Whilst potentially Murphy missing would be a big blow, it's nice to know that these days there is some decent depth available.

LC ......you asked who was playing on Stevie J when he ran amok in the last 15 minutes .......Twomey lined up on him throughout this period and they were starting on the Pratt stand wing at the bounce.

Probably says something about how the MC were thinking about the match at the end ........keeping a young rookie on a matchwinner like Stevie J when the contest was up for grabs. I suppose they looked at it as a good learning experience for young Wayde.

So did the HUN.

Gibbs was one of the better players on the ground in the first half from what i saw.

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You heard it here first!

This game, along with the rest of the pre season he hasn't shown the intensity that is required. I was ecstatic to see him go in hard in a few contests, but he should be doing that more then 1 or 2 times a game.

He seems to coast, and running defensively wasn't up to standard, and that was the same last Friday. He may have a heavy training load, I couldn't comment on that; but his 'one way' running was evident, especially considering how Selwood was running both ways.
(This is not a 'Get Selwood' post as i have preferred Gibbsy from day 1)

I watched Gibbs closely throughout the match as i was expecting some better signs, but he would want to play a blinder against the tigers to remind me of why he is my favourite player.

Gee Wiz. What the hell were some of you watching, sure wasn't the game I watched.

Lets get a few things straight, 6-7 of our regulars were not selected.

Warnock, Murphy, Houlihan, Betts, Kruezer, McLean, maybe Setanta or Thornton.

Best thing is no real injury problems

In Round 1, we have approx 30 players to select 21 from.

Duigan, Nicholas
Watson, Matthew
Laidler, Jeremy
Ellard, David - Suspended R1
Lucas, Kane
Yarran, Christopher
Collins, Andrew
Robinson, Mitch
Garlett, Jeff
Warnock, Robert
Henderson, Lachlan
Hampson, Shaun
Joseph, Aaron
Armfield, Dennis
Kreuzer, Matthew
Bower, Paul
Jamison, Michael - Suspended R1
O'hAilpin, Setanta
Gibbs, Bryce
Russell, Jordan
McLean, Brock
Murphy, Marc
Walker, Andrew
Betts, Eddie
Carrazzo, Andrew
Waite, Jarrad
Simpson, Kade
Thornton, Bret
Houlihan, Ryan
Judd, Chris
Scotland, Heath

A huge thank you to all those who ventured opinions after watching the game yesterday. So interesting to read the different view points. Looking forward to the season. From my seat here in Beijing the aspects of our game that I am looking forward to see are:
1. Yazz and Jeff Garlett creating havoc
2. Robbie Warnock taking the game on and starring
3. The big Hammer clunking those marks deep in the forward line
4. Murph and Gibbsy taking their games to the next level consistently
5. A tight disciplined defense with a variety of kick out strategies
6. Smashing teams and not just winning (and in particular creaming the Scum every time we play them this year!)
7. The return of Matthew Kreuzer
Go Blues!

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

That..........!


kindest regards tommi

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that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

*snip*

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

*snip*

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"In fairness it did seem in the early days of the draft teams would just pick a name totally at random out of a hat. I'm pretty sure we picked James Cook at #2 one year. The mediocre forward, not the explorer" - Me, 12/9/2011

Carlton 2012: Lets remind them why they once feared the Dark.

*snip*

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

*snip*

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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

I went yesterday and was pleased with some aspects of our game and disappointed with others. I still think we will struggle against the really well organised/drilled sides. Geelong seemed to be able to spread far better across the ground with a methodical approach. I think we still go forward with hope sometimes.
If we can reduce/eliminate the brainfades we seem to have every game we would be a 3-4 goal better side.
1 coast to coast goal in a game is embarrassing enough, let alone 4.
Gibbs may just be one of those players that looks like he`s coasting when really giving his all, but i`d love to walk away from a game thinking Gibbs absolutely dominated today.
Could Jeffy possibly make up for using pick 11 on McLean?(may still come off). The sense of anticipation in the crowd now is fantastic when he`s set to pounce.
Thought Walks was ok. I`d move him out to half forward though.
The set shots are killing us and this is a continuation from last year with repeat offenders. We missed many set shots at training on Friday also. Step up Johnny Barker.
I think Mathew Capuano deserves some credit for the way he is developing our rucks. Clearly Hampson`s best game.
Solid games from Laidler,Duigan,Twomey and Curnow.
I`m sure i saw Milburn give a little smile to the crowd following a verbal tirade. Great stuff, good tradition.

Hi guys, let's try and stick to the football thanks, or the 'nerds' & the 'jocks' will have a twin-share holiday. Yes, I am comparing you to high school.

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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.

