Hey Guys, I believe it is time to rest some weary legs and some might think after the road trips and short week it is about rotation. I think it is about time that a number on our list who just aren't able to be consistent from week to week, need to go find some form in the magoos. You may notice the ones who I suggest need this demotion are really in need of a full game or need to go practice their skills at a lower level. One of them I think has untold ability and once he learns how to kick will probably play enough games to get his name on his locker. One other is being crucified by playing in a unsuitable role for much of each game and only recently came back from serious injury. The other three were unwanted players from other clubs and we now know why. Can't get the footy or if they do have poor execution.

Their likely replacements are all in form, are hungry and won't let us down. Rather than Jones out and Smith in, I have gone for direct alternatives to do the job. You may note that I got Fev on the pine. Not a typo. If he survives the tribunal, needs to get the message. If not then the emergencies can cover what he has been providing the past few games. Radical changes? I think not!! In fact there could even be more!! Let me know your thoughts.


B:.............Carrazzo..........Teague..........Norman

HB:...........Houlihan...........Thornton.......Sporn

C:.............Walker.............Stevens.........Lappin

HF:............Camporeale.....Waite.............Scotland

F:..............Longmuir.........Whitnall..........Betts

FOLL:.........French.............Koutoufides....Bentick

I/C:....Wiggins......Bryan......McGrath.......Fevola

IN:....Scotland....Betts.....Bentick....Bryan.....McGrath

OUT:.Chambers..Davies...Johnson...Deluca...Bowyer

EMG:..........Bannister........Morrell.............Simpson

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

I have been thinking the same thing but to many changes may not be the best thing.
Johnson out will not happen he is getting to much of the ball and he is playing his old team, played well last year kicked a couple of goals.
Davies out Betts in.
Bryan wont come in and Deluca wont get droped.
Chammbers and Bowyer????? Not sure.
Scotland has to come, most likely for Bowyer.

If Fev duz play then start him on the ground. Just silly starting him on the bench so he gets the msg. Pagan would have already had a chat to him, that will be all he needs.

fair changes though I had fev out instead of davies (think he will go given the AFL's stance on physical contact) and prendergast in place of bryan(he is scheduled to be back this week) and simpson instead of mcgrath.

Betts got 6 for the Bullants, Diggers two and Simpson, along with Betts, o'Hailpin, were amongst the best according to the report currently on the official Carlton site:

http://carltonfc.com.au/default.asp?pg= ... eid=198482

Surely Betts is ready again and could be a major contributor.

The shame of Fevola missing presumably is that Jonathon Hay is out for the Hawks and Fev might have had a field day as I believe he really does need a key defender, not a second stringer to shut him down.

If he goes, Lance has got to go up forward and Deluca should also spend as much time up forward as well, taking big grabs or else crumbing to Betts.

One thing that was totally lacking last week were centre options for the backline to kick too - how often did we see Teague and others looking up the ground waiting for options - some of that's to do with flooding, but it seemed alot like there was just no-one there to kick to!

And what is the go with the outer wing - again this week, it was vacant for much of the game although I noticed "Panther" Waite (who had a bloody good game again!) mixed it up over there a bit in the last part of the game. Our recent oppositions have had a field day running the ball through that part of the ground - even to the extent where they can pick up a ball off the deck, fumble and still have an absolute paddock to run in to, waiting for a good option up forward!

Gonna be an interesting week this week - geeze we need to pull it off somehow!

Rich

Can someone please tell me what Bryan has done to deserve a game?

I have never seen him play - apart from a few minutes in the Wizzer where he looked way out of his depth.

I have no recollection of him featuring as a star or consistently good player in the VFL.

Yet some people have him hog-tied to a bandwagon and are pushing it downhill with all their might. (this is no specific criticism of anyone in particular).

I understand we are desperate for quality talls, but surely they need to be showing sparkling form in the twos to get a game, otherwise the signals sent to the other fringe players are totally wrong.

Im with you ponkster, never is in the best in the twos yet some people have earmarked to step into the ones. Just becasue he apparently the biggest kick at the club should not be a reason to play senior footy

I'll deal with the outs first.

Chambers: I have been disappointed with his form so far, especially given his contribution during the Wizzer Cup. Is he just not match fit, or is there something else up? As much as I'd like him in the side, maybe a solid game with the Ants might be the tonic he needs.

Davies: Hmm, tricky one I think. He's got a touch of the Fraser Brown about him in that he's tough and has a bit of mongrel. I'd be happy to persist with him in the seniors.

Johnson: As noted, he is so good around the clearances can we actually afford to leave him out? Okay, his skills aren't silky smooth, but he has plenty of friends in that department unfortunately. But, hopefully with Scotland back in the side Johnno has a pretty good ball user to dish off to, along with the likes of Campo, Stevens, Lappin, Houla and Kouta who can all use the ball pretty well from the middle.

