Most of the chatter this off season has revolved around how on earth we will replace Fevola's goal kicking ability.

And while I acknowledge Waite is coming back from a knee reconstruction, I can't help but think maybe supporters are under-selling his abilities slightly.

I mean, I thought before he got injured he had really taken the next step in 2008/early 2009 to become a very, very, very good footballer, one with amazing agility and speed for a tall and an ability to play back and also fwd.

He has kicked bags of 5 before.

Assuming he comes back from injury unscathed, how good could Waite be for us?

I'm not sure the knee injury will hamper him, these days if anything players come back better - their knees are actually strong er than before the injury.

Bradshaw was awesome when he came back, and were others.

Is it not impossible he could come back and become a gun forward, capable of bagging 60 gls in a year?

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Jarrad Waite is the most important player in our team. Both in terms of his ability but most important for what his presence does for the structure of the whole team.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Waite is definitely an Xfactor.
He'll fly through the air and cover ground like a panther one minute but the next minute he'll have a shocking brain fade.
Much more good than bad this year hopefully.

Hell yes!
He is right up there.
I'm incredibly nervous about him playing out West first up..just hope the ground isn't too hard.
Of course i know the trainers wouldn't take any chances with him...
would they???

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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.”

Fevola had brain fades too

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

No, he had brain farts.

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Yes, they are. Even when he kicked 37 goals in 2007 (?) he was somewhat set aside as a forward. While it was great to see him land some big names as a defender, I dont think we can rely on that week in week out.

I'd much rather see him up forward or through the midfield, depending on his knee.

I know the Crows were killing us in Round 9 but his loss took away a lot of flexilibity (particularly with Jamison and Austin's injuries) and defensive drive in 2009.

No offense Rexy, but the notion that Waite's game is hampered by brain fades is a nonsense.

During our doom and gloom 5 years, it didn't matter who it was but as soon as a player made a clanger, that is what they were remembered for and they were pigeon holed and branded (in this case..brain fade), and all the good stuff dismissed. Waite did kick out on a full occasionally but not every game, but that was what some TC posters choose to remember.

Even when Waite was selected to play for Victoria, many TC posters could not believe that Waite would be considered so highly, because as critics of Waite and any Carlton player, posters wanted to be right with their accusations.

Waite is a star. Bonafide star in the mind of all non Carlton footy fans. Period!

Whilst he was not played in his first year (the only one not to) he was always going to be a star just looking at his athletic and physical qualities, let alone his breeding.

Waite is AA material. He provides x factor, called the panther for good reason, can jump, run, tackle kick, break lines, play forward, play back....has kicked 5 goals in a half of footy...he's the envy of all teams and a head ache for oppositon players and coaches

The is no qusetion Waite is A class imo. It's time to learn to admire the talent he posseses and be grateful he's at Calton.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I don't think many are underselling him VB, but there is some uncertainty. It generally takes time for players coming back from that type of injury to get up to full capacity again. I have no doubt that a fully fit Waite will be huge for us.

Quite frankly, you pushing the notion that Waite is flawless is nonsense.

You make it out that I think Waite is a hack. I don't. He has enormous talent. But he can also be inconsistent.

If the worry is about brain fades then forward is the best spot for him.

I'm really looking forward to see how he plays, and he should play forward most of the time and only move down back if absolutely necessary (one of our defenders goes down or someone like Riewoldt is killing us)

That was a deliberate development thing (was stated by one of the coaching staff) - was definitely ready to play seniors in his first year

On brain fades, I'd argue that waite has had less brain fades than judd over the past 2 seasons

Waite is the best zone off defender we have.
He is brilliant in this area.
He is not wasted in attack where he might have to play but as a zone off defender he is about the best there is.

I would like to see Waite play there and try Thornton in attack atleast for the next 2 praccy matches

We shouldnt be putting such high hopes on a guy who's returning from a full knee reco...

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True. 60 goals would be a realistic expectation.

Maybe not this year. I can see him missing a few games, not having full fitness and having slight issues with his knees that are common after reco's like patella tendon issues.

60 would be the target from 2011 on though surely.

I agree with keogh that he is a good zone off defender but i think our defense is set at the moment. We wouldnt want to add another tall and switching Thornton out of there would set us back a bit. Thornton jamo and bower flanked by Russ and one or two of a number of good running players should do the trick with the backline.

For starters this year i would try waite on the wing and just see how he goes and fit him where we think it best suits once he has settled back into the game.

I see Thornton as being an integral part of our defense, I would not like to see him go forward at all. I think the defense is all class and will only get better with more games together.

I can see Waite becoming a champion forward, given he has the talent and will become a focal point from 2010 and beyond.

To further this, to say Thornton can suddenly become a forward after years playing down back is verging on ludicrous IMO.

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dane's trolling again

I have taken the bait Dane


You obviously havent observed any Carlton game in relation to Waite's ability read the ball into the oppositions forward line

And what powers of observation in Thornton's 149 games would not make you think he would not make a good forward



And is that you in your avator

because I imagine it would be you


a complete ......................................................................................................................................................

I will not stand by a see the great Carlton supporting Bill Hicks being slandered by your dots Keogh

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STURDYISM!!

who is Bill Hicks

Ah right that dark comedian you died of cancer at a young age

We all have our heros

hendrix died young too

sad
still doesnt change the fact that Thornton came to us as a foward
Do you think Ratten should experiment a bit in the next 2 challenge matches