Have we seen the best of Simon Wiggins? Was there a defining moment when you knew that one of our favorites had reached his peak and it would be 'all downhill from here'? Or does Wiggo have a few more good episodes left? Does he provide another impetus for our forward line? Or has the moment passed? Is his selection on the leadership group akin to David Glascott being named Reserves Captain in 1990? Or will his selection be likened to the time Cousin Oliver joined the Brady Bunch?

Watching the Bullants run around last week in the sun and wind, you couldn't help but be impressed by the only guy on the ground with grey hair. Number 34 did the 1% things on the footy field that are second nature to him, as well as position himself well, bring others into the play, take a few big grabs and kick straight.

There was a lot to like. If he could do that with such ease and poise, why couldn't that skill and endeavor be translated into games with Carlton? We sure could use some more contested marks in the forward line. He'd surely only command a third or fourth line defender - not too different to the best defender he's playing on at reserve level.

On the negative side, the old adage that footballers reach their potential at 27 is probably not compelling enough an argument to select Wiggins. Most might say he would simply 'get in the way' of the current tall forwards and quell the influence of the three smalls. Many might say 'We've tried this before - it doesn't work'...and they might have a point - you could never question the Chief's appetite for the contest - yet he's a prime example of being comfortable at VFL level, yet for the most part struggling with the real stuff.

At some stage pre-Fisher, I'm on the side of giving him one more chance. You can never have enough blokes who have Bob Chitty-like G&D running through their Navy Blue blood filled veins. But a repeat 'selection-omission' based on poor form and you'd have to think that the producers will end the 'Wiggins' series once and for all.

If there is one chance for Wiggins to get a go it's this week. His hard at it style and his marking ability and defensive style in the forward 50 may work well against St Kilda. You can also play Etihad with just one key fwd and a smaller lead up player and Wiggins has a fairly good record at the ground.

Has he a future? Don't really know but IMO he is not in our best 22 but he is a very handy back up player.

He gets the best out of himself and is a very popular clubman. Can't ask much more than that.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Still my favourite player. Don't see how he fits into what we are trying to achieve structure wise though unfortunately.

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The only way for some people to understand is for them to be on the receiving end

Left wing moralists
In self serving denial
They shit me no end

would be in the 22 if he could kick (convert)

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

and that's it in a nutshell and because he cannot kick and doesn't bring anything but spirit to the table...it is difficult to select him....although at times you look at the difference in physical commitment between him and others currently in the team and you gotta wonder... :

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

If Henderson is dropped I would prefer WIGGINS to come in and play his role over Waite. With good delivery he can definitely play his part for the team and kick 2 or 3 a game in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong either, I want Waite back in the side but he'd be handier floating off half back and running forward on occasions.

Good work Pklz.

How quickly people forget. It's pronounced WIGGINS.

If this is his last year, I would be putting my money on him either playing for the Bullants or getting a job inside Carlton next year. He is the kind of guy who will be around for years to come at some capacity.

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Koperek.

Agree. Had the pleasure of running into him over the summer at the club and you couldn't meet a nicer bloke. A real clubman.

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

Lets hope the MC do recall the 'chief ' as he plays Etihad well & a repeat performance of his 100th game against the Bullies would be awesome. The one thing you know, is that he will bleed Blue blood for the club & will never shirk a contest. Go the chief !!

Wiggo must be a terrific bloke, because he has hung on to a list position by the skin of his teeth for a number of years, where other contemporaries of similar and greater stature have been axed.

He has been a fringe player forever, but I thought he actually took a step up in 2009, doing things I hadnt seen before. Was I imagining things or did he have significantly more muscle last year than previously, and did he seem to have a stronger set of hands and be improved in contested marking situations? His kicking is not great but as a lead up forward with pretty good hands and one capable of making a contest of the spilled ball and tackling ferociously, I thought he did OK on occasions.

He's not the future thats for sure, but I'm not a fan of playing youth (especially ordinary youth) just because it is currently fashionable to not want on your list anyone over 23 who's not considered a walk up start for the next premiership side.

Henderson has to be dropped this week thats for sure. We just cannot persist with him in his current state, regardless of his youth and "potential". We cannot be left with one tall forward (O'Hailpin) and we need a second marking and lead up option against the Saints. I am very much against using Waite or Kreuzer or Thornton as a forward, because this is playing them away from their clearly best positions.

We need another "tall" forward, yet we have no one. If ever Wiggo is going to get a recall as a filler, these next few weeks will be the best opportunity he will ever get in a fast fading career. If he does get an unlikely call up, as a minimum I'd like to see the Chief smash a few bodies. (Milne and Baker would be nice, Gram too - jesus Gram is a wanker cant stand him)

+1

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Delulio is a member of TISM

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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.

It would be good to have a tough nut like Wiggo in for the Saints game. Nice post Dr Sherrin.

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Great to see real respect shown for Wiggo from everyone. That's a unique achievement in itself.

Wiggo's days as a player maybe dwindling but his presence at the club gives others a good vibe.

Must get a farewell game before he retires or is let go.

stuff a farewell game, get him back in there

GIBBINS will sink the Saints

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Cheerio to my friends KN, BC, TT, GP, DK, AE, MS, SC, TC, JL, MO & LF

..he's fit, strong, courageous, team orientated.. ..decision making and kicking skills have always been the question marks.. ..for the saints game, we'll need strong, brave and aggressive players in our F50, he could do the trick.. ..but you'd reckon it would be his real hot last chance..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..