We really missed Curnow during the 2nd half of the year. His 1st half was just sensational. Hopefully we can get him up and running in that sort of form again. Robinson will also have another pre-season under his belt and with Curnow & maybe McLean we should be ok.
We really need a KP forward to stand up and control the forward line.

2012 is all about our talls.

If Kruezer can get to the next level, one of either Warnock or Hampson get to the next level, one of either Mitchell, Watson or McCarthy get to a level that doesn't have them dropped, Henderson continue to make gains and Jamison and Waite can stay on the park this gives us 6 very good talls. All else going okay this is enough for us to get top 2.

We have made a four - sixths change to our backline and all four are under 50 games.

If we can change our forward line four - sixths and have the same impact we had this year as our defence, then we are going to be playing off for a premiership.

We already have him.....Yarran, and he needs to move up to the wing so his runs are rewarded with goals!

We have plenty of options as running half backs: Bower, Russell, Duigan, Armfiled, Touhy, Davies, Laidler, Scotland, etc

Just one thing that popped into my head today was the ability of Eagles players to kick long goals from setshots. I think that is something we struggle with. Whilst we have a few players who can kick the odd goal on the run from 50 (Murph, Simmo if he's on, Zach), a setshot is a different proposition, and the only player who can consistently get the distance is Gibbs, and even he has missed a few from that distance. Garlett has actually shown he can do it at times in the past, but seems to have lost that during the second half of this year. Just an observation.

Go onto Carltonfc.com.au and look it up yourself you lazy person.

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

'One swallow a summer maketh not', Beatle.
Levi has shown once he can do it. We want it consistently. I have never seen him play but those who watch him every week aren't a wrap for his kicking style FWIW.

I hope you are right just the same.

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

I agree - our talls are generally pretty good, we just need a bit more luck with injuries.
A much improved Kreuzer next year with a fit Waite would be a strong key forward set up.

_________________
There is no footy god

We struggled with set shots in general this year

Agreed, but I am specifically talking about shooting for goals around the 50m arc. We don't have enough players capable of kicking goals (or even making the distance) from such positions.

Doh! I am lazy and I was hoping nobody would call it out.

This is what I agree with most. Not only Collingwood, but Hawthorn have done the same thing. St Kilda meanwhile relied too heavily on Lenny Hayes and look how their season turned out. The promising sign is that we took the Eagles to the limit with Judd only having 17 possessions, so we can at least see that if Judd goes down he could be, somewhat, covered.

Injury management and player versatility is one thing I want us to look at, Hawthorn still managed to win games without Roughhead and a few others going down. We lost Jamo for 6 (or how ever long) weeks and really struggled.

A champion team will always beat a team of champions. We have to set up a team structure that allows us to slot in new players seamlessly if one goes down with injury, even have it drilled in at Bullants level.

YES

When they lose KPP's they still seem to barely miss a beat in their absence. When we lose one, it's always a domino effect that leaves us sorely lacking in another position and puts the whole team out of whack. We need to continue to improve our structure, discipline and versatility. If Jamo/Waite/Kreuz go down again next year, I don't want to see the whole team having to be shuffled to compensate as happened this year.

_________________
WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Dawes would be a nice pick up. Go well with Kreuzer, when resting, and Waite having the run and mobility able to play a multitude of roles on the forward line such, KP forward, 3rd tall and as a "Walker" type. Waite's the perfect type with a resting ruckman now the sub rule forces that.

True to a point, but those sides you mentioned appear to have bigger bodies and more capabale footballers.

I like Army, Setants, Ellard , Joseph (particularly lately) and Davies, but they are all either a bit too small, a bit too slow or a bit too lacking in footy smarts.

Not bad to have one or two of them in and they'll always give their all, but if they are all in at once, particulalry in a final, then we may have a problem.

Our list has improved every year, so i'm confident it will again net year.

