Wrong with Jamo, wrong with Judd.
Let me tell you that it will kill you and every other Collingwood supporter when Judd starts running out for the navy blue.

I'm going to guess that Melvey was more worried about Jamo being first choice full back than anything else. To that extent I agree with him (and I am an unabashed Jamison fan... reminds me of Michael Sexton). For mine, we need to protect Jamo by playing him as back pocket.

Anyway, here's my team for round one... and it is off the top of my head (so I'll miss someone out), and I'll maybe even name someone twice:

B: Anderson O'Hailpin Jamison
HB: Thornton Waite Gibbs
C: Scotland Carrazzo Simpson
HF: Fisher Cloke Murphy
F: Betts Fevola Houlihan
Foll: Hampson Judd Walker
Inter: Stevens Hadley Pfeiffer Kreuzer

A few small explanations.

1. this is the hardest side to pick that we've had in a long while. Doesn't mean it is perfect, but it really is much tougher to fit players in. Give it a go if you haven't already.
2. Stevens is on the bench just because I think we'll ease him back into it
3. My guess is that Anderson is first choice for BP. Depends on his injuries though.
4. CHF is the obvious weak point. Into the future I expect this to be an interchanging role between Hampson, Kreuzer, and Aisake. But they won't be ready for it next year.
5. Jake Edwards could be the wildcard in that team if he can occupy a HFF. If Fev plays a longer lead-up role (as training reports suggest), then we can maybe do without a traditional CHF, and have Edwards and Fisher as strong marking HFF.

Hey Tommi

That good day sir, sounds more like Dorothy Michaels. .

_________________
“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

Well, here's my teams for this week ...which will no doubt differ from next weeks teams

B. Anderson O’hAilpin Thornton
HB. Bower Waite Gibbs
C. Stevens Carrazzo Simpson
HF. Fisher Fevola Walker
F. Kreuzer Hartlett Betts

R. Cloke Judd Murphy

I. Hadley Hampson Scotland Armfield


B. Browne Jamison Teague
HB. Pfieffer Austin Bannister
C. Grigg Jackson Russell
HF. Houlihan Ackland Benjamin
F. Lappin Edwards Wiggins

R. A.O’hAilpin Bentick Blackwell

I. Saddington Jacobs Joseph Hill Ellard Shields


- Gibbs to set up play from the HB line
- Fevola to play up the ground a bit more so as we're so predictable
- Walks to play the high flying xfactor role up forward ala Russell Robertson
- Hartlett & Edwards to rotate through the season at FF
- Armfield off the bench to provide bursts of pace at opportune times
- Bower in to add to height and run
- Hadley in to rotate and tag through the middle
- Stevo out on a wing to link & create
- Cloke Kreuz & Hammer to rotate through the ruck, up forward and the bench
- JR Jacko Austin Grigg Benji Browney Pfeiffer & Jamo to continue their apprenticeships...

_________________
There's so much I could say...

B--- Thornton - Ohailpin - Bower

HB-- Walker - Waite - Scotland

C -- Gibbs - Stevens - Simpson

HF -- Fisher - Hartlett - Houlihan

F -- Kruezer - Fevola - Betts

R - Cloke - Judd - Murphy

IC - Carrazzo - Hadley - Russell - Hampson



That was a pretty hard task, the spine needs a little work. We need Hartlett to step up at either CHF or CHB for us to go places

Hey all,

I'm new to TC, but I couldn't resist throwing in my two cents...

B: Jacko Carlos T-Bird
HB: Scotland Waite Tex
C: Simmo Carrots Stevo
HF: Gibbs Cloke Hoops
F: Betts Fev Fish
Foll: Hammer Judd Murph
Inter: Kreuzer Hadley JR Bower


Cloke's not an ideal long-term prospect at CHF, but I think he should be a decent stop-gap as a forward/ruckman while the likes of Kreuzer/Hammer/Aisake/Hartlett/Edwards mature and develop.

I'd start the season with Hammer as our #1 ruckman, changing with Cloke in the forward line. Kreuzer coming off the bench to play as a tall forward (and do some ruck work in the forward line) when Hammer or Cloke need a rest on the pine. Hartlett might get a shot at this role if his pre-season form is better than Kreuzer's (I can't see Harts making it as a key defender, so he needs to grab any opportunity he gets as a 3rd tall forward in '08, IMO).

Is FB going to be Carlos' spot? Hmm, not sure....He looks more comfortable to me up the field when he can run around and play a bit more instinctively. Likewise, I'm not sure about the Waite CHB v CHF issue....But I've given those two guys the key defensive spots because I think those are the positions where we need them to step up the most. It'd be a huge bonus if Bower, Jamo or Austin could grow into key defensive roles in the next 12 months.

I've got Betts, Jacko and JR in just ahead of Ando, Griggs and Pfeiffer - but there will be some healthy competition for spots emerging in the lead up to round 1...

I couldn't find a spot for AB or Blackers. I hate to say it, but unless they have breakthrough seasons (which is unlikely IMO), I think future opportunities will be limited for both guys as our list improves and our midfield depth grows stronger. Lack of leg speed and overhead strength hurts when you don't have exceptional skills and endurance. I particularly admire AB's hardness and courage, so I particularly hope I'm wrong about his prospects (especially as we are not exactly spoilt for inside midfielders).

I reckon Sugar, Wiggler, Banno and Saddo will struggle to get many AFL games in '08 (unless we get a lot of injuries), in fact I think all four will be up against it to remain on the list beyond '08...

I think most of us who have watched Benji, Edwards and Aisake in the VFL will agree that the jury is still out on those guys (the distance between their best and worst is fairly massive at the moment), but all three are young and have had injuries, and I'm glad all three have another year (at least) to prove they are worthy of a spot on an AFL list.

Three main areas of concern jump out at me when I look at the above team:
1) our backline is a long way off being settled;
2) we still have short-to-medium term issues in the ruck;
3) pace is still a general problem, particularly up forward.

Hopefully our recruiting this year will help address 3) in the next couple of years....and make no mistake - we are still developing.... (for what it's worth, I see us finishing somewhere between 9th and 14th in 2008).

Anyway, thanks for reading and letting me have my say!!

Go Blues!!

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Updated

Some rubbish 22's popping up... won't name names.

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

Whatta ya MEAN Jim..........

your name's at the bottom the list..........!


kindest regards tommi

_________________
that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

Don't keep us in suspense Jimmae....

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Haha.. probably looks bad with my posting after yours. Don't worry, you get a pass.

I also rate the Johnny Cash reference.

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

The man in black could've only been cooler if he'd been in navy blue...

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Here is who I would like to see line up for us in round 1. Not who I think will or should!

FB: Anderson, Jamison, Thornton

HB: Scotland, S. OhAilpin, Carazzo

C: Walker, Stevens, Houlihan

HF: Fisher, Waite, Gibbs

FF: Betts, Fevola, Cloke

R: A. OhAilpin, Judd, Murphy

INT: Hartlett, Simpson, Jackson, Russell


Thoughts;

Anderson - I thought he showed some good form last year b4 he was injured. Would love to see him hold down a back pocket!

Jamison - I have high hopes that he will hold down this position for us for a long time!

Thornton - finnally gets to play 3rd tall !!!

Carlos - I really believe that CHB is the best place 4 him. Look forward to seeing him really dominate games from this position.

Carrots - will be a part of the midfield rotation, but will also be very handy coming off a HBF !!

Walker - Have always wanted to be able to release Walker into the midfield and now I think we have the personall (sp?) to do it !

Hoops - For me, he is good enough to have earned this position.

Gibbs - see Carrots except on a HFF!

Waite - See Carlos except @ CHF !

Cloke - I really think that this guy has something to offer. Resting ruckman in the FP

Asaike - I have really high hopes that this guy and Hammer will become a gun ruck combination in years to come - this guy has an age and (i think) size/ weight advantage over Hammer ATM so I gave him the nod as 1st in the team.

Hartlett - as a tall option on the bench can go either forward or back. Picked him for his versitility.

Simpson - Pure midfielder. I can't believe I can't fit this guy into my starting 18 !!!

Russell - Can play mid, forward or back, good versitility

Jackson - tagger, mid. I really believe that this guy has a lot to offer.


THE OTHERS

This is the exciting bit !!!

FB: Browne, Austin, Bower

HB: Pfifer, Saddington, Hadley

C: Grigg, Blackwell, Armfield

HF: Bannister, Kreuzer, Benjamin

FF: Ackland, Edwards, Wiggins

R: Hampson, Bentick, Joseph

INT: Jacobs, Ellard, Shields, Hill

The thing that really excites me when I look @ this is that there is pressure on NEARLY every position. Whether through injury or poor form there is someone who is ready to step in and do the job!

I think we have a really exciting list and can't wait to see the boys go out and show the whole world that CARLTON ARE BACK !!!!

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

walker walker walker
walker walker walker
walker walker walker
walker walker walker
walker walker walker

walker walker walker

judd judd judd judd

Telling you now ... Armfield will fit straight into the side this year.

B Armfield Setanta Thornton
HB Scotland Waite Hadley
C Walker Stevens Simpson
HF Carrazzo Cloke Gibbs
F Fisher Fev Betts

R Hampson, Judd, Murphy

Int Jackson, Bower, Hartlett, Bentick

Emerg Browne, Kruezer, Pfeiffer


Kruezer and Hartlett would be battling for the same spot but I think Kruezer
could do with a couple of Bullants games and not be expected to be the next messiah..

_________________
"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

P. Bower S. O'hAilpin B. Thornton

A. Walker J.Waite H. Scotland

J. Russell M. Murphy K.Simpson

R. Houlihan C Cloke B. Gibbs

R. Jackson B. Fevola E. Betts

Foll C. Judd, N. Stevens, S. Hampson
Inter A. Carrazzo, M. Kruezer , Hadley, from A. O'hAilpin, A.Bentick, S. Grigg, S. Wiggins

_________________
Bring on 2008

BP1 (small): Armfield, Anderson, Browne, Banno
FB: Setanta, Thornton, Jamo, Saddo
BP2 (mid/Tall): Jamo, Thornton, Saddo
HB1 (Sweeper): Scotland, Houla, Thornton
CHB: Waite, Setanta, Hartlett, Austin(?)
HB2 (Attacking): Walker, Bower, Armfield, Hadley
W1: Simmo, Walker, Gibbs, Grigg, Benjamin
C: Stevens, Carazzo, Hadley, Bentick
W2: Simmo, Walker, Gibbs, Grigg, Benjamin
HFF (attacking): Edwards, Houla, Gibbs
CHF: Cloke, Hartlett, Fisher, Waite, Aisake
HFF (defensive): Gibbs, Russell, Armfield, Wiggins
FP1 (small): Betts, Gibbs
FF: Fevola
FP2 (mid/Tall): Fisher, Kruezer, Edwards
Ruck: Hampson, Cloke, Kruezer, Ackland, Aisake
RRover: Judd, Stevens, Hadley, Carazzo
Rover: Murphy, Stevens, Jackson, Betts
I/c: the rest

This is just an exercise to try and assign people roles (leads to thinking about competion for spots), people might be able to come up with some more roles ... be interesting to see. Some players (Judd, Gibbs etc.) could be everywhere so have just limited it to expected role.

Team would be:

Armfield Setanta Thornton
Scotland Waite Bower
Walker Stevens Simmo
Houla Cloke Gibbs
Betts Fevola Kruezer

Hammer Judd Murphy
Aisake Jackson Hadley Carazzo

Not sure about CHF, with Waite being groomed for down back, no stand out replacement. That said, Cloke has improved significantly his engine this summer so will give him a go.

Crushed to not find a place for Jammo. If no opposition small then I'd swap him for Army.

That was tough ... I deserve a beer.

_________________
"It was like calling your ex girlfriend after a night on the booze, just a really bad decision".

Hey everyone,
i thought i might start gettin involved rather than just reading.

Heres my team anyway.

B: Jamison O'Hailpin Carrazzo
HB:Armfield Thornton Scotland
C:Walker Stevens Simpson
HF:Fisher Waite Houlihan
F:Kreuzer Fevola Betts
Foll:Hampson Judd Murph
Int:Gibbs A.O'Hailpin Hadley Anderson
Emerg:Russell Cloke Bower Hartlett

Geez thats hard!
Few reasons:
I put Army at HBF cos it looks like he has some burst and rebound ability.
Carrots in the BP to go into midfield also
Thornton up to CHB, not sure how this would go but i reckon it s worth a try.
I put Asaike in instead of Cloke, just wanna see this guy in the mix, he bigger, quicker and stronger by the looks of it.
Gibbs and Hadley also to rotate around the midfield.
I think Russell, Bentick, Blackwell, Saddo, Ackas, Grigg might have some work ahead of them to get into/stay in the 22

All in all things are looking up and im counting down the days till we starting climbing back up that ladder.

Cheers

_________________
The climbing has alread began

I found this very difficult. The structure is "modern day"

Back 5: Waite, O'Hailpin, Thornton, Armfield, Scotland

Midfield 8: Judd, Stevens, Murphy, Simpson, Cloke, Carazzo, Walker,Jackson

Forward 5: Fevola, Fisher, Betts, Houlihan, Edwards

Interchange 4: Jamison, Hampson, Hadley, Gibbs

firstly you just cant play waite as a back his not smart enough, he takes his big grabs up forward
...but i agree on this one this is a 17th premiership squad

B
Thornton Jamison Bower

HB
Scotland S. O'hAilpin Walker

C
Carrazzo Stevens (c) Simpson

HF
Gibbs Waite Houlihan

F
Fisher Fevola Betts

Foll
Hampson Judd Murphy

Int
Anderson Bentick Jackson Kreuzer

Emer (from)
Cloke, Austin, Russell, Grigg, A.O'hAilpin