In 2003, the general consensus was that after a disastrous 2002, and a new coach, we would be back in finals contention. The view was that we were terribly unlucky with injuries in 2002, and that with the return of Kouta, Ratten, etc, we would be a force again in 2003.

We were wrong.

In 2004, we saw us win 10 games and come pretty close to making the finals. After that most thought we had turned a corner, that 2005 would yield a finals appearance, and maybe more. The Wizard cup win seemed to emphasize this.

In 2005, We were wrong.

In 2006, we thought we'd get off the bottom of the ladder, and improve a bit. I guess we were wrong again, although it was good to see young kids being played such as Murphy and Simpson.

And now I keep reading that we're '3 years away', that we will still finish in the bottom couple of teams in 2007.

Well this time I hope to be able to say we were wrong (for the right reasons!).

In my honest opinion, there is no reason we cannot make the finals this year. If we split up our team into three categories, forward, midfield, defence, we most certainly have the talent to get into the finals.

Forwards: You have Fevola, best FF in the competition. You'll have Kennedy at CHF hopefully, taking big marks and learning. Then you have Lance on a flank, which is where he should be played, as the third forward. You have Lappin in the forward pocket, Gibbs down there a bit. That's alot of talent in that forward line. Kouta will also rest up there quite a bit this year and he can be very damaging when fit.

Midfield: Stevens, Gibbs, Murphy, Simpson, Bentick, Blackwell, Scotland, there's alot of talent there. Easily enough to finally have a proper midfield rotation. Gone are the 2003 days when, after Ratten retired, our midfield was Kouta, Camporeale, and that was about it!

Defence: The gorilla O'hAilpin will surprise many this year playing at fullback. Thornton will play as a third defender and this is what suits him. Waite will rebound off half back as a Chad Cornes style CHB, and that's the 3 key defenders we need. Expect Paul Bower to come in and really show his class. And then you have our defensive runners like Walker.

Rucks:
Ackland has looked pretty good, and hopefully Hampson will be blooded a bit too. Aisake might come in for some games late in the season, you never know!

I have probably left out alot of players, and that just goes to show how much depth and talent we now have. I expect us to make the finals this year, and for those of you thinking we are three years away, you may be pleasantly surprised

Well I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

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Oompa loompa doompety dee
If you are wise you'll listen to me

The only thing that worries me about us achieving this goal is the "belief".
Do our players and coach believe we can play finals in 2007 and is that going to be their no.1 priority?

I 'd reckon 9 to 11 position all going well, with injuries, skill development , attitude , work rate and a bit of luck.
Otherwise somewhere bottom three.
Let's be patient and have realistic expiations, most of the team are kids and will get chewed up by experienced opposition.
Give the kids a go to develop in a positive environment, revamped coaching team with Dick at the helm, then watch out in 2009/ 20010.
We'll storm them all.
Up the Mighty Blues!!!!!!!!!!

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Go Blue Boys

In 03,04,05,06 we did very little stoppage/ midfield set up training.
In 2006 approximately 37% of goals in the AFL were a direct result of winning a stoppage.

In 03,04,05 our players will constantly urged by the coach to get the ball and kick it long to a contest and get numbers to the ball.
In 2006 approximately 38% of goals were a direct result of teams having control of the ball and turning it over to the opposition.

In a nutshell, thats about 75% of goals in the AFL.
Our players are miles behind their opponents in absorbing the theory associated with becoming a top AFL player.
If the teacher doesnt understand, how can the pupil?

How long it takes to play finals is largely irrelevant to me. It will take 5 years minimum IMO to compete with the topliners and thats only if we have a huge powershift in the coaches box.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Our ruck division is what'll kill us.

Ackland is a poor man's French IMO, and Hampson will need 2-3 years. Can't expect anything more than maybe a couple of games of the bench at the end of the year for Aisake.

Come 2009/10 we'll be looking the goods.

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

I dont believe that we will play in finals until Denis Pagan is gone.

Reasons why:

1. He wont play the kids.

2. The playing list is not inspired by his game plan.

3. He has trained our playing list to have the worst standard of disposal in the AFL

4. He doesnt instill "Belief"

5. he has not adapted his game plan to the times. The Pagans Paddock days are over...Fev needs support in the forward line.


I HOPE I AM WRONG

If I am wrong:

1. Setanta will become the best FB in the AFL this year.

2. Kouta will kick 30 goals

3. Whitnall, Kennedy and Fisher will kick 20+ goals each.

4. Gibbs will be a freak!

5. Nobody will get seriously injured.

6. The second string players lift: Houlihan/ Bentick/ Wiggins/ Betts/
Mc Laren/ Carrots.

7. Pagan will play the kids week in week out causing the playing list to gain confidence.



I HOPE THAT ALL OF THESE DREAMS COME TRUE

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Revenge is a dish best served cold

&

I AM PROUD SPONSOR OF THE CAROLINE WILSON HATE CLUB

Do you know how we compare to the league average in both these areas?