The Cats have lost Bomber and "The little champ",and some of there "Guns" are starting to fade,but there gonna go down fighting.Not the side they were at there peak,but still a tough,hard professional footy side.Really admire that outfit down the highway.They are a very proud club who will give a lot of headaches to anyone who takes 'em for a bunch of old hasbeens.Oh,stating the obvious,but what a fantastic player Joel Selwood is.Reckon he's gonna go down as one of the alltime greats.Another thing,the childish booing of Darren Milburn is becoming tedious.Get over it ,it was long ago,and both men have moved on.Having said that,i reckon we put on a damn good show today.Would have liked to have got over the line first for sure,but a heap of good signs nethertheless.
Cant understand people bagging Hammer,he was fantastic again.Great leap and fights for the pill when it hits the deck.Ratts MUST devise a gameplan wherby he includes Hammer ,Warnock,and The Big K.These three guys are weapons who will create imbalance for opponents rather than us.Big kudos for ruck coach Matty Capuano.Our big guys have come on in huge strides under his tutelage.I think he is already weaving his magic with Levi who seems to have improved out of site.Not dominant,but he seems to have developed the will and tenacity to fight on regardless.Good effort Levi.Robbo is a bit of a loose cannon for sure but more than compensates with his ferocious and fearless attack on the footy.Its almost kamikaze like.Shit he's brave.And played a real good game of footy.Ya gotta like this kid.Yarran just completely puzzles me.Freakish at times.Dont wanna sound like a hard barsted,but i reckon he has got heaps left in the tank and has only just scratched the surface of his potential which is a pretty tantalizing thought if he clicks 100 %..............
Watson i reckon is a monty for round one.He belongs and knows it.Not in a bigheaded way but more of a self assured type of manner.Its almost like he is saying im not like the rest of the big blokes who are gone within 3 seasons,im here for the long haul.Good on you Watto,i like your style.We all know about the Professor Nick Duigan.Hes just got it,simple as that.Shit,have we got another Andy Mackay.I know its EARLY DOORS but this guy has not put a foot out of place.
Two other lesser light caught my attention yesterday being Eddie Curnow and Wade Twomey.Curnow just kept going for the hard ball all day.He dished out nicely,used the ball well,and seemed to run hard both ways all day.A good pickup by WH and his sidekick Cazz.Wade Twomey looks polished ,classy,and a good mover in traffic.Shit,he really reminds me of one of past great champions in Bryan Quirk.Any of you old timers,can you notice the resemblance ? excellent smokey is Twomey and a very astute get by WH and Cazz..............wont go on about the rest coz it dont matter a tinkers cuss,the realdeal aint here yet and thats what matters.Remember,the real great CFC sides saved there best for the big stage.

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All my dangerous friends

I was there for the first half only, unfortunately.

I hope WADA is testing Hunt - barrell of a man. Surprising to see a modern-day footballer with that build.

Otherwise, thought our pressure was good but other than yarran we really didn't seem to time our runners coming off half back in my opinion. One of the things that struck me about the Pies and even Essendon* (sigh) was how well-timed the players behind the ball are - always had someone going past at the right time. Maybe it is game plan, but from what I saw yesterday our players would run before the player with the mark / free kick / possession had a chance to scratch his bum, meaning that by the time he did so all options had already disappeared.

Also, we seem to be adopting collingwood's trick of playing as close to the boundary line as possible.

From a player perspective:

- hampson got better as the first half went and I loved it. what i didn't love were his handpasses 2ft back to a smaller player after taking a mark or winning a free, only for that player to bomb it straight up in the air.

- jury is out on White in my opinion - love how hard he tries but not (yet) convincing at afl level...

- new boys duigan and collins = all class, laidler looks good too.

- jarrod waite will get suspended again this year.

- yarran for brownlow

- lucas needs to avoid looking for campo-style soft touches. touch also seemed a little off yesterday. but he is a keeper. rolls on like a diesel.

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"You're my boy(s), Bluuuee(s)..."

Not again! Please!

The mod ship has sailed.

Jimmaedit will correct the mistakes.

Looks like there are some positives and a few doubting Thomas's (or should that be doubting Gibb's)..

Anyway, i am interested if there has been any discernible change in the way that we play the game - obvious to me the two-way running has been an issue over the past while and given the strangling style that the top teams have employed successfully over the past few years - are we following suit or embarking on a different path? -

Any advice from the usual track watchers would be appreciated

Don’t worry about the booing, my mate started it in the area we was in and got a few involved each time MIlburn got the ball - it was more funny than anything else as people were laughing at the end of the booing. I don’t think anyone still does it out of malice, its more tongue in cheek than anything else.

I agree about Hammer and I put in another thread somewhere that its up to Hammer if all 3 are in the same team at the same time when all are fit and going. Special K and Warnock are ‘montys’ and will play, Hammer needs to be kicking the selectors door in and making it too hard for them to leave him out.

Curnow looks very good and Duigan really backs himself and like the way he generates a physical presence of the half-back. He likes to leave his man and run hard at 50/50 contests backing his speed and his ability to make body contact.