Chris Judd - Captain
Games - 11, Games votes polled in (Coaches' MVP)- 4
Contracted till 2013

Arguably his worst season in the AFL to date. Continually gets no support/assistance from the rest of the midfield with regard to taggers, yet probably no longer has the speed and body to overcome this by himself. Hard to differentiate between the best outcome for Judd, the player and Judd, the captain of the side. On one hand, once finals possibilities evaporate, putting him in cotton wool seems mandatory. On the other, it would also serve to highlight our ongoing lack of on-field leadership. Question marks remain over his ability to be a role player in the team, as opposed to being the guy that the team revolves around. Captaincy-wise whilst abysmal, no better or worse than anyone else in a position of leadership at the club this year.

Contract negotiations at the end of 2013 will be fascinating. On one hand, Judd post-30 would probably command a real-value of something around 10% of what his current salary dictates. Market value more than likely not much better - probable unwillingness to prolong a career a start up franchise interstate/cellar dwellar, or a team within two years of a flag against teams in the hunt for the flag not having the TPP space to afford him dictates as much. Will he want to play on? Does the chase of one more flag dictate his will to play on? History dictates we'd pay overs. The lack of veterans list option will pigeon hole us as such. Next question there is whether we'd have the leadership to tap him on the shoulder. How we handle this probably dictates how well we set ourselves up for a tilt at the next window. The 2008 deal has shown itself to be remarkably flexible with accommodating other players into the cap. Upward of an extra million in our salary cap from 2013 will make for some interesting market movements.

Verdict - One of the greatest players of the decade probably sneaks in for another year on the list. I'd question whether it's worthwhile keeping him beyond that, outside of agreeing to a very generous one year deal.


Andrew Walker
Games - 8, Games votes polled in (Coaches' MVP)- 2
Contracted till 2014

A year that has shown once again that Andrew Walker's best football stems from consistency in the one position. Through a combination of failing to learn this lesson and not having the luxury to accommodate him in one, we haven't seen the best of him this year. Whilst still the most dedicated trainer at the club by a Princes Park time trial, the last two months have shown deficiencies in terms of on-field dedication - an insistence on playing from behind and poor decision making stemming from doing "me" things rather than the team thing.

Arguably our best option at the trade table, for the very reasons that Jordan Russell isn't. He's that valuable and versatile to us. Only 25 and not commanding a huge amount of salary cap space only adds to that. Being locked in till 2014 perhaps makes it more accurately, our best hope of another team throwing overs at us. Whether he'd agree to move is another thing all together.

Verdict - Barring some ridiculous first rounders coming our way, there's no way he's leaving. Just wish he'd play permanently up forward, and use his athleticism to his advantage, rather than being distracted by winning a car..


Jordan Russell
Games - 6, Games votes polled in (Coaches' MVP)- 0
Contracted till 2012 - UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT

Deplorably bad would probably not be too harsh here. His contributions this year to date have shown a common theme of being off the pace, reactive and not looking like being able to run out four quarters. Not only has he not come on to provide an option in the midfield as promised over the past few seasons, but better options in Laidler, Duigan, Tuohy and Bootsma have presented themselves in his current position. With a bit of luck, opportunities for development present themselves later in the year, and he's given a further opportunity as a defensive forward to show he still has something to offer.

Verdict - Gone. I'm not even sure if another team would take advantage of his free agency options. Maybe Port, should Boak go and they suddenly have a hole to fill to meet 92.5% criteria. Melbourne might find him in their Moneyball data...hopefully. Compensation picks only apply with free agency should you lose more free agents than you gain in any one period. A first round draft pick with over 100 games and history of good finishes in the B&F would net us far more than what he's worth on the market. I'd be tempted to take unders for another player to entice them to take Jordan as well. Irrespective, is not worth what he's currently on, and probably would be a victim of McKay's list review.

Marc Murphy
Games - 8, Games votes polled in (Coaches' MVP)- 4
Contracted till 2014

Hard to believe with that sort of a polling effort, that I'd still consider this season to be one where his reputation has diminished rather than risen. Presented with a great opportunity in light of Carrazzo's injury, and failed to step up. A lot of talking the talk hasn't resulted in walking the walk. I'm not convinced by his credentials to be the franchise player. Having said that, Murph's recovery is probably the difference between us playing finals and finishing 9th. The bad habits that crept into his game this year will hopefully have been erased with the mini-preseason he's currently doing.

