For the past 7-8 years - on the whole - the skills at the Carlton footy club - especially foot skills, have been deplorable. On the whole, we have had far too many ball butchers and have paid for this consistently by being slaughtered by turnovers. Things have improved quite a bit this year but there is still a very long way to go.

2-3 years ago IMO nobody epitomised our ball butchery more than Carazzo. We all knew him as a guy who could get his hands on the ball almost at will but would immediately turn it over almost every time guaranteed. And his set shots for goal were simply embarassing.

Now, it has to be said, this boy must have done an incredible amount of work in improving his skills. He has gone from probably one of the worst short passers in our squad to the point where I would probably only back Houlihan or Judd to hit targets more consistently.

And his shooting for goal - well - he never even looks like missing these days, exemplified by his superb running goal on the angle against Port.

It just goes to show that leopards can change their spots and that a bit of hard work and determination can make a massive difference. Kudos and respect to you Carrots!

yes hats off to carrots for sure!!

i remember a few years ago he said in an interview that he would never be a great kick, but his hard work is certainly paying off and its amazing what a bit of confidence can do to a player! I think knowing the flaws of your own game is the best way to become a better player all round.

if he hadnt missed a string of matches earlier in the year i'd think him a shoe in for rising star

hopefully he causes some mischief in the finals!

Good post and I'm surprised that this has not really been raised on here. I suppose part of the reason for this is a confirmation bias from which a lot of Carlton supporters suffer in relation to Carrazzo's performances. Players in general once in the AFL system don't tend to markedly improve their skills but Carrazzo is proving to be an exception. He must be working really hard at it because his kicking has improved dramatically.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

his finishing, along with simmo and murphy has improved out of sight. . .ironically, judd's has dropped a little. . Id back simmo on the run ahead of judd lately!

Carrots is no longer the guy i dubbed 'chad fletcher' who would get it 80times but turn it over 50 of them, his skills on the whole are alot better. Marc murphy on the couch mentioned having greg williams around has improved his skills by at least 10% and im sure its the same for carrots.

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Cuck Follingwood

There's been a mistake......Carrazzo isn't Italian for turnover, it's Italian for "lace out", which is pretty much how every one of his kicks are delivered nowadays!!

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Ahhem

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25747&p=940603#p940603

just because Ponky uses my posts to creat new threads, doesnt mean he should get the credit for it

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T E A M

With only 2 H & Away games left he surely must be nominated for the NRS award

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Cheats never prosper (except in the AFL)

It's amazing that if you cherish playing for the CFC, are 110% committed, look after your body (ever noticed how he comes running in last quarters - REAL COURAGE is not just biffing guys) and make sacrifices how the impossible suddenly becomes possible. Read Earl Spalding and the like.

I couldn't care if he isn't Chris Judd, a fantastic role model and the "leadership" group is where he belongs.

flatter yourself mate.......

Carrazzo's problem with his kicking still remains but he has simply learned how to perfect the fix required to overcome his deficiency - the ball drop.
It is still incredibly awkward and prone to error, at least a higher probability for error. The only problem with Andrew is that under pressure, his poor ball drop technique for kicking can break down quicker than others. Otherwise, he has learnt to cope with it and has become proficient with his foot disposal. Then again I am a big fan of the bloke so I always have been an advocate of having him in the side. Ball winners are worth their weight!

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C'mon Blueboys!

Seems as though I'm not the only one who thinks he has improved his disposal and he has gone under the radar this year in terms of the importance of his role. He has often popped with goals around the 50 at crucial times in the match.

It's Italian for NRS...

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#DonTheStash

It's amazing how you skills improve when you have less blokes up your date and more blokes providing options.

Great stuff from Carrots A 30+ possie man who don't turn it over is gold. I reckon 1AW has been doing a bit of work too........haven't seen him miss too many targets since resuming in the 1s

Is he eligible?

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The fabulous fourth.....

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Not to mention greater all-round confidence.

I’d still rarely back Carrots from a set shot 30m out, on any angle, but he has kicked a few good running goals from tight angles this year.

He’s never going to be a Rolls Royce, but as noted, his ball winning ability has never been in doubt, and with plenty of more fancied teammates ahead of him he is, more often than not, going to be underestimated by our opponents.

CARROTS 4 NRS!

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Pretty sure Carrazzo was looking to hit the top of the square when he iced the game in the last quarter with his goal.

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

Winston Churchill

He's kicked 9 for the season, and this is really where we've gotten better this year: the spread of goal kickers.

Betts: 36
Carrazzo: 9
Fev: 74
Gibbs: 13
Houlihan: 10
Judd: 11
Kreuzer: 11
Murphy: 28
O'Hailpin: 10
Simpson: 11
Stevens: 8
Waite: 10

Then lots of blokes have chipped in with one and two as the season has progressed. And best of all, there's only 2 permanent forwards listed there: the rest are blokes who only sometimes find themselves forward, and they're all contributing.

He's one of the fittest blokes at the club, and I think it's a fantastic story that he's been able to rise above his limitations and play such an important part in our team.. If you'd said to me a few years ago Carrazzo could be a premiership I would have laughed in your face, I was perhaps one of his biggest critics (big critical of Russell's too) both have made big improvements in their game, Carrazzo over the last couple of years and Russell more recently, really giving something that adds value to our team...

I still think players like Russell and maybe even Carrazzo would struggle to make the 22 in a team like Stkilda and win a premiership, but gee i'm proud of the way they've gone about their footy recently.. Altogether i'm very proud of the way Carlton has grown in leaps and bounds the last couple of weeks. Ratts has taken a step forward as a coach and I am very much looking forward to finals footy!!

And what about seeing the Fev strut his stuff on the big stage, not to mention Juddy, Murph, Gibbs!
I reckon you might see Judd and Fev reach another level when it get's to finals time!
Can't wait!

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Corinthians 9:6- 8