No disrespect, but Cazz is a draft expert, not a football manager.

Bower will get eaten alive at CHB in 2008, but in 3 years who knows, maybe he'll slot in nicely.

VB wrote



I don't know if he'll 'get eaten alive' or not. There's nothing to indicate that he will or wnt. There have been many a 20 yo to make CHB their own, so it's not knew. The reason that happened? They were given their opportunity.

As for the Cazz scenario. My view regarding draft experts is:

If they know what qualities to look for, they should also know what stage a kid is at, and the upside. Maybe Cazz knows something you don't, after all he's judging a footballer's progress and where he's at.

Players can grow over a preseason. Confidence takes players a long way if they have the physical attributes (height, weight, speed, stamina) and skill (to execute coaches instructions).

As posted after the 2006 Swans game when Bower stood on Hall in the second half, I thought Bower had the better of him. Not only did he blanket Hall, he also ran off him too.

VB, are you judging Bower by his effort/ performannce at CHB in 2007? You shouldn't, because he wasn't given the opportunity. So there's nothing concrete to judge him on.

Bower will surprise though.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

It's a good question VB. This time last year, I was calling for Waite to be played at CHB. I thought with Kennedy and / or Whitnall up forward, we could afford to have Waite down back, and I thought he had the right sikills to be able to hold it down. I still do.

However, I've got a different opinion now, based on two things. We no longer have Kennedy and Whitnall as options, and we have to work out where to play Setanta.

Setanta needs to be given a role this year, and be allowed to grow into it week after week. He's not a ruckman. FB is too difficult for him, has it requires very precise reading of the game, and I think he lacks some of that precision. You could stick him in a forward pocket, but I think that's a waste. And I'm not a subscriber of the wing theory, I don't believe, at senior AFL level, that 200cm players make good wingmen.

That leaves CHF or CHB. IMHO, it is too much to ask for him to play the most difficult position on the ground. That leaves CHB, where I believe with the freedom to run, without having to have the precise reading that comes with playiong on a leading full forward, he could excel.

By default, that leaves Waite at CHF. And in answer to your question, I saw about 8 or 10 games last year where Waite played forward and genuinely ecxcited me with what he did. 20-25 possessions, dozen marks, goals, and some freaky things in the air and on the ground that make him difficult to match up on. There was one game in particular which was a turning point, after he started playing forward, and for the next 2 months, he played a lot of excellent football. All my family commented on the fact that he had finally taken that significant step that we knew he needed to.

Yes, he can be a bit inconsistent, and he knows that. Yes, he can do some stupid things...he probably always will. But he showed enough to me last year to say that he could be a very, very good CHF.

_________________
Mens sana in corpore sano.

Bring back the laurel wreath logo!!!

Some of you got to be joking. Setanta does not know how to play forward, he gets in the way, does not know when to lead, double back, make room for other fowards and cant read the play. If he is to be our CHF god help us. Serious some of you have no idea or have never played the game. Sorry

JK will be a massive loss, you just wait and see. JK, Fev along with Fish are the only 3 genuine forwards who understand how to play forward.

CHF is the hardest position to play and some of you think Setanta can play this role have o understanding of the game.

Little do i know about the game, are you serious. Mate im hobbling round on one leg and i could out run him.

Do you remember the game against freo when his direct opponent kicked three goals running off him from half back cant remember the kids name but never kicked a goal in his career and kicked 3 that game.

Love Fish, i think he has one of the best set of hands in the game and is a genuine forward. But he is slow and teams use his direct opponent to rebound and set up attack by running off him.

Sorry but i would have question your knowledge if you think Fish is quick.

Good day sir!

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Now that we have a coach who can create a team plan playing to a team's strengths you will see Fish playing a lot deeper in the forward line - and with our improved mid-field strength any defender wanting to run-off Fish will do so at their own peril.

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

Winston Churchill

Lance was too slow.

Fish is not too slow.

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There is no footy god

Melvey wrote



What does that have to do with pace?

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Seigfried wrote



I really enjoy your posts!

You explain strengths, weaknesses, analysis, positives, negatives, probable outcome, reasons.

The game of AFL is not about perfection; that's what you strive for. It's about playing to your strengths, covering your weaknesses and balance.

You seem to cover all that with reason.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I now can go out and have those beers with a cheer in my belly.

I too believe Waite arrived in 2007. 2008 the Carlton doubters will awaken to what they missed in 2007; and of course of what is in fact, fact.

Waite is a 'hot' footballer who gives his all, like the very best do.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

that seals it then - setanta to CHF

seriously though - i reckon if he has a couple of years at CHB, that will be the best way to teach him how to read the play and learn what a good CHF has to do.

but i like him as a defender

Exactly. They are probably never going to read the game like players who have grown up playin footy all their lives. Setanta for Key Defensive Role.. maybe a few stints forward for variety

BTW Carrots Arms look like the Incredible hulk

HE IS SLOW!!!!

he is responsible for his opponent. yes he has team mates around him, but you got to be accountable and as hard as you work when the balls coming your way you got to work even harder when its going out.

hence why most teams play a hard running defender on him, who can set up play because he is easy to run off.... to slow to chase

Hear hear, listen to this man, he speaks great wisdom !

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1. Walker,
2. Menzel,
3. Murphy,
4. Gibbs,
5. Judd.

Fisher isn't slow!




I dunno, this isn't really an opinionated thing - he either is or he isn't...
He has acknowledged that his speed on the lead isn't his strong point, but he was a wingman in juniors at times, and you can see he often plays up the ground, does hard running....

He isn't slow, that's just the way it is!

Waite should be used so that opposition teams sit and wonder, like they do with Lance Franklin, "who the @#$%&! are we going to put on him?".

Whatever way that is, I'll leave it to Ratten to work out.

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"I had to eat"

Talking about Ratten, confidence for new year etc. I just read that Essendon* are doing sand dune training in Tasmania.

I would like Carlton to do a bit of sand dune training - it always seems to strengthen teams up.

I'd prefer we learn how to kick

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"I had to eat"

Always a pleasure to engage in vigorous and informed discussion on here. Have one on me Bondi.

_________________
Mens sana in corpore sano.

Bring back the laurel wreath logo!!!