Watching some replays of matches from around 2008 and 2009, it got me wondering about Fish's place in the team. Even two years ago we lacked the depth that we have today, which comes as a concern on Brad's part about breaking into the side in 2010. Some of the things that came out of the replays were that he still has great overhead marking, but his kicking is shocking, missing some of the easier shots on goal.

For mine he was a much better kick when he was younger, I'm talking about 2003 and his match-winning goal against Richmond comes to mind. With Kreuzer set to go forward, Waite looking like spending time there, and various other options, I can't see Fisher getting many games. Undoubtedly, we have an improved team this year with many of our younger players another year older and more developed. This is where I can see a potential downfall with Brad Fisher. If he only managed 7 senior games in 2009, it will be a lot harder for him in 2010, despite the departure of Fevola. It will be interesting to see how many games he will get this year and how/if he can improve his kicking.

Your thoughts please.

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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."

I believe he's still very good overhead, and seems to play far taller than his height, IMO. Could be suited to a FP, or a link player on the wing or HFF.

He won't be a goalkicker from anything further out than 40m out, which is why I think he could make a good FP. With him and Eddie at FP, could provide a good foil for Kreuze, Hendo, Setanta at FF.

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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.

Fisher's 2010 blows that runt 206 out of the water. Play him in the ruck for crrrisssssakes!

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This might sound extreme in the context of alleged sexual assault, drunken violence and a drug trafficking charge...

Didn't he take the mark in the goalsquare?

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"I had to eat"

From where I was sitting it looked like he was a bit of a way out from goal. I thought it was around 45 out?

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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."

I love FIsh and he is exceptional overhead but his kicking since his knee reco has been ordinary at best.

Not sure if it's a mental thing re his kicking, but would love to see him kick 30-40 goals for us as his marking alone could net that for the team if he is within kicking range.

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

Lets get real here.

When Fisher kicked the winning goal he was a hero.

Prior to that goal he took another mark in the goalsquare and MISSED the goal. Yep, he missed it point blank.

He's never been a great kick...not even in his TAC days.
He's always been a good mark. That's it!

If he has improved over the preseason then that's great and I hope he gets to 100 games for CFC.
If he hasn't improved by a lot, then he will be a leader in the Bullants.

Good luck Fish. You were one of my heroes back in 2007.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Loved the Fish when he first came on the scene but unless he can slot into the FP and hang in the square while the FF goes out on the lead then I fear he will not get much love from the MC.

I hope he has spent the summer working hard on his goal-kicking.

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Carlton - Nothing's changed
I still love you, oh, I still love you
Only slightly, only slightly less
Than I used to, my love

Isn't it obvious? His problems are all mental. He rotted from the head.

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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.

He's currently on 98 games, so only two more to go before he gets to the 100 mark.

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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."

This from the Carlton website

Maybe his kicking has improved??

What distance were they kicking from?

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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.

Fish has courage and can mark. But he can't kick, has no ground skills and is slow for his size.

He has gone backwards while the team has gone forwards. If he can be used as a fill in for the 2 games to get to 100 great, but otherwise unless he has turned around over pre season, I suggest to leave it to the kids they are the future.

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

Might have been the goalsquare

Oh God, Fisher winning our goal kicking comps. We are in trouble.

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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."

Have attended plenty of the 'fun' training sessions and Fish did extremely well in most of the goalkicking comps. A bit like basketball's 'Around the key' - you shoot from all areas inside 50....it's just one of those things...Fev never dominated those at training, but come gameday, you'd probably have had your money on him in the past...Fish just always does well at training.

Don't know about 'Fish just always does well at training' comment. Yes I do.

Fish looked like a beaten man in the 2 training sessions 4th and 7th Jan 2010. His foot passing and confidence looked shot.

From what I have heard and read, Fish has done well in the last week, but didn't set the world on fire for the first month. Have a look at the training reports...TC, CSC, BF...hang on, other than the time you had no car and needed a lift from Hawthorn, you were at those training sessions too... weren't you?

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

He is not generally a long kick but there are at least a couple of goals which I can remember from the past two seasons where he kicked a goal from 50m+ (one of which against Brisbane in late 2008 would have gone at least 55m).

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

From all accounts, Fish is a great clubman and he's a courageous player who's strong overhead. However, I think he's lucky to still be on our list. He can't kick over a jam tin and is slow. He doesn't cause the opposition defenders to turn the ball over (ie. I can't remember the last time a Fisher chase/tackle resulted in a shot on goal for us), which forwards in the modern game must do. Could be he still has problems with his knee...

On balance, I would have rather kept Cloke (although I realise contract/salary cap issues were a factor) for another year.

Anyway, I really hope Fish proves me wrong....but I reckon we'll probably be seeing him in red more often than in navy blue in 2010....

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

Too true Sue, but I think he'll still be kept on the list as a 'depth player'.

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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."