I've followed the NHL (Ice Hockey's North American Professional League for the uninitiated) for nearly as long as I've followed Aussie Rules. Whilst not many in Australia know much about this great sport - many have heard of Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky was the equivalent to ice hockey to what Bradman was to cricket and Babe Ruth was to baseball - he simply was an amazing athlete and the best the game has produced.

But when it came to Gretzky being out on the ice - whether it be with the Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings or New York Rangers - the 'Great One' always had an enforcer with him. That guy knew that if need be - he would take hits and provide blocks to protect the teams most valuable asset. Such was the talk when Gretzky was traded that talk about who the 'Protector' would be would get nearly as much water-cooler discussion as the trade itself.

So now we have the best in the land in Chris Judd. It was interesting to note that when the Blues lined up last week against the Bulldogs that Jordan Bannister found himself in the middle alongside Judd and was not only intent on following his man - but also providing the necessary shepherd to allow Judd a path to the ball. With Dean Cox as ruckman, the Eagles had the luxury of not needing to have an enforcer alongside Judd. Often - Braun, Embley or Cousins would provide Judd the clear path. Unfortunately - our ruck stocks are promising - but realistically 2 years away from being capable of rucking like Dean Cox, who now commands the highest salary in the League.

I've no doubt that Banno will find himself in the middle more often than not this season. I've no doubt that this is what will be focussed upon more than anything in these 'closed' training sessions this week. We must protect the teams greatest asset. And in my opinion, Jordan Bannister is just the right 'Protector' for the job. He's in my team for Round 1 and I reckon he'd be in the Captain's team as well!

Great observation doc. It was also interesting to hear Jason Akermanis talking about tough opposition he's lined up against, his view on Judd was that you never really play on Judd, your opponent would actually be Tyson Stenglein who would just maul anyone who got near Chris. Hearing this I suspected that Hadley was targetted to play this role as he has the size and the attitude. It is essential that Chris is protected, not only to get the best use out of him but to avoid a repeat of the experience faced by Stevo when he lobbed, essentially facing 2 ruckrovers intent on keeping him out of the contest and pushing him further into the role of an outside midfielder. Banno has shown he can handle the rough stuff and could be a good option, but I think Hadley is the best fit.

You have to be able to command a place on your football merits alone and I'm not sure JB can do that. I'm one of his fans but his best is great and his worst deplorable and you dont get a lot of middle ground with him.
If he plays I think it has to be across half back in a tagging role, I would be expecting Judd to look after himself at this stage of his career.

In todays footy its hard to carry a player for thug value alone, Campbell Brown is a sniper but he can play a bit as well.....I think its up to our bigger blokes like Cloke, Hartlett, Hampson, Fev, Waite, Setanta etc to do some protecting and make sure we have the best 22 players take the field each week.....

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

Hey Doc,

I love your posts! This is one of the most intelligent ones I have seen in a while. Now then... Cazz the other day was also saying that he would be playing Bannister - at least in the early part of the season. And you are right that Judd needs someone to provide the blocking. I actually thought Walker may be the man, but that is now obviously out of the window for this season at least. So who has the body and pace to be able to do this? Well, I agree that Banno seems the most likely suspect. Blu944's suggestion of Hadley is also good, although the MC may want to take things pretty easy on his knee to make sure he is really up and running.

Anyway, excellent food for thought!

Hadley a good option as well. One thing's for sure - RH is a lot bigger than i thought. Got a little frustrated last week ...didn't get enough of the ball and when he found himself in the clear - the ball just didn't get to him. I've just a feeling the powers that be like RH across HF and for mine - Banno has my vote for the aforementioned role. I'd argue the thug value - JB has good footy skills; he just goes missing every now and then.

Love the comments blu944 made re: Aker / Stenglein & Judd. Spot on. The thing is that someone has to do it. And is the role left just for the centre square or is it stoppages as well? Does Stevo become more of an outside midfielder now...he certainly has a lot of those Craig Bradley qualities...it's one of those questions I've had when I've attended training this year - but yet to get the answer....guess I might find out a week from now...'cause if this role ain't Banno's then his best bet might be joining Kouta on Gladiators.*

* promo not intended.

Good point Dr Sherrin, could be a POW heading your way. What about Jacko?

