The Blues have shown huge promise and will be in my predicted final eight next year.

Much of the improvement was anticipated on the arrival of Chris Judd and the return from injury of Nick Stevens.

Yet, it’s been even better than expected. Marc Murphy, Bruce Gibbs and Matthew Kreuzer are going to be elite players, while Michael Jamison is a top prospect in defence.

The talented Andrew Walker plus Shaun Grigg and Paul Bower enhance the mix.

The one thing Carlton has over Richmond is youth. Heath Scotland and Nick Stevens are the eldest of Saturday night’s 22 at 28.

The Blues won three of four interstate, and have finished powerfully almost every week, including a 38-point turnaround in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Throw, say, Robbie Warnock into the mix, and it’s an exciting picture.

If Bruce Gibbs can team with his brother Bryce, we might get some Krakouer like action going.

Makes me drool.

Good to see he has done his homework. Richmond have a handful of aging players, whereas Stevo and Scotto are our oldest and could well have 3-5 years left in them. The club have done well to manage the age of the list by phasing out the oldies.

Richmond are OK. I reckon they are in a pretty good position really.

Its St Kilda Adelaide and Melbourne who dont have much young talent. Although Adelaide always seems to find a way

i can't agree with you on adelaide. Players like vince, van berlo, Griffin, dangerfield and knights are all 22 and younger.

But their best players in Goodwin, McLeod, Edwards, Burton, Johncock and thompson are getting quite old.

Wow someone in the media actually noticed Jamo for once

If richmond lose and we win this week will he write a new article?

Was thinking that same thing myself actually.


Look, Richmond have done pretty well this year, but I wouldn't be jumping on them just yet like Mike is. They have some good young talent that we already knew of (Deledio, Foley, Thursfield, Moore, Tambling etc.) and the young guys that came from nowhere this year; Riewoldt, Morton, Cotchin, Hughes that have improved their structure out of sight. But it's the old heads that have been there to steady the ship that has got them through for those close wins.

The big difference between us and Richmond this year is that we have played very inconsitant football regardless of who the opposition is, whereas they have generally been consistant, especially by beating the teams they are expected to (with the exception of the Dawks). The other major difference is that they have been completely thrashed by a couple of borderline teams (Sydney and Adelaide) whereas we have only been touched up by top 4 teams in Geelong and North.

I see the major difference between the teams in the future years is that we will have more match-winning stars with the x-factor. Their star with the biggest x-factor is also their oldest in Richo.

I also can't see them filling the holes that their aging players will leave in the next couple of years. We have the benefit of not having any holes to fill for the next 4-5 years, so this playing group will mature together as a unit.

If richmond lose and we win this week will he write a new article?

Agree with EVERYTHING in this article excpet for Cotchin "coming out of nowhere" (#2 picks are GENERALLY pretty good, but Cotchin was always going to be a star !!!!!!!) and that We wont have ANY holes due to the loss of old fella's (I think that the loss of Fev will create a pretty big hole in 4 years time .............)

Let me clarify something for you. What I meant by "coming out of nowhere" is that most weren't expecting those players to contribute much this year, for varying reasons, and in Cotchin's case that was coming back from a major injury after missing the entire pre-season. Everyone knew he was going to be a handy little player, but did they think he would have as much of an impact after debuting in round 13 or whatever it was?

By the way, why do you think I said that we wouldn't have to fill any holes for 4-5 years?? I believe you have just reiterated my obvious point!!