I cant believe how undervalued this guy is.
Even by Carlton supporters.
I looked at the best 5 players thread and Sporn didnt get a mention anywhere.
Some even mentioned 10+ players and didnt mention Sporn.

This guy gets the biggest job every week and handles it brilliantly.
He is ultra consistent and must be a dream for Pagan to have in his side.
He did the job on Scott West on Saturday and kept him to 5 possessions for the first quarter and a half.
Eade was getting his midfielders to lay blocks on Sporny at the stoppages yet he still did the job.

Jordon Bannister had his hands full with Brad Johnson and had a few goals kicked on him.
Sporn was then placed on Johnson to quell him which he did successfully until Johnson was injured.

Sporny may be unfashionable but his concentration and skill is superb.
I mentioned last week his left foot pass across his body to Davies which set up a goal.
Special mention to Cory McGrath for his job on Mitch Hahn as well.
Its great to see our stoppers doing their job and getting a bit of the ball.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Agree BV. Hardly puts a foot wrong all night and is pure class.
I for one have and will always put him in my best 18.

Seagull and the recruiting staff were apparently 'lighting cigars' when we pinched Trent Sporn at 11 in the National Draft of 2000.

I think they are more than relieved that he is starting to repay the faith they had in him.

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

Winston Churchill

I have always been a huge fan. Great to have a couple of creative stoppers in our side- bannister and sporn.

His games have been excellent - U=I guess you always remember the flashy players BV but I don't think too many underestimate his value. The other thing Sporny has got is he reads the ball in the air as well as anyone.

Mcgrath game was sensational.

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

Seeing this guy of late and knowing how desperate Essendon* where/are for midfielders, I for the life of me cannot understand how they let him go. Aparantely all he wanted was a run in the midfield. Boy am I rapt Pagan seems to have pulled another trade win here.

Who bagged Sporn ? Cant remember anyone giving him a caning.Dont think his ability was questioned.Just a few got frustrated with his wretched run with injuries.Sporn has always had that composure thing,very much like Houla and TBird.Even Livo is now starting to pick up on this and seems less panicky.

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All my dangerous friends

Yes is definately getting overlooked by a few and most opposition supporters aswell but he is becoming a terrific player for us.

I was sitting on the wing last week when he did that pass to Davies! It was absolute freak stuff! Definately has great disposal.

For mine, outside of lance, he's been the recruit of the year.

He's been so solid and yet has some flair. I realy like the boy.

I bagged the decision to recruit him but I cant complain about his form this season so far...has been given a range of duties and done them well.
His decision making is very good and his disposal by foot is as good as anyones at the club. Scott West was a good matchup and Sporn did the job....ditto when placed on Johnson who had cut Bannister up a bit...
I dont disagree he would be in the starting 18 based on form....

re McGrath..I tipped that McGrath or Bowyer might be suited for Hahn...McGrath has given us some physical presence around the packs and tackles well...with Kouta being out he has picked up the slack. Full credit to him and he deserves his spot in the 22.

Be interested to see who Sporn gets this week.....I presume he would get a tagging role with West Coast having one of the better midfields going around....

I'm also a fan of Sporny and believe he's one of the more skillful kicks in the side.

I do have some slight reservations about him though in that he's that in-between height (IIRC 188cms) and isn't overly quick. Those types always worry me a bit. For that reason he wouldn't be in my best 18... probably best 22.

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When Dick became President, it was as if everyone at Carlton came out of the hailstorm and into the sunshine - Stephen Kernahan

YARRAN!!





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Embley would be my match-up Elwood. Embley is 190cm tall, takes a good mark and is mobile. He's also damaging in that he gets a lot of the ball and if we can shut him down, then it will help a lot. Sporn's equally at home in all parts of the ground. Bannister will be found out defensively IMO. Up forward and in the middle, Banno is a good option, but down back, I think he struggles a little.

Sporn always has time to dispose correctly and this is invaluable. His ability to also go to HBF and send Lappin forward gives Pagan extra flexibility as well.

Bernz, Sporn doesn't look quick, but how often does he get caught holding the ball?

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"A good composer does not initiate. He steals."

- Igor Stravinsky

Good up and comer, but not top 10, not yet!

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Oompa loompa doompety dee
If you are wise you'll listen to me

That's true CC... Sporny's one of those players with an ability where he always seems to have a bit of time before disposing of the ball (he's like Lappin, Stevens and TBird, although not quite in the same class yet- all have the uncanny ability to buy themselves time and space in heavy traffic).

I guess I'm more worried about him being able to keep up with a quick opponent in a tagging role. I would rate Bannister ahead of him at this stage.

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When Dick became President, it was as if everyone at Carlton came out of the hailstorm and into the sunshine - Stephen Kernahan

YARRAN!!





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Not a bad call Clem..Embley would be a good matchup for Sporn.
True he doesnt get caught with the ball and I think he knows his limitations with leg speed and gets rid of the ball early.
Bannister may play on Judd like he did last time...although I think Callum Chambers is another option who I would consider.
Bannister didnt do much wrong against Brad Johnson and was wearing him very close but Johnson is a very good player and beat him in the one one stuff....Bannister wasnt disgraced IMHO and will learn form that and be better prepared next time....

I rate Sporn as one of our most important players this year. For mine, it's players like him, Livo and Wiggo (Class of 00) which will determine where we finish this year (inside the 8, or just missing the 8 ). Showed what he is capable of in both 2003 and 2004, but injuries have really prevented him bursting onto the scene. If Sporn plays every match (or close to) this year, he will free up Lappin to the forward line, which would certainly add more potency. He is also an effective stopper, although, I think he's slightly wasted in this role. His skills are certainly in the top 5 in the team, and his decision-making ability is also sound. Watch him go past Houla this year...