I'm still surprised by AJ, not that I'm anywhere near an expert but from all reports his VFL form was good but not amazing and I'm not really sure the rationale behind bringing him in unless he does play a def. fwd. role?

Is understandable with the MC leaving the backline as is after last week's showing and welcome back Ellard.

I don't think you got me. I'm saying that the idea of throwing structure against the wall and throwing Waite or Henderson back halfway through the match is a stupid idea (and the very concept of losing our structure, rather than sticking to it).

Good to see White was persevered with. Henderson going out of the side, after Ratts comes out and essentially commits to "backing in" his players is ridiculous. Can see why Hampson needed to be given another go, all things considered, and fair enough.

Betts getting another go seems rather redundant. If he kicks his 3-4, then he's shown that he can perform against a rather mediocre side. Outside of a LeCras/Milne like game, I don't think I'll be changing my opinion on that one too soon.

Ellard and Joseph are very solid and positive changes, the latter a surprising one ahead of Armfield, but one I can stomach.

If Joseph goes into the midfield and has a hard tag on one of their mids, does this make a statement on the influence, or there lack of from Alan Richardson?

_________________
BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Ratts has gone completely mad.
Joseph? from reports he didn't even get a good game in the VFL.
I see Betts is still in the team, looks like he is undroppable.
Good to see Ellard in the side though, he will play good, as always.

why lips sealed? this is where we come to VENT OUR FRUSTRATIONS OUT LOUD, if not on TC then where?????????
thats the whole point of a forum

Good changes - means we can Gibbs , Murph and Judd can move forward with better rotations off the bench

Hendo was next to useless last week same applies to Collins

It's actually quite good that they are making Bower earn his spot

Ellard and AJ will provide a chop out for the mids

_________________
If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

i have no stats to back my opinion but last week I thought the ball was taken out of our forward line too easily. Our lack of defensive pressure in the forward 50 was a big reason Essendon* scored so many goals from the back half.

dropping henderson is no brainer, he gave us nothing both offensively and defensively, walker will fill the gap by being much better defensively

betts is a great example of where we are at as a club. if betts is performing the role he is expected then I have no issues with him playing , but if we want to be a top 4 club we need to look beyond having talent on the ground and hoping that will save the day, and look to having players work to a plan and delivering it. St Kilda. Sydney and Collingwood all do this really well. We need to drop players who do not play their role and for me, if eddie aint kicking goals he must be pressuring and tackling otherwise give someone else an opportunity

well done ellard, thought he was great in the back half of last year. it will be interesting to have so many inside mids this week.

as for aj not sure what role he will play

_________________
The glass is neither half full nor half empty. Rather the glass is twice as big than required.

I'm expecting us to rebound from last week's disappointment.

I'm just glad that Judd Murphy Simpson Gibbs Curnow Robbo and Carrots continue in the midfield where we should get our edge.

Ellard is a dream come true. I really want to see him in this team and how he goes. I'm expecting him to be a good addition to the above.

Armfield's ommission is puzzzling. I'm sure the MC know the value he brings to the team when fully fit. He'll play in our finals side imo.
Cannot believe that the MC think Joseph is ahead of the emergencies, and I reckon they want to have a look at him whilst not losing too much not playing the emergency instead.

Really hope Hampson and Warnock give Sammy a bath. Good thing Sammy isn't in form atm, but expecting him to also lift for this game.
That's where we'll win it.

Our backs are too short for some of their talls but if they don't get supply all we need to do is kick a greater score...than what? 9 goals?
Betts has enough incentive this week to kick that himself on fast dry track with all eyes and cameras on him.
Waite and Hammer should provide enough crumbs for Garlett and co. Waite and Walks will be in the goals too.

Judd to kick a couple himself at the Dome.

It's a home game. WE NEED MORE MEMBERS.

Blues to win by at least 40 points.






I'm really missing Kreuzer.....................don't know if that's a man crush sorta thing or what.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Totally agree!!!

Happy for Ellard, very good player and will help midfield. AJ is a defensive player and it worries me Ratten is going down that track. Even Swann said on radio this week our big issue is our kicking, how is AJ helping that? Armfield unlucky. Henderson one is interesting, is it an admission that he was picked to early? Betts selection is a joke! Ratten has backed down again. What will happen is we will win easily and Betts will play well because the Crows are poor. This is not about beating poor teams it needs to be about becoming a top side.

_________________
#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

..not entirely sure how Sauce used to go against our rucks during training drills [watchers?], but we know he's slow so our rucks should run off him at every opportunity.. ..and it's his first game back so i expect him to be a little underdone, need to press our ruck advantage..

_________________
..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Betts @#$%&! shits me.

Parades around Lygon Street like he's Little Bow Wow and showed as much interest in training on Monday as a Rabbi in Sunday School.

Millionaire. Yesterday's Garlett. @#$%&! me, is HE mentoring THEM? We can obviously expect three show ponies with diamond earrings, gold chains and one leg of the Carlton tracksuit rolled up at recovery sessions in the coming years.

NO PASSENGERS? Bullshit.

The Pratt jet is circling the earth with at least one onboard tucking into Verve and caviar, franticly flicking through the entertainment guide for a B Grade action flick with Jet Li and some heinous, washed-up black rapper.

Show some @#$%&! balls Ratten you squib.

_________________
--------------------------------------------------------"The only one that could ever love me..."

So, not happy with the retention then

_________________
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

Ease up on Betts seriously. He is out of form.. Most players go through that at times in their career. I am happy to give him a chance to turn it around.... Maybe we should focus on not kicking the ball on the top of his head for once. That would be bloody frustrating, plus he takes a good defender.

Go Betts, I am backing you mate............ Don't let us down.

Against the pies I thought that maybe the MC have decided they want to see how guy's go in certain areas. River Rodent reported that Army was moved to the HFF in the Ants so AJ could play HBF, is this so

a) they can see how Army plays HFF.
b) They want to see if AJ can become a Shaw of the HBF.
c) The don't think Army is good enough at HBF long term and AJ maybe.

If it's the last one I can't see it. AJ does not stand up when compared to Army in terms of size strength, speed, even kicking.

Hopefully this is all just BS and the MC have chosen him only as a barnacle for a specific player, and next week he'll be dropped because theres nobody to tag.

_________________
I hope Essendon* folds.

He's been named in the bests every game this season.

Stop being so bloody factual, can't you see I'm ranting????

_________________
I hope Essendon* folds.

Sorry. Sack Hughes. Blame Russell.

Jamo played on Ryder last week.

And kept Tippett goalless last year

Betts will have a blinder this week.

would liked to have seen Arnfield selected, love his workrate and running ability.

Carlton by four goals.

_________________
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" -Winston Churchill

L.M 35-06

Armfield>>>>>>>>>>>>>daylight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Joseph

_________________
"I had to eat"