With 4 rounds to go, it’s as good a time as any to look back at what has happened this year and what I want from the last few games. There’s been a lot of Pros and Cons in season 2008 – and a lot of the Cons balance out the Pros.
I’ll start with one which is relevant to me only:
Pro – I bought my first membership and attended my first Carlton game at the MCG
Con – We lost
Pro – We beat Collingwood twice
Con – We lost to Essendon* twice
Pro – Fev has had a ripper year, many less down days than normal
Con – He’s still 95% of the forward line, as he’s been for the last 5 years
Pro – Jordan Russell and Simon Wiggins have been consistent in the HFF over the year
Con – Consistent, but not good enough – they are two players with a total of one player’s output. Need to keep improving
Pro – Several players have stepped up enormously this year – Jamison, Grigg, Bower
Con – Several players have stagnated or gone backwards – Jackson, Aisake, Hartlett
Pro – We’re talking about who will be available at picks 5 to 7 instead of pick 1
Con – We’re talking about who will be available at picks 5 to 7 instead of pick 16
Pro – We haven’t been thumped by over 10 goals this year
Con – We haven’t thumped anyone by over 10 goals this year - Well, that's that one off the list
Pro – Cain Ackland has only had one game this year
Con – Cain Ackland has had a game this year
Pro – Judd has added an extra dimension to the midfield, freeing up guys like Murphy and Simpson
Con – OK, no con for this pro. Unless you count Josh Kennedy showing a bit for the Eagles
Pro – TC has embraced the cult of GIBBINS
Con – TC has not embraced the cult of ZANTUCK
Pro – Kreuzer has been outstanding for a first year ruckman
Con – He needs a rest – I don’t want him to suffer the Josh Fraser syndrome
Pro – Browne and Armfield have also been impressive since being drafted
Con – Some of our draft picks from earlier years haven’t stepped up as hoped
As for what I want to see in the last four rounds this year, the following will do me nicely:
- Solid, competitive four quarter efforts
- At least two wins for a 10-12 season
- Chances to be given to those on the outer, such as Blackwell, Jackson and Aisake so we can make a judgment from our vantage point of the couch / crowd / whatever
- GIBBS to tag Harvey out of the Kangaroos game and pick up 28 possessions himself
- Jordan Russell to kick a set shot goal
- Collingwood to implode spectacularly now the first blast has been made and for them to miss the finals
- The forward line to be less reliant on Fev – spread the options, at least explore them
- The backline to further gel together and for a first choice 6 to be cemented
- If we make the finals, I want everyone to play like there’s nothing to lose, everything to gain, and no expectations.
Either that or a premiership