There's an article in today's Herald-Sun about how the Bulldogs had 15 players who could do the 20m sprint in under 3 seconds in 2005. And how they're hoping to have 20 players who can do it next year.

Any thoughts on how many Carlton players could do it?
- Betts, Livo, Wiggins, Simpson, Bannister, Walker, Russell, Fev?

dunno bout us, but if thats true about the bulldogs thats pretty good sign 4 them

Walker, Chambers and Russell would go close.

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Is Chambers that quick over sprint distance? I thought his ability was more in the 3-4km range which is understandable. He typically has to run that far to retrieve his wayward kicks.

Didn't Livo record some ridiculously quick 20m sprint time at draft camp?

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Congratulations CK95

Pace is next to useless if your players turn it over every time they get it.

I agree speed is important but being able to kick and handball the pill to advantage should be our number one priority.

Exactly...
Diesel... slow
Paul Kelly... slow
Brett Ratten...slow
Michael Voss post knee op... slow

users of the ball. That's what we need. But with just enough toe to back up their pill-finding abilities.

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Congratulations CK95

Can't agree with you, Bluehammer, about Paul Kelly. He wasn't slow. He used to run away from a number of our midfielders.

Obviously if you're good enough, pace deficiencies can be overcome. But in the modern 'keepings off' style of AFL footy, pace and skill level play a huge role.

If I recall correctly, I think Pagan is on record in saying that we need to get more quick players into the team.

Players with the ball look quick, players without the ball look slow. Kelly - OK he wasn't quite Harry Madden but he wasn't quick. Those guys look quicker than they are over a flat 20m because they know how to find the ball and create space around them.

I'm not saying chase slow players, (and I realise you're not saying we should just chase quick ones!) I just reckon that finding players that can:

1) get the ball, and
2) use it wisely

should be the #1 members of any wishlist.

One thing the stands out with the initial point of this thread, ie the riches the bulldogs are accummulating, is that the bulk of their speedy guys can all use the ball. I reckon the doggies are on the right track, but the guys that are running quick 20m sprints for them aren't David Clarke or Spriggs.

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Congratulations CK95

Look Jordan McMahon came out of his shell this year with Eade.
In my opinion id love us to snag Murphy a tall then go for a player like Dempsey Muston or Oakleigh Nicholls with pick 20.
I really dont think there will be any good tall left at pick 20.. and i reckon speed kills...

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I believe Fev's pretty quick over the sprint.
Not certain but I remember hearing this time last year that he recorded a very good time for 20m sprints.
Can anyone confirm or deny(sp?)?

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Fev, Slim Red and the excitement machine Eddie what a full-forward line!!

Bannister, Betts, Carrazzo, Chambers, Davies (Davis), Fevola, Fisher (Fischer), Houlihan (Houlahan), Lappin, Livingston (Livingstone), McGrath, Prendergast (Prendagast), Russell, Simpson, Waite, Walker, Wiggins.

That's 17.

Not bad!

You might be right about Waite, Verbs, but I think Davies and Prendergast are endurance athletes without being particularly quick on the sprint.

I have my doubts about Lappin and Houlihan.

I'm with BH.

The better players, while not as fast know where the ball will be in 2-5 seconds, rather than chasing where it was a second ago, which is what will happen if all we have is pace and no skill.

I'd rather have a team of mid-speed runners who can un out a whole match and know how to get the ball, and how to get it on to a teammate rather than a bunch of sprinters who have no other qualities.

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