It's probably more of a problem if we have a group of players who feel that Fev has been hard done by and can't move on. Especially if they are still in regular contact with him, being the stirrer that he is. It is a more even team performance that we need to compensate for his loss IMO. Any bitchy little sub group will flower us

One thing that struck me about Walker's game today was how much of a lighter frame he'd had in comparison to previous seasons.

Worrying aspect was that he didn't seem to have full confidence in his shoulder yet. Was still a bit tentative in committing to contests/riding out tackles. Hopefully just the mickey mouse aspect of the contest more than anything, but anyway....

Just checking DOA. Fathers and Sons do share the same views every now and again If Walks shared your view and a flag wasn't in the offing in his opinion, then monetary factors with the new teams especially and a better chance at a flag tilt could have had him consider a move. I'm glad you have put my mind at rest. No need to watch the 79, 81, and 82 flags as therapy then. It was a bit tongue firmly in cheek by the way

Spot on JohnM.

Whilst we still have Gibbs, Murphy and Kreuzer 23 or under, Judd with 4-5 good years left, a young defence really starting to gel, some promising young rucks, a flag(s) in the next 2-5 years very much on the radar. Fev out a short term set back, not a long term flag killer.

BTW DOA, your boy can be added to the above list, too.

I wish they played Walker as that half forward that we have been lacking for years, a Robert Murphy type role. Sure, rotate him through the midfield at times but I would love to see him kick 30 goals this year.

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Koperek.

Did you not notice he went into the ruck after half time to dominate that aspect of the game by feeding our onballers time and again with deft taps? Around the ground his 2nd, 3rd and 4th efforts caused a huge amount of pressure which slowed the Lions run and created several turnovers.

He has been quiet at CHF due to lack of opportunities and his inexperience in the position. He is a 200cm around the ground ball hunter rather than a leading forward. I am all for Ratts trying different options in these games but Special K's strengths were clearly seen after 1/2 time.

Regards Cazzesman

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Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

I think a few people are getting influenced by the current "Carlton is no good" theme in the media. I could not make it to the game yesterday and was scouring all available sources and the crap said / written in the media just left me stunned. "Experts" were writing off our season based on what they saw the first half yesterday (then leaving) and having spoken to "worried" blues fans.

Heard stupid things like that Fev was struggling because the ground is small (Visy Park small ) etc. etc. The media has this tendency to "make up its mind" about certain things and that is how they report it. This is why you might think Fev was given a hostile reception (because that is the media wants it to be so - makes good story). Stirring up blues fans with negativity also suits them. Why do you think you only hear stupid blues supporters on the call back segments?

One thing is for sure - how often does the media get it right? Go back over the seasons and check the predictions by the journos and "experts" - so don't worry.
Conditional on staying injury free to key players I expect a top 8 finish and a higher probability of top 4 then missing out on finals. We will take some time to adjust post Fev - but we will. People also totally forget that we have Waite to come back - go back a few years and check what he did when Fev was suspended for a few weeks.

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TC suffers from the social media illness - the death of respect and constructive discourse by keyboard.

Put him on a wing and let him use his HUGE motor to chug up and back to help out and then run the lines forward at full tilt. Let him off the leash and we will see the very best of him. Let him rest up forward from time to time. Who's going to catch him on a lead? His best football will be when he plays free and instinctive. It might not suit the modern game of accountability but every team needs the X factor man that is hard to match up on.

Regards Cazzesman

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Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

wow how was that tap to Judd in the forward 50? If Judd would have kicked that they would have all gone to Kreuz and gave him a pat on the back. Fantastic awareness and skill.

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Koperek.

Ah........ several posts full of positivity....... manna for the soul......

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TC suffers from the social media illness - the death of respect and constructive discourse by keyboard.

Didn't see the game, thanks for all the reports guys. Great to hear Setanta showed some form. Interesting comments Caz. I agree wholeheartedly. I am a massive Big K fan, I think he will prove to be the best player we have drafted and develop into our next captain. And I think he will be a star ruckman, but I don't think he will be a star CHF. While Warnock is also promising as a ruckman I just can't see where we will get maximum value out of both, especially as I am a great Hammo fan too. I am just not sure where we fit them as K and Hammo can share the ruck 60/40 and spend time in Forward pocket occasionally. If Robbie W plays he needs to be #1 ruckman, which to me is one ruckman too many. We have Jacobs for contingencies. I am just not sure how to fit K, Hammo , and Warnock all in the side playing in their best positions to their max. It will probably only be achieved with Big K at CHF which loses his great rucking strength.

To win a flag you need all aspects functioning, defence, midfield and forwards. A weakness anywhere and you struggle that bit more and hurts your chances. You find premiership sides have at least one functioning KP forward. Bulldogs learned that big-time and got Hall. Fev got 90 last year but we had others in the 30s as well and made finals.

I Suggest DOA you keep you opinion to yourself. There is a sense of unprofessional conduct coming from a father of a player making statements to this effect.
Reading beteween the lines it seems to me these are the thoughts of some of the players also ,although you state they are your opinion.
I get a feeling all is not right with MC & some senior player by reading some of your last posts.

Sure Fev leaves a big hole that cannot be replaced in the short term.
Decision was right to move him on, regardless of his ability & popular status.
I am not sure how big that window was if Fev was still the no 25 at CFC.
I suspect there are a few clubs in front of us in the short term. next 1-2 years.

What sort of comment is that?

You think Kruezer has been in good form?? Personally I think it's nothing to worry about as he's just working out his new role in the team.

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Corinthians 9:6- 8

Or he's a third year player feeling the pinch from a hard-slog pre-season...

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

I'm happy to hear thoughts of those that have some form of "connection". Way better than listening to dribbling, perspectiveless sh1t the average poster puts up (not referring to you, just general). Like to know what they're thinking. Sometimes they say things we don't want to hear.

You're overlooking Fevola's effect on the team's dynamics...
the club's dynamics...

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Bawditawaba

No doubt in my mind Fev's presence had detrimental effects on some of our other players, but having said that so much of our system and gameplan for the best part of a decade have revolved around him. Even during times when all we would hear from the staff would be "we'll be less Fev-conscious this year" in the end we go back to the tried and true method of bombing to his head. So his absence leaves more of a hole than the sum of Fev's parts, he was the vortex through which our entire playing style revolved. You can't just change that overnight. It's like learning to walk all over again, and it will take time. Take Buddy, Brown, Pavlich or Tredrea (in his prime) out of their respective teams abruptly, and see how those guys fare.

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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

I would be stunned if 1AW decided to leave after the faith we have shown him over the last two or three years.....


If by Foreseeable future you mean the next couple of years then I agree.......If you mean 3-4 years I think you are being a bit harsh. Have a little faith

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Circumstance has no value. It is how one relates to a situation that has value. All true meaning resides in the personal relationship to a phenomenon, what it means to you.

Just thought the bloke has a right to an opinion and Cazz is very quick to dismiss someone with even a slightly negative assesment.

Hey, I'm a big rap for the Kruez, over the next couple of years he's gonna be a beauty. Will help win a couple of games for us this year!

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Corinthians 9:6- 8