Went to the game with 2 young dardews last night who have seen some frightful beltings over the last few years -a couple of 100 point beltings at both the Dome and the G and some heart breaking losses due to fade outs
I have been telling them to keep the faith -we will improve -we have good young players -we will be a force again -we barrack for the best club ever
The looks of elation on their faces last night when we were 60 points up -realising that we were going to win well -going to win 2 in a row was priceless
One wants to put no.3 on her back -the other wants no.4-they love Hollywood Fevola but see Murphy and Gibbs as the totemic symbols of the dawning of a new era
They are going again next week against the scumsuckers with re-newed enthusiasm and passion -
To every one out there in footy cyberspace the Blues are coming there will still be some beltings and disappointments but the sleeping giant has awoken and where headed for the top
Go Blues

We'll smash those of the disgusting jumpers next week

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I see you watching me watching you.

I've been keeping the faith for quite a few years now. But history has taught me some very painful lessons

We are slowly getting back on an even keel. The gross mismanagement of the 90's plus the barbaric penalties of 2002 are slowly (not totally) being disolved with the turning over of our list and recruitment of bright prospects.

The pain we had to have is slowly coming to an end and we have seen brief (albeit sporadic) glimpses of what the future might hold. I was a little emotional in the 3rd quarter last night as our side delivered one of those famous premiership quarters and we managed to get to a 10 goal lead. I hadn't experienced that type of dominant performance since 1AW debuted early 2004 at PP. And 2004 just turned out to be a false dawn anyway. This time its different...

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C'mon Blueboys!

I dont look at 2004 as a false dawn, I see it more as a desperate attempt to rebuild a team from what was a terrible list.

We were prevented from doing this so because of the drafts picks and our awful financial situation.

The Port Adelaide game will be looked at as a defining match for the new Carlton.

Now that we have had these victories, Im inclined to believe that we might even have a quite strong second half of 2007 and finish just outside the eight with maybe 8 to 10 wins.

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My Blue Heaven

Which might be enough for DP to keep his job [ducks head awaiting vitriolic response]

Now let’s not get ahead of ourselves - shall we? Supporters are more up and down then a honeymooner’s nightie (to quote the great coach).

It would be nice if we could find a balance between wrist slashing, lynch mob and euphoria.

Realistically the Dawks might bounce back Friday and Buddy might tear as a new one like he did last year....

We have turned the corner.
Pagan has the setups right now because he is going for the wins and the kids are starting to believe in themselves. Did you guys notice Russell's game?

We are awake and getting out of bed, lets see how much we can stretch now. This weeks game is crucial to 2007, 5-7 with the break to follow is quite exciting, no?

History has nothin to do with it. I'm not saying we're going to be a force next year or the year after (altough we may) but the difference between this year and past years is the list. Thanks to the afl and the draft penalties our list has been flowered for years, and still hasn't recovered entirely. We have some good older players, loads of young guns, but we are missing a few of those 23, 24 year olds which for example hawthorn have. We picked up Simmo with 40 something in the draft and he was our first pick. Imagine if we had two picks before him as well. But, in a couple of years, the likes of murph, gibbs and all the others will fill this gap and we will have more young kids. Thats when we will be a force.
But the great thing is, look at who we are really relying on these days. Houla and Scotto are the only oldish players who come to mind. We're relying on Walker, Fisher, Murphy, Carazzo, Simmo, Thornton, Waite, Fevola etc. Thats not a bunch of middle aged (in football terms) recycled players and thats the difference between the past and 07

Hey, Mikkey you're so fine.
You're so fine you blow my mind.
Hey Mikkey.
Do honeymooners really wear nighties?

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

Don't know - according to DP they do.. I can't remember my wedding night, I was so drunk, I passed out... true story....

8 to 10 wins means winning about half of our remaining games.

I would have thought that if we are a developing side, that winning about half our remaining games would be a realistic target.

If we had continued on with honourable losses in the Footscray and Port Adelaide games, then I wouldnt be suggesting such a thing.

But now that the boys have discovered a way to win and more importantly a structure that they can use in order to achieve wins, then a wins target for 2007 is a more appropriate and probable worldline.

Nothing is as certain as the glorious uncertainty of football.

But it could have just as easily gone the other way and Carlton would still be looking at a priority pick - but the resolve of the players is such that this possibility looks like it is receding...

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My Blue Heaven

I love the way this group are playing for each other. I love watching the growth in confidence and ability I see each and every week. I love the fact that Brad and Jarrod are the new Kouta and Ang. There is something special about this group, there really is. It is a good time to be a Carlton supporter.

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A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" -Winston Churchill

L.M 35-06

Boy, what a game against Port! Being 10 goals up at 3qtr time, ahh took me back to the glory days of 2000! Absolutely rapt, and i'd say if we continue playing along this way, to our strengths and keep the scoring pressure up and endeavour around the ground, then we are a decent chance this week against the Hawks.

Our list is very exciting! Our midfield and forward lines are looking mighty impressive, midfield group is still young but just wait and give them a couple of years!! Walker, Simpson, Stevens (next year), Carazzo, Murphy and in future Gibbs, oh and Bentick and Blackwell .. and a great forward line including the FEV, Waite, Whitnall and Fisher who's getting the 3rd backman each week and still underrated!! And Lappa who will go on next year, you'd think. How dangerous does that make the team!...

We're now playing to our freakin strengths, Pagan has turned things around dramatically after being rather dissappointing.

Top 5 pick this year, development and improvement from others coming through the ranks like Grigg and Kennedy and i believe now we can begin getting very excited about our team, we don't need to worry about false dawns or getting ahead of ourselves..

This year we still may have a couple of dissappointing games but some very good ones also, with a fair bit of joy like the game against Port..

Like the hawks, dont be surprised if we really push next year, I honestly believe we will be hardened and striving for success, the players will never forget the low depths that they've been, we're gonna be as hungry a unit as any in the comp, Carlton has a lot of pride, and retribution to restore and with the talent and confidence growing we are going to rip some teams a mighty new one over the coming years..

Hopefully with a couple of other types through the ranks beginning to develop and stamp themselves as players, the sky really is the limit at Carlton!

Enjoying watching my team and very excited about the future ahead! I remember saying in a post last week, and i'll say it again! Enjoy the ride!

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Corinthians 9:6- 8

Sprouting optimism yet again Donstuie... I'm yet to see a single positive post from you yet mate, then again I may be wrong - one or two positives in 80-odd posts could prove hard to find...


Right on though No1.Blue, our midfield is quick turning into one of the most dangerous in the AFL - and no this may not win games but the sooner we control the stoppages the sooner we will see the results around the ground. The defensive side of our game is the only glaring deficit at the moment, but this will come with time and experience - and to their credit they have held rather well for the past two weeks - particularly against Port.

Most importantly, you see the kids playing with confidence - real positive aggressive football. The one-percenters, tackling in numbers, for the most part passing the ball with composure and cutting out the contests that are not in our favour. All of this show that the team is really starting to develop and gel as a team...

No journo or oppositon supporter would dare to say it, but they know Carlton is on the way back - and, dare I say it - they should be worried.

I've been keeping the faith for a while now, and will continue to do so as this team develops.

Two wins in a row is a great step compared with recent experiences, but I hope people realise there is a long way to go yet. For example, our shepherding and blocking still needs lots of work.

Looking forward to Friday night against the Hawks, but I hope folks do not get feral if we end up short.

QFT

I'd say I'm a realist more than anything. I know that one day we'll be back where we belong with the other teams watching our backs disappear in the dust. But I am also cautious about getting my hopes up ahead of time. I first made that mistake after the 2000 season before the AFL [REDACTED] us, and then in 2004 where the events afterwards broke my heart and made me sick all at once.

There's a lot to like about this group and the way they are developing, and my confidence will definitely grow if we can finish with 8-10 wins by the end of the year, but I'd rather take that ride every step of the way with these guys, rather than waiting at the finish line.

One week at a time

I wouldn't say we've awoken.

I reckon we're just stirring at the moment.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24

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"IF YOU FAIL TO PREPARE, YOU'RE PREPARED TO FAIL" - Mark Spitz