.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..

..[/quote]


Maybe the forwards can make their leads from a bit deeper to cater for his run, maybe then he (and not just Bower) will have the chance to be more deliberate with their delivery. The forwards know he will run with the ball, so its no use being 50 metres away when he get it, start 70 or 80m down the field. It's not rocket science. Dawes is a great example of how to position yourself, he rarely gets a short pass, and almost always gets the ball from a long kick. Thats my thoughs anyway

Thats the trick and all teams should be working on it.

All i can come up with is match them at what they do and scrap it out. Win the clearances and get it into our forward line in an area that cannot be rebounded from easily and then apply a press of our own. Frustrate them into turnovers that we can score off.

Need to smash them at the clearances though.

I hope Walls was just trying to give Collingwood big heads that become their downfall.

Just a couple of points that people keep making:

- Walker was regularly double-teamed in both games as he would remain the only marking option up forward on the roll-down, hence flying for speccies to secure possession.

- We're a good chance to qualify through to the second round of the NAB cup despite the loss.

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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'm a bit surprised that there's some negative comments about Robbo's performance. I thought he had a fairly good night.

Emma Quayle's summary of how all the new players performed last night in today's Age is spot on IMO (sorry, I can't find the on-line link). In particular, her comment that McInnes "..was an agonising half step off doing some really good things at times." Sums it up. I think McInnes will spend the year in the VFL but he looks to me like a very interesting long term prospect...

Watson looks almost "ready-made" but he'll be a better player when he gets stonger in body-on-body contests and develops elite fitness. His kicking could be a real weapon for us and he looked really composed last night. He's on track to be in our 22 for Round 1. So is Laidler, although he didn't get a great deal of ground time last night, and possibly Duigan too.

Levi has a fairly long way to go, but we knew that before last night. His kicking was a worry last year for the Bullants and there's always been question marks around his endurance. I'll be happy with another year of steady improvement in the VFL from him this season...

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

The former NSW offspinner? :S

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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?

First proper praccy match for the year. Disregard. About the only thing I'd take out of it is that Lucas is a gun, which we knew anyway, and if the Fev thing hadn't blown up we would have not got him due to the McLean swap. Remember what our seasons were like when we were at out best in the Preseason comp!

The two who really exceeded my expectations were Twomey (poised) and Mitchell Carter (a more composed kick than I thought).


It's not that he performed badly, it's that his pace is still well behind AFL standards, so he's always going to look awkward in the forward line. Inside mid or bust for Mitch, but he'll be bloody exciting if he gets the body for it.

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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.

Posting with a hangover.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Curnow showed more AFL poise than Cachia as an in and under midfielder.

Ratten will love Curnow.

Walker has always been a great kick for goal and able to kick them with both feet. I didn't even bother to look as Walker had a shot on his left foot. Just knew it would go through.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

not too fussed about that - we were missing 3 of our 4 best forwards (waite, garlett, henderson) +kreuzer+ setanta went off injured 1/2way through the 1st half

Cant read too much into our forward entries when the only people that we had to kick it to of note were betts (too small) and walker (needs to learn to play in front more often)

Walker has always been a good kick for goal ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Mate one of the reasons why he was sent to the backline last year was because he is one of the most unreliable shots on goal at the football club.

Looks like he has improved this area of his game but i wouldn't be surprised if he develops the yips again.

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You heard it here first!

Was really drunk when watching both games.

Remember loving Yaz though, and Watson

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Forgotten, but not gone

I still think the disposal was a bit off versus the zones and loose men both teams had set up. He regularly had to make a contest to give the incoming kick a chance of creating something, and he's not going to do it through upper-body strength against tall defenders.


We are, given our close loss. Adelaide's percentage is 150, so they're probably going to be team #7, but we're holding strong with 120. We're in the mix.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Really good hit out. Should've won both games.
Pies lucky with their 4 snap shot goals against the Blues. If we took our opportunities for a shots like they did.......
Players getting rid of cobwebs and considering it's ever player's first match hit out since September, we showed good competitive signs and put plenty of pressure on the reigning premier who were serious about this comp and had only 6 missing from their best 22, where we had 10-12 of our best missing.

