From outside 50 on the run I would back Zac Touhy.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

From my long range vantage point I agree with the analysis. In my one game I saw last year v Hawthorn they murdered us on the rebound/interception. Both ends of the ground are a work in process and our top quality are all midfielders with Eddie a shining light up forward. The potential is there and I'd like to think MM and RW have the knowledge, skills and experience to make them into a strength. I note from the training report that MM is working closely with young Watto which is a good sign. Keeping the list and our quality healthy is going to be the big issue if past years are anything to go by (read J Waite and Jammo...)

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

Huh, when did I ever talk about statistics?



Anyway the only statistics that count are the basics. When we have the ball, they have the ball, and when the ball is in dispute (with apologies to the late Allen Jeans).

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"Get ready, Teddy - you're on": Ron Barassi half time 1970 Grand Final

You mean aside from revolutionising the collecting of stats during an AFL game and making millions from it in the process? Next to never....well at least the individual whom you've named yourself after for the purposes of this forum did. You should read the book.

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The problem with Socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money.

The Malthouse mantra is defence defence and defence and then we go from there

Turnovers killed us last year so keeping possession and not giving up the ball will be a key

I personally am not convinced about us making the eight even with a good run with injuries although I hope I am wrong

Some of our players didnt step up when others fell due to injury

Stats are wonderful but dont tell the whole story.

Some of our so called stars were pathetic with their efforts

Collingwood
Geelong
Freo
Hawks
Swans
North
Adelaide
Carlton
Richmond
StKilda
West Coast
Essendon*
even Brisbane all have claims in making the eight this year

It drops away a lot with the other 5 teams

That means 5 teams are going to miss
So I reckon even with a fit list we are going to have to improve on our 2011 season just to make it

One of the most important things about playing finals is how many times a team plays Gold Coast, Port , GWS, Melbourne and the Bulldogs

The way the comp is designed is [REDACTED] because of this simple factor and needs to be addressed.

For instance the best team from last year plays the worst team last year twice all because they are from the same city
How [REDACTED] is that

..much less about injuries [though they didn't help], and far more about gameplan, set-ups and team-work.. ..we looked fragile even before the injury toll got severe, likewise we made finals the 3 previous seasons with injuries to key talls too.. ..our system for 2013 [or lack of] exposed us far more than the injuries did..

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

Screen pseudonym clearly >>> real person.

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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

RIP Charlie Kirk (was/were)

Bah
Surely Malthouse = Premiership?

Really liked the write-up.

For mine role clarity may be the single most important driver of team success. If Malthouse can introduce and ingrain this into our team, who knows what they might be capable of. From the outside looking in, it appears like there's been a fair amount of freelancing going on (scores against off turnovers might be an indicator of this).

Nice article.

For a Nth Melbourne supporter this guys knows a lot about Carlton.

Agree with his remark about Ch 7 wanting to show anything "non-football" during games too.

You shouldn't be surprised he knows so much abbout Calrton Big Kev.

Every footy conversation I have anywhere in Aust and I tell you the person I'm talking to knows a lot about Carlton even if they don't barrack for us. People know Collingwood but there's more imo that they know about Carlton than they do Collingwood.

Maybe that's just me.
From that I just play on what I think they expect (and I bet they wish they could be so Carlton for their team though) so I just say...

We are Carlton....let the rest worry about us... they know we're coming...I am Carlton...Carlton.
Grass is always greener...but we are respected more than some TCers think.
Not everyone from the late 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's is dead.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Thanks for the 'heads up' Doc.
Bloody good read.
Best read of the summer.

Really surprised a few more players weren't considered for potential....Whitey for eg.
Was it written before xmas?

I reckon we'll win a flag this year or next and pinch another thereafter.
I reckon we're hot if our best are on the park and we're managed by a proven master.
I think the author is saying that in a roundabout way.

Casboult Hampson Kreuzer Waite Henderson all KPF options. That's fire power.
Then add Walker Garlett returning to best performances again to join with Betts.
There's plenty of forwards...with no expectation for Menzel.

Now its our turn to give MM a Carlton Premiership and I reckon it will be quicker than it took to him to get Collingwoods first flag.

Go Blues.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Being a North supporter would leave you with plenty of time on your hands to observe an exciting club!
Outstanding analysis, thanks for passing it on Doc.

Oh, that Teddy Hopkins.

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"Get ready, Teddy - you're on": Ron Barassi half time 1970 Grand Final

I thought you were talking about the water skier.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

In vino veritas indeed

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

too many injuries?
not enough talent?

I am backing by the end of 2013 our list will be considered one of the 3 best lists in the league........i am backing that the difference between our the mediocre decade we have just experienced and what we'll see over the next 5 years is attitude!

yep, like all competitive endeavours the difference between success and failure is often between the ears.

I am backing MM to be instrumental in a change in fortune for the Blues.

Great read, fantastic analysis.

Though scary to think a key injury or two might derail our year, again.

Hopefully MM, RW and co can ensure we are much more consistent and deliver more of our best footy than not.

We lost a lot of respect last year. I'm hoping the internal theme at the club is 'redemption' with the players themselves driving it.

I am saving any and all judgment until the real stuff starts.

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We are on our way back...