Talking Carlton Index Lochie O'Brien Kerryn Harrington Lochie O'Brien Kerryn Harrington CFC Home CFC Membership CFC Shop CFC Fixture Blueseum
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 6:20 am

All times are UTC + 10 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:39 pm 
Offline
Ken Hunter
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:52 am
Posts: 12775
Before Round 9 I wrote an article concerning the AFL's youth and where Carlton fits into it. For the record, that article is here. Given that a week is a long time in football, 13 weeks is 13 long times – or something like that. In any case, my ‘youth team’ is rather inaccurate when 2005 form is concerned. With that in mind, here’s a look at where things have changed since Round 9.

Full Back: Bret Thornton held together Carlton’s backline for the best part of 2 and a half years before a knee injury and poor form derailed him. He’s still an important factor, but if forced to choose between him and Adelaide’s Ben Rutten, it is a no contest – Rutten could well make All-Australian, such has his performance impressed, while Thornton has gone backwards along with the rest of the Blues.

Back Pocket: I’m not quite sure what happened to Campbell Brown – injury and suspensions cruelled his 2005 campaign. Andrew Carrazzo, though, has been ultra-impressive for Carlton in the back pocket and in the midfield. He adds another option to the defense and the midfield.

Half Back Flank: In fairness, Jared Rivers had a reasonable year. Again, though, injury cruelled his campaign. Given that Luke Hodge has one flank tied up, a third tall would still be necessary. Looking at the alternative options, it has to be said that Jared Rivers is still the best option for that position.

Centre Half Forward: Brad Miller has had a serviceable year, and can be switched to defense if needed, but Jarrad Waite has had a bigger impact for Carlton. Maybe it’s the navy blue talking, but Waite has the spectacular about him – capable of anything. It’s that mercurial ability that can inspire teammates.

Full Forward: Quentin Lynch was an interesting choice, on reflection. Mark Williams dropped of notably in the latter half of the season, and it appears as though there is no suitable replacement for Lynch. Maybe Ashley Hansen, who is a far more reliable mark than Lynch, could be tried there.

Ruck: Mark Seaby has been OK for West Coast, but since Luke Darcy’s knee injury, Will Minson has stepped up in a very impressive way to be the Bulldogs’ number 1 ruckman. He also adds a good whack of aggression to the team.

Rover: Kane Cornes has had a good consistent year among the sputtering Port Adelaide campaign, shutting down his opponent and picking up a large amount of ball at the same time. Brent Moloney has suffered a little inconsistency throughout the season, and Cornes deserves the spot ahead of him.

Interchange: Minson, Waite and Cornes were all on the bench. Graham Polak has had an average year, and his spot is not secure. Brad Miller and Mark Seaby retain their places in the team, albeit on the pine. Brett Deledio has had a magnificent first season, his pace and skill making a huge difference to Richmond. He is the X-Factor in the team. There are a few others I’d love to put in the final interchange slot – Brad Fisher after his great return from a knee injury and Scott Thompson after his form for Adelaide especially. In fact, Thompson will win the final spot – a quality, goal kicking midfielder is gold.

So there has been a few changes to the team in 13 rounds, as follows:

In: Ben Rutten (Adelaide), Andrew Carrazzo (Carlton), Ashley Hansen (West Coast), Brett Deledio (Richmond), Scott Thompson (Adelaide)
Out: Bret Thornton (Carlton), Campbell Crown (Hawthorn), Quentin Lynch (West Coast), Graham Polak (Fremantle), Brent Moloney (Melbourne)

Making the final team thus:

B: Welsh Rutten Carrazzo
HB: Hodge Maguire Rivers
C: Wells Ball Dal Santo
HF: Ablett Waite Cooney
F: Davey Hansen Williams
R: Minson Judd Cornes
INT: Miller Seaby Deledio Thompson

Carlton still has two players in the 22, so all cannot be said to be lost, although both of those two came through avenues besides the National Draft – Waite was a Father-Son selection, and Carrazzo a Rookie. If Carlton can snare some quality youngsters through the Draft to go with promising rookies and sons, it won’t be too long before the Blues are holding number 17 up.

_________________
Cer 'ch 'n alluog Blues


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 

All times are UTC + 10 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Majestic-12 [Bot] and 68 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group