http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4311/newsid/108671/default.aspx

Not a bad Q&A with Ratts here but I do get some people's point on here he does love the phrase "early doors". LOL

It's got me pretty excited about this year....... "uncompromising footy" Bring it on!

They're always good to read, but I usually take very little out of these types of things.

Why?
1.) Because before the start of the season, and all the time for that matter, the coach is always going to be talking positively about the group for the most part. It's part of the job.

2.) These things don't get me anymore excited for the season...I draw my excitement from what I see on the track. I remember in the years from 2003-2007, I'd read what Pagan would have to say in the pre-season, and would usually build up hopes more than I should have. We know what happened there more often than not.

3.) Most responses to questions seem like "streamlined" answers. Of course he's going to talk about an uncompromising brand for the season proper, or of course he's going to describe an injury to a player as a minor hiccup.

It's nice to hear from the coach but at the end of the day, if the boys can't back things up this year then it really all counts for nothing.

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Premierships: 1869, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1887, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995.

"GIBBS."

Early doors in 2011 we've gained a bit of insight into what we might see from players such as Austin, Mitchell, Collins, McCarthy and Warnock. Interesting.

how long till we have a TC member called Early Doors??

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Bawditawaba

Good article. Austin and White being mentioned gives me a smile.

Austin has blown another pre season with his body letting him down and will be the first player delisted in October.

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You heard it here first!

Or this time next year: Q & A with Roos

Come on, still early doors

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#DonTheStash

You don't even hide your hatred of this guy anymore. FFS are you gleeful about him breaking down again?

Personally I rate Austin and think if he can his body right he can be a good player for us - just need sto curb his aggression a little (not a lot).

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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

And in a similar vain, sadly Hotcox has blown another post with his incessant attacks on Austin.

Has Austin stolen your girlfriend, run over your dog or vice versa

Regards Cazzesman

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Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

Loved what he had to say about Mitchell. Can't wait to see him when he's ready

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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

Ridiculous to bag Austin.

Not his fault his body gives way a lot.

Seems like a decent bloke. His girfriend is my nieghbour, though must say they are poels apart in height LOL

But seriously, it's stupid to lay into a guy because of injuries

Ditto.

Twigs really excites me following my read of the Q & A.

Bang Crash and Loud.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Whilst Ratts has to be positive and was, he did a good job of talking up the prospects of quite a few players, ready and not yet ready. he might well have talked up Watson and McArthy a lot more than he did but for mine, he was realistic in his comments.
Same for the Gibbs thing. He idn't spout off about how e has the ability to tear a game apart and so on but was measured.
Over all, I think he did a good job.

It seems from his comments that Houla is in the mix because he will get to 200 games. Once again, understated but positive.

If we play uncompromising footy all year, which I can only assume means we won't take our foot off the defensive pedal in the last 5 minutes of every quarter, we will win more games than last year and that can only be a good thing.

Let's start by playing uncompromising footy against Richmond on 24 March and thrashing them to boot. Give their supporters the early exits.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

Ratts and the club have been consistent all pre-season about taking the next step and how Carlton’s football will be characterised as having an uncompromised approach on the game and each contest.

The talking has been done. Now lets see it put into action. NO @#$%&! EXCUSES!

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C'mon Blueboys!

i have nothing against austin
but will this be his make or break year?
regarding contract ect

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Better to die standing than to live on your knees...
CAR17ON

I have nothing against him either and my answer to your question is yes.
Simply due to the players we recruited in the last draft.

The twig - if he's on fire, do we call him kindling?