Some observations:

Players are too willing to handball or bomb the ball to the forward even if there is space for them to run. Saw this happen numerous times. One example: Judd, running with the ball just outside the 50m line, has at least 10m of free space in front of him. He could have run those 5-10m easily and kick for goal. But instead he just kicked it to the top of the goal square (where it got knocked over for a behind, I think). Players need to back themselves and run.

I was going to type some other things, but I forgot what they were.

Oh yeah. Big, big problem I see is bombing the ball blindly into the forward line. Many times, the ball was promptly marked by an Essendon* player. If you have possession of the ball, don't be a turtle and hold onto it forever, but don't kick it aimlessly and as far as you can towards our 50m line. Take that extra second, maybe run forward or sideways to give you ample time to pick out a target.

Agree with the above post. Carlton today were to simplistic going forward and i blame Ratten for allowing players like Garlett and Henderson to be sucked up the ground to easily.

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You heard it here first!

Just because we have been bombing the ball aimlessly when we go forward ever since Ratts took over does not mean it is his fault....

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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

... link to what?

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Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

........?


kindest regards tommi

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

OOOHHHHH LLAAAAAAAAANCCCCCCIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Agency to Prevent Evil...........!


kindest regards tommi

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

How much does that chimp look like George Bush Jnr?!!

Un-canny.........

although Bush has a more distant look in his eyes.........!


kindest regards tommi

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

Brisbane were a half decent side when we played them in Rd 2 last year, and arguably dropped points there. Essendon* were a good side yesterday, and may not be at the end of the year.

Can only play who turns up to play.

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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?

Thought yesterday was more like a final, lock down footy with a lot of stoppages with very little space. From that perspective I thought we did ok, certainly better than we would have done in that style of game in prior years.

We got very little from a number of blokes, but I have no issue with them playing Collins at this time of year to see if he is up to it (though he now needs to find form with the Ants) and also playing Henderson to try and get him going. I would have found a spot for Ellard though as he is better finding it in packs than most. People lamenting the loss of Grigg, but I think Ellard is a better option.

A fit and firing Kruezer to replace Hampson will be massive upside. Special mention to Duigan who made all those calling for him to be dropped look very foolish.

Essendon* have almost been the form team of the comp so no shame in equalling them yesterday, they will drop off as the year progresses and I think we will get better. And to those stating they were playing two down yesterday, there is a new rule in place called the sub rule which you must have missed. They played one down and had the disadvantage of not being able to use a fresh sub, but given our sub had no impact that was no real disadvantage.

The main difference between us and the top few teams at present is we are getting no contribution from our bottom six. The match committee will have had a good look at the list in a couple of weeks time and then must play blokes based on form after that rather than reputation.

The general tone of this thread sounds like a press conference for one of the Williams sisters.

I wish our team had that sort of resolve to come back with two key players injured and force a draw. Full, yet begrudging credit to the scumbags. They did it without the help of the umpires too for a change.

Watch them get utterly smashed by Collingwood next week though, and see the difference in where we both are at on the premiership window though (albeit, both of them nowhere near it)

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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?

Calmed down at last.

I think one reason we didn't win is the clearance factor.
I know I have mentioned this before but I am hoping someone will actually see what I am talking about and osmose it to the rucks.
In the last quarter yesterday (I didn't see the entire game) the number of times Warnock got a clear hitout direct to an opposition player running through the pack was amazing. In just that one quarter, Watson sharked at least three alone and at pace he was not able to be tackled.
What is the point of having a ruckman that can get his hand to the footy if it doesn't go to advantage? I am sure the opposition coaches have worked Warnock out because last week the Collingwood mids did exactly the same thing. He puts the ball the way he is facing about a metre away. Enter Watson...

And I agree with the earlier poster about people trying to take MOTY. Several times at critical moments and in critical areas of the ground, we went two up against one and lost the contest to the Essendon* player who stayed down. That happened a lot last week as well. Yesterday they got a late goal when their crumber just ran on and slotted an easy one.

This is U11 stuff.

Good teams get the basics right. We shouldn't have to rely on Simmo or Yarran running 50 metres and slotting one from 45 out to win games. Those sorts of goals should be the icing on the cake, not the norm. Being able to hit a target or place the ball into space in front of a running receiver is what we can't do on a regular basis. Waite took some good grabs yesterday when he presented and was honoured. That's how to do it.

Oh. One more thing. There is no point in trying to hold the ball for five minutes and 17 seconds at the end of a game unless you are more than 6 points up. One mis-kick or handball and, well you're at risk of losing. Better to attack and get that extra goal on the board. Or at least have the ball in your half.

Full marks to the Essendon* boys for fighting the game out under the circumstances. And full marks to ours for fighting back from a reasonable deficit.

Now for next week.

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

After taking a while to comprehend what has happened, here's some of my thoughts. I'm so thankful I didn't see the game; hate Essendon* with a passion and seeing a draw would have got me white-hot, especially considering some of the mistakes I've heard about. Essendon* are a team which, on paper, we should bury every time.

However, with these games, all that goes out the window. Prior form doesn't matter, generally nor does ladder position or personnel either. Dating back a while, this has been true of our games. In 1999, in 2001 and well into our 'dark years' when they were still playing finals every year. Then of course in the last few years when we've started moving up the ladder and they've languished in the bottom 8, it hasn't counted for much when we meet.

Going by what I've heard, a few changes need to be made for next week...and they need to be made quickly. People say "It's only round 4" but they forget that round 4 becomes round 5 and before too long it's round 12. Henderson sounds underdone, but keep him in the firsts I'd say. He could be played in the Bullants but then when he returns to the big stuff he will still have to find his feet at AFL level anyway.

After a slow start I'm very glad we managed to peg them back. If our supporters are filthy on a draw, one can only imagine how they'd be if we'd got done.

I suppose though a lot of the angst comes from the fact that we came within a bee's dick of knocking them off and bursting their bubble yesterday, and it's understandable to question why we never put them away.

Credit to our boys for refusing to be walked over, but at the same time, sounds like very sloppy footy and stupid decision-making in the dying stages.

If I'd have seen the game, I reckon I'd be feeling very empty today, but otherwise, the sun came up this morning...

I think I'll steer clear of any replays/highlights (if you'd call them that...) of this game.

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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."

Yarran and Duigans games are worth watching.

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The problem will be made. for the solution to be sold, to your face before your eyes, tolerance is now the new danger

Duigan's game I'm interested in seeing. I called for him to be dropped based on his form last week, he looked lost, didn't add too much to our line-up. If the wraps about him being an Andy McKay type are true, I look forward to watching his progress this year.

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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."

His best game so far. Good on him too.

I was thinking the same last night, if we had drawn with almost any other team except our most hated and most media-pumped rival I would not have been disappointed. I would have been thrilled if we'd fought out a draw with the Filth last week.

Although as I mentioned in another thread perhaps a draw will be a good kick up the arse for our players and coach - I think this would be the first drawn game for quite a few of our players.

probably not.

they should have been 5 goals up by qtr time...and our defenders did well for the game.

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

You may find out Sat night how bad we really are. watch this space.

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