Just as long as you dont pull out the troups in march 08 BO - I think we might make it then but not this year

Before you can say we will make the 8 you have to ask yourself who will drop out of the 8 and who else is fighting to get there

dont think we can do it

who will drop

1. Eagles not likely
2. Crows - not likely
3. Dockers - doubt it
4. Swans - one more year then slide
5. Magpies - who knows could go up or down
6. Saints - should be flag favourites under new coach
7. Demons - still good
8. Bulldogs - getting better not worse
9. Tigers - as per bulldogs
10. Cats - who knows were one of the favourites last year
11. Hawks - on the rise with a lot of young talent
12. Power - played stacks of youth last year could rise
13. Lions - few years out
14. Roos - lost cause
15. Bombers - they think they are specials ( look quite good the other night)
16. Blues ?????????

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

yep you got it right.

My prediction ladder for THE END OF THE MINOR ROUND CIRCA 2007 is:

ST KILDA- With that list anything bar a premiership is incredible
WEST COAST- will probably go back to back
ADELAIDE- will fall apart in September after dominating all year
FREMANTLE- great playing list, gaining momentum
WESTERN BULLDOGS- really quick and with Darcy/ Hahn returning
MELBOURNE- Still hanging around, cant win a flag
GEELONG- Will have 19 nervous breakdowns
SYDNEY- Roos is a genius...will sneak in and scare


RICHMOND- They love 9th...wont sell
CARLTON - buildng for the return of the empire
PORT ADELAIDE- young and blooding
COLLINGWOOD- lower would be better, but they will win a couple
HAWTHORN- Never know they might win the spoon
KANGAROOS- Amazing they still exist
BRISBANE- AFL willspend up big to no avail


And lucky last...in the yella corner....blaming and firing St Kevin...the messiah...Sheedy...iiiisssssss....THE BUMMERS!!!

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Revenge is a dish best served cold

&

I AM PROUD SPONSOR OF THE CAROLINE WILSON HATE CLUB

I am a True Believer ... we will make the 8.

I'm a believer too.

Blues to finish 7th above:-


MELBOURNE

WESTERN BULLDOGS
RICHMOND
PORT ADELAIDE
COLLINGWOOD
HAWTHORN
KANGAROOS
BRISBANE
Essendon*

The new assistant coaches will help a lot.

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No Guts, No Glory

I think its important for all the players to believe that we can make the 8 and play accordingly.

However, we won't get close this year. Too many stronger, more skillful and experienced teams up there. I expect a bottom 4 finish with around 7 wins. And I will be happy with that. Hopefully another good draft and 08 we should get very close to finals with 09 and 2010 our shot at the flag.

Our ruck division is too weak at the moment to be contenders. And we'll need to a wait a few more years for Hampson and Aisake to come on. But when these two guns do develop, then we will be ready. I just hope it is soon enough to take advantage of Fev, Lance, Stevens and Scotland. Poor Lappin and Kouta will miss out on the glory years given their age.

POSITIVE THINKING = POSITIVE RESULTS ON FIELD

that's all

Depends who coaches us. Pagan, close to the bottom, another coach, eg Ratten, much closer to the 8 (maybe not quite in it though).

Absolutely.

Pagan is not the answer.

Time to move on from the Pagan Project

_________________
Revenge is a dish best served cold

&

I AM PROUD SPONSOR OF THE CAROLINE WILSON HATE CLUB

seeing what midfield we currently have today i am optimistic that we will significantly improve.

Ackland in the ruck with Gibbs, Murph, Simpson, Walker, Stevens running a muck

Throw in Kouta, Bentick, Blackwell etc and we have genuine midfield strength

Id say that the year we first make the eight is the first year of the coach after Pagan.

However we will have the best year this side of 2004.

But the glory of football is the uncertainy of it.

I had a Carlton Dream a while back - it was a Pagan Press conference in about round 7 - 2007 - Carlton wasnt going well and Denis was casting around for excuses and not looking too flash.

Im not sure if we will be all that bad in the first half of the year though.

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My Blue Heaven

Positive thinking helps... but i think capabilities, experience, skill, strength, team work, strategy, fitness, etc, etc are a little more important.

Positive thinking works when you are the only influence on the result... ie, playing golf. But when your playing an opposition you also need tools as well as the right attitude. I'm sure every other team in the leugue is also thinking positive. So that kinda cancels each other out.

Geelong only to make top four with the aid of Mothers Little Helper.

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A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject - Winston Churchill

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