Deluca: No way! He has to stay in the side, either as a forward option if Fevola misses or simply to give us some height aruond the ground. One thing is certain, Spider Everitt couls take us to the cleaners this game, his athleticism will be too good for any of our ruckmen.

Bowyer: Gee, could be a tough call on Glenn. He probably has done enough to stay in the side, but Betts and Scotland are likely to be in the side I reckon and someone has to make way. I would like to see Bowyer in against his old side, but I'm not sure it will happen.

Now, to the ins...

Scotland: Yes.

Betts: Given his form for the Bullants he'd have to be in I'd say. He needs to get front and square to those packs and hit the ball running. He has the finishing skills and the pace, he just needs to give himself the opportunities. And his tenacity when he doesn't have the ball is usually pretty good too.

Bentick: I'd like to see him get a run, but as with the next few blokes have they done enough to warrant promotion, or conversely, are the places for them in our 22? I guess at some stage these guys on the fringes deserve a chance to prove themselves and Bentick would hardly embarass himself in the seniors. Not sure he'll get a run this week though.

Bryan: Can someone answer ponkstar's questions please, because I'd like to know the same. He may be tall, but at this stage, is he ready?

McGrath: I like Cory, he has a bit of dash about him, goes pretty hard and could be a very handy back pocket, or HBF for us. Again, it may be a case of no places for him in the 22. But he'll get more chances during the year, I have no doubt.


While it is safe to say we're a long way from having the best squad in the league, it is pleasing to see our guys must be creating some real selection headaches for Pagan and co. As with 2004 our list is still in a work in progress and some of the guys battling for places won't be on our list in 2006, that's football. We need to remain patient while demanding maximum effort from every one of the 22 blokes that reprsesent our club each week.

The way I see it our biggest deficiency this year has been our ball use. Shit delivery into the forward 50 and silly turnovers have cost us dearly. If we can remedy these short falls on a consistent basis I think we'll be alright and continue to show real signs of improvement.

For 2006 we need talls (still!) and some quality ball users recruited by the club.

_________________
Click here to follow TalkingCarlton on twitter
TalkingCarlton Posting Rules

Chambers won't be dropped. The coach brought him into the team even though he was underdone and has been trying to run him back into shape in the seniors. A running midfielder who can kick long goals. I expect him to step up this week.

I think Fev will get rubbed out and Digby will probably come in as his replacement. He is an option either up forward or down back especially as the Hawks may try ands use Everitt as a forward to expose our lack of height and strength down back. With Teague and Thornton that will make our backline a lot stronger and also provides the option of covering Franklin with Thornton and Barker or Everitt with Teague or Digby and allowing Lappin to play on Williams.

A Friday night match with a bit of dew about and the ball is usually on the ground and that brings Betts into the side and I think that Johnson may make way. Johnson is winning a lot of the ball but the Hawks may try to expose him for pace andwe seem to need more score power and I think Eddie adds that to the team.

Scotland will be brought back into the side at the expense of either Norman, Davies or Bowyer. Bowyer hasn't done anything wrong and IMO Karl has been struggling so with Digby back in form perhaps he can go back to the Bullants for the inclusion of Scotland.

In Morrell Scotland Betts
Out Fevola Norman Johnson

Carrazzo Morrell Bowyer
Lappin Thornton Teague
Camporeale Stevens Walker
Longmuir Whitnall Waite
Houlihan DeLuca Betts
French Koutifides Scotland
Wiggins Sporn Chambers

I have a slightly different opinion to what's been put out. IMO there are some passengers from last week who haven't shown the committment required to retain a place in the 1sts. There are also some players who are out of form who are crucial to our side.

The main problems have been poor disposal and inability to want to try from some senior players.

Here is my side:

B - Carrazzo, Thornton, Teague
HB - Lappin, Waite, Walker
C - Scotland, Johnson, Simpson
HF - Camporeale, Deluca, Wiggins
F - Betts, Whitnall, Camporeale
R - French, Koutoufides, Stevens
IC - Sporn, Chambers, Longmuir, Fevola
EMG - Davies, Bentick, Morrell

IN - Simpson, Scotland, Betts
OUT - Davies, Bowyer, Norman

If Fevola is rubbed out, then IN - Morrell.

We need more pace and the 3 "ins" provide that, all "ins" have good disposal, Scotland will hopefully want to make amends, Simpson and Betts will want to prove a point.

As for Johnson being too slow, I'm willing for him to go in a midfield shoot out with Sam Mitchell. I know Mitchell's disposal is better but at getting clearances it would be good to see him nullified by Johnno.

I have dropped Davies because he needs game time in the 2nds after not getting any last week.

Waite at CHB? Yes, because we need a bit of aggro in the back half, someone with pace and someone who will give a contest at all costs. Not easily outbodied nowadays either. Will hurt them going the other way as well.

