Great Post John M
I have been heartened that in the last 2 games our best forwards have been Hendo Yarran and Robinson
Yes they have a lot of work to do but look at the upside -all young all got different dimensions to contribute to a multi-pronged attack
At the moment its obviously not as imposing or even secure as having Hollywood Fevola down there but its less predictable -less potent but much more long term and sustainable
You have to also remember that the 3 staples of our forward line apart from Eddie have been Hollywood but obviously the second banana has been predominantly Cloke and Fisher for the last 3 years both who aren't there
Its a whole new forward line

Yes, I saw all that.

Perhaps he's a victim of his own standards, but I think it's a fair comment to say that Kreuzer hasn't been in his best form so far.

In no way is that having a go at the guy, nor does that deny the existence of reasons for it (ie. being tried in a different role, fitness/workload issues, it's February, etc, etc), I just think he's looked like he's been doing it hard at times in the last couple of weeks (remember he only played the 1st half of the intra club match - maybe he was/is carrying a little niggle or something?). I didn't say he played badly. He's a key player for us, I love the way he plays, and I hope he's at his best in 2010.

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

Having a connection doesnt mean much - was sitting in front of a player sponsor+former player yesterday and listening in on the conversation whilst watching the match. Most comments were negative and some were just bewildering - including the following
- it was our best team out there minus murphy)
- wish we had gotten voss and that his ability during trade week to grab players as an assessment of his coaching abilities (which overlooks the fact that he is making a short term play whilt black/power etc are still there)
- that we should be playing our tall ruckmen in the forward line yesterday so that we could kick it long. If they didnt mark it, the crumbers could feed off them (hampson mentioned) - sort of overlooks kreuzer/hampson having spent a bit of time forward in the previous 2 matches)
- how things were so much better in the old days (20-30 yrs ago) etc

having a connection to the club doesnt mean you are a better judge. If anything, there is a greater risk of having your judgements clouded by the connection

That's a fair assessment but it should be somewhat obvious to identify a bloke struggling with touch/decision making, and one with heavy legs.

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I'd disagree that 18 players were far worse but do agree that walker wasnt too bad yesterday.

Think people are lookin for the wrong things from walker - At this stage I couldnt give a shit how his disposal is or how much of the ball he gets. I just want to see him spend the season running about injury free - as far as I'm concerned that is the only thing that we should be worried about. If he continues to rack up injuries like he has previously then his career will be cut short. If he can get a good run, then he will be a meaningful contributor to the club. As he gets more/consistent game time, I've no doubt that he will pick up in the other areas that people tend to complain about (ie skills)

IMO Cazzesman just provides a bit of balance.

There's a fair bit of negative stuff to balance and some of it is pretty harsh.

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Bawditawaba

Walker played well yesterday, his fitness and ability to get over the ground is very important in todays football - not many players can cover the ground like 1AW. Andrew needs a run of at least 10 games in a row and I'm sure he will be at his best.

Andrew has played 87 games in 6 years an average of just 14 games per year - he needs continuity. He's played very little football in he past 3 years. I don't think we have seen the best of Walker - lot of upside.

The negativity buzzing around the ground yesterday certain was, as one poster said above, bewildering.

Henderson's two goal performance was far better than Fevola's.

Brock Mclean was a lot better than last week, winning a heap of contested footy.

Warnock has now played 3 weeks in a row, contributing in each and every match as not only a ruckman, but a competitor around the ground. His willingness to throw himself in at ground level and win the footy is great.

Kruezer turned the match for us after half-time. Caz said it best, his efforts to harrass and cause turnovers as a result of pressure lifted the team.

Simpson slotted straight back into the team and looked great for his first hit out of the year. Took a couple of ripper marks overhead and provided plenty of run.

Walker's first half disposal and dash was a highlight. Several times he hit targets at distance, kicking the ball over 40 meters to our advantage, was great to see. He had a couple clangers, but nothing that could hide the fact he had a good game.

Both Yarran and Betts contributed, showing that with the addition of Garlett we've got a potent small brigade of forwards. This and last week's games showed some encouraging signs for Yarran. And for Betts' first hit out, like Simpson, he was very pleasing.

Our defence has come a long way. The promise and ability was always there, now with experience its coming to the fore. Great to see Bower and Jamison go head-to-head with Brown and Fevola and acquit themselves well. Thornton, too, looks to have continued the form that was so encouraging in the second half of last season.

What you hope for as the pre-season continues is incremental improvement as we build towards round 1. From last to this week we've gotten that improvement. Hopefully it will continue in our next game, then our next and we'll be good to go come that Thursday in March.

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Carlton 2012: Lets remind them why they once feared the Dark.

Anyone know who we'll be playing next week?

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#GUILTY

Best to do your own analysis - because there will continue to be plenty of unwarranted negative media content and Carlton bashing this year. They know that hating Carlton sells papers and lifts ratings.

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My Blue Heaven

Seems the 3 tall defenders, Bower Jamison and Thornton, have solidified their spots so the question is where does Austin and Waite fit in when ready?
I think both have more natural football talent, athleticism and versatility than Setanta and would like to see them given a go up forward with Henderson as tall options with the indigenous boys at ground level.
That will also leave Kreuzer to concentrate on rucking in tandem with Warnock.

Did Ox and Francis Leech giggle like school girls when they heard the call?

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I´ve got less posts than a St Kilda troll.

Simpson is a great mark for his size, tiny shoulders and all. Knows how to position himself under the ball, reads it prefectly and the ball just sticks. I wouldn't mind seeing him play some minutes up forward if we can afford to take him out of the wing.