Verdict - Don't think the concept of trading him has been explored much if at all. If a team like Melbourne put together a war chest to get Cloke, only to see him re-sign with the Pies, I'd gladly take their Scully compo picks off their hands, and combined with Judd's exit - prepare to bide our time on the free agency market. Otherwise - clearly going to be on our list next year, and I look forward to him proving himself in and out of the club.

Part two to come..

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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?

Bryce Gibbs
Games - 12, Games votes polled in (Coaches' MVP)- 3
Contracted till 2014

To put Gibbs' form into context is as difficult as any other player in the league. On one hand, ready to break into the competition's elite in March, two months later, discussed as not being in our best 22 on form, a few weeks later, handed a 2 year contract extension. How do you compare his form to someone like Brett Deledio, similar player, who has only recently just started to put runs on the board in the midfield, despite having started 2 seasons before Gibbs?

Hard to argue that he doesn't belong in our best 22. But does that contract extension prevent us from upgrading #22 on our list?

Verdict - Another one on our list for the next year. I wonder how serious the offers from the expansion sides were to prompt the mid-season re-signing. I don't think we'd ever get a trade that seemed a fair return for such a serious outlay over the years.


Kade Simpson
Games - 12, Games votes polled in (Coaches' MVP)- 4
Contracted till 2014

After Collingwood, was considered the most underrated player in the league. Now calls comparing him to Scott Camporeale in the latter stages of his career. Coaches have certainly worked out his impact on our game plan - he gut runs, one of the few in the side to do so, and understands his role in link up play. His work overhead can often mask some erratic disposal coming out of the back half also. Had an ordinary month, but more than enough credits in the bank to get some slack from it.

Verdict - The first bloke I'd pick if I had to select the list from scratch again.


Dylan Buckley
Games - 0
Contracted till 2014

Hard to rate given his size and injury limitations- but his NAB Cup showed a lot of promise, and the odd game in the Bullants have given as much, whilst showing he's still a while off. With a list of so many playing for their future, it's probably not necessary to give him a game without form warranting it.

Verdict - Another year. Will be interested to see what targets they work him to in the pre-season, as you'd think he'd be considered in the mix come round 1.

Matthew Kreuzer
Games - 11, Games votes polled in (Coaches' MVP)- 2
Contracted till 2014

Another who has had popular opinion turn on them throughout the year. Easy to say that he should be traded, or that we should have taken Cotchin. I don't think we've even seen half of what he can do, such has been the limited way he's been used post-knee. Fair question marks over what he can offer as a full time forward, or a full game in the ruck, but plenty as to why he hasn't been tried in the midfield or even down back.

Verdict - Already signed on, what on earth would we get out of the trade table that would be worth us considering parting with him?

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

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

jeez its cold this time of year... anyone know whether its going to rain all week?

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WE ARE CARLTON @#$%&! THE REST

I find it extremely had to make an accurate assessment of any of our plates at the moment. A change in leadership could make a massive difference to many of them. Safe to say that not many are playing anywhere near their best.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

think the biggest problem this year, blokes like russell, joseph, bower, hampson, armfield have not taken the next step.
some senior blokes are struggling as well.
waite not playing hurts us as well.
90% of our list are playing for there future.
imo, i would be looking to trade,
hampson, thronton, bower, russell, ellard. problem is don't think we would get much.
hard calls need to be made at seasons end.
lets give kids like mcInnes, dale and mccarthy some game time.
happy that watson and bootsma have been given opportunities, watson has really stepped up.

That's why it's a MID-season review.

I think there are plenty of players who would benefit from a different coach. I'll get to that eventually. Someone who puts a higher priority on midfield stoppages, blocking for Judd/Murph, etc would have significant difference to some on the cusp. Others I just think are cooked.

