As much as we are all expecting things to come together THIS year the fact is that the year for us is 2012. In that year we will be low on talent that is ready to start (due to crap draft picks next two years - due to GC/GWS, and the fact we will be in the top , so there will be few debutants.

In that year we will have stable best 22, just like St Kilda last year. That means Ratten has 2010 and 2011 to figure out exactly who the best 22 are, and to get Lucas etc. ready for our premership year. Not a second to waste, get them in, and when we're killing our opposition on the way to the flag, Carlton's reserve midfielder will be a Kane Lucas with 50 games. That is a sign of a very strong club.

Great to see how White and Lucas have come into the team and are playing well.

Looked very weird seeing the #43 out there again

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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."

I would like to see more kids getting a game, but they must also deserve one.
I don't think Davies is far away. But he was shown up by Corey Jones on Saturday. He'll be better for the exprience.
I think Tiller is on the improve, but he isn't in the Bullant 1sts yet.
Kerr and O'Keefe are in the same boat.
Tuohy is improving considerably, but won't probably be ready until next year. Same for Donaldson and Casboult, with Casboult probably leading this pack of 3.

Last year we had 3 - 4 guys who were ready and had done enough in the NAB Cup to deserve a spot. This year's guys are just quite as advanced yet. But they'll get there.

Why is now the only time to win??

We're not going to win the Premiership this year, sorry to break it to you.

While I am all for trying to win (of course), I think a close look at our list, and predicting the future, tells us we arguably need to get games into quality youth now so that in 2-3 years we can strike before Judd gets too old.

We have lost Fevola and Stevens, and we are taking a bit of a backward step.

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

Really? Stevens? He was just about done, he had no dash and his kicking will getting worse. We have not gone backwards because of him. Fev left a big hole in our forward line but at least now we can set up our team to not be so predictable so I believe we are moving forward without those two.

How long are we going to be saying we can't win the premiership? There has to come a time where we believe in our team. Now I don't think we will win the premiership this year but I bloody well hope the club thinks we are some sort of a chance. Whats the point in saying every year we need to build for the future? The future is now and for the next 10 years. I only want to see young players in the team if they really deserved it and not just for the hell of it. If we believe in our recruiters and our structure then these kids you want to see in the 1sts will find their way there by earning it.

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Koperek.

Look the thing about debutants is they haven't played a game yet. Then after their first game they're not debutants anymore.

END OF STORY. SHUT THE BOOK. CASE CLOSED

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Love Cricket? Love me

Esendon have dropped Melksham and Colyer.

Are we now in a psoition where rookies can come in and contribute in a better side?

Kane Lucas is the obvious example. Has come in and contributed and looked at home right away.

Simon White has had Brett Burton and James Podsiadly kick 0.3 and 0.4 against him so far, but has had the confidence to leave his man and provide some run and an option out of defence.

Jeff Garlett is benefitting from fitting in to a forward line with other indiginous players and two big forwards bringing the ball to ground. I include him as he's still on the rookie list and a developing player.

Is the fact they have better players around them contributing to this?

Someone mentioned during the week that if a 19 year old Bret Thornton was debuting for us in 2010, would he end up being the creative third man up in contests we'd like him to be. There's something to that.

I hope we're really working on developing Casboult and Donaldson with a view to them boosting our forward stocks for 2012 and onwards.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Davies looks to be a guy who will get a game this year. He makes his share of mistakes but he gets involved in the Bullants games. I personally can't see any other guys making their debut this year. Until some of these other rookies start playing good consistent footy for the VFL seniors, I don't think we will see a lot of them. Kerr is one I would love to see and whats going on with Tiller?

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Koperek.

Tiller's in the Bullants' Reserves, as was Davies last week due to the 12/10 rule, and he would have been this week for those exact same reasons, but he's not named anywhere. Presumably feeling the pinch after about 9 straight weeks of competitive football.

Kerr is actually the most likely one for a run around, but only up forward and only through injury.

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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.

Back then: Coulldn't win...need draft picks...very good high draft picks...

Now: Bad time to lose...bad bad time...no high draft picks with GFC and GWS lurking...

In a good place at the moment a lot of upside -second youngest side fielded for round 6 -Melbourne get accolades Carlton is slightly younger
Really good players last week both old and young but youngsters who were good last week garlett yarran kreuz gibbs lucas -all have huge upside - also russell armfield jamo murphy hendo the knock white joseph all have room for improvement

Tiller, O'Keefe, Davies, Kerr - the only four blokes on our list that haven't played senior footy.

Two forwards, two defenders. All in the 'medium' size category.

The two forwards have the job ahead of them to get past the long list of names in the various forward structures, but I wonder if O'Keefe or Davies would concede as many goals as Jordan Russell?

EDIT: There's a four game stretch against Hawthorn, West Coast, Melbourne and North Melbourne coming up. That could be a good time to give one of them a run.

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"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

Perhaps we could put one of those guys against Steve Johnson the next time we play Geelong to satisfy your curiosity.

Although I wouldn't mind seeing them get a run at some stage...especially O'Keeffe Perhaps not at the expense of JR though

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... 10+to+2014

So who will debut in Round 1? Laidler, Duigan, Curnow...Casboult....would all have to be good chances?

From the Blueseum

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Check out www.blueseum.org for all of your Carlton information needs.

Laidler, Duigan, Curnow, Watson with Collins an outside chance.

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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.

Surely not Casboult at this stage?

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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.”

Wouldn't thinks so. More of a backup player at this stage.

Would love to see Collins play against the Tigers too.

Duigan, Laidler, Curnow, Watson & Collins....

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Go to http://www.snoutslouts.org/ for a look at the mighty GFC...

Laidler, Duigan, Watson.

Whoever it is, the player selected for debut - in alphabetical order - will be Carlton player No. 1,129.

From the Blueseum

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Check out www.blueseum.org for all of your Carlton information needs.