_________________
I hope Essendon* folds.

Slow Monday of conference calls, so here's my 50 cents... Of the guaranteed core group of players, the age is probably just right for a tilt at the flag with many players coming into 'peak age' and a few on the cusp of exiting it (Judd included, but he might be an exception into his 30s ala Robert Harvey). You'd suggest there's probably a 3 year window from next season to take a flag (or 3) and be a dominant force in the league.

B: Joseph (22.5), Jamison (25.5), Laidler (22.5)
HB: Duigan (27.5), Henderson (22), Yarran (21)

Thoughts - Still quite a young backline. Scotland (32.5) might be a good sub if the rule stays the same, how many years left in those legs? Armfield (25), Davies (21) is in the bottom 6 of the playing group and I wouldn't consider him in the starting 22 unless he improves in leaps and bounds.

C: Judd (28.5), Carrazzo (28), Gibbs (23), Murphy (24.5), Simpson (28), Ellard (23), Robinson (23)

These core group have a question in terms of support and as many have mentioned, a chop out for Judd. Scotland of course adds grunt but is getting older and seems to play better as a loose man. Armfield has shown he can be handy as link man and his disposal has improved heaps. Touhy (22) seems like he could be used in the stoppages than in defence and I love the way he goes about it. It has to be time for Lucas (20.5) to step up. McLean (26) has plenty of years in him and dominates VFL, but can't seem to be the Luke Ball type player that Carlton needs. Walker (26) has shown he can be handy in the middle, too. It's clear that one more player is needed ongoing. Curnow (23) had a good cameo, but his VFL form hasn't been elite. He's still young with limited AFL game time, and you'd give him benefit of the doubt that he is going to get better.

Rucks: Warnock (25), Kreuzer (23), Hampson (24)

Based off Warnock's late season form, he is a lock for number one ruck and 2012 might be his year of dominance. Kreuzer's return from injury year is behind him and with a full preseason (assuming his foot doesnt need amputation) should see him ready to go. So that leaves Hampson. Could he and Kruezer develop into power marking forwards? Hampson showed in a few games this year he could do it. The other situation is that he could be used as part of a trade, especially if they are looking for a stay at home forward. Hampson to Collingwood to replace an ageing Jolly in exchange for Dawes?

F: Betts (25), MISSING LINK, Walker (26)
HF: Garlett (23), Waite (29), Thornton (28)

I've purposely left a big gap at FF as that's a clear issue. Kreuzer, Hampson are they the answer? Thornton seems to have revived his career up forward and especially given he has a great pair of mits, O'hAilpin (29) seems to have reached the top of his bell curve and may be surplus to requirements and is definitely not a premiership forward. His ground level work is non existent and he has lost a heap of pace (what little he may have had). Henderson and Jamison could potentially swing forward for spells but are a lock in the back line. Casboult (22) has played reasonable football in the VFL and should be reaching an age where he is ready. He looks to have lost a lot of the puppy fat. Is he capable? At this stage you'd have to say Mitchell (20) is still an unknown as he has to actually lace up his boots and get out on the park.

Fringe:

Austin (23) seems gone, but he looked alright in the VFL. There may just not be a spot for him in the team.
Bower (24) seems on his way out. Possible trade?
Bray (19.5) unsure of how he has progressed in development
Cachia (21) doesn't look like getting a chance at Carlton. More astute observers will know more.
Carter (20.5) does he have what it takes to push for a crowded midfield spot?
Collins (23) had the most un-Carlton like debuts and then was out for the season. I'd expect him to be given another year (maybe he's already contracted) and shouldn't be written off yet, but is not a missing link solution.
Dare (20) good attack on the ball, is he a Laidler type? Similar height and weight at the same age.
Houlihan (30) had a great career and showed in the VFL that he can still play a development role in VFL list. Maybe he'll be retained in such a role if he's interested.
Kerr (20) I like what I've seen of Kerr. What do the more astute observers think?
McCarthy (20) another year on the list for development
McInnes (20) another year on the list
O'Keefe (21.5) Doesn't seem to be able to make the grade for AFL, but he's still pretty young and has a bit of bulk on him.
Russell (25) Talk about a fall from grace. From being a key part of the resurgence last year to no-mans-land in 2011. What's happened to Jordan?
Twomey (26) I may be alone but I liked the two games Twomey played. Maybe he's too old but he has a big frame and seems to be able to play a bustling type of player.
Watson (19.5) He draws a bit of malign around these parts but he's still under 20 and he clearly has ability. Should develop nicely, hope he doesn't become one of those players that people pin all of our problems on.
White (24) In watching the VFL finals I thought White looked good to be honest. He can punch the ball a mile in contests and while he lacks polish I think he's a decent bruiser of a defender. Is pushing for the 7th or 8th spot in the back line, but I wouldn't write him off yet.