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

I'm a Banno fan...anyone at my age that doesn't sink beers and wins a clubman award means he's at least putting in 100%. If isn't up to it, well, I'll take my hat off to him for trying. Definitely deserves some more game time this year to see if he's worth keeping, and although his skills aren't as good as Ricky Hadknees, he's certainly quicker. (Of course Hadknees will be in our best 22 when match fit - possibly for Richmond???) Taking him, Judd and Stevens into that game not quite fully fit will be a risk.

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

I'd look at Wiggo.

Hard as they come and wouldn't take any shit from anyone.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24

It would be safe to say Doc that JB will find the ball like no other if he is protector to our boy Chris.

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

Jacko is still too small...not all that evident at training - but against the opposition he's still a rake and is better served as a 'run with' option.

As much as I love Wiggo - I think he'd forget what his role was and just get in Judd's way. I'd suggest Banno and Hadley were a little more disciplined in the concentration department. I'd also suggest that Banno would definitely not take any shit from anyone. At any rate - Banno must get this gig against Collingwood...if he's to reach legend status at Carlton, I wouldn't mind seeing that uppercut that i've heard so much about being used.

I also like the Wiggler for such a role but also humbly suggest Edwards. Looks like a likely type to me.

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Bring on 2008

You can't get away with being a one-trick-pony anymore which I think Banno is.
IMO he's below average in the area of decision making and disposal, and being good in that area has and will always be a necessary attribute of our players if they are to be a part of a FINALS side.
There are others who should be selected and groomed for varying roles before Banno.
In this role for the time being, Hadley for me.

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There's so much I could say...

I have no doubt Banno will not play a senior game..... GET OVER BANNO he is shite!!!

The WCE obviously had it as a team instruction, if Judd is near the ball shepherd everyone out of the way and cut a path...he'll get it and run though.

In fact there is a great bit of vision of the ball coming to ground from a ruck contest, Judd running through and Braun throwing his arms out and pushing back as an instant reaction to seeing Judd....maybe he also thought someone was behind him?... I don't know, but he threw himself back and out so hard he lands flat on his backside. Looked funny...but you realise the context and the reaction drilled into the midfielders

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“Every single element of the Club has to be the best in the league, meticulously and methodically, and only by doing this will we be elite and challenge for number 17.”
Greg Lee

Walker was born to play that role with his size, aggression, endurance and legspeed.

Banno and Wiggins wouldn't be any good in that role because we need someone who can still use the ball when it comes their way.

With Walker out for half the season, Jackson, Hadley, Pfeiffer, Anderson, Armfield, Browne, Carrazzo and Bentick have the running power or size to block for Judd.

Hopefully we rotate all of them through the middle this year.

..Carrots is also another good option to provide cover and blocks when in the guts.. ..you don't have the luxury of putting a mediocre player as a blocker in the centre..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Yeah, don't know if he has the motor to go all day though.

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

Great post doc, and like the idea, but also prefer Hadley in the role.

However, I think I read somewhere this was mainly a team-oriented task for the WCE: his team mates at the stoppage would give each other looks to direct blocking assignments.

As for the idea of using Walks as a battering ram... don't like it even though he's probably tipping the scales at 95 kgs. He's only 21 and has the potential to be a playmaker in the mold of Judd. Maybe he'll never reach the same level of output, but as the saying goes 'he has all the tools' (*cringes*). I'd like to see Walker on HB, the wing, maybe up forward, but certainly relieving Judd from his role when necessary.

Too good an athletic product to make him another's blunt instrument.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

If i was
Ratten id buy every player a copy of Steven Pressfields "Gates of Fire"
Its a novel of how the 300 Hundred Spartans trained their whole lives for that one episode.
How they conditioned their minds and bodies not only for the ultimate opprtunity to prove themselves .. but how to work as a 'phalanx' basically a formation that required each member of the unit to combine as one.
If there was one weak link the phalanx collapsed and they all went down.

Fantastic book abour commitent.. honour.. sacrificial acts..team work.. camaraderie...

I reckon a must read for any team scenario...

No shit!!!


Each one of the players wearing the shirt has a commitment to every other...

Its not up to one bloke... they all have to be both enforces and linkt of a chain...


Arny units around the world use it...

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Being good in decision making and disposal has and will always be a necessary attribute of our players if they are to be a part of a FINALS side.

It is, isn't it!