Mids/ Ruck:
Lucas is a great footballer already. Amazing pace and poise. He's a mid with plenty of pace. Pencil him in.
Ellard Everywhere will put a lot of pressure on McLean for a spot in the 22. Very impressive. He's a fighter witha never say die attitude. Treads where angels fear.
Murphy is all class. Gibbs was damn quiet and hardly played. Simmo quiet too.
Hammer was really good. Very competitive and we did well whilst he was doing the ruckwork. Warnock was impressive too.
RE comment about trading the wrong ruckman in Jacobs...did you see the game Jacobs played on Friday? Give me Hammer.

Kids:
Watson, Cachia, Curnow, McInnes, Twomey and Kerr were very good...surprisingly good....even Carter's kicking was fantastic.
Even Tuohy showed signs he belongs...how good was he in that collision between the 2 Pies players (Dawes and ?)
Walker is going to be really good for us as a forward, but he has to use his pace and lead. Playing 2 against 1 for a mark is not smart.
Yazza easily beat Kracker imo. His defensive skills were a standout. Played close and tough...and we know about his skills.

Backline:
Laidler is a winner and pencil him in for round 1, and I think Duigam did really well. In the first quarter of the first game, anuone who knows a bit about our game would know that the bounce wasn't kind to him on 3 occasions. He's a winner and showed he understands the game. Has pace.
Also thought Davies in Game 1 was fantastic in the first half when he was on. Did everything right. Good pace, strength and good kicking...and ran on to create option...I like that in a player.
Armfield is the glue that keeps this team together when Judd isn't around. His kicking was fine. He's in our 1st 18 imo.
Bower is our best attacking backmen. I wish we had forwards or oythers to present an option for him upfield.
Watson may pinch a spot in the backline. Can play.
Jamo looks fit....created options as a forward. Shouldn't play forward but can teach a few fwds about creating opportunity.
Our backline should be fine in 2011.

Looking forward:
Dunno what chance Casboult, TBird, Setanta have in 2011 TBH. They have a lot of competition for spots and Levy needs to develop a fair bit to make the grade.

Really missed Garlett's pace.
No doubt the inclusion of Judd, Carrazzo, Scotto and Houla in the midfield is going to make our midfield the best going around.
Waite, Hendo and Kreuzer in the forwardline .......if our game plan is right (with help from Brown and Richardson), we could compete for a top 4 spot....and give every opponent a scare this year.

Great to have the footy back.......the Dark Navy Blue jumper looked fantastic on TV. Easily the best jumper in the competition.

GO BLUEBAGGERS

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

NAB cup

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Thought all of the newbies showed a heap of promise.Very satisfied.Can see some of these kids banging down the door and forcing there way into the side.Love the impatience of these kids who want to be part of it NOW.

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All my dangerous friends

G'day Mickstar - this is exactly wha we need to remove complaceny from some of teh senior players who act and play as though they are untouchable. A good, strong and helathy list will provide that internal battle for spots and hopefully a genuine fight to retain that spot.

At some stages of late Carlton has benn almost like teh Australian Cricket Team - harder to get out than what it was to get in.

Agree 100%

Carlos, TBird and AJ lack the skills and composure to consistently perform at senior level.....all should be last resort players as they wont be around when we are peaking.
Casboults ball drop is the worst ive seen.
Duigan and Laidler will be handy pick ups. Alot of nice kicks and desperation with hitting packs etc. Laidler seemed to pick the right option every time, often 60m away
Cachia goes in as hard as any also.

Why was Watson on Taylor? Should of trialed him on Miller or Astbury as i dont think Bower will be a strong enough CHB prospect in the near future. Despite that he played well when put on a more agile quicker opponent.

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The climbing has alread began