_________________
"A good composer does not initiate. He steals."

- Igor Stravinsky

We cant make wholesale changes for the sake of it.
We just had a double road trip to play the Premiers in Adelaide and Freo over in Perth.

Have a look how many teams have been successful with one of those games let alone successive trips.
To come away with a draw and a 19 point loss is more than credible. I'd make 3 changes at most and one of those is suspension related.
Let the boys come back and play a few games at home before getting the axe out.
We could quite easily be better than 50/50 in 3 weeks.

_________________
Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

I'm not pushing the Bryan bandwagon but he was in the best the week before I think and out training reporters had some good things to say about him...The facts are we dont have enough size in the team and while Deluca is promising he hasnt cemented a place in the line up and I think Bryan's inclusion would send a message that places have to be earned and there are no automatics just beause you are a tall playing in smallish team. I think having an extra tall gives you some more options and allows you some backup if French and Deluca are not doing the job....why are we so rigid that we wont try different players and different tactics...??

Ammo....Brisbane tried conventional size matched players with Williams and it didnt work..Mal Michael eventually got given the job and I would be inclined to start Thornton on him...I prefer Lappin up the ground where he can do more damage and create..

Buddy Franklin is very quick and I would have Norman or Bannister on him...I dont think Morell, Thornton or Teague will be able to keep up with him...its the mobility of Franklin that has caused most of his opponents troubles.

I agree on Chambers...he was a weapon during the wizzer cup and we have to try and persist with him and feed him the ball and get some goals out of him...

Bentcik and Simpson both deserve senior spots and not just one or two games and out again....
Far too many players are in the comfort zone after the wizzer cup and its time to shake up the team with new blood....

BV...I would call it pruning, rather than the axe....how many chances do you give some players ie Davies....how do you reward players like Simpson and Bentick who are in our best each week in the twos...

Elwood, the problem with including Bryan is that there are players like Simpson and Bentick tearing up in the 2's and yet can't get a game.

Particularly after their colleagues, particularly senior colleagues in the midfield department (Stevens excepted) showed refusal to chase. What kind of message does this send the kids?

BV,
Granted they were tired after 2 road trips, but I think some players are resting on their Wizard Cup laurels (like Elwood has said) and a message needs to be sent out that that isn't good enough.

_________________
"A good composer does not initiate. He steals."

- Igor Stravinsky

Clem..see my comments about Bryan on the Whitnall thread...

Probably a good time to bring in some fresh players.

Fresh players and good players are 2 different things.

I suspect we are undervaluing the performances of the past couple of weeks.
Fremantle were poor against Richmond the week before but they werent exactly out of form.
They were very unfortunate to go down to the Saints by a point in Tassie.
They then lost to West Coast by 8 points.
Lets not forget they beat Port Adelaide easily in round 1.
Not exactly the form of a poor side.

Last year when we travelled to Subi we had a pathetic 33 inside 50s compared to Freos 52 and we were slaughtered.
Cast your mind back to how we fared against Port.
This season we had 52 inside 50s compared to their 53 and the same scoring shots.
We were highly competitive in both games and could have easily won both if not for our current goalkicking curse.

We currently have a highly competitive team. They have issues which may prevent them competing with the topliners but it is a huge improvement from last year.
I think we need a couple of changes and our forward structure requires restructuring.
I'd bring in Setanta, Betts and Scotland.

_________________
Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

I'm with BV!

_________________
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!

So who to fill FF?
I think we need to play a wildcard and start someone unexpected there to maybe screw with their matchups and unbalance the Dawks backline. Would be interesting to see maybe Waite leading hard out of the square(fingers crossed when he has a set shot), especially if Prenda is back to link up in the middle. This may mean we get the Dawks FB out of the goal square to matchup on a larger/slower player up the ground.

_________________
The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

Ronald Reagan

Full Forward - The winner is Troy Longmuir!!

_________________
Mjonc signing off at 8888

Longmuir to play full forward, Longmuir was taken away from the main squad at training tonight and was working on his goal kicking.

Prenda will play with the Ants - missed two weeks and prior to his injury he wasn't getting a full game, need 120 minutes of footy and some touch before he is back.

Like many others I don't think Bryan is ready. I have watched a coupl of the Ants games and attended many training sessions and despitre a great kick Bryan is not ready.

Forget Setanta for NOW, he can not play unless he ispromoted due to a LTI.

Betts for Davies who needs 120 min of footy and some goal kicking practice - he will come back better just like Betts.

McGrath/Bannister for Sporn who desperately needs to eliminate his costly turn overs.

Norman gets a game purely because he has height and pace.

Scotland in for Bowyer - don't think we have two similar type of players.

Also we do need to include fresh legs this week after two interstate games however keep in mind the Ants played on Sunday 4/5 day rest!!

If Kade Simpson doesn't get a game this week, then hollow out Mount Everest and bury me alive next to Oprah's sense of self-worth, and booty.

_________________
Love Cricket? Love me