Setanta was never our 1st or 2nd choice to go against Nat Nat and Cox but the other 2 choices were injured, he was the only other choice. As a forward he did enough good things to be happy with but he was killed in the ruck.

In the end it does depend on who is injured doesn't it. Take Natanui (Krueser) Kerr (Gibbs) Kennedy (Waite) and Lynch (Hammer) out, add having Darling (T-Bird) injured at half-time and who wins?

Sure they would have players to replace them - as we did, but their overall strength as a team would suffer as ours did. We lost the ability to set up a forward structure that would hurt them and we lacked a ruck division to stretch them (and how they loved it when Santy had to go against Cox especially as 206 tired) and yet we lost by 3 points.

I think people have never understood how far back we came from. People talk about West Coast coming from last - but Cox Kerr Glass (that's 3 I bet there is more) all premiership players could hardly get on the park last year (or play the way they could when they did - think Judd when he had his groin). This year those 3 have played lots of football at their best (Kerr was bog for mine last night). They have experience and youth and many of those players have played 10 or more finals. Their coach has coached in 14 finals - including 2 GF's - that is experience that we are still building towards.

We have Judd's & Scotland's experience and then 2 (now 3) losing finals and 1 won final - that's it for experience. We still lack depth we all know that - especially in height which is why we went tall last draft but none of the kids we picked had an impact (I hope 1 or 2 of them do next year and then we shall see how far we can go).

While I am gutted with the loss as I thought we could still beat them I am not worried about our list. It has holes - all lists do but it has fewer holes than last year and it is gaining in real experience. Top 4 next year beckons. Top four is the least we aim for next year.

More development in the players, a few more to come on the way Robbo, Murph Jammo and Hendo did this year

a few draftees like Laidler and Duigan

and some of our kids especially the tall ones to take steps to rectify the height issue. At one point in the second half last night we had 4 players over a certain height (can't remember the height exactly that the commentator mentioned) to West Coast's 8. Plonk in Kruiser/Hammer, T-Bird and Waite and suddenly its 7 to 8 and the balance can be managed.That mismatched made it hard ti kick long but also meant we were having to throw small bodies against big ones and thus also lose our spread and our run - our strengths.

We are close and we know it. Now the real pressure starts. Now we must fulfill the promise - now it gets really hard.

What I have noticed in the last few weeks is not just the lack of explosive pace, but watch his cleanness with hands. For 80% of the season, he was one touch player (by far the best in the leaague), when ball hit the deck, he would grab, spin, expode etc.

Watch last night and last 3 weeks, he missed so many ground balls, couple of times last night he didn't even get his hands on them (like he couldn't bend down as easily). So without having any inside knowledge I am suspecting a back issue, or even groin flare up. You can't go form being the cleanest pick up player in the league to not being able to bend down properly unless injured.

Of course I could be completely wrong, and he is just tired from baby and refs have been way too lenient on players constantly holding him... How bout that bul***t free to selwood last night, when he pulled Judd out of the play, not even within 1.5m of the ball. Happened all night.

Great work by blues though. So many key injuries, and still did us proud. Kerr was difference I reckon. Played a blinder last night.

Great post danny.

By the way, how did West Coast go covering their injuries last year?

Judd copped a one week ban 6 years ago for elbowing Steven Baker in the head.

You might think it a bit strange but it appeared (to me at least) that afetr this umpires started paying free kicks for holding at stoppages. I think it was it drew attention to the tactics used against Judd.

Judd may have to forego another chance at a Brownlow next year. I think his best tactic is the next time we play WCE and Selwood blatantly turns his back on play to face Judd at a stoppage, he should just punch him flush in his deformed face.

There will be a big deal made of the punch but just as much made of it being as a result of illegal tactics at stoppages.

Worked then, will probably work again.

yeah..I've gone from gutted to anger today too Cimm.
Heard words coming out of my mouth on the road this morning, that I did not know were in there!!
There really is something to those stages of grieving isn't there.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ratten-questions-judd-tactics/story-e6frf9io-1226140482184

CFC needs to put together some video footage and send it in, seriously.

Perhaps some video footage about the run down and tackle that wasn't paid I am sure there are 50 examples during the year when it was.

To me if Ratts was observing this and it was inhibiting Judd why didn't he make some changes, ie provide some chop outs or move Judd futher away from pack? Or ask the Captain to dicuss with the umpires at 1/2 time etc??

Email from friend this morning (not CFC fan) "bloody yellow (or red or green or whatever they were wearing) maggots lost you that game. Every time a WC player went near the ball they got a free kick and 50m!"

Cheers

Yes, I'm in a massive NHJ mood today over footy.

Fckn WCE supporters with their flags out all over town and I've got to smile and say "yeah, but what a great contest" when I really want to say."you a smug bunch of cheating mother-fuckin-drugtaken-fuck-sticks would only won because of some !@#$%& escapee's from oompaloopa land dress in red gave you the !@#$%& game on toast and you !@#$%& cheated all !@#$%& night you flower"

Yes the sympathetic texts from Pies supporters hurt the most! Epsecially when I know they are actually genuine in their sympathy.

I don't want sympathy, WE ARE CARLTON F**K THE REST

Yeah..and you can't even say..
well, I'll feel a lot better if you guys get smashed.
that would be rude...right??

Problem is I've just realised I hate the Hawks more and now have to barrack for the Pies and hope the Cats win the GF.

Tis a heavy burden we carry.