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

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

I'd put a no one is off-limits policy in place if I were Carlton. That's not to say anything dramatic is likely to happen but it's certainly a way of being proactive while not showing favouritism. However, I'd personally hold out hopes of getting something good for Garlett and probably Warnock.

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Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

Warnock is a keeper IMO; the big guys take awhile....even Harry Madden took awhile; and he had Senior experience....and what about injuries?....Ruckmen do get them.

Even Big Nick took 2 years to win a B&F; and 6 years to gain the Captaincy.

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

Out of contract and may already be gone though..

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

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

rhino,
what your thoughts on tarrants game tonight?

Was looking for that thread - first quarter and a half he was fantastic. Good clean grabs and kicking them nicely.

Hasn't been sighted since!

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

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

lazy 4 goals, second game this year.
do you reckon he would get a game for us?
looks like he can play a bit. after yesterdays northern blues games, reckon he would walk straight past, thornton and mitchell. [also casboult]
just what we need to help out waite.

what we need to help out waite is an electric wheelchair...........

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Shit, lost half my reviews...

Anyway, lets just get down to the main part of it. Delist at the end of the year?

Gone:

Russell
Kerr
White
O'Keeffe (R)
Heyne (R)
Carter (R)
Bray (R)
Lodge (R)

Probably:

Collins
Curnow (R)
Bell (R)

Not quite safe:

Casboult (R)
McInnes
McCarthy
Mitchell
Rowe
McLean
Thornton
Davies

Trade table (their choice or ours):

Lucas
Warnock
Yarran
Hampson
Garlett
Joseph
Ellard
Bower

Promoted:

Tuohy


Lot of what ifs in that group. Curnow is an interesting one, as we have to promote him or delist him at the end of the year. On form - wouldn't bother, but not all together convinced there's better alternatives out there. May well come down to Curnow or Collins for the last spot on the list. I'd lean toward Curnow if that is the case.

Casboult is another one that depends on everyone but him I'd wager. Promote or delist. Will we find a better fourth ruck option late in the draft? Will Warnock stay? Will we use Hampson as a sweetener in a trade? Given that we already have Mitchell and McCarthy as developmental talls, I can't justify it outside of managing to re-rookie.

Do we keep Rowe or pay him out? Wasn't really showing that much before the illness, can we afford the bad PR associated with delisting a bloke with cancer? Rookie him under the Ramanuaskas precedent?

Thornton I think you'd keep if he wanted to stay rather than exercise free agency options, but probably depends on whether Ratten stays. Ratten stays and I expect him to get the Setanta treatment.

What sort of standard do you put McInnes to? Does he need to play senior footy at the end of the year and show something there to warrant three years on the list without a game?

Would McLean stay on a heavily reduced, bordering on minimum wage contract?

Davies hasn't done a hell of a lot wrong, but perhaps wrong place, right time being out of contract and injured all year?

Lot to play with on the trade table and wouldn't be surprised to see some players put their hand up and see what they can find elsewhere, if the coach stays. Lucas especially. Wouldn't be surprised to see teams want to pay overs for Armfield - someone teams are putting time into now these days also, despite his limitations skillwise. If someone wants to take Joseph off our hands, power to them.

Anyone see it any differently?

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

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Particularly with what they've dished out lately.

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THEY LIKE TO SEND UP!!!!!!!!

Until each team plays each other the same number of times, the AFL, as a fair dinkum competition, cannot be taken seriously.

He (Mr Swann) said the honour and pride associated with the club's traditional navy blue jumper was priceless.

our core list;
kreuzer walker judd murphy
gibbs carrazzo lucas duigan
yarran tuohy henderson jamison
watson simpson gartlett betts
scotland jamison waite
robinson lucas bootsma laidler
buckley warnock collins curnow

50/50; dale mitchell mccarthy
mcInnes rowe bell carter

delist; o'keffe joseph white
davies bray lodge kerr heyne
casboult

look to trade; thornton ellard bower
russell hampson armfield mclean

needs; two mids.
we need to mids that are similar to rory sloane and kieran jack.[inside type]
key forwards; two.
drew petrie and taylor walker type.[easy to find]
our first two picks should be on the best available.
fringe players to consider;
josh toy robbie tarrant tom derickx
liam anthony charlie dixon david ashtbury
lucas cook andrew moore luke tapscott

new coach; scott burns.