I notice Jon Ralph puts Russell, Hampson, Lucas and Bower on the trade table. I wouldn't want to see Lucas go he should be about to mature in the next season or two and post the Judd era there will be a need for players like him.

Well there's my too-much-time analysis. I still think the Blues are one KPF and a Judd-chop out away from a Premiership, and that window is in 2012/13 with 14 dependent on who is around still.

Make it happen Ratten.

Apart from recruiting/trades we should have massive improvement from within.

A fit Waite, Kruezer, Jamison, Warnock, Hampson should make a significant difference.

Russell and Bower as well if they stay.

Hard to expect improvement from Judd, Scotland and Murphy but they should at least maintain their high standards. Gibbs I expect to really go to the next level.

Expect significant improvement from AJ, Armfield, White, Davies, Watson, Duigan, Yarran, Garlett, Laidler, Henderson & Lucas.

And if one or two of McInnes, Casboult, Mitchell, Buckley, Kerr, OKeefe, Collins, McCarthy can really step up we look pretty good!

Injuries more than ever will be the key.

_________________
#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

As stated by others 2012 is all about getting the spine right..

We will never be a serious flag contender with Setanta in the side. I love the big guys intensity and effort, but he just hasnt got the footy smarts and makes too many constly errors. As for Waite, he cant be relyed on to put together a full consistant season, and is going on 28-29 yo anyway so timeto plan for life beyond him.

Henderson has found a niche as a Key Backman, so Id keep him there from now on. His 2nd half of the year was much better and consistant then anything he ever offered up forward beforehand..

We need to fast track the development of tall youngsters in Mitchell, Casboult, Watson and McCarthy, and add some more mature Key Position recruits Duigan style (meaning mature players from VFL, SANFL etc).

As for our mids, a tough inside mid would do nicely, but then again, Curnow ripped it up in that possition before injury. A full pre season from him and that position is his. We can therfore welland truly say taht the Brock Experiment is a failure. Depth player at best next year, and delisting at the end of 2012 for him.

It ll be intersting to see what we do at the trade table with guys like Bower, Hammer and Lucas. Will we be prepared to give them up for a blue chip forward ?

_________________
James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

I agree. You've done well Setanta to do what you have done for someone with no previous AFL experience, but in the hard game that is AFL, you aren't part of a premiership team. Decisions need to be ruthless at this stage of a premiership window, and you're one.

That's my opinion. He might be able to help out at GWS or something.

A bit more luck with injury should see significant improvement in 2012.

What really sh#%s me is that last three times Carlton have been potential flag challengers i.e. 2000, 2001 and 2011 we have been cut down by key injuries late in the season namely Kouta in 2000, Ratts in 2001 and Gibbs/Kreuzer this year.

If there is a footy god I hope he gives us a fair go next year.

_________________
There is no footy god

That's because they play keepings off, and rely on Buddy to create something out of nothing up forward. Lose Franklin, or some of their elite defensive rebounders (Guerra, Suckling, Birchall), and they would struggle.

When Collingwood lost Dawes, they lost their edge a little. If they lost Cloke, they'd lose it a lot. Or some of their elite defenders in Reid, Tarrant, O'Brien, Shaw or Davis.

It's true we might not have depth quite as good as Collingwood and Hawthorn, yet we've had a lot of injuries and played a lot of players, and still finished pretty high. So it can't be all that bad. We don't have enormous key position depth, it's not surprising we took a hit with them out.