I understabnd that they were both advised prior to Saturdaty night that they had not laid one defensive tackle for the year, and that a failure to lift that aspect of their game would lead to a spell in the magoos.

Didn't make the game - how did they go?

BTW also understand that Stevens was singled out and told that if he couldn't run out the game he too would be spelled. From all reports he lifted.

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"Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference."

Robert Frost

thats gold gerry, gold!!

one half of me is hoping houlahan didn't lay a tackle and the other half of me is praying to god that he didn't lay a tackle.

Pro-Stats do the clubs stats.

http://www.pro-stats.com.au/psw/web/gam ... id=2008021

2 each, although I don't know what defines a defensive tackle

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

BTW also understand that Stevens was singled out and told that if he couldn't run out the game he too would be spelled. From all reports he lifted.[/quote]

Did he lift and run the game out? Had 21 uncontested of his 26 possessions.

Did he lift and run the game out? Had 21 uncontested of his 26 possessions.[/quote]

His role should be to get uncontested possessions. He was a wingman at Port Adelaide, and hopefully as our midfield develops he can spend more time on the wing.

scotland seems like the type of player who is uncoachable. seems to have been given a job on sat and the body language suggested that he didn't like it, just seems to wanna do his own thing. over-paid figjam slacker who represents a lost opportunity to trade him last year.

houlihan's ability to pin-point 3 passes a game to fev should not be some sort of benchmark for automatic senior selection.

could either of these guys withstand a seriously withering peer group, leading teams style, evaluation a-la bulldogs & geelong?

could either of the two, along with Ackland, stand up among their peers and say they've been honest in their endeavours? would they be believed if they did? in a team sport that's the question, can you get up in front of your peers and say that you had an honest, red-hot crack?

at year's end we should ask a question of every player on the list ... will this guy be part of the next serious challenge for a flag (say 5 years time). if not, then ask a second question ... can this bloke be retained on the basis of continued contribution while meeting team-oriented benchmarks (whatever the MC decides is required to win a flag)? if the guys cops 2 strikes then he's out, irrespective of the name or reputation.

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... an eagle flew out of the night. he was something to observe, came in close i heard a voice, bending stretching every nerve, had to listen had no choice ...

Scotland has been very disappointing. He is playing in defense and yet plays with no Defensive pressure.

This season all I have seen Scotland do is kick it short to Thornton, and then Thornton pays back the favour and kicks it back!

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"Dont count the games, make the games count"

I see Brad Fisher laid 0 tackles

Given the surgery on his hand, that would be perfectly understandable.

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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.

I have always maintained that Heath Scotland gets a fairly rough ride here on TC for someone who has been one of our better-performed players over the last few seasons. Yes over this time we have been poor and he has his flaws but his performances in my opinion have been pretty good over a period of time. I reckon he is just out of form, and will bounce back. He is not a defender, we all know this, we won't get the most out of him in the backline as we all know accountability isn't his strong suit. It doesn't make things right but you need to look at the whole context.

Ryan Houlihan is our best user of the ball in terms of pinpointing a pass. In a team whose skills are generally average, he is needed because his skills by any standard are very good. Ask Fev who he wants running at him with the ball and I bet he says Houlihan. I do however concede that for someone with his talent he hasn't been getting involved enough in our matches so far. He needs to step up on this front.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

Both are useless defensive options. Do not have any defensive skills whatsoever. Houlihan at best is an intechange forward option only because he is skilled around goals. Should never ever ever ever be played further up the ground than the Fwd pocket.

Scotland has served his purpose at the club ...filled a few holes.. etc...blah blah blah....no longer serves any required purpose..his shoes can be filled sufficiently from any of the younger kids coming through..i.e. Jackson comes to mind.

P.S. both these two are the softest players I have ever seen. The fact that they have played so many games for us over the last few seasons says much about the CFC.

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

Sadly I agree with you 100%.

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

2 reasons from Saturdays game why Heath Scotland might need to have a good think about things while playing for the bullants:

- The horrible free kick he gave away at the start of the game. Weak as piss
- The insipid effort not to take out Lovett by not putting on a block which resulted in Lovett to run on and kick a goal.

2 soft goals given away by a player who is supposedly a leader.

Finally someone who is making some sense.

Word

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

guys, for God's Sake get off Scotland's back... Geez some fans have a short memory..


YES we all know he started this season Poorly but he is a Gun, and a top player. You cant replace guys like him when he is Switched on.


He was Clearly our best player since he came on to the Club. give him some time.. every player has bad spells....

I'd suggest Fevola would respond with Judd, Stevens, Murphy and Gibbs.

We understand the whole context, but the lack of defensive efforts outweighs their skill when their opponents create just as many goals by running off them. Being a bottom side shouldn't be used as an excuse for putting up with their lack of effort and legspeed running the other way. Both would have been dropped from any other team and told to work harder if that was the attitude they took into games.

We flamed Camporeale for being a downhill skier and collecting the handball off the pack to boost his stats, yet Houlihan and Scotland are lesser and slower players who never reached his heights. Scotty used to chase when he started out at Carlton, but probably spent too much time watching and learning from Bradley who became a sweeper.

We can't expect young players such as Gibbs, Murphy, etc. to chase and work hard both ways if they witness their more senior teammates not laying a tackle in a game.

They're no better than Jordan McMahon or Tivendale.

I agree with the comment they've filled a hole at Carlton for the past 5 seasons and need to be moved on.

Stevens then Fevola.

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed this. Blocking the path of opponents who have disposed of the ball by hand has been a real focus this year... except if you're a leader like Scotland.

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17 4 10

Once on the field, you are 100% fit.

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THEY LIKE TO SEND UP!!!!!!!!

Until each team plays each other the same number of times, the AFL, as a fair dinkum competition, cannot be taken seriously.

He (Mr Swann) said the honour and pride associated with the club's traditional navy blue jumper was priceless.