We got smashed by injuries that year too.

I thought we had about a dozen of our first 22 injured for most of the season, and our depth players weren't up to it.

edit: jinx

That year we also lost to the Gold Coast for the first time.

Yep. The club lacked resilience that season - and pretty much every season for the past 21 years….

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

Watched the reserves game thanks to abns link provided in reserves Thread.

Thought Motlop looked close to selection. Has better goal sense than Fisher, and kicks far longer too. That 55m goal from a standing start was

Dow was Ok despite 30 possessions (16 handballs). You'd expect 30 in the reserves from someone who played there all day. Didn't seem to have a break. Loves handballing to players in worse position, and I thought he was lazy with his running. Definitely not a gut runner. Plodder who waits for the ball to come to him. Disappointed to be honest after reading he did so well in the reserves.

Parks was next best, but not good enough to displace anyone in seniors.

Stocker finding his feet and rhythm, had about 15 possessions. Good to see him back. Probably better than Boyd, but Saad will replace Boyd....if Saad's given the all clear

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I'm really surprised there's been no discussion about Williams. Yes he gets a lot of the ball but he turns it over too often. Stocker will be eyeing hi position in 2 weeks.

Am I the only one who saw him drop his head late in the second qtr, drop the mark which resulted in a goal to teh Hawks? Classic footsteps from my position. It won't have gone unnoticed by Voss in the box.

If it is going to be wet must have Dow in place of LOB. Will be a tough game where the players will need to put their bodies on the line. Dow will do this. Can anyone see LOB?

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"Get ready, Teddy - you're on": Ron Barassi half time 1970 Grand Final

Make it happen Jim

Oh hang on did you say Port beat Melb??

Look this is a danger game for us. The recent Carlton would blow this for sure.

That mark that slipped through his hands was painful, but I didn't see him drop his head. I have seen him do it though in the praccy game.

I wasn't happy with his fumbling, but he took the opposition on, gained 0ver 600 metres, more than anyone on the ground including JC, and he changed angles like Doch and saad can do. They are a great mix. Williams is an important part of that group. The backline was under relentless pressure and lets face it, the opposition only scored 11 goals over 120 minutes. Not their fault we kicked it to JC and Sicily ad nauseum.

There's supporters who don't like certain players. That's normal. Williams has a few Carlton supporters who are still dirty with his output in the midfield last year and the size of the pay packet.

Forget the size of his salary. He didn't cost us players or draft picks.

I'd lay serious money on Williams keeping his spot and more money that it wont be Stocker who takes his spot. Williams is a unique player and different to Docherty and Saad and stocker. The mix is fantastic.

I wonder if you think Newman is ahead of Williams in the pecking order. If not, that's whose spot I think Stocker will take...if/when Stocker finds the form to warrant selection.

Williams is a keeper.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Dare to Dream jim. I do.

"Please make it happen", I say, as I stare at the heavens and ask nicely to the Footy Gods.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I know you're a real fan of Dow's. I thought he'd be in the best 22 before the praccy games, having heard Diesel's praise of Dow's and LOB's preseason.

I can't see Dow or LOB putting their body on the line. Dow has weapons, but he's too much of a ball watcher. For an inside mid, he doesn't break tackles or hit hard because he isn't the type who enjoys the physical side of the game IMO.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

The main thing is not to resort to old habits of bombing the ball haphazardly. Move the ball fast, forward handballs and kick to targets or one on ones. If Harry and Charlie are having trouble ... lower eyes and hit leading targets. This is the major lesson from the Hawthorn match.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

Missed Martin. He should have played. He is that eyes lowered option.

I am a fan of Dow because he has shown regular improvement at his time at the cub where as LOB?

As far as putting his body on the line, he has made his name as an inside mid and a tackler. Speaks for itself.

I do believe both wings are are a weakness of ours, no run and carry. Compare to Melbourne, it needs to be rectified.

We don't know if Dow can play wing until he is given a go in the seniors.

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"Get ready, Teddy - you're on": Ron Barassi half time 1970 Grand Final

Whilst Martin might have the skills, his main issue is his application and consistency and the fact he goes missing for long periods. Id rather Dow come in for him TBH as on exposed form his output has been far better than Martin and he is belting the door down. I say give Martin time in the ressies with a message to get your consistency up and apply yourself for four quarters, then see what happens

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Cripps is the man

Yep , got annoying at times .

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All my dangerous friends

Yeah true. And it all started from that game with the drug cheats. There were at least two players injured badly in that game - Carrazzo, Laidler and maybe even a third?

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

Yarran (toe)

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