Assuming we miss the finals, assuming a review were to be held at every level, I'd have heads roll. Make 2003/4 look like a quiet trade period. If there's no stability off the field, no point having a team be thereabouts, but miss out as the culture off the field is ratshit.

Work to an aim of having a massive play at landing the big fish at the end of 2013, salary cap space, whether Judd plays on or not.

* - First cab off the rank is Warnock. Out of contract, and on significant coin. GWS please. Assuming the money on offer is better than what we are, this would elevate our compensation from third band to second. Assuming we finish 9th/GC get a priority pick, that's pick 12. I'll take it.

* - From there, ideally I'd look at seeing at the possibilities of Murphy on the market. My original thought were Melbourne's Scully compensation picks. Even if we took both off them, using the above criteria - we'd receive pick 13 and 14 for him. Unders. Not interested. Could we make it pick 4 and 14 instead? Plausibly. Problem being whether any team wants to put a bid in for Jack Viney, and push their pick up. If Melbourne offered pick 4 and 14 for Murphy, I'd take it in a heartbeat. Would Murphy take it, being contracted till 2014? With Green and probably Moloney and Davey gone at the end of the year, Melbourne would offer him more than he's on now. Carlton at the end of next season would be able to offer him even more, with Judd on reduced coin or gone. An unlikely trade, but I'd push for it.

* - Now that you've stocked up on draft picks. Look at putting in an audacious bid for Dayne Beams. Likely that he'll stay. Just as likely he'll wait till end of the year to re-sign, and I reckon will poll well in the Brownlow. Offer him something that Pies can't match. See how relationship between him and plausible new coach Richo or Brown develops. Pies want pick 4. We offer pick 12. End up compromising with Scully compo/pick 14 becoming their pick 36 also.

* - Sam Sheldon, having played a total 3 games for the year is on the verge of being delisted at Brisbane. We offer our last pick (#83) to get him back home and avoid the draft. Brisbane take it.

* - First lot of delistings are then made. Simon White, Rohan Kerr and Andrew Collins are told to clear out their locker. Zac Tuohy is promoted, the rest of the rookies bar Frazer Dale (retained for another year) are told to clear off also.

* - Jordan Russell is then informed that he should probably look for free agency options, or he's on Centrelink come Monday. With no real interest from other clubs, a quick call to Port Adelaide is made, offering to informally make a contribution toward Jordan's wages for next season. Jordan is signed by Port as a free agent. We receive a band four compensation pick (pick 46)

* - Thornton and Lucas come in requesting a trade. One out of contract, the other free agent. Club decides to want to retain them and gives them reassurances of further opportunities. Players retained, both on a two year deal.

* - Waite is called into the list manager's office. Has two years remaining on his deal. Asked to take a pay cut. Waite laughs at player manager and tells him where to stick his pay cut. List manager calls him a lot of names and makes disparaging comments about Wag Nation, and informed that Nick Holland mk II will spend most of next season at Preston. Seems a bit redundant a conversation, but I'd enjoy it.

* - Bryce Gibbs wanders in looking lost. Asked whether he's interested in going back home. Gibbs looks confused, like "Why on earth would anyone want to go back there?" confused. Then asks if he can follow Murphy to Melbourne...or Southland...or whatever else Marc is doing at the time. Melbourne advise they don't have the space to accomodate him just yet, but would consider it a year later. Hands are tied, Bryce stays. Before he leaves the office, he receives a blow dart to the back of the neck, and whilst he's unconscious, Barb gives him a traditional SA haircut....it worked for Ivan Maric......

* - Call in Scoots and Brock to discuss contracts for next season. Advise Scoots there's another year on the table if he wants it. Somehow is now being paid a ridiculous amount to be playing coach of the twos for next year. Coincidentally Brock is offered a one year extension on minimum wage. Brock whispers in to my ear things he's done to my mother in the past week that seem to be taken from Mike Tyson's stint in prison, whilst Scoots viciously assaults me from behind with the remains of an empty schooner glass...origins of which remain unknown.

