OH I forgot Bower. guess what cant kick either. has a crack can suprise sometimes but is it just me or is it rue that you feel he just is going to f-cke it up every time he gets it.

It is nearly impossible to believe that of the thousands who play Australian Rules Football, AFL teams select players whose skills are so ordinary.

So what do you think of Bower's action? If i was a coach at Carlton I would be getting the 16 or so players like Bower and teach them how to kick properly. just drill it into them Forget weights tactics. Our kicking skills our deplorable .They have been for 6 years.

and here I thought Richmond supporters were they ones that ate their own. FFS the boys can't win. If they win the NAB Cup, they're doomed for the season, if they lose the NAB Cup, they're doomed for the season. Can you all just relax a little. How many new boys were out there tonight compared to last year? How long did it take St. 1 hit wonder to implement their new game plan?

I'm going to try and be a bit more positive. I've got to say how much joy im getting in watching Kade Simpson continue to develop. Never shirks an issue, always playing like his life depends on it. Disposal continues to improve. Has really risen above the pack as a leader as well in my opinion. Good on ya Kade! Keep striving brother.

Good loss, perfect in fact.

Not sure why Bower is getting criticised by a few. He gets better every week, will be a good long term player.

I wasnt going to watch the nab but i am an addict so here goes.
Russell will not make it. Is simply too timid and is a shit kick. Its all in the mind with this kid.
Murphy Some shocking decision making. Worked his way into the game to his credit. Simply must improve his kicking. Has a unusual action and lacks penetration with his kicking. Has lost the confidence he had in his first season.

Gibbs OK but would like to see him mix it up more in the middle.Still only 18.

Simpson Should be captain. More inspirational than Stevens.

Kreuzer Yep not bad but another who has suspect kicking action. Is kicking a skill taught in junior footy?
Hadley jury will be out.
Grigg Very good . One of the few guys in our team that can kick the footy.

Betts ok Is what I call a natural footballer.
Austin Simply not ready yet. Another season as an ant
Hampson Yep good . Has a crack. better than the hack
Hartlett Didnt play So disappointing. I just feel that the hammies will always be a problem. We really need Hartlett
Stevens Tried hard .Runs hard. Cant fault him on that but gets too many soft possessions. Isnt captaincy material. Never will be
Fevola Ok tried hard. But as i said should of got rid of him last year. His body will be f-cked in a year or too. Didnt play with the same freedom that I have seen him play in the past. Will rely on strength more than in the past. Looks bigger.
Armfield Yep is a goer but also has shocking kicking style. Played up the middle more than in defence. Will be just a player at most. Not bad for pick 46
Cloke handy big body. Thats about it.
Scotland OK
Waite Is not a brilliant footballer as many astute judges think. He isnt because he doesnt possess a football brain and he is a shit kick. great athletes like Kouta wont dominate the game in the future because every player is bigger and stronger. I would personally trade Waite. He will continue to frustrate.

Thornton Is too slow. Is not a forward . He is a defender but I wonder whether he will be up to it. And when will he ever kick it long.

Houlihan Looks tough with the number one. Great skills but lacks impact. Want him up forward. The feeling I have is the coaches dont know what to do with this guy.

Wiggo Doesnt do enough
Pfeiffer Is that how you spell it. Has a crack but another who cant kick. flower
Edwards Not in it at all. Massive doubts that he has got it in him
Jackson Corky .Cant have a crack at him.
Jamison Yeah Ok. Looked a bit lost at time but I still like him
Carrazzo Anyone who has a crack at Carrots is a moron. The guy has a footy brain gets it and is a better kick than most. Its obvious he has worked hard to improve the defiencies in his game unlike others

Ellard Not bad for a rookie

Look I know its early but its going to be a long season. The same players that frustrated us last year will frustrate us again in 08. Our skills are shit and this possession game only works if you have the confidenc to pull it off. We havent got that at the moment. Besides the obvious skill errors the biggest difference is the kicking skills. We have so many players who cant kick it 50 m. Hawthorn have 10 or so who can kick it over 50 with no effort. That makes a huge difference in games.

Hawthorn went easy on us after quarter time. No Franklin in the second half. Its going to be another long season.

We will be better. I believe we will be better in the ruck and defence but the HF line is terrible and we have know system going into attack.

Yep its ony February and we are a work in progress but I reckon some tough decisions will have to be made at years end.We held off too long on Whitnall. Some of our named players better deliver 08 style otherwise they should be looking elsewhere in 09.

Hopefully Judd can make a real impact. Lets hope we play him when he is 100% fit and dont rush him back due to an act of desperation.

Listened to the last three quarters on 3AW via the AFL website. I thought Connolly and Shaw were very generous re our players in their summing up. There point that we are about 3 years behind i our development is a fair call. As everyone says, the disposal skills of our players are not up to top standard but tonight is a good bench mark for our players. This is their term of reference in what they should aim for. We suffer many legacies from the past 6 years and lack of skill development is certainly one of them. It is an interesting conundrum where good disposal comes from confidence and confidence comes from knowing you can successfully deliver under pressure, consistently. I would suggest that in the past, support has not been there and while it is risky going for the high possession game plan with low skill level I feel that Ratts and his team will be good "teachers" and I think come mid season will be a good time to reassess where we are.
I think Keogh summed it up pretty well and called it like he saw it and we need more of that, but this must be matched with a plan for improvement. I'm really looking forward to the season and watching our boys grow.

Did you notice how Murphy knocked up getting the ball first before he made the clanger? The skill level will come back, its the confidence Murphy gains from being free of a tag that he needs to build on.