It was interesting to hear Robinson on 360 last night state that he "knew as fact that some Carlton 'people' were upset McLean was not in the team against the Hawks" Interesting to know who these 'people' were and what the ramifications for McLean after this week.

I saw that too. It seems as though we have some disagreements at MC level.....

Unless Robbo is FOS.

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"He was found guilty in June 2008 of assault with intent to cause bodily harm, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years jail."
And people are making his return to footy somewhat of a fairytale?

Though it was Robinson who stated it.

it was. I changed my post as soon as i wrote it.

LOL

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"He was found guilty in June 2008 of assault with intent to cause bodily harm, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years jail."
And people are making his return to footy somewhat of a fairytale?

I reserve the right to change my prediction, but at this stage (ie. 10 days before the game and with a VFL match still to be played)...

Duigan Jamo Laidler
Yarran Hendo JR
Simmo Judd Scotland
Carrazzo T-Bird Robbo
Garlett Setanta Tex

Kreuzer Gibbs Murphy

Inter: AJ, Curnow, Hammer
Sub: Betts

In - Curnow, Hammer, JR, Setanta
Out - Armfield, Davies, Ellard, Warnock

4 changes is more than what's ideal. The players being dropped are unlucky but it might serve to keep them 'hungry' and I think we need to get another AFL game into Curnow, Hammer, JR & Setanta - they may be required for the finals.

Hammer to go forward and share the 2nd ruck duties with Setanta (I suspect the MC will seek to protect Hammer from centre bounces, due to his knee). Kreuzer as first ruck, rotating through the forward line and bench with both Setanta and Hammer.

Betts as sub. Hopefully this will fire him up before the finals and it might also sting Garlett into action.

Do we persist with Hendo in defence, or do we move him forward? If moved forward, does that mean T-Bird goes to the backline? Or does Davies hold his place instead of T-Bird (meaning at least one of Laidler, Duigan, JR or Davies would have to play taller)? This might give us more run and flexibility (I'm conscious of the fact that my team is a bit tall). Or does Gibbs go back and either Armfield or Ellard are picked ahead of T-Bird or Setanta? FWIW, my feeling is that Hendo will stay in defence for the remainder of the year (but that's not to say he will stay there in 2012 and beyond).

I thought seriously about bringing in Bower (and moving Hendo forward), but he's left his run too late this year I suspect. I also considered playing White at CHF instead of T-Bird. White played CHF for the Bullants last week and seems to have his supporters amongst the MC, but ultimately I thought 5 was too many changes and I'm not convinced he's an improvement on T-Bird.

Unfortunately, I don't think Waite will make it back this season. However, depending how he trains next week, the MC may take a punt and play him against the Saints (probably at the expense of T-Bird which means Setanta would have to play higher, or they might simply pick Waite ahead of Setanta).

Personally, I wouldn't be bringing in the likes of Lucas, Kerr, ROK, Tuohy or Watson. Hopefully they have a good VFL finals series which leads into a solid pre-season, but I can't see how they could come into the Carlton side now and make us a better finals team this year.

And Austin, Brock, Hoops & Twomey are decent back-ups if we get a sudden glut of injuries, but otherwise they shouldn't be considered IMO.

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

I must admit that the McLean situation perplexes me.
He is probably the fittest and healthiest he's been for years yet he cant get a game. That's no problems but if McLean at his fittest isn't good enough to get a game, why would we give pick 9 for him?

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

It is perplexing isn't it! Why weren't the coaching staff confident in Robinson becoming the player he is now. I think they must have lacked the belief that they could turn Robinson from a HFF into a hard as nails midfielder in the time frame that it has actually happened.

I thought when he made his way back into the side that he would be given a extended run to the finals. 11 games in two years for a player you were prepared to give up a first rounder 22 months ago is a disgrace.

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You heard it here first!

He needed to be given an extended run at some point, which he just hasn't had. In fact, he's never played more than three consecutive games for Carlton. He was extremely unlucky to be dropped for the Freo game, even if we can probably guess as to the reason why he would have been left out of that one (i.e., concerns about his lack of pace on the big Subiaco Oval). He'd probably argue that he hasn't had a great run at it and he's probably got a point.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

It's because he's an utter nutjob.

Why would you bank on anything when it comes to Robbo?

Love the guy but he's certainly not sharpest tool in the shed.

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

So where does that leave McLean then? We look like idiots getting him and for what we gave up for him .. really bad decision. Will he stay on next season?

Bad decision to get Brock. The idea was right but the player was wrong and the trade now looks foolish. No point crying over it. We also had chances in that draft to get Barlow or JPod so focussing on the Brock deal is probably wrong. The only way to shut folk up is to win a flag in the next couple of years.
Noone talks about what collingwood gave up for Cameron Wood and how bad a trade that was. Even Geelong get overlooked for giving up Laidler in favour of getting another year out of Milburn.

Get a Flag Blues !

If Hampson is picked it wont be as second ruck. He'll need to be up and going and able to take any centre bounce as required. Otherwise we might as well stick with Warnock. I do agree that even the contest Hammer will provide up forward would be good for Betts and Jeffy. I would personally give him a go against the Saint. At worst Warnock will come in extra fresh for the first final.

No way will Thornton be dropped. I think Ratts loves his flexibilty this year. He would also add expirience in a final.

I think Waite will be given a crack whenever he is fit. If it's first week of the finals he'll still come straight in. He is one of our most important.

Sorry but I just don't rate Setanta's ability to produce anything in a final. I know he will try his guts out but that's not enough, you need to have an influence on the game if you're going to be a forward. If he get a go against the Saint he will need to put in a pretty good one.

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I support the Navy Blues whatever happens!

I dont think anyones advocating we cry about it. The idea is to assess your past efforts and learn from them.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

true.

Way to manipulate a quote to get what I want to say across ....

in; LUCAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
finally after 6 weeks in the best, it's time

Do we rest some sore players and maybe have a look at some others?
Do we now do a Fremantle and setup for Essendon* and right this game off?
Interesting selections coming for this week.

Yes and yes...

Winning this game is irrelevant for us and the Aints will hit us hard in order to secure a home final.

It's all about the Bummers now.

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

The boys have had a rest. Hit the Saints with everything, flower 'em. Full dress rehearsal.

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"I had to eat"

I agree.
Also time to bring JR back in the side.

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There is no footy god