From the couple of games I've seen this year, I estimate that we have at least 7 players who will come into the side and become regular senior players who didn't play much last year (for a range of reasons). That's a fair turn over at AFL level, by any reckoning.

Judd
Stevens
Hampson
Kreuzer
Jamison
Pfeiffer
Grigg

Not to mention at least 3 others who would be borderline to be placed in that camp.

Cloke
Hadley
Bower

We're still probably a couple of years away from starting to make a real impact, but going to watch the team in action this year should be a fairly different experience (a third to half a team's difference!).

Top 4 this year without injuries.

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You cannot be serious Jarusa.
The only way we will make the top 4 in 2008 is if there was only 4 teams in the league.

the sky is falling the sky is falling

Why is it not possible? Anything can happen with positive thoughts and some confidence

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Can smell the gf its there for the taking we are the form side

Will Carlton be the side that continues the trend of a non finalist the previous year making the following years top four?

I think realistically we should end the season somewhere between 6-12.
(I will be dissappointed if we don't)
Then 2-8 the year after.

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The climbing has alread began

I hope that the architects of the new facility made allowances for an expanded trophy cabinet to fit the '09'10'11'12'13 premiership cups

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Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but The Blues abide forever."

That's the kind of supporters I like. One eyed Blues supporters.

I'm with you Jars. Top four with our best team on the field every week.

Good thread Stefchook though I'd put Bower down as a regular in the side before Grigg.
Bower seems to have finally developed a good understanding of the defensive side of his game. Something Grigg has'nt sufficiently developed yet IMO.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

A fully fit Haddley would only be behind Judd and Stevens in terms of the impact they would make to the team.

Dont think for a second that this bloke can force his way into the Brisbane lions team during a premiership year(are you forgetting how good they were?), but he can't get a game with a bunch of young potentials (as much as i love them all )

Hadley will be a regular providing his Bette Davis knees can stay together...
Agree with BV that i think Bower will get a game ahead of Grigg.....Grigg is still learning the ropes while Bower would be seen as in the last year of his apprenticeship and ready for work.

You can put Cloke down for a regular senior spot as well....can play a few different roles and gives us a big body on the ground....apart from Ackland I dont see anyone providing what Cloke can and Ackland is off to a delayed start and Cloke has done little wrong in the games he has played for the club..

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

...and the fact that Ackland's shit.

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--------------------------------------------------------"The only one that could ever love me..."

Agree 100% with everything you say Elwood. Hammer and Kreuzer don't have the bodies this year to survive 22 rounds against mature ruckmen. Cloke will be vital to protect them a bit. Question is can we carry all three in a squad of 22? And Aisake is still in the mix as well...

Hadlee will be superb for us if his body holds up, looking at the size of him, he could be a realistic option at half forward if Harts can't get it right and Fish is out. Once that position settles down he'll be a strong body to throw into the midfield mix. We've got some skillful quick players in the mids, and Simmo does more than he should have to considering his size - so hadlee will be vital in there IMO.

Oh to be spoilt for choice! Isn't it a nice change from the last few years?

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Housewife,
mother of three,
navy blue always for me!

Hadley played some great football last year and I think will be a beauty in 2008 for us. If Pfeffier commands a spot in the bp as I expect him too, along with Stevens, Judd and Cloke the team will have 5 new additions from the majority of last year. Who can stand up at CHF is the question for me? Setanta, Edwards, Hartlett ... all we need is one!

That was a nice reality check tonight against the Hawks.
We are not even close to being a finals side, reasons being:
1) Too many players that have poor foot skills
2) Backline is the worst in the league
3) Ruck divison is very inexperienced and the experienced rucks that we have are not up to standard.
4) One dimentional forward line. Other than Fev, no other player is a threat to an opposition backiline.

To Jarusa and others your posts are ridiculous to say the least.
I guess you can live in hope and believe in miracles.

We will wait and see.

have been pessimistic about our chances for the last year or two but this year I see HUGE upside in our performance.

As a matter of fact even if we are still perfoming poorly at round 3 it will not worry me.

If this list has a good run with injuries I give them every chance to sneak into the top 4.

The competitiion is very even. A good run with injuries will get you a long way to start with.

So much upside this year, these players will have better 2008s than 2007s, murphy, walker, judd, stevens, hampson, setanta, fevola, gibbs, betts, jamison, bower (not to mention new blokes like armfield and pfeiffer). I'm sticking by my top 4 prediction.

GET ON THE BLUES!

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There was a side playing in tonight's game that can make the top 4. It wasn't Carlton.

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They will know that they've been playing against the famous old dark blues

15 players under 21 tonight for Carlton. Nobody knows when these guys will step up to the next level collectively. I wouldn't rule out any teams chances of top 4, just refer to last years top 4 for an example of how anything can happen when you have minimal injuries to key players.

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

I can't and won't predict. I just won't allow myself to have high expectations.

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The problem will be made. for the solution to be sold, to your face before your eyes, tolerance is now the new danger