I've read a few snippets of late suggesting that Aisake should be getting a gig in the seniors. Clearly, and thankfully, it seems the match committee are prepared to give Setanta the full 22 games this year, fitness permitting. And for the most part, he has repaid that faith with performances ranging from excellent to generally more than serviceable. While he's had a few bags of goals kicked on him the occassions where he has been outplayed have been fewer, rather than the norm. That said, he's still learning the game, as one would expect, but has shown enough passion and guts to have cemented his place in the side. His skills seem okay and he's willing to back himself. If he makes the odd clanger here and there so be it, better to balls up by trying something that to balls up by not doing anything. More power to him.

Now, to Aisake. I've never seen him play, or even train. So, if he is being talked about for senior selection into the Carlton team he must be progressing pretty well I guess. Can someobdy give me an honest appraisal of where he is really at, and how his development compares to that of his elder brother.

Setanta is still learning to read the game and flight of the ball. He's still learning how to man up in defence and the tricks that some forwards use to find open spaces. Is Aisake showing similar progress in over coming these shortfalls? Are his skills above expectations, meeting them, or below?

Thanks in advance...

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Setanta was the main reason i started going to watch the Bullants play!

And Aisakie was the reason i started turning up hours before the game so that i could watch the reserves also!

Honestly, if Aisakie is promoted now he will have some bad games and some good games, but really..............isn't that part of Development?

IF we had Ackland / Cloke / McLaren all fit, i would prefer to play them in the seniors (for the main reason being that the 1st priority would be to win games - but don't get me wrong, Aisakie will eclipse those three players in a few years time anyway!). BUT, now that both Cloke & McLaren are out it's almost silly not to give him a try!

Aisakie is really bizzare cause he does stuff, from time to time, that you just shouldn't be able to do on a footy ground.

The was one piece of play last year that amazed me..............hope there were a few poeple on TC that witnessed it too cause the crowd was laughing in amazment when it happened..................

Aisakie was chasing after the ball as Chris Bryan was charging past him heading towards our attacking 50. Aisakie had a close tagg and there would be no way he'd have time to bend down and pick the ball up without being tackled.
So he noticed Bryan running past, who was now AT LEAST 20mtrs up field.
Anyway, Aisakie was in an awkward position by the time he got to the bouncing ball but somehow managed to slice it of the outside of his left boot and hit a running Bryan ON THE CHEST 25mtrs away who ran through and kicked a goal.
Everybody just laughed and the entire team went straight to Aisakie to congratulate him.

Now...................i'm not saying he'll do that in the seniors the second you bring him in! And i'm not in anyway expecting him to rack up 30hits out, kick 2 or 3 goals and win us a game...............but he is certainly capable of doing so in the future. He is a very exciting player.

Sometimes he fails to man-up, but i also think this is because Barry likes to play him as a loose man.

Whoever has been working with him in the Ruck should be awarded cause he's tap work was shocking when he first got here but it has improved out-of-sight now!

I don't see a problem with bringing him into the side NOW THAT WE HAVE LOST OUR 2nd & 3rd backup ruckmen! But if we do give him a shot, we have to remember that he is still developing, and we need to give him time.

Head down and watch him sometime. He is really exciting.

Actually, come to think of it, some of the most exciting players Carlton have on their list haven't even played a senior game yet.

Jake 'The Snake' Edwards is gonna be an excitment machine when he (finally) plays and i could see him being the steal of the draft.

Girgg was my favorite TAC player last year but was too often critised for not having a 'right-foot'. He's gonna be something special too!

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Saw Aisake in a pre-season game last year at Princes Park, do a blind turn (literally on a sixpence) and kick a goal, it was "Cattogioesque" and a 202cm behemoth has no right doing that.

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Sounds good, thanks for the responses guys.

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In comparing the 2 and their development I think its relevant to consider:

* Positions played by both. Setanta was almost universally played forward (FF) until some games at half back in his second year. Full Back was a surprise to many but he started showing something pretty quickly.

Aisake has been played in more positions and the duration in each switched more quickly. One game last year he played at FB, FF and in the Ruck - incredible stuff (Not saying he won any, but he has been moved around alot more). Positions such as the Ruck or the ruck-roving who taps version he plays of it requires a abit more thinking and understanding of the game.

I dont want to start a 'which position is easier' argument but with Setanta's pace and height a FF position, where he was rewarded with leads into space, he was able to show something a bit earlier.

