I reckon you are wrong Melvey.

Ratts is organising the list, looking at the team and has given players a go, apart from injury who hasnt been afforded a couple of games at least? (Maybe Jackson but was injured early and hasnt done heaps in VFL).

I think that constitutes building a team, whats your definition?

You enjoy being controversial and more often than not that puts you on the WRONG list.

If you cant see the improvement in management and coaching this year compared to last year then your not really trying.

I seriously don't have an issue with the fact that Ratts isn't sure about where to play Waite.

To me, it means he isn't inflexible and is open to looking at Waite playing in different positions until the best position for the team is determined.

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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 understand what you are trying to say Melvey, but you are comparing apples to oranges.

Hall is only complimentry to the Swans forward structure if he is required for match-up reasons. They have one of the best (if not the best) CHF in the league in O'Keefe, plus they have targets in O'Loughlin and Goodes and an array of experienