firstly you just cant play waite as a back his not smart enough, he takes his big grabs up forward

i think waite is better up forward, he doesn't read the play but if we kept josh he properly be in the back line

So why do most of the posts place thornton in the back pocket or on the half back flank with such as an inexperienced back line?

After THornton held the club to ransom last year to get a big contract did you see his performance in 2007? Only 24 best and fairest votes and almost played every game for the year. In fact for a player who layed almost every game this year THornton was the worst voting player in our best and fairest.

THornton must take the gun forward or 2nd best forward in the team next year - to justufy his pay and experience - otherwise why play him/?

And as far as playing houliham in the half forward line - youre kidding right? Have you seen his chasing and 2nd efforts when he is played up forward? His man wil kill us on the turn overs - thats why no coach would play him there even though he has superb skills and endurance etc.

Ratts will not tolerate players who dont commit to the 1% ers. Chasing, tackling etc - the team things. Even Big Fev will find humself playing at the bullants if he tries his old tricks that Pagan allowed him to get away with

Anybody can put down a team on paper.
In fact we can all come up with our best players or team of the century.
Thats not my point.
I am just pissed off at thornton for asking for big dollars when carlton were thin on talent stocks - especially in the back line - and then playing a shocking year in 2007. I would say that of the players who layed the majority of the year he was close to our worst palyer - with hi paltry 24 B&F votes. Nick stevvens got 25 votes in just one game against Richmond before he stuffed his neck up.

I am just saying that if a player demands to be paid big dollars then he must show big results and more importantly exhibit leadership on and off the field. We all know the dummy spits thornton exhibits when his man gets a goal or is outmarked - (which was quite frequent in 2007). This is a bad example for our younger players. I suspect that Thornton would be in danger of losing his spot if he doesnt fire early in the 2008 season.

Anybody can put down a team on paper.
Thats not my point.

Thornton Ohailipin Anderson
Scotland Bower Walker
Simpson Carrazzo Houlihan
Murphy Waite Fisher
Gibbs Fevola Betts

Cloke Judd Stevens

Hampson Jamieson Hadley Russell

How nice it is struggling to fit them all in.

Out of my 22 Anderson and Russell could be interchangeable with Jackson and Edwards at this time and I wouldn't be fazed.

I have left out the 3 young lads (Kruz, Army and Browny) because there is no need to throw them in the deep end at this time.

I've got Jamieson as a tall defender if one of the other 3 talls is getting beat. Gibbs along side Fev because Gibbs knows how to create space and will create room for Fev. He will drag his opponent away. He is also about 190cm now so he presents as a hard matchup. His defensive game will help keep the ball in the F50.

Houls and Simo on the wings to give us some decent kicks coming inside 50. Scotto and Houls to rotate if need be.

With Judd, Stevens and Carrots in the middle I think I would let Cloke have a crack at it and if he loses well hopefully the talent at his feet will help. It's not ideal but Hampson doesn't need to be flogged just yet.

Onball rotation of 7 or 8 should also help to mix things up.

Wiggo and AB will have to do it the hard way for the time being.

Regards Cazzesman

Now that we have gotten Pfeiffer in the PSD, would this lineup change in any way?

yes thornton is in my best 22 - but only just.
He has to start taking risks rather than holding up the play and then passing short to Scotland or houliham with t few possessions he does get. He actually allows the opposition time to man up and then our forwards most effective leads are lost. He is not the only one who does this but he is by far the worst.
THornton also needs to get the top or second forward. Last year when we played Essendon* earlier in the year Waite had to put his hand up during training to play on Lucas and waite was one of our best players.
Thronton is good honest player but this year will decide whether he takes that next step in the leadership and talent area or if Rhatten will drop him to the bullants - It will be a ruth less year - losses wont be tolerated - heads will roll after losses

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..

our best 22 isnt that hard to pick. its putting them into position thats the hard thing. fitting them all on the ground at once.