I didn't read about him in Terry Wallace's article; are you sure this Lucas lad plays for us? I thought I saw quite a few promising signs from young Carlton players last night as well, but I referred to Wallace's brilliant authorship and soon put things right.

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Oh, here's the post-match interview with Prawnman.

[youtube]fUrTG80JGF0[/youtube]

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No way will you play Mclean before Cachia - Cachia's upside is too great.

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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

Was just about to post that. As mentioned here earlier I too got a sense of deju-vu in both games. Slow starts killed us in most games we lost last year and will do the same again this year.

That last touch rule killed the game - no boundary throw ins to create stoppages. That would tested the second and third tier kids and given the ruckmen something to actually do..

Waste of effing time.

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This might sound extreme in the context of alleged sexual assault, drunken violence and a drug trafficking charge...

I see there Arizona Camp, and raise it by 3.

Himalaya Base Camp.

I think an O/s altitude trip is a good way to bond the team, get 'em fit and enthusiastic.
That's what I saw coming from the C-wood lads..enthusiasm..gusto...pack mentality.
I saw a lot of AW on his own in the forward half.
T-Bird..hmm...still there..hmm..I hope AW and T Bird prove us wrong this year.
Also thought Sticks seemed stuck in the 80's..not impressed with statements like..'yeah, we enjoyed ourselves on and off the field'..implying binges??...c'mon Carlton..we need to lose that old crap attitude.

On the pos. hand....Watson....wow!
I think Murph is in for his best ever year..no matter what he decides.
Bower looked in good nick to me.
Yaz looks really ,really happy out there. Sky is the limit for him.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

1st. Had we had a bit more composure in the last couple of minutes, we would have beaten Collingwood. We can beat this mob and just need to believe.

2nd. Our forward line was the weakest link last night. Setanta keeps annoying me to no avail. Walker must learn to lead towards the ball and use his pace instead of playing from behind. Walker must play HF and not FF line. Betts is a selfish footballer and must learn to play with his teamates. Really disappointing.

3rd. Our backline looked good Jamo and Bower where fantastic. HB is bringing Yarran into the game and I like this move, big tick Ratten. Watson looks like he will complement Jamo/Bower from round 1. WIN. Russell will win our B&F this year and I'm glad I've believed in him all along.

4th. Warnock looks like his ready. Hampson shows so much it's not funny and when it clicks, look out.
Thought Murphy showed why he is worth what we pay for him. Our 2nd best midfielder and will only get better and better.

Great hit out and looking forward to round 1.

ps. I'll just add....it's going to be hard to watch Collingwood this year with the commentators deep love afair with them.

I think both play with a fierce intensity but both also have their work cut out for them on the fast tracks like Etihad.

Warnock was the stand out for me last night. He dominated in the ruck and i believe he will become one of the most damaging ruckman in the AFL this season.

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You heard it here first!

The defensive pressure was far better than I have seen for a while - There were periods in both games where we managed to lock the ball in our half for a while and if it wasnt for the OOB rule we would have kept it there longer .

Still having trouble bringing the ball forward but everyone does against collingwood

Some one needs to sit down and figure out how to counteractthe press and also the pies have anability to get players free into space like I have never seen before

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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

Bingo SydneyBlue.
Collngwood are very good at hunting the ball carrier. If you 2nd guess and not go 1st option you are gang tackled.
Teamates must protect the ball carrier. We need to run with the ball carrier and shepherd for him. It's that simple sometimes. The other thing is to move the ball quickly by hand and foot through the zones. We all know this. Don't hesitate, this must be practised continuously at training over and over again. Creating space for your teamates further up the ground as a team is crucial. Again last night we saw too many of our players flying for the same ball or running to the one spot.

Its amazing how quickly Collingwood spread when they win the ball across half back. Carlton will need to come up with something new for the round 3 encounter if we do not want to be embarrassed like we were late last year.

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You heard it here first!

