Hello TC

I was at the game on Friday. A terrific win. But one thing stuck clearly in my mind.

Simon Wiggins should never, ever, under any circumstances, play for Carlton again.

He had 8 possesions, 4 of which were clangers. He is inept at AFL level.

I know he tries hard, possibly harder than any other person on the list, and he has done for 5 years, but he is simply not up to standard. He has never ever presented a case for continued selection in his career.

He did hit Lance on the lead from 20 metres, on his left foot in the final term, but that hardly makes up for the numerous times he coughed it up under no pressure earlier in the match, helping the Hawks in their 3 quarter demolition. Not to mention that that sort of pass he should make with his eyes closed anyway.

He did have 8 tackles. So he should after disgracing himself and badly letting the team down.

I know Simon has a lot of fans here, but really, they all know deep down that he is a long way from being a decent AFL player, he should be dropped for Richmond, but probably won't because Pagan loves him and we have a few out, but in my mind he should be banished to Preston and sent back to Tassie at the end of the season.

Unless drastic and far-ranging improvents are evident in his game in the next 16 weeks, it's "Bye Bye Simon" - and the Blues will be better for it.

i have faith in simon and dennis, but you're entitled to your opinion

Its interesting Wiggo is singled out - how many clangers did the team have collectively? Even Stevens was making skill errors.

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Pagan will take Wiggo's fearless courage every time I reckon. Moreover, I think he has showed signs of real progress this year. That pass to Lance that you point out clearly shows that Wiggins can deliver under pressure. It was a sublime piece of play and proves, IMO at least, that Wiggo, and most of our younger players for that matter, deserve the chance to develop and we just need to be patient.

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I thought he really put in on Friday night, and my estimation of him has gone up.

Sorry, I don't agree.

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True - Stevens was below his best for the first half - made some uncharacteristic errors. For Wiggins, this sort of game is hardly "uncharacteristic" is it? He
I'd love him to turn it around and become a valuable contributor, but I don't think he can do it.

49 Clangers as a team - a few guys had 5 clangers but not counting as 50% of all possesion!

Here we go.

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

Bring back some memories Deano?

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Elroy - did you happen to catch the Port and Freo games?

Undoubtedly one of our best in one of those games. He chased, he tackled, he took death-defying marks, he snapped goals....

He showed that deep down he in fact IS an AFL footballer. He simply needs to let go of the negative stuff in his head and play by instinct.

At the very least I think his recent performances have earned him a bit of grace over the next few games.

Why bother saying that Elroy, when you've said you'd like him sent back to Tassie???

Sure I was disappointed when he beat 3 Hawks, then turned it over with a poor pass from the free he received. But - bigger picture. Look at his last few weeks, especially the Port game.

Despite being drafted back in 2000, Wiggo still needs experience & gets better with it.

Patience.

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Ponkstar said



If we allow people to keep their spot with performances like Simon's on Friday, how are we to progress as a team?

Simon needs to learn to hit targets consistently, his disposal is an absolute disgrace, the worst at Carlton, and I challenge anyone to dispute that fact. He also had no idea Friday where to man up - he very nearly cost us a free for being a surplus man in the square.

Against Port was his best game for the club, yes, but he needs to be able to reach at least that level on a regular basis.

Essentially, this is not gospel, just my point of view. I enjoy reading the opinions of people who rate Wiggins, and they do make some valid points.

David Clarke?

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

I thought he was one of the few that stood up in the first quater when everyone else was in oblivion.. His tackling and tenacity are his assets, his disposal is improving. He won't be dropped this week. Sorry.

Yeah, Clarke can't kick, but at least he doesn't get a game!

I have to agree with you Elroy...

He has been on our list for 5 years and has made limited progress. I'm all for being patient with youngsters but I don't beleive we can afford to hang onto guys into their mid twenties to see if they can finally accumulate a 10 posession game.

I love his attack and endeavour but he has always had this. I too used to think he would be a good player once the greeness was out of his game. Problem is the greeness is still there as is a lack of composure and feel for the game.

I can never quite understand why we seem so keen to jump all over guys like McGrath and Johnno but want to protect people who do not contribute like Wiggo.

Wiggo is our second best tackler behind Kouta on the stat sheet.

To say he is not "starring" I have to agree, to say he is not contributing, is absolutely laughable.

Guess we will agree to disagree about what constitutes a contribution.

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"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies." - Gene Hill

OK you have won me over...I'll get excited now that after 5 years Wiggins is laying tackles

We are not talking about a first year player...he has had 5 years in the system and people are talking up development in terms of tackles and endeavour. Now that is laughable.

I'm more a getting the hands on the pill man...I'm sure that is a part of our game.

Possessions aren't everything. You need your foot soldiers as well as your elite marksmen.

Wiggins is doing ok as far as I'm concerned.

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

Go Kernafides! - At least you've got the balls to diss the apparent flavour of the month.

People are posting that Wiggins played well? Was anyone who is reading this post at the game on Friday? Were you awake?

I find it very surprising that so many people here, people who know and love Carlton as much as I do, actually like Wiggins.

If you want to get excited over young talent at Carlton, like I am, look to Houlihan, Waite, Fisher, Walker, Simpson, Carrazzo and Betts. They are the future of the Blues.

Wiggins will be chasing and tackling brilliantly for Tasmania next season!