Make no mistake, Richmond fancy their chances against us.

Hardwick has this game circled as a one of the few they can actually win in 2010.

Since the 10 minute mark of the last quarter of last year's Elimination Final, it's been a tumultuous time for our club.

And the first month of this season is going to be very tough for our players.

So let's see what our 'boys' are made of...

Are they still 'boys' looking to their captain to carry them to victory, or are they MEN ready to control their own destiny?

Are they going to look longingly at where Fevola used to be, or are they going to seize the opportunity to forge their own path to glory?

In just over 24 hours, they have a chance to answer these questions with their actions.

I don't necessarily expect us to make the finals this year. But I DO expect our players to be competitive at ALL times this year. I DO expect our club to demonstrate improvement and complete commitment on and off the field. And I DO expect those in the privileged position to represent our club to do so in such a way that will make others RESPECT the Carlton Football Club.

It starts now.

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

..that tuggers team on paper looks shite.. ..factor in new players under a new coach, and their own bigman Richo no longer with them and i reckon they're a spooner team this season fer sure.. ..we should win, even without Judd [and fev and stevens].. ..will be watching the way the team lines up on field, cos on paper we've got no ruck on the bench, so i'm doubting we'll line up as listed..

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

Good luck to Carrots as skipper. Say what you want about his disposal, he'll understand more than most in the team what an honour it is to lead the CFC into battle

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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

well...nobody should say that sort of stuff....because those that did know now that blooding a kid didn't cost us a flag, in fact, it created a damn good player worthy of a first round pick, and one who is most likely to be one of the first 18 picked for our premiership team.

Lets learn from the past.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

That's music to my ears blueblitz.

I really hope he does have a breakthrough year in 2010.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I think we will win but not by a great margin.

Ratt's Q & A eluded to us becoming more Sydney like in our game plan. We will have a reduced ability to score so it sounds like we'll be attempting to be alot more defensive.

I can hear the moaning about our style now.

The important thing for me is get THE FOUR POINTS

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I support the Navy Blues whatever happens!

hampson?

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

BTW, let's not dismiss Richmond's team because of all their debutants. I recall a team last year playing 3-4 first gamers in RD1 and nearly winning by a ton.

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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'm giddy with Déjà vu.

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Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

Edit for accuracy.

Regards Cazzesman

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Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

Yep, I was right.

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Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

'Then put your little hand in mine
There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb ...'

It's like they didn't watch last season. You can't play Thornton, Bower, Waite and Jamison in the same backline - not enough run.

Ratts is an astute coach so I'm sure by about round 12 he'll have figured this out (again).

hmmm wonder if that's why Ando's been picked
and Waite to the forward line? Hmmmm?

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

..well, Waite likes to have a run.. ..Bower thinks he's a greyhound.. ..and yer got Joseph and Russell that will also provide plenty of run..

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

You mean the team doesn't lined up as named??

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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.

Carazzo is about to set the most amazing precedent.

Has a player ever captained the team, played their 100th and been nominated for the Rising Star all on one night?

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"I had to eat"

Oh look, on paper there is some run there. But that's just not how it actually played last season. In your mind it is Waite and Bower bursting of HB with damaging attacking runs, when in reality it is mostly Thorton ambling out with the ball and then chipping 15m sidesways to a stationary Bower.

For the most part, we played better football last season after Waite went down, and we had to 'make do' with Jamison, Thornton and Bower in defence, with O'hailpin the swingman. You could argue we were better still when it was reduced to just Thornton and Bower in the defensive KPs (notwithstanding Bradshaw's last quarter heroics in the final).

If Krezuer goes to the Ruck, Waite goes to full fowrward, Warnock goes to the bench and Anderson goes to HB, then it starts to look realistic. But then why not just name the side like that? Who are we trying to fool? Unless it's to pretend that Warnock is our no.1 ruck to fulfil some promise we made to get him to leave Freo.

You never know, Ratts might read my post and come to his senses

They're back - just for you...

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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

He won't prove you wrong. Just a VFL player at best. Wasted opportunity to play someone else

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!