Not fussed whether we win or lose this game.

Certainly the last time we played Hawthorn we were well thumped in an overhyped game about the battle of the "improvers" - which showed how far off the mark we were.

Hoping for a far closer result - and if a loss consigns us to a practise match at Princes Park where the coaching panel can work on a few more things before Round 1 then so be it.

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

Winston Churchill

Verbs, i'm up in Byron Bay from this Friday, would they get it live as well?

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"I will rejoice in their anguish, delight in their failure and revel in our success"

We are Carlton, @#$%&! the rest !!!!!!

I would say so.

Based on what?

based on the theory that if you claim you're not going to win and then you don't win then it was what you expected all along, but if you do end up winning you can do some serious gloating at this "unexpected" win.

At every betting agency you could find Hawthorn will be clear favourites to win.

http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/N ... wsId=55369

Here's the schedule for the weekend .. 19:10 bounce (as we expected) .. MrsG won't be pleased

Our squad has been reduced through injury this week to
2 Jordan Russell
3 Marc Murphy
4 Bryce Gibbs
6 Kade Simpson
8 Matthew Kreuzer
9 Jason Saddington
10 Richard Hadley
13 Luke Blackwell
14 Brad Fisher
15 Steven Browne
16 Shaun Grigg
17 Setanta Ó hAilpín
18 Paul Bower
19 Eddie Betts
21 Mark Austin
22 Shaun Hampson
23 Adam Hartlett
24 Nick Stevens
25 Brendan Fevola
26 Joe Anderson
27 Dennis Armfield
28 Cameron Cloke
28 Heath Scotland
29 Sam Jacobs
30 Jarrad Waite
31 Jordan Bannister
32 Bret Thornton
33 Ryan Houlihan
34 Simon Wiggins
35 Aisake Ó hAilpín
37 Jake Edwards
38 Ryan Jackson
40 Michael Jamison
41 Lachie Hill
42 Michael Shields
44 Andrew Carrazzo
45 Aaron Joseph
46 David Ellard

Based on what I perceive to be a stronger side at this stage of the year. Not sure if you guys are aiming to win it or not this year, but we're in the same position as we were this time last year and I'd expect a similar result.

If Hawthorn play the same backline as they did last week (i.e. no Croad, no Brown, no Ladson), then I'd expect the Blues forwards to be too much for the likes of Dawson and Murphy to handle. An injured Fisher makes it a tad easier though.

I'm not talking down our chances so that I can gloat when we win. I'd like to think I've posted enough on here for you guys to know that I'm no troll or shit-stirrer. I genuinely believe that the Blues played a better game last week, will probably put a better side out there this week, and should come away with the win. Should Hawthorn win, believe me I won't be gloating. It's the NAB Cup, big deal. The winner has to fly to WA/SA while the loser probably gets to play in Melbourne right? So as supporters, we may each be happier with a loss.

Either way, I hope it's a high-scoring, free-flowing affair dominated by the youngsters of each side. That's what this time of the year is all about.

I thought the location of the game is based on the team who has scored the most goals? Eg. If the Blues has a higher goal count, the game will be played in Melbourne? Isn't that the case?

only for the final i think, should we make it that far

How do you see the team lining up at full strength? It seems Dew will play HB but where will that leave Ladson and Guerra. Will Birchall push up the ground? Which of the youngsters out of Tuck and Muston are likely to be given an opportunity early on?

Brown and yellow dew.

will be a tough one for our defence...up against one of the better forward lines in te league. can we expect carlos to come back in so that he may take their other tall forward in boyle..? waite verse franklin..jamo on williams...thronto to float forward and back again..? will be interesting to see how we line up...

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R A D I C A L B R O T H E R S

Inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm

"All in all is all we are..."

Thronto...now that's a cool name.

Still not sure where Dew will be played. He didn't play against Sydney and I wouldn't expect to see him before Round 1, but I'd say either a HBF or HFF.

Birchall was certainly pushed up the ground against the Swans, and I would imagine that he'll be an integral part, along with the likes of Ladson, Ellis, Tuck, Bateman, in running the ball quickly out of defence.

Expect both Tuck and Muston to get opportunities early. With Hodge, Lewis, Crawford (plus Vandenberg and Joel Smith) missing at least Round 1, these two especially will be given a chance.

How would you expect Jamison to match up on Williams? If the Sydney game is anything to go by, Williams will be played around the half-forward line rather than from the square. Does this running-type role suit Jamison moreso than a spoiling-type role?

I want the kids to get a run and for there to be no injuries. Winning the game is secondary.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

we got a win under our belt so why not play all the kids in positions they are most likely to play.

See what these young kids have got just like Roos did with the Swanns young list. I know there could be a chance for us to get smashed doing this, but you wanna see what they are made of and see if they can fight.

Any takers?

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Check out www.blueseum.org for all of your Carlton information needs.

I think Jamison is at that stage in his career where they are still trying to find out what he can and can't do. He may well line up on Williams even if its on the half forwrard line but my money is on Bower to play on Williams. It would be a great lesson for him. Bower is very quick and has exceptional closing speed which I think is very important against Williams.

Im looking forward to seeing Waite play on Franklin. 2 great athletes against eachother is always exciting!

Going by the Port game, our youngsters will get a lot of time in the midfield. Ill be interested to see how Armfield, Pfiefer, Murphy and Gibbs play against some of the talent at Hawthorn.

Also, this game is huge for Hartlett and Edwards. There is a spot open because of Fishers injury.

I would still think Hawthorn would be favourites but really in the NAB cup who cares!

Lemme get this straight - your membership doesn't allow for admission to ANY NAB Cup games, right?

I remember that you could get into every pre-season match - then only one...

...am I right to assume that it doesn't allow for admission at all anymore?!



(...and is the game being televised in VIC?)

Seriously I forgot Dawson was still on your list until I heard his name during the game.

I'm looking forward to Jamo on Roughhead, Waite on Franklin, Bower on Boyle and T-Bird on Williams if T-Bird plays back this week. This game will give Carlton more of an idea where our defense is at for 2008. If the Hawks get their running game going the test will be massive.

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Mjonc signing off at 8888