I tend to agree, especially in the absence of Waite. Let's face it, Kreuz up forward aint working for us. It might one day but not yet. Setanta I think is actually a really handy player to have and could be well suited to the crash and bash and contests of finals footy. Sadly for him he hasn't had an opportunity to play a final yet. We need him more than ever now.

I thought this was a good opportunity to copy across what I wrote in another thread a few weeks back. The stats are three weeks out of date but the story won't have changed:

Since the start of the 2008 season (ie when we became competitive again), Carlton has (forgetting about the draw) had 46 wins and 41 losses (53% win ratio).

I looked to see how we go without a couple of players who are/were considered crucial to our structure, over the same period, and these are players who have spent quite a bit of time in and out of the side:

Since the start of 2008, Jamison has played in 33 wins and 28 losses (54%) so we go slightly better with him in the team.

Waite has played in 29 wins and 28 losses (51%) so we go a bit worse with him in the team.

I also looked at Bower - he has played in 21 wins and 27 losses over the period (44% winning ratio so well down on our average), however I think the timing of his injuries has been a bit unfair to Bower, if he had been fit for this year and played that could be a very different story.

But the most interesting was Setanta. We have a great record with him in the side. Since 2008 he has played in 27 wins and 16 losses, a 63% win ratio, which could well be the best of all players who have played over that period (discounting those who only played a few games).

I tend to agree, especially in the absence of Waite. Let's face it, Kreuz up forward aint working for us. It might one day but not yet. Setanta I think is actually a really handy player to have and could be well suited to the crash and bash and contests of finals footy. Sadly for him he hasn't had an opportunity to play a final yet. We need him more than ever now.

I thought this was a good opportunity to copy across what I wrote in another thread a few weeks back. The stats are three weeks out of date but the story won't have changed:

Since the start of the 2008 season (ie when we became competitive again), Carlton has (forgetting about the draw) had 46 wins and 41 losses (53% win ratio).

I looked to see how we go without a couple of players who are/were considered crucial to our structure, over the same period, and these are players who have spent quite a bit of time in and out of the side:

Since the start of 2008, Jamison has played in 33 wins and 28 losses (54%) so we go slightly better with him in the team.

Waite has played in 29 wins and 28 losses (51%) so we go a bit worse with him in the team.

I also looked at Bower - he has played in 21 wins and 27 losses over the period (44% winning ratio so well down on our average), however I think the timing of his injuries has been a bit unfair to Bower, if he had been fit for this year and played that could be a very different story.

But the most interesting was Setanta. We have a great record with him in the side. Since 2008 he has played in 27 wins and 16 losses, a 63% win ratio, which could well be the best of all players who have played over that period (discounting those who only played a few games).

those stats are useless. Could it be that Waite and Jamo are in our best 22 therefore play every game when fit
Could it be that Setanta hardly plays against the good sides because the match committee don't see fit?

Playing last night would have been good for two reasons, the first he could have provided a target and second, if he is a forwardline option come finals, surely a game or two behind him is a benefit.

The big galoots nervous at the best of times, if they want him in for finals he needs a gallop.

Anybody else think Waite is gone?

Henderson to the forward line, Bower or Thornton to the back line. Waite forward also. End of discussion.

The side needs Sentanta and Waite. CHF and FF respectively. The lack of a target up forward was glaringly obvious last night and the Hawks had no trouble with who was there. Finals footy is crash and bash and kicking long to a contest in the heat of an intense match.....we need targets!

Kruezer is NOT working. In fact on present form I would rather have Hammer in as second ruck along with Warnock (if we had the option). He is definitely lacking a pre-season and may reach greatness next year but this is not his year. He looks slow and has lost the ability below his knees that marked him in front of other big men previously.

Now is not a time to be playing favorites.

A fit Waite will do thanks

Been saying it for weeks. Has cost us top4 and now any chance we had of challenging.
And please don't come in here and tell me otherwise today ... because I will throw up.
Can't believe Ratten has been so pig headed over this. He even prefered Jamison instead of Hendo foward last night.

I actually thought Jamison gave us a real target in the fwd line when he was there, if he had kicked staright we would all be hailing Ratten as a genius.

Henderson to the forward line, Bower or Thornton to the back line. Waite forward also. End of discussion.