* - Get off phone with Mark Neeld, seeing if he'll take Gibbs...again...gleam some advice that I should speak to the indigenous players in the team all as one, rather than individuals. Garlett, Betts, Yarran and Walks come in (Robbo isn't allowed in and sent off in search of a sturdy brick wall to run into), meeting quickly adjourned, to shut the blinds after it's noticed Sydney Blue is at the window drooling intently. Discuss possible trades. Realise that Walker and Betts have a couple more years to run, at over the market rate, and quickly send them out the room. Tell Garlett he's on the market, whilst knowing full well no-one will take him for any decent value (although Dean Laidley *did* call), and offer Yarran the chance to return home. Chance is declined. Offer further chance to listen to some Fresh Prince of Bel Air soundtrack.....both walk out. Offer SB the chance. Am derided as taking it in the ass...

* - Make an audacious bid for Scott Gumbleton. He's a better prospect than Casboult or Mitchell, even with his issues. North keep calling re Hansen too, so we might as well take the trifecta of the 06 draft....except for y'know, that bloke who's captain and won all those premierships... Essendon* quabble over who pays for the freight, and whether he'd last the trip from the airport to Visy Park. Organise a skype link up. The Russell compo pick of 46 is offered. Awkward pause is deliberate just to see Essendon* recruiting staff having to ponder trading a pick 3 from the super draft for Jordan Russell sloppy seconds. It's taken. Swap of 64 for 67 is offered for Henry Slattery to join him. Essendon* only go so far...

* - North ring again for us to take Hansen. Still not interested. Pick 36 or GTFO. Reminiscing about last year's trade period gets us sentimental and we ring Freo and ask for Dylan Roberton for pick 47. Deal. Go us.

* - Get all cocky now, and ring Geelong. Simon Hogan. He's pretty fantastic. What do you want for him. Neil Balme just starts swearing at us about staying away from Travis Boak, and then threatens more harm toward Geoff Southby's family. Balmey calms down, and then gives us Hogan for pick 64 on the proviso we don't @#$%&! around with their Boak deal. Tell Balme that we've got pick 4 and can probably trump them. Think better of it. Hogan it is.

* - Ring West Coast. Reminisce about the time we nearly included Bower in the Judd deal ahead of Kennedy. We all have a good laugh. Offer him for a 2nd rounder. Teaguey nearly dies from laughing so hard, then conferences in Fremantle for a similar reaction. Paul is called in to advise we're delisting him instead. On the way out, Bower blindly walking out the door, putting him out of WAFL action for an estimated 4-6 weeks.

* - Bring Sam Rowe in to discuss his recovery. Prepare Matthew Allan as visual humour for series of aggots jokes. Realise that despite best of efforts, is going to require more recovery time, so is given a nice little pay out, a position with the Northern Blues, a promise to re-rookie as a mature aged rookie next year with intent to promote should he make a full recovery. Spend the next few minutes all laughing about Dave Allison and karma..

* - McInnes gets brought in and given more bad news. There's nothing funny about it. TC collectively bemoans the greatest player that never played a game for us, all remembering that time he was caught on camera at a stoppage during one of the ABC broadcasts of our games in 2011...

* - Realise we need to delist one more player to take advantage of pick 36. Look over the list. Fairly happy with the outcome. Offers are made for Marcus Davies but prefer to retain him. Don't see point in paying out Joseph either. Ring Brisbane and tell them that we're not going ahead with the Sheldon deal, but will look at rookie list spot if he's still available.

In conclusion:

In:
Beams
Gumbleton
Roberton
Hogan
Tuohy (promoted)

Out:
White
Kerr
Collins
Murphy (Melbourne)
Warnock (GWS)
Russell (Port)
Bower
Rowe
McInnes
The entire rookie list not named Tuohy or Dale

Picks: 4, 11, 29, 36

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

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

And you have a go at my posts
I cant believe i wasted 5 minutes of my life reading that pile of garbage

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

I thought you didn't play the man? Congrats on your first post not copy/pasted from Alan Jones transcripts though.

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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?

Silly you.

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I hope Essendon* folds.