* Carlton's list for height and options is much better in 2007. We probably don't accept this yet but it may be harder to Aisake to get a game than Setanta at the time.

I think a whole year in the VFL seniors for Aisake is the best course of action and I think a promotion is assured even with minimal improvements from here. We gave Deluca 3 years and Aisake, to me, has far more promise.

Aisake has a touch of the Buddy Franklins about him, sans the freakish goalkicking

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Which role Aisake adapts to best is anyones guess atm.
Fastforward a couple of years with both O'hAilpins tearing around in navy blue ..very exciting!

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Yep that's the one - didn't realise it was captured on film. It was sensational piece of play - and only that piece of play alone would suggest he will make it. Thanks Mordan - sensational. ALthough couldn't remember he only evaded Cory McGrath.

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Last year I was thinking to myself "this kid isn't going to make it" - he was ungainly and clueless on a regular basis. Keep in mind that I'd never said that about Setanta.

Come the pre-season, i took extra notice of Aisake...he was still very light on and didn't have much muscle in the legs. Come the first few games of him this year after his suspension - and I'm going to say that I think he'll prove me wrong. Ruck work has really come on - good body position and kudos to Gary Dempsey for that.

If there is a comparison to what Aisake can be - i'd say he's the prototype for a new position. The 202cm wingman who's as quick and tough as they're likely to come. If he can get that left foot pass sorted out over 40 metres - he'll be playing some senior footy next year when promoted. And how handy will it be to throw him into the ruck.

Right now - keen to see him play every week in the Ants and do his apprentiship. He'll make it.

So....will he get a senior game this season?

What are the odds, people?

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asaike is fantastic
needs one more year to learn the ropes and put on some bulk.
in the ruck for 2008.

Dempsey

Question for those in the know...

How many Bullants senior games has he played?

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Aisake isn't ready yet, but he is giving more and more glimpses of the sort of thing he can produce.
According to RiverRodent (a keem watcher of the younger kids) Aisake really stepped up last week when Mclaren was off injured and was quite competative in the ruck.
The previous week (on TV) Aisake showed a bit as well. He impressed the ABC commentary team with his skill and agility for a really big man. His short passing that day was abominable, but his longer kicks were excellent. His ruck work is coming along nicely, but he needs more time actually rucking.
Last year Aisake played a couple of games in the Bullant seniors, playing mainly as a tall defensive option and doing quite reasonably - certainly better than Setanta did in his first spell in defence early last year.
If I do have a criticism of Aisake, it is that he dometimes tries to be too cute with his disposal. It is why it doesn't always come off. But for a new chum at the game, he shows the potential to be an exciting player.

Just over a week ago I thought that Hartlett and Edwards were the only realistic short term promotion chances and wrote so. What happened? Injuries to Edwards, McLaren, Cloke and Teague. Ross Young gets promoted and does OK (after I commented on HIS kicking). Hartlett plays a shocker and probably puts him back a bit. Aisake steps up and both Jamison and Jacobs show promise.
Well, now we have the need for a tall and Aisake COULD fit the bill. Will we promote him? I really don't know. I would PREFER to have him play good footy for the Bullants and start to dominate there. Then MAYBE get a game near the end of the season. But the match committee have already shown they like to keep us on our toes (me especially - open my big mouth and ....).

Don't forget the Bullants are on the ABC today from 1pm. Tape the game if you're heading to the G or are otherwise unable to watch and see for yourself where Aisake is at.

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Thanks for that Brad, I might need to keep an eye out for the replay on ABC2, but I'll double check today's guide.

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http://www.talkingcarlton.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=16097

11pm Wednesday.

Definitely worth a look. he's getting a fair amount of the ball around the ground.

Seems to have a double handed style with his ruck work at centre bounces.

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Solid outing by both of them.

Setanta to the ruck was a clever move and he has much quicker hands than I thought.

Aisake had the lion's share of the ruck and performed well, albeit against an equally young Box Hill outfit.

Ackland was a liability, having gone from average to worse last year. I hope we at least considered spending our third rounder on Street or someone else during the trade period.

If he can be elevated:

Out: Ackland
In: Aisake

Unfair to expect much from him, but will offer more than Ackland.

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After watching most of the first half on the tube today i have to say Asaike is agead at the same stage of his development.

This is fantastic as Setanta is doing so well, especially after todays performance from Setanta aswell.

I'm a happy chappy i tells ya's

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