My feet still aren't touching the ground after I attended the Optus train with the players night at our beloved Princes Park!
Still can't believe I was there but it was the best night ever! Several of the boys were on hand to guide the training drills and it was great simply to have a kick of the Sherrin after many years let alone on Princes Park with Carlton players. Simply amazing!

And to top it off a free Carlton guernsey and the chance to get it signed by the boys. Those in attendance included Hadley, Johnson, Carrazzo, Simpson, O'hAilpin, Hammer, Robinson, Pfeiffer, Garlett, Bentley, Austin, Browne, Bannister, Stevens & Scotland.

Ratten spoke to the group at the start of the night and we all were able to get changed in the changeroom amongst the lockers. Despite the downpour, the ground was in awesome condition. All the guys were great especially Setanta, he is a gun. The nicest bloke ever. Just chats to you like your one of his mates. Funny bugger too! Hadley as well is a great bloke and genuine.

From snagging a snap deep in the left forward pocket 1st up after Hads set the challenge to boxing drills with Stevo and Scotland it was a childhood dream come true. A lot of the guys there are corporate types who definitely appreciate the experience but I dont think are living out a dream like me. A night i'll never forget

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C'mon Blueboys!

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

I've decided that the English language needs a new word... because having read that 'jealous' just doesn't seem to cut it.

Awesome work anyway marciblue... and always happy to learn a bit more about the personalities of the boys.

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Newest Baby Blue Member
Tom Cameron - Born 20/03/10

Can relate to this one marciblue.

Except, when I had the training night a few years back, it was DP who addressed us.







So there!



Spoke with Aisake back then and he too spoke as if he'd known you for some time.

Funnily enough, I met Hadley a few years before that and he even seemed a decent bloke as a Lion!

As you say, a great night is put on for all, from the jumper to the drills to the dinner.

Go Blues!!!!

BTW, interesting to note that Stevo was there; seems he'll do anything to stay in the good books now.

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THEY LIKE TO SEND UP!!!!!!!!

Until each team plays each other the same number of times, the AFL, as a fair dinkum competition, cannot be taken seriously.

He (Mr Swann) said the honour and pride associated with the club's traditional navy blue jumper was priceless.

Nice work marciblue. Thanks for the report.

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I was thinking the same when I saw him there but to be fair to Stevo he was great value and got into the night. Gave me a cheapie in one of the boxing drills and reminded me to keep my hands up - good advice actually! It is good to see him back in the team though, he is too good to be wasting his time at the Ants.

They're all good blokes TBH and I was really impressed with how they carry themselves and how they communicated with everyone. It would be just as easy for them to be disinterested and just go through the motions but that wasn't the case. Even Garlett, who you can tell is a quiet lad was chatting and helping everyone get through the drills. I was hoping like hell that Fev would be there but I knew that wouldn't be the case. Probably better because he would just hog all the attention and the night would probably grind to a halt

Setanta also mentioned how he likes playing forward, he believes he is a natural forward and that was his position in hurling back home. I have always believed that this would allow him to transform better as a forward in our game because of these natural instincts. I guess the biggest skill Setanta had to learn is the marking aspects, especially pack marking and he has really surprised this year IMO in that area. He was also a big wrap for Zac and Kieran and says they are well placed to pick up the pace and play footy quickly. A lot quicker than him he reckons!

During Ratts talk and Q+A with Ian Coutts, Brett highlighted how pleased he was with the improvement in Hammer's game and how valuable this was to the team. My reading is that he probably thought Shaun would be spending most of the year in the Ants further developing and was thinking that Kreuzer would be heavily used all year. A bonus in terms of the initial planning. Shaun and Setanta are monsters though. BIG boys!

Well, this morning I am limping like an old man after sustaining a foot injury when my opponent landed on my foot in a marking duel, I have a bruise on my cheekbone after copping a fast moving, wet footy straight in the head from a Robbo pass after having my arms chopped and sore muscles everywhere and tell you what, I couldn't be happier. It really is a great initiative from the club and Optus (albeit a competitor of mine!) and the night works really well. And the redevelopment is coming along nicely but I still felt a tad sad that the Heatley Stand is gone after spending so many great days behind those goals watching our beloved Blues

GO BLUES!!!

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C'mon Blueboys!

How do you take part in one of these sessions?

Optus invitation AFAIK

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C'mon Blueboys!

Optus invite for me, via a '25 words or less' competition.

Unfortunately, airfares from Brisbane were not part of the deal.

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THEY LIKE TO SEND UP!!!!!!!!

Until each team plays each other the same number of times, the AFL, as a fair dinkum competition, cannot be taken seriously.

He (Mr Swann) said the honour and pride associated with the club's traditional navy blue jumper was priceless.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Mrs Willie was there last night too and said it was fantastic...had a boxing session with Nick Stevens.

We both did it last year too. The biggest impression you walk away with is what agreat bunch of boys play for this team. Eddie Betts taught me how to kick for goal and so enthusiastic that I could nail it from 40 metres out!! All players were smiling, talkative and interested in all the guests.

Best PR night by the club EVER!!

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"...that's the thing about opinion - you don't have to know anything to have one..." Andre Agassi commenting on Pat Cash 2004
"...the less you know - the more you believe..." - Bono 2006

How come I never get comp invitations like that? Only been an Optus customer for more than fifteen freakin' years!

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

A Mac problem perhaps?

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THEY LIKE TO SEND UP!!!!!!!!

Until each team plays each other the same number of times, the AFL, as a fair dinkum competition, cannot be taken seriously.

He (Mr Swann) said the honour and pride associated with the club's traditional navy blue jumper was priceless.