Yarran starting to apply the 3rd and 4th efforts is very pleasing. Obviously he's fast as hell, sometimes it feels like he can run from half forward to the goal square just by zig zagging his way through and tapping the ball home for an easy 1 metre goal.

I think I've got this right...

No Fev. No Carlton.

Got Fev. But still no Brisbane.

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Went along.

Pretty tough conditions given the penetrating heat. We were stronger on paper with none of the Brisbane premier midfield making the trip. I thought we were the better team overall with our players working harder at the contest. Brown kept Brisbane in the game and ahead for most of the time such is his influence. Strange watching Fev in different colours. Did not look like as imposing and arrogant as when he played for the navy blue. Dont know how he will handle playing second fiddle to Brown given the size of his ego. Jamo played him tight and played him well. Very good match up for us.

Was looking forward to see some of the kids like Lucas, Davies Levi but it wasn't meant to be.

The highlights for me were
Betts prominent role in our forward line. Was in everthing, great decision making, seems to me he will play a big part in our forward line without Fev.

Robinson. His intensity and physicality is impressive. I only wish it could rub off on some of our senior players. Just love his self confidence and hope he is in the starting line up every game. Hopefully h

Walker has been a big loss for us. Covered a lot of territory and ran hard with the ball.Did not stop for four quarters. Disposal has improved (yes he muffed a few but this was more to do with the fact is prepared to take risks).

If we are going to be competitive we need him to run the lines. We need him at half back to give us another running option out of defence along with Russell, Bower and Armfield.

On the downside, the thing that kept the Lions in the game was our poor disposal. Not sure what emphasis we place on recruiting footballers with skills in recent years and the quality of our skills session at training but from my viewpoint, we will never be a serious finals contender without addressing this issue. For two weeks in a row I have seen kicks not reaching their intended target forcing a contest. Also not to be outdone, our hanpassing is even worse. Could not believe the amount of handballs that did not reach their intend target on the full or were aimed at the knees. Someone needs to be held accountable for the state of our skills in addition to Ratts.

Conundrum

Re: AW's disposal, I agree, thought it was good last night. It's staggering how someone could watch that game yesterday & interpret his kick targets at < 50%. Sometimes it makes you wonder whether some people just have an agenda to push.....

Re: your comments about bottom 6 - probably an opinion better off kept to yourself IMO...

I suspect you keep tabs on 1AW'a detractors. You'd know I'm not one of them.

Whilst everyone is entitled to an opinion, in order for that opinion to be taken serious there has to be some substance. I respect people having an opinion, but I have to say your 'opinion' (if it is genuinely an opinion or a preference) is disappointing to hear coming from you.

Your premise is "No Fevola-No Finals-No Flag". That premise dismisses a hell of a lot of positves which may sway the argument in the opposit direction. One obvious reason for improvement would include your son with the return of the 3 W's (Waite, Walker Warnock). There's plenty of other reasons for imrovement, let alone the major one being natural progression of youth.

IMO, you've got a bee on your bonnet DOA, or you're right on the money.

I don't know what you define as "foreseeable future", but I'm sure you are looking at then next 3-4 years whilst Fev would be still playing footy.

Now bottom 6 is a bit rich to comprehend. No other footy analyst in the country suggests anywhere that low, so I hazaed a guess, you're stirring the pot, are not thinking cohesively due to personal issues (anger, envy, health...) or you know something.

Lets put a a few bucks on the first of your forecasts: bottom 6 in 2010: that's 11th -16th. (PM me a lets discuss away from the forum).

Lets take that opinion on before we start looking a defining the long term or short term future with the use of the term "foreseeable". I'm sure step 1 of the bet will determine if our opinion is based on intelligence or emotion....perhaps you choose to be unsavoury as a means to have a go at posters who have a go at your son. I am an unabashed fan of 1AW, despite the wider footy community outside Carlton having a different view than me.

We are more than a Fev centric team. There's no I ior FEV in team, and collectively we have amassed a very good list which is still developing whether Fev was here or not.

I hope you come back to the future soon. Hopefully when 1AW plays to his potential, you will see the strength of his inclusion and the improvement of the kids in their quest to premiership glory.

Getting to a GF is on the horizon, winning the flag is a 50/50 proposition for any team which makes the last game in September.

Do you also think we have no chance of making a GF in the forseeable future?

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

If you looked at our list as they walked off the Gabba in september last year and said who would you hate to lose from this group you would have come up with a list that looked something like this
Judd
Murph
Gibbs
kruez
Waite
fev
bower
Jamo
Simpson
thornton
Stevens

so in reality we lost our 6 best and arguably our 11 best players

Surely when you look at it this way their losses are not as great as some would have you think

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Waite will make a big difference in that forward line. A proven forward that is tough to match up on.

With Waite and Santy in the forward line, Hendo should have a chance to shine.

Not being a Fev-centric forward line is a huge plus for the Blues going forward.

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"It was like calling your ex girlfriend after a night on the booze, just a really bad decision".

Anyone on here who thinks we will make the 8 is dreaming. Better performance from the boys but kickouts and turnovers still kill us. We will play first 4 weeks without Judd and you can not expect Waite to contribute massively when he hasn't played for 12 months. Same with Murphy. Players who don't do preseason struggle. So for the first month when we have winnable games we have: no Judd and below par murphy and Waite and we still have to find 80 goals (although I saw signs of 40 of them). I am willing to put my money where my mouth is.