I think that Ratts is doing what coaches, and spy organisations, have been doing for centuries - he's going with the original ruse rather than saying he tried it on. Have a look at this:


Brett Ratten looks forward, the Hun.

I'm assuming that the presser was accurately interpreted when "Thursday" was inserted as the day of the injury. If that's correct, then it looks like that was a big, fat, whopping lie. It would be a remarkable coincidence if sources were falsely asserting last Saturday that he had an injury after Saturday training, only for him to sustain that injury on a Thursday.

As I said before, none of that should lead anyone to lower his or her opinion of Ratts. This is the way the game is played. Bullsh!t is acceptable - feeding the chooks has been an industry standard for a long time. But I'll be ignoring what Ratts has to say and I'll assume Bower will be out for another week at least, if not 4-6. We just have to wait for the club to come up with an ingenious way of breaking the news to us in the coming week.

Watching the press conference on CFCTV, Ratts just said "pre-game". I think the insertion of "Thursday" in the article was the journo's interpretation of a last minute injury. I think Ratts was just being deliberately vague which is common place and no big deal. I'll go with BV's mail.

Thanks for that Rexy. I couldn't be bothered listening to the presser, so thanks for your impression. I should note that I have always assumed BV's mail was right, and I was highlighting the games that Ratts and the MC were playing. Even though he may not have explicitly said Thursday, there's no doubt that he was trying to create the false impression that it was suffered late in the week when that just doesn't make sense. He tried what many call "grey lies" - not an explicit lie but not the whole truth either, and one designed to create a false impression (e.g. wife rings hubbie on his mobile late in the evening and asks him where he is - he says he's at work, which is strictly true, but doesn't mention that he's on top of a female co-worker).

Saturday's diagnosis may well have been "Strain, possible tear. Wait til Thursday and we'll know if we can jab it."

Every chance that this week's diagnosis will be similar.... ditto the next 2-4 weeks after that.

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"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

Excuse my stupidity but I don't understand why, as player sponsors of Paul's, we cant get more clarification as to what is going on.
Doesn't someone have his number?

555......

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"I had to eat"

I think you might find that players are warned that they are not to give out information that relates to selections or anything else that might affect betting if that information isn't available to the public. It's the same sort of thing as Warnie being pinged for providing information to bookies.

Having said that, a bookie told me back in the mid 90s that one of our very best regularly gave him information. Perhaps times have changed.

Carlton have to get serious. Fair enough play games up until the game but now it is over the club should give the estimate on how long he will be out. This has nothing to do with Supercoach teams (I don't have hime in mine). He is an important player and I would like some clarity on how long he is out.

Maybe some other clubs do it but the truly professional clubs don't. Unfortunately we supporters get taken for granted again. Not good enough Caarlton.

So.......is Bower playing this week or will he be on the injury list as "4-5 weeks"?

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We are on our way back...

?

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dane's trolling again

I hope we get Bower back this week....With Bowers run we have our best chance to smash them in years...

If there's no Bower I don't think we will win big.....

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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.

With all due respect to our desire for more or better info, what we think as supporters will have no effect on the team's performance.
Ratten & co. may or may not know how long Bower is out for. (There were conflicting reports on Fev this time last year too....)
Assuming he does know, there is merit in letting the team know so their expectations are well managed.
Whether we or the public know is of no value whatsoever unless people are punting on it in which case I say "factor in the uncertainty".
However, there MAY be an advantage in keeping opposition camps guessing. Their coaches and players may then need to split their time preparing for extra scenarios.
Yes, most clubs know what is going on but if it might help, why not keep others guessing?

I would sure like to know. I was checking every 30mins leading into the Brisbane match just because I really wanted him to be ok and I really wanted to know.
But that is no reason for Ratts to spill the beans.
It's great to discuss what we know or think will happen but let's not get to the point of demanding Ratten tell us b/c we're curious!

Having said that, I hope Bower is back, fit and well ASAP! But I'm guessing we'll be lucky if he is back for Geelong...

Opposition coaches don't guess: they send scouts to observe who trains. Modifying your tactics to account for one personnel change is not a particularly difficult task, so providing two sets of strategies is a synch.

There is nothing to be gained after the first ruse, so I'd suggest he's actually touch and go. Of course I've been saying this for several pages now.

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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 dont think the club need to provide any info to supporters to make them feel better.

While the bummers are putting thought into Bower they are not putting thought into someone else.

stuff em. They can send their spys or wait for the team list.

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I support the Navy Blues whatever happens!

Apparently Rohan Connelly said on 3AW tonight that Bower will miss this week (3-4 week injury) - and Kouta supposedly said the same thing yesterday.
Anyone hear this?

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There is no footy god

If you are a true Carlton supporter, then you show up and support your team regardless of who is picked and who is injured. As a supporter the only selection-related info that you should expect as your right is the assumption that the MC are picking the best possible team, and that all of them want to play for the Blues with passion and effort.

If you're concerned about Paul send him a Get well message via the club.

If you're concerned about gambling, then have a whinge to Demetrispew if you can get a hold of him between all his 3 hour lunches.

AFL injury list:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/a ... 5847658551

surprise surprise

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There is no footy god

Needs to play to teach Gumbleton a lesson and put a sock in those Dons supporters mouths who think hes the best thing since sliced bread

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The climbing has alread began

Seems from what a couple of credible posters are posting elsewhere that Bower the Power probably won't be in this week and possibly a couple more.

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when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth

Feelgood Hit of the Winter - GHRP-2, GHRP-6, CJC-1295, AOD-9604, Humanofort and Hexarelin

SEN saying that Carlton have told them that Bower is a possible return this week. I doubt it.