Until our backline is sorted out, it may be a bit optimistic to be talking finals so early. Although I'm happy to be proven wrong too.

Considering we underperformed this year by a minimum of 3 games, anything less than 9 wins is embarrassing. We have all the ingredients, now it's all about putting them together and baking that cake.

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"You're not gonna believe this. The guy killed 16 czechoslovakians. He was an interior decorator."

"His house looked like shit!"

Most will find this impossible to believe, but the lucky season when Carlton pinches a premiership may well be 2008.

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My Blue Heaven

I would have thought that this wasnt a political statement at all, but instead a quite harmless view of what might happen if we are lucky enough have few injuries in 2008.

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My Blue Heaven

waldo is worried about my sig because it is political.

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|♥♥♥♥♥♥| http://www.blueseum.org |♥♥♥♥♥♥|

Backline needs work.

We are currently on a streak of 21 games in a row where our opponent has scored 100+ points.

The game that doesn't fall in the streak was a 98 point game.

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"You're not gonna believe this. The guy killed 16 czechoslovakians. He was an interior decorator."

"His house looked like shit!"

Jamo!!

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

I think we ll finish 6th........ even though im not against tanking just one more year and setting up the Mother of all future dynasties... Actually Ill reserve my judgment on the tanking 2008 issue until more details on the anticipated quality of next years draft emerges

Ok ive thought about it ............ I think we should tank 2008

No tanking, let's win games. Had enough of losing...

Whilst I'm expecting major improvements next year, I don't believe it's a given we'll make finals. For mine, our defence and ruck is still very shaky and will be our achilles heel. If we can 'break even' in these areas, and have a good run with injuries/suspensions etc, we may sneek in to the 8.

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We are on our way back...

Our classier, more mature and stronger midfield is the key here. We have regularly conceded 55 plus inside 50's against us in the past few years and even the likes of Doull, Southby, Hunter, McKay etc would have found that hard going. Very hard going.

Joe Anderson and Jacko are the "accountable" midfielders/run with players who will really shore us up in that area, too. Hadley handy for that, too.

The backline was finding its way last year until Stevens went down and Santy was shunted all over the park to cover for Ackland & Cloke.

Santy, Thornton, Walker, Scotland and Waite form a strong nucleus back there. 4 of those 5 are in "prime time" now when it comes to their careers.

We could easily make the 8.

I dont look at the things that others rely on, but from my perspective, a number of disparate factors are coming together quite rapidly - and these all point to a final 8 home and away finish for Carlton.

Nothing is certain in this world or the others, but you can suddenly find yourself in an indicative situation.

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My Blue Heaven

nice post. it's a also case of whether we can be consistent next year - or a bit up and down. the talent is blossoming but i think we are still in a development phase. we could indeed make the eight, but i'd rather not just scrape in - we are still young and small and would likely most get smashed in a final.

i'd rather miss next year and be stronger for a chance at maybe winning a final or two in 09.

in any case we are in for a serious crack in the next 3-6 years

i predict massive improvement in mark austin.

he is the man for CHB.

Ithought we'd make the finals last year, and this year. I'm not saying anything about next year.

Can someone please explain to me where this magical idea of Setanta at full back came from? Yes we stuck him in there at the start of last year because of his height and athletic prowess, but it's been shown time and time again that he either lacks the defensive nous or doesn't have the zip off the mark, despite being able to smash players of similar height over the journey.

So if he doesn't quite have the zip of the gun full forwards, you don't play him there. You play him at CHB, where he will carve up blokes who rely on their height and marking power. The exception of course lies with teams that don't operate with a leading FF. Otherwise Setanta is a clear candidate as a rebounding CHB, and one who doesn't have concentration lapses like say... Waite?

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Where's Waldo?

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

I don't give a rat's clacker how many games we win or whether we push for finals. If I can get through a season without losing by a three figure margin I'll be a happy man.