Just what IS wrong with JR ? A source told me that it could be groin related, and he's had it all season. It affects his running power, hence he's played at about 70% of last year's form

Pretty happy for Hoops to get his 200th.

Also pleased to see Brock get another chance.

Hope both blokes do enough to keep their spot.

_________________
Click here to follow TalkingCarlton on twitter
TalkingCarlton Posting Rules

Good to see Mclean in for Curnow.

Curnow has been ordinary since his injury against St Kilda and if he cant recapture his form he will not play finals.

Houlihan is a interesting selection due to the fact that he was out of his depth against the Western Bulldogs and was one of the major reason we lost that game. I guess he has had another 2 weeks to get a few more miles in his legs but his lack of urgency and disposal by hand and foot were a major concern three weeks ago.

_________________
You heard it here first!

Nice one budzy!

_________________
"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

Id guess it is a groin injury. He had the hip op that all our guys get when they have problems with their groins over the preseason.
I am guessing it didnt quite go as well as it did with others. He also missed a lot of the preseason.
Hope he is feeling better now and we can get the best out of him when he returns.

Great to see Hoops back in for his 200th, and also great to see Brock back, especially since he s been ripping it up in the 2nds.
Hope they both put in absolute blinders, and proove their critics wrong. You camt help however, wondering what the future might hold for both these guys if they dont take their chance to impress this time round....

_________________
James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Really like the ins. Both blokes can really play at their best but will know they have a fight on the hands to keep their spot.

I believe that carrots may have re-injured his calf...may not be back as soon as we think

_________________
Life is made up of 3 things: Pre-Season, Post Season & Footy Season.

I think the sub is the ultimate role for Houlihan but surely not on his 200th

Great to see Brock back in, he has earned it and hope he does well.

_________________
“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” ― Richard Feynman

Bower, White and Curnow have all been named for the Bullants, FWIW.

Hampson's ETA seems to be shrinking regularly which is good to see.

I think the boys will lift for Hoops' 200th.

It's probably just my impression and not fact, but it seems like Bower has only been able to play one senior game and then is forced to miss. Maybe the games are starting to get important to the point where he presents too much of an injury risk? On the face of it if he's fit he should definitely be starting in place of Davies.

A walloping - a wonder-filled wision of wallopness awaits.

I'm confident we'll pants them and I love the ins and I'm sad for the outs and I'm definitely not fussed that we're a bit teeny tiny.

Petrie is welcome to his three goals a game average over the past eight games. Whatsisname (the one with the lame Facebook photos when he got drafted) can bag a couple if he likes as well. The NMFC won't kick much over 60 and that simply won't be enough to beat us.

BAM.

_________________
"In better news for Blues fans, Jarrad Waite was not named on the club's injury list."

A strategically 200th.

Brock had to be given another go, as he will surely give us more than what Curnow has been giving us.

I think Twomey is a bit stiff, but obviously Houla at his best offers more. When Houla is poor though, as he was against the Doggies it seem to catch on with the rest of the side (lack of hardness, too slow, stuffing around with the ball etc).

Congrats on 200 though, great effort to get that far for any player.

Bower played two weeks ago in the AFL did he not?

I'm not sure if your having a go at hoops or not. Anyway hoops should be given more credit than not. Imo he has been played out of position and in roles not suited to his strengths for significant periods of his career. Fact is hoops is far better suited to play forward of centre rather than in a hb role. However be it stupidity, mitigating circumstances or whatever, he was given roles which did not suit his skill and or strengths. The fact he is still able to be an important member of our team, is testament to his resilience and attitude. People forget his improvement to his defensive side over recent times. Imo to label him as soft is short sighted and perhaps a good story to 'justify' a criticism.

The guy is going to play his 200th game for a team we all love. For that at least he deserves respect and kudos. Good on ya hoops, well deserved and I truly hope you can be a part of the next Carlton premiership!

_________________
Cripps is the man

Two deserved outs. Curnow hasn't reproduced his pre-injury form and Twomey was just OK.
I would have liked so see Setanta in. If their talls get hold of us it will be tricky down back. I rate Edwards. He's had a chequered history but he can play tall.

Congratulations to Ryan Houlihan for making it to 200. No qualifications or snide asides go with it. No backhanded compliments. For all his detractors here and elsewhere, he has stuck with the club, taken his medicine and changed his game a lot over the journey. Nobody plays 200 games at any club unless they are prepared to do the hard work for all those years. He isn't the player he perhaps once was and gets caught a bit more these days but there is no doubting his dedication to the club and his skill levels that have won us games. Fev was a pretty selfish player and for him to say Houilihan was the player to make his eyes light up was a telling comment.

I hope he gets a chance to run on at the start of the night and he can make some space for himself. And I hope you Houla haters can see through the mist and let it go for this week at least. He's given enough to deserve a bit of respect.

McLean has a job to do now. He has dropped to the Ants and done the job. He needs to produce tomorrow if he is to hold his spot. Good on him for working so hard to get back in but now he is there, he has to prove his detractors wrong and give Judd and Murphy a bit of cover. his game, like many, will be won in the clearances and he has to get his share. Good luck.

I am always nervous when we go in too short. I like the versatiity of talls like Setanta and Waite. I hope Warnock wins his share of hitouts tomorrow and that some of them go to Carlton players for a change instead of straight to his feet.

We win the clearances, we win the game. The more we win, the bigger the margin.

Blues by 40+

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

I'll bet that Megan would not be happy with that!

_________________
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.”

Think it was the last Q against the Filth, and did ok, then out inj. Just cannot get the guy on the park for a decent period.