Hoops booted some beauties on the weekend as a great come-back that surprised many of his doubters. Can this be the start of something beautiful or is he past it?

_________________
[Sam Jacobs] looks like a 7' Lance Whitnall, and [Mitch Robinson] looks like a 4' Lance Whitnall
(The SEN team during the Carlton v Cats 2009 pre-season match)

Take that Grro

Keep em coming. Multiple choice. My type of stuff!!!

_________________
"You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take"- Michael Jordan

...........can't.........retort...........must..........behave

*struggle*

_________________
*(grow - fun - gah)

Yeah but whatabout your whataboutism.

Hoops has exceptional delivery and finishing skills and knows how to read the play. His best position is in the forward line and whilst he's lurking around there, there is one less defender peeling off and covering Fev. Too dangerous to be left unattended.

Votes, people, votes!! It is a poll, and I know you know what to do with them!

_________________
[Sam Jacobs] looks like a 7' Lance Whitnall, and [Mitch Robinson] looks like a 4' Lance Whitnall
(The SEN team during the Carlton v Cats 2009 pre-season match)

Wot MVP?

_________________
"You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take"- Michael Jordan

I voted other as I'd like to wait and see. I've always thought he's the type of player that could excel in a strong lineup. Next year he'll get his chance. He also hits Fev lace out 9/10 times. Could become a potent weapon.

In the forward line he is a class act.

_________________
The problem with Socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money.

I'd love to see him and Eddie playing forward at the same time.

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

Ronald Reagan

The best part of Hoops' performance was that he was front and centre just about every time Fev went for the ball. We have been crying out for someone to do that for years.

It has been my only frustration with EddieB that he often played miles from Fev when everyone knew that there is always a chance of a spillage if the opposition have doubled- or triple-teamed Fev.

P.S. I reckon as long as we keep him away from the back-line Hoops can wreak some serious havoc

_________________
Carlton - Nothing's changed
I still love you, oh, I still love you
Only slightly, only slightly less
Than I used to, my love

Will be very interesting to see how he goes this week. The way the Hawks setup when they're going well won't give us the inside 50 count we got last week plus the space to move in.

To me, marking players will do well against the Hawks with the cluster if you get it in reasonably quick. Crumbers get a chance when the ball is moved quickly.

I think this week will tell us a lot how far we've actually come this year. Skills are paramount when transferring the ball quickly. The only way to beat the cluster is fast ball movement plus skill.

I think i'd prefer Houla playing further up the ground this week for that reason. He does have great skills no doubt but does he have the tenacity and hardness to go after the ball in a congested contest situation.

That's always been his downfall.

_________________
"I will rejoice in their anguish, delight in their failure and revel in our success"

We are Carlton, @#$%&! the rest !!!!!!

Maybe he could become our Didak

_________________
I see you watching me watching you.

That would be so fracking great to see!!

_________________
[Sam Jacobs] looks like a 7' Lance Whitnall, and [Mitch Robinson] looks like a 4' Lance Whitnall
(The SEN team during the Carlton v Cats 2009 pre-season match)

definetely the beggining

_________________
Blue Boys fow life!

He has his new hips too, like the $6 million dollar man. Remember he's been playing with bung hips for the past 3 seasons.

Houlas best position has ALWAYS been in the forward line. I used to cringe about all the criticism he received when being FORCED to play in the back half. During those periods he was being played out of position, a position he is not comfortable in and has not performed in, yet he was more often than not instructed to play that role. Fact is he is no HBF, and his skills have been wasted there for too long.

Last round he showed what his strength is in his best position. Hopefully common sense prevails, and the coach/MC will consistently play him in that role from now on.

Also, it would be nice if some on here would keep in mind this week will only be his second game after a LTI, so if he does not have a great game, please take that into consideration before bagging him unnecessarily!

[quote="BluesRockMyWorld"]Houlas best position has ALWAYS been in the forward line. I used to cringe about all the criticism he received when being FORCED to play in the back half. During those periods he was being played out of position, a position he is not comfortable in and has not performed in, yet he was more often than not instructed to play that role. Fact is he is no HBF, and his skills have been wasted there for too long.

yep. do think it was denn denns idea to play him as a defensive player as opposed to a offensive weapon? or was it the mc?

Im not 100% sure who makes the final call on where people play. Logic would suggest its a shared responsibility between the coach and the MC. However when it came to Pagan I think most would agree he lacked logic....

Ratten is (I hope) smarter than that. I'm not sure but I think the MC has changed a bit since Pagos time. Ulitmately if Houla is picked to play he MUST only play forward. God knows we kneed some more options up there. Last week showed the forward structure can be set up with multiplte options including Houla and going forward we need some stability in that set up if we are to be serious finals contenders in the future.

He's had a backseat role for some time now...

_________________
“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

I was all for giving him the flick but I've come around..... he'll be a much more important player for us now that our engine has been rebuilt, and we have other options for small defenders

_________________
Love Cricket? Love me