Player contracts end on 31/10 each year.

So do the changes to the list, the experience of the remaining playing group and the potential to bring in new players, represent an improvement on the position as at this time last year?

yep.

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Dut, de dut, de daaa!

Interesting question.

Last year we had the Fev disaster but gained Lucas and Henderson as a result.

Youngsters Henderson, Lucas, White, Garlett, and Yarran all played substantial senior footy. Davies made something of an impression late. Warnock came back impressive from injury.

If these guys plus one or both of Collins and Laidler, plus the likes of Kerr, Casboult, Tuohy, Austin (if he can get fit) etc continue their improvement, the future and 2011 is good. Especially if the upcoming draft is kind for a KPP or 2.

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"Get ready, Teddy - you're on": Ron Barassi half time 1970 Grand Final

Not sure about the question asked, but some thoughts came into my head after reading the initial thread title. We are definitely in a better position than this time last year. This time last year we had just off-loaded Fev, for a young, almost untried player. At that time I'd thought the club had made the biggest mistake in terms of ensuring we'd remain competitive. One year on, and going into the 2011 season I'm very excited about seeing Henderson develop his career further, after watching what he was capable of in 2010.

We know that it is not all doom and gloom, the team can and does find ways to kick goals, unlike many who had the opposite opinion a year ago. I was one of those people one year ago, I thought the team would find other avenues to goal but I undersold Henderson's worth. Very glad to have him, we have a potential 10 year player, all for off-loading a trouble-maker with a maximum of three years left in him.

The team has proven that without Fevola that they can still play finals and trouble some of the top teams. Unlucky again this season not to win a final, but going into next year it should provide an added aggression to improve.

In terms of bringing in new players, Andy Collins has me excited. Grigg could not hold down a place in the team, so the move was ideal for both player and club to be honest. Was at the Richmond v Sydney game where Collins played a starring role, and was impressed with his courage and toughness at the ball. He's no brick shithouse, but he'll still put his body on the line and have an impact. Could be a future entrant for the 'beanpole' thread. May be a starter in round 1 next year, so I'm keen to see how that goes.

Also, with our current crop of players again, I'm looking forward to seeing more of Brock McLean. I wasn't one who wrote him off after 2010, I'm willing to give him 2011 to show his worth. Our improvement will come from players all stepping up. We made the finals in 2010 and came within a bee's dick of winning one. Brock's one that could hold the key to an improved Carlton side in 2011. I'm sure he'd be keen to justify his worth.

Waite has me thinking we're in a better position too. Returning from a knee injury in 2010, naturally it took him a little time to regain some form and feel for the game. Now that he's had a season back in the game, 2011 should see him just about hit his prime. The 2010 season was about him returning, and now 2011 is about him delivering. Did some great things for us this year, and he will be improved in 2011 no doubt.

Although some players do not often set the world alight after returning from injury, it will be fantastic to have Kreuzer back in the team. His presence on the field adds a great deal to the team. At the end of 2009 (particularly in light of Fevola's trade) he was expected to fill big shoes, but many games this year prove that is not his role. After a few games of being trialed as a forward in 2010, going into 2011 Ratts knows his strengths and weaknesses better, which will be of benefit to the group.

It is never pleasant having to gloss over the delistings, but going forward as a club, they have made some harsh, but right calls on a few players. Fisher and Johnson for example were still on the list going into 2010. Neither player had a considerable impact in the seniors this year. Fisher I felt for more than Johnson, but it was necessary to move him on, particularly coming into a time where we are getting towards pushing for a flag. Johnson on the other hand, his recent outbursts about why he was delisted have given me a viewpoint- we are better off without those thinking the individual is bigger than the team. He's gone now, and so is his attitude. Definitely a better position than this time last year to be cleaning out some of the dead-wood that they did.

In all, I feel I haven't even scratched the surface yet explaining why we're in a better position than one year ago. There's plenty to be excited about. Over the last few seasons around this time, we've been in a better position than the previous year. And this year is no different.

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Premierships: 1869, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1887, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995.

"GIBBS."

Added 2 kids with potential, and cut a lot of dead wood

Young list just got better even though we lost Grigg

Time for Yazz to step up

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

Back in melbourne for good after a 13 year absence .... have to say probably at the right time as well! Left and the Blues decended into a pit that was so bleak I was glad I was not in Australia to witness it live (although I missed the 99 prelim, sniff but avoided the grand final loss as well, father goes for North so thank God!).

Whenever I came back and watched them play (even in their bleak, bleak years) they always managed to provide a win (came back 6 times).

So here's hoping that next year will be a breakout year and we can have a wonderful tilt.

Not expecting a GF or premiership next year but am expecting a top 6 finish with at least 1 finals win.

Think that is realistic to where our list is at the moment but to be honest would not be too surprised if we did better given our reasonable draw.

I am a Ratten fan (love the bloke, bleeds blue) and I think the Essendon* game showed how much the players respect him and want to play for him. Other forum readers can say what they like but this fact is undeniable. I think we have recruited great support for him in the right areas which will improve his coaching (no one is perfect).

We are still missing 1-2 keys that will unlock a premiership but I believe we will either unearth these keys from the list we already have or top up for a real tilt once free agency comes in.

The club seems to have made the tough hard decisions over the last two years and although sad for Fish I cannot find fault with any of them ... after his heraldsun interview I do wish Fish could get his name on the Locker though ... true clubman. I for one was in favour big time of the Fev move and was delighted that Voss had a meltdown and gave us what we got .... would have been happy with nothing (Love Fev but was a cancer) .

I just feel that the club is heading in the right direction for a premiership and at the right time. There is still a lot of work to do but unlike a lot of negative nellies I think the club has a real urgency about it now that it sees we need to get clear of the pack again before we get overhauled (Ess 16, Coll 15).

Are we in a better position this time compared to last year .... F#%K YEAH!

Will I be going to every Melbourne game next year ...... F#%K YEAH!

WE ARE CARLTON .... TIME TO F#%K THE REST .... now that`s a slogan!

There are 2 very important differences for me this year over this time last year... although some of the below things happened over Nov/Dec/Jan

1) No daily negative media hysteria over Fevola, Booze Cruise and Marketing Slogans = no distractions!
2) No significant injuries that prevent people from having an un-interrupted preseason (Murphy, Walker, McLean, Waite, Armfield, Austin etc.)

If we can keep distractions and injuries to a minimum we will be starting next season in a much better position with a stronger and more experienced list and coaching team.

If we aren't aiming for top 4 next season...something is seriously wrong.
I think our list is almost ready to go

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I see you watching me watching you.

You sound very certain...is that almost a line in the sand?

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I think it is, the core group is another year older and have added another 20 odd games in experience so barring a shocking run with injuries i believe Carlton will move into the top 4 next season.

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You heard it here first!

Play to our potential and with some consistency... i should expect nothing less!

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I see you watching me watching you.

Yep...line in the sand for me.

We have competed well against Saints, Cats & Doggies, not so well against the Pies.
There's the top 4 spots. We want one of their spots.

We've made the finals 2 years running with the youngest list, and we've failed to win a final by a kick.
We're knocking on the door allright.

Sure there's some up and coming teams below us, but I can't see any of them over taking Carlton.
Our window is open: make no mistake.

We either take on the opportunity or we fail.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I do not think it is over the top to think we could make top four just that a few things would have to go right.

The two biggest factors will be natural improvement of the list and injuries.

I, as a lot of other people, have been critical of Carlton`s development of its youth in the past few years but with the addition of the new coaching staff I think this "problem" will be sorted.

Saying that I think the real benefits will show themselves more in the 2012 season than this year.

If we are very lucky with injuries and the new coaches really get it together early yes a top four is more than possible (premiership, no ), but 2012 when I believe our window will open (maybe 2013) IS WHEN WE SHOULD BE HAVING A REAL DECENT CRACK.

I hope and think that the club realises that with Melbourne coming up, GC and all their concessions that if we do not make something materialise over the next 5-6 years we could end up being (God forbid) Western Bulldog material!

I have faith in one thing, a winning culture can never be extinguished, it does not guarantee squat, but it does seem to get teams over the line when it matters. The important thing is to not get complacent, look at Richmond.

What I believe the difference between us and say Richmond is that we got well and truly shafted and there was no way of being remotely successful over the last 10 years. We may not have won a premiership 1995-2000 but we weren`t slouches either.

What I see as the biggest difference over the last couple of years is the club is starting to make the right decisions and is doing what it can to get that winning culture back.

My excitement is bubbling for next season ... could be a breakout year ... 2012 no doubt!

Go Blues!

Barring any catastrophes, I'd consider a top 6 H&A finish, followed by a win in the first week of the finals, to be a pass in 2011...

If we make it past week 2 of the finals, I'll consider that a fantastic result.

Of course, it depends on circumstances.....for example, finishing 8th might be looked at as a very good result if we have a particularly bad run with injuries; similarly, making the Preliminary final might be looked at as only par if we have a dream run and other sides around us are struggling.

I think that just about everything would have to go right for us to be top 4 in 2011. I tend to think our 'premiership window' (I'm not keen on that phrase by the way, but it seems to be the accepted terminology) is more likely to be 2012-2015.

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

+1

(my goodness, how much easier is it just writing that instead of having to think for myself!)

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I would like to thank Collingwood for helping me keep faith in my old man. He always told me that 'People are thick'.

+2, for both responses.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Sorry, disagree.
A win in the first week of the finals is not a pass for me.
Time for us to stand up and deliver.
At least a prelim, is what i'm after.
Only team i think we struggle agianst are the Pies and maybe the Hawks if at full strength.
I think we have the team to do it.

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I see you watching me watching you.

-1

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

-2

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You heard it here first!