A real highlight of last year was the breakout years of Brad Fisher, Andrew Carrazzo and Kade Simpson.

Fisher - Since recovering from his ACL in 2005, Fisher went from a half forward to a proven AFL performer. 2 goals a game plus entering the Top 10 of the B&F provided a real highlight:

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... A+B+Fisher

Carrazzo - It looked to me in 2006 although Pagan had his doubts, but he kept on racking up the stats to win the B&F last year in a tough year for the Blues.

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... A+Carrazzo

Simpson - had a great 2006 as well but his leadership in 2007 really came to the fore for mine, ina number of positions.

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... +K+Simpson

So who on current form looks like breaking through to confirm to the world that they are AFL quality? Murphy was always going to be a gun, but his 2008 has been brilliant. Next up Bower and Jamison as the potential missing links in our defence.

Anyone else breaking through in your mind?

Waite for me as well as Cloke.

Cloke isn't flashy but presents and offers a contest.

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

I think that Waite has had a breakout year so far. We have all seen him as a erratic CHF who is as hot as he is cold, but since moving to CHB has added some real consistency to his game and one of the main reasons that we have resticted the opposition to less than 100 in the last 4 games (I'm subtracting the umps goals against Adelaide).

Agree with suggestions thus far with the inclusions of:


Eddie Betts - just think he is about to step it up to another level.

Steven Browne - I know he has only played 2 games, but the kid just looks such a natural.

and........ wait for it.......

Jordan Russell!!!! - I know I may be dreaming but his last few weeks he has shown more than the rest of his games combined. I just think that in a better performing team and a positive environment he will flourish.

OK, that's done. Now for the abuse

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"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself" - Henry Ford

Still a long way to go this season, but Bower is much improved. Jamo too.

Agree with Betts.

I think Murphy is starting to take his footy to the next level too.

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Oh I forgot Ratten

In only seven weeks he has changed the mood and excitment at the club. Younger players are moving forward in leaps and bounds because he supports them to the hilt. Keep it up Ratts.

Judd ... he looked lame last year and was in and out of the side. The move to a new club has done him wonders and he was inspiration in the 2nd half last Friday to drag us over the line.

the 2 players i feel stand to gain the most from switching from pagan to ratten are russell & walker.
russell is slowly overcoming the trauma of his pagan experience & we are starting to see the benefits: each week the proportion of good:bad is increasing as is his contribution.
was looking forward to walker breaking out under ratts... now looking forward to later in the year (although may take until next year to show it, given seriousness of his injury).
have been surprised by betts - he has shown an ability to play midfield and even just about 4 quarters... needs to keep doing it to get to "breakout" status.
and, of course, judd has broken out of my dreams & into my team!

Breakout so far this year: waite, murphy
Looking for breakout throughout 2008: russell, walker, betts, bower, gibbs, jamo.... & Judd (has only been great relative to us so far, not relative to his usual standard...)

Bannister

Great summary.

..for me, there's so far a definate two..

..Bettsy is still managing to kick his crumbing goals, but he's keadup work has been outstanding.. ..a fast lead, strong mark, he's so far been our most consistent 'chf', as pagan would say,, "gee wish i had two of betts"..

..and Murph fer sure.. ..he's showing a real hardness to his game now.. ..he got battered, and crunched and ended his first season courtesy of copeland, and last year he got tagged to the shizenhausen.. ..and watching him sticking up for juddy and stevo last week was priceless..

..murph for enforcer..?..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Bower Power

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

Ronald Reagan

It was a breakout year for Whitnall....break out the champagne - he's gone

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Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but The Blues abide forever."

I think 2008 will be the clubs breakout year - very similar to 1992 - when we came within a whisker of making the finals.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

At the mid levels - Bower and Betts.

Moving from mid to top tier - Murph.

AW was about to go feral on this competition until he was hurt.

I still hope that by the end of the season we'll see him on the same level as Murph.


Waite is getting more consistency in his game this year, not sure if that constitutes a break out but it is encouraging to say the least.

A couple who are laying the foundation this year for big things in 09;

Grigg, Kreuzer, Browne.

Waite

despite what some TCers think (I don't think they even do that), the experts have selected Waite for the STATE TEAM: THE BIG V. Proof is in the pudding!

Bannister

Yep, just as you suggest showbag. Face it, we were all sorry he was injured. He had cemented himself in the 22. Great turnaround from the edge of extinction.

Murphy

is it break out or just relieved by the addition of Judd and Stevens. Nevertheless, the football know he's arrived and Dale Thomas debate is dead.

Bower

He's shown the biggest improvement, in confidence and execution. He has paved the way for run from defense and he's only 20

Jamison

The footy experts are convinced this kid is going to make the grade with what he's already shown. The only proof they need is to see if he continues this form. Nevetheless he's doing the job.

Betts

I was bagging his preseason and round 1 form like no tomorrow. He's done what his potential suggeted. Like mentioned earlier in more ways than just crumbing goals.

The question is anyyone breaking through?

It looks as though Russell has over the last 2 weeks.

Kreuzer has broken his virginity. His time will come. Cometh the man, cometh the hour. Some suggest he's already come in that game against The Bumbers.

Thornton looks to be the best he's ever been with the other big 3 with him.

Hampson has grown in leaps and bounds. Now considered our No 1 ruckman when fit.

Hartlett if his body holds up has been given an opportunity to show his stuff. He's shown signs. If only his body can assimilate to the rigours of this game.

CARLTON as a team is having a breakout year under Ratts: NO DOUBT!

Expecting a bit more from Gibbs and

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Paul Bower. Looks more comfortable out there each week. Once he gets some real self confidence he's going to tear it apart.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Surprised there hasn't been more mention of Grigg in this thread. He has really impressed this year. And got me a cool 99 points for my Supercoach team in the Adelaide game.

and this is why, Ratten in just a short period of time has shown more than Pagan ever did in his tenure at the blues.

the development in the kids has been enourmous compared to previous years.

JR is a prime example

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Got to love the stare Down by Setanta on Llyod

1. Paul Bower
2. Eddie Betts
3. Marc Murphy
4. Cam Cloke
5. Jamo
6. Banno
7. JR

In that order