Whilst you can't read too much into these games a couple of things caught my eye:
-our movement into fwd 50 is bewildering.
-Lucas may quickly surpass other mids who have been around longer.
-Yarran was very impressive
-Watson should be playing in Rd1.
-still quite a few passengers out there such as Carlos,BT and AJ.
-Some of the youngsters were disappointing such as Casboult but others impressed I.e Kerr.
-Warnock will be the pivotal player for us this season.
-Structures still need lots of work.

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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

i really looked for signs where we could improve last night instead of looking at established players and drooling at what years they could have.
lucas was the standout for me, looks composed, nice disposal and is goin to be a really good player for carlton for a long time.
walker just needs to be told play in front and the sky is the limit, looked dangerous all night, i am 1 person that thinks he does not have it so prove me wrong mate, please prove me wrong.
i thought ellard was everywhere, hard nut, and you can tell he will give 100% no matter what
yarran impressed me and i like the move
watson wow but i will reserve judgement for the real games, but that run on the wing brought a smile to my face

now the negative-- the love affair with collingwood in the commentry box and the negativity towards carlton. this really irked me all night, first time this has happened where i thought i have to mute this shit and listen to music.

also i think setanta and thornton are finished but most people all ready know that, just cant see them getting a game unless there is an injury.

BTW, how good is it to finally have someone that can take a decent kickout?

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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

Surprised that I took that much out of last night's game. I reckon Watson and Lucas have probably cemented themselves in for round 1 on that showing. Was also probably the first time I've seen Murphy ever take a game by the scruff of the neck and have an influence on the result, albeit the format of it. Loved the look of Laidler too, think we've got a real bargain on our hands there too.

Not really going to focus on any of the negatives on what is essentially the first game of the season. What is the go with the NAB Challenge series, if we are eliminated? Full size games with normal rules? Hope we don't advance if that's the case.

Reckon the 22 for round 1 is as uncertain as it has been for as long as I can remember. A plethora of midfielders pushing their case, an uncertainty of how we'll play the second ruck role, a few that have come out of nowhere last night with some cameo performances have provided some food for thought.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

..stupid rule, but also a neccessary rule for this BS round1 preseason.. [silly rule gets dumped for rest of preseason].. ..but with such short games, if the ball gets cluttered along the boundary line, a few too many throw-ins would result in nil;-nil draws [exaggerated point].. ..so i can see the need for the rule in this BS 20/20 format..

..thoughts..

..with krooz and hendo currently out of action, i'd go with Waitey at CHF, and play 2 rucks with them rotating between ruck/FF.. ..i figure some teams will only go with 1 specialist ruck and a kpf/pinch hitter.. ..would rather we go knockers/hammer ruck/ff combo vs say knockers and thyen setanta playing the kpf pinch hitter ruck.. ..the chance to control ruck stoppages with 2 rucks vs 1 ruck/kpf pinch hitter is open to exploit.. ..both knockers and hammer can play as tall FF's.. ..knockers can mark, and hammer gets to the position, more experience will make the ball stick..

..bower is perhaps our most attacking backman and the worst at it.. ..he just runs fwd with no real purpose, too often discovers no fwd options and just either loopy handballs, or does those big high kicks..he isnt one that can run and kick well to advantage.. ..needs to become a better decision maker..

..would play watson a lot this year for not just his fast tracked development, but for the real asset he can/will be for our team.. ..don't want him as our designated kicker, but rather our designated target from kick-ins.. ..get him clear 30/40m's out and then he can really move us fwd..!!..

..both/either of duigan/laidler can slot in across a hbf to really free up snotland/gibbs/lucas to add to our midfield rotations..

..yazz really impressed me with his tight, dedicated defensive work.. ..also leapt up in a contested pack marking contest to go the big spoil which was also good to see [didnt think he was much of a leaper].. ..will need better protection cos like the dees with davey across hbf, it's obvious we'll be using yazza heavily coming out of defence [as we should!!]..

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

..yep, normal ru7les,, full size games.. ..but potentially on crappy grounds out bush somewhere.. ..hopefully we get PP games..

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

We need Hendo and Waite up front for 80% of the year or we really will struggle. Walk's adds a bit of spice but I thought for a while there he was going to be our version of Gav Robertson, playing from behind and trying to take the hang all night.

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I hope Essendon* folds.