It interests me how much the media have changed in the last 12 months. This time a year ago, we were talked of as the real up and comers, with one of the most exciting lists in the league. This year, we even get analysis like this from John Ralph when discussing our so-called X-Factor Player Robert Warnock:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/who-you-gonna-call-gamebusters-the-x-men-of-the-afl/story-e6frf9jf-1225840692232


The only difference in 12 months effectively is the trading of Fevola and the retirement of Stevens, and the subsequent recruitment of McLean and Henderson. But the media weren't saying we had myriad cracks in our lineup in 2009. Putting aside any thoughts of gameplans, do you think we have 'myriad cracks in our lineup'? Are there more cracks than there were one year ago? Or have things changed since then?

We've gone from having questionable rucks to having a questionable forward line. Small forwards were an issue last year and that crisis was solved, so now really it's just the media assuming we can't deal without a clear focal point in our forward line, and that we have no one who can play such a role.

The former they may be right on, but the latter presents itself in one Jarrad Waite.

A Fox Sports pundit has us down to finish 13th, heavily referencing our pre-season form. Other write-ups suggest Johnson, Wiggins and other lesser-lights are key names missing from the mix at present.

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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.

Thanks for that Jimmae!

I must admit that some of this media analysis has me puzzled. I don't see how the defence and the midfield won't have improved in terms of structural mix since last season. So the idea of myriad cracks seems a bit over the top

I was actually unsure about going into round 1 against Richmond last year but this year I am fairly confident - I think the betting before last years opener was fairly close

I doubt we will see that next week - we will go in favorites for sure

We are a better side than last year Our four best players are still with us and we now have a ruck division and hopefully a solid backline

I think a lot of people will be surprised

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

We seem to have a myriad of cracks because Fev was around longer than anyone else on the list. He shaped the way we played whether the coaches liked it or not. Leaving after so many years has the side running around in circles obviously giving a bad look to some players and I reckon it will sort itself out over time. Good coaching will help. That is a question isn't it.

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

We are probably

1 key forward short supposing Hendersen develops
1 key position backman short
1 class midfielder
4 flankers who can kick to position

We are 7 to 8 players short of a top for side + hardness and a game plan

If things fell our way we could fix the cracks in a few years

Who are Waite & Setanta?? We also have Donaldson, Casboult & Tiller developing.


This & the ruck are our amongst our strengths. We have Bower, Thornton & Jamison all playing fantastic football, with White & Austin waiting in the wings. Then there's Davies & Dare developing.


Define that term, because we have a midfield top 6 that would be the envy of just about any side in the competition, and it doesn't drop away much from there to about #11 or 12.


What? Are these medium defenders, medium forwards, what are you referring to?


That is ridiculous. If Fev hadn't been a moron and was still about you'd probably have zero concerns despite the pre-season and despite the fact we'd be kicking it to one guy inside 50 two-thirds of the time. Fickle, myopic and prone to panic, like how the news media pretend to be for subscription numbers.

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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 don't think you've read enough Michael Jezz over the years Jimmae. Fev would be around and he would still say we had major problems. This is a bloke who only posts after losses. He definitely wouldn't have zero concerns if Fevola was still in the team.

I am familiar with his work, but I don't recall it ever being so clearly outlandish.

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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 agree with Jimmae. Midfields and Backline are a relative strength. The forward line is a work-in-progress which looked clumsy in practice matches, and will take a few rounds to gel, so we and the midfield need to be patient. In fact there has been a few cobwebs to blow out generally, but come Thursday week I'm sure they'll be ready to turn it on. Go blues!

Yep great rebuttal Jimmae and I especially agree on our tall defenders who are more than capable and all very good players in their own right. They will start to really gel this year after 2-3 years together.

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You want the flame? Give us the marbles!!

I also agree with Jimmae.

Backline looks better than i has for 10 years.
The midfield runs deep and the ruck division is actually a division for the first time in a decade.

What I ask is...

Can Yarran, Betts and Garlett play in the same 18?
Can Hendo kick 2 or 3 goals a game, week in week out?
Is Waite ready (physically and mentally) for the responsibility of being our KPP forward?

If so, watch out.

Go Blues!

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They coud'nt.....could they?

What I have seen so far is a lack of intensity, and they are slow in moving the ball.

There should not be much difference due to Fev not being there. Our midfield has gone backwards so far for some reason. This was our strength last year. I think our backs are better, our rucks are better and technically our forward line should keep the ball in better this year.

Problem for mine. Midfield seems slow.

Midfield is just warming up IMO.
Hadley and Brock both cant play in the same team though.

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dane's trolling again

great name for a knock shop

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NG
S M C , S F L

Midfield is a a curious one: Grigg must have a bigger role this year and will get there, but not straight away. Gibbs hasn't really switched on he needs the big time to do so, and Murph needs a game or two still. Brock mops up well but turn away if it's a one-on-one chase to the ball. My question is: will 1-2 be a realistic start with Judd not there? He's irreplcaeable.

Two out of three of our small forwards will be there at any one time, and Hendo and Irish won't kick that many but will be more important for bringing the ball down for them.

Some good posts here. I've been arguing for months now that our chances in 2010 would have to be almost identical to 2009 IMO. Yes we are down a key goal kicking FF. But on the upside - our defence is looking really good. Thornton and Bower are valuable running defenders, a healthy Jammo is hard to beat at FB and if guys like Russell, Armfield, Joseph and even Davies can take a step up then we should be able to better limit the oppositions scoring. Our midfield is up there with the best of them. Judd, Murphy and Gibbs are very very good and if guys like Brock, Grigg, Carrazzo, Hadley and Walks are consistent then we shouldnt have too many issues there.

Krueze, Warnock, Hampson and Jacobs are more than enough for our rucks which leaves us to our forwardline. We are without Fev I know, but I think Setanta, Waite and Henderson will play some good footy in tandem with Betts, Yarran and Robinson.

The key for us (and all teams) is to remain healthy and relatively injury free. If we can then all in all I think we are easily a top 8 side and I think we will prove a lot of people wrong....

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HENDERSONALENKO......YOU BEAUTY!!!!!

Have I missed something because playing nuff nuff games wasn't what I expected our players to be going gang busters on.

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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.

Downunderchick

I sure hope that our intensity is crap because of the practice games. I am hanging my hat on a 100% lift in round 1.

I am very worried though. Sitting through a couple of practice matches so far, and I am feeling very low about our upcoming season, much like I have a few years ago, but this time worse as I saw what we were capable of last year.

I'm not sure that anyone at the club see the preseason games as nuff nuff games. I'd be disappointed if they did. I would've thought everyone (off field and onfield) would be trying to put their best foot forward to make a good early impression, like AJ did last year.