for an uncompromising attitude from the coach/club. Hopefully this isn't what he is saying to the players, it's just what he is saying to the press to cover his ass if the players don't respond, and it becomes obvious he has lost the players.

"sort of line in the sand", "partially line in sand"... WTF??!!

I'm really starting to lose all patience and acceptance for Ratts. He talks sh!t, doesn't inspire any confidence or offer leadership.

Whats a sort of line in the sand?! It is or it isn't! And we shouldn't be in a position to be calling for a line in the sand because we dont have the troops who will step up to that line. Just soft imposters!

So now that he is building up this Friday so much what happens when we fall over again? Which we will. I feel sick thinking of the consequences of us losing this week. I never expected us to return to the depths of 2002-2007 because it feels that way. @#$%&! disgraceful...

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C'mon Blueboys!

A "partial line in the sand"???

Clearly Ratts doesn't want to create a 'defining moment', so to speak. Can't really blame him.

“It probably is partially a line in the sand [game] - I wouldn’t say it’s a full line in the sand"

What the hell is that. No wonder the players look so confused out there. How do you have a partial line in the sand? Where does the partial line start, where does it finish? If we lose will it be because we should have drawn the full line or Statts can say "i only said it was a partial line".
Says a lot about where we are at at the moment.

maybe it's a dotted line in the sand?

When is a line not a line?

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#DonTheStash

Its when you draw a line in the sand, but its only a really small one

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Still a line

On AFL360 they are putting the spotlight on Ratts and the players.

Normally when we play these flowers we're bombarded with puff pieces in the leadup. It's a nice change of pace.

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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

Can you highlight what is being said Rafa?

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

I think the main message from Maclure was the lack of experience around Ratten in the coaches box. He thought plenty of changes would occur at the assistant level with Ratts remaining on charge. Maclure did point out he doesn't get involved at the club so he can make these calls without internal influence as such.

Both King and Maclure focused on the players needing to contest firstly, before Ratts tactics can be questioned. Ratts is responsible for the game plan though, that wasn't missed.

Players to improve? Rusty, Betts and missed the other.

Maclure and King thought Robbo should be playing as he offers that difference. Warnock and Grigg were mentioned as players who should've been playing more regularly.

Conversely he could be making such calls without a clue as such (pure speculation on my part).

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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.

I reckon it's a good idea for the players to take a break from Ratts....might freshen them up....

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre