in no particular order:
-andrew walker's and jarrad waite's improvement
-bryce gibbs playing all 22 games and showing great signs for the future
-no.1 and 3 draft pick
-change of coach
-change of board
-win in rd.3 against Essendon*
-ryan jackson's improvement
-moving on senior players

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Last edited by true_blue3 on Mon Sep 26, 1981 5:07 pm; edited 92 times in total

We'll learn from that.

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Setanta played 22 games
Hampson looks an awesome prospect
Jamison off the rookie list
Kennedy reminded people that he really does have serious talent
Hartlett played - hopefully will play again
Bower got better each week and could be a rising star this week
Betts teased that he might be ok in the midfield
Russell improved and might be a lead-up half forward
Stevens will come back next year
Murphy got exposed to dealing with taggers
Grigg improved today and may have a good future
Anderson looked a good tagger before injury
Houlihan became closer to the sort of player we want (but not a star)

There are heaps of positives and unlike a lot of teams, all our positives are from kids. If we keep the list together and they develop as they should, Carlton could be a monster in 3 years or so.

Pratt
Swann
Icke
Ratten
O'hailpin
Waite
Gibbs
Rookies
More games into Kids
Stevens will be back hungrier than ever
Simpson as a leader
Some real class to be added via ND and poss PSD
Excitment for future!!!!

You three seem to have summed it all up pretty well.


A Carlton Reserves team ... a possibility for this list in 2008?

Carrots! Big improver.

His disposal did improve this year but still needs more work. If he can get more penetration out of his kicking he could become an elite player. Needs to put in some hours over summer.

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Number 17 - come on down!

Despite losing 18 games heaps

Already mentioned+
Aisake and Kreuzer on our list next year. along with Hampson, 3 mobile guys around 200 cm

Our biggest weakness was our defence and the ruck.

We now can play Carlos in defence to beef up the backline

Anderson showed l a lot in games I saw
Hartlett if he gets his legs right will be something

This is as dark as its going to get folks

From 2008 an for the next 10years or so we will see the rise of the blueboys

What about the Fish?

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You're all forgetting the best thing about this season. Richmond got the spoon and still don't get pick 1 mahaha!!!

Definitely our biggest improver IMO.

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" Koutoufides has taken the last quarter by the scruff of the neck..." Commentary Drew Morphett Last Qtr '99 Prelim. Pure Gold.

Thanks for the memories Kouta. You are and always will be a True Blue Carlton Legend. #43.

Kade Simpson putting his hand up for the captaincy

Carrazzo improving his disposal to become a better player

The debut seasons of Gibbs, Hampson, Anderson and Grigg

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

The biggest positive is the unearthing of Jamo and exposure of Bower in key posts.

The second biggest positive was dumping Pagan before it was too late. The exposure our kids have had under Rattens coaching has advanced there development by 6-12 months in some cases.

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

It has to be getting rid of Pagan

Many great positives despite the shambles of a season.

Biggest highlights for me though would be Simpson's leadership coming to the fore and Ryan Jackson - from a kid that was never going to get a fair go to a potential gun miodfielder - but how the hell did he miss out on an NRS nom???

We didn't have 3000 points kicked against us for the season.

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

Personally I was pretty happy with this season might sound strange but I really wasn't fussed with how many games we won, ie coming 9th, 12th, 16th or whatever. I'm interested in us becoming a powerhouse again and we took some huge leaps towards that this season.

Fisher. Just about All Australian for a genuine HFF this year. From the first time I saw him I thought he was a keeper. Finally had an injury free season and a chance to blossom.

Carrots, enough said ditto Simpson
I love what I've seen of Bryce, all class, very creative, kicked a beautiful 50m goal today from a set shot - a great sign. Is going to be a jet.

WALKS. I honestly believe he is ready to step into the elite. He is the perfect mould and ticks every box. Disposal has improved greatly although still seems to relax a little too much sometimes when kicking. But with a good young team winning more games and a regular gig in the midfield, he could well win a brownlow one day

PRATT SWANN ICKE

All the inredients are the guys all we need is just a little patience.

I agree with everything written here so far.
For me, it was great to hear the commentators speak with genuine enthusiasm about Bower today.
Grigg will be a gun over the next couple of years, Gibbs, Hampson looks good, etc, etc, etc.

But one thing that sticks in the back of my mind is a smart-arse comment made by the 1985 Brownlow Medal thief himself (Brad Hardie) when he referred to Carlton as a basket case when he was writing an article about the future premiership hopes of all 16 AFL clubs.

Kruezer, Gibbs, Murphy, Walker, Simpson, Grigg, Hampson, Carlos, Bower, + Cotchin/Palmer/Morton????

We'll see who's the basket case Hardie you flower wit!

Fevola's goals in the 2007 NAB Cup final were spectacular. Great contested marks against Brisbane and slotted through some great goals.

Sentanta's performance on Jonathan Brown in that same match.

and Ryan Jackson been given more game time towards end of season. Jackson, in my opinion, should be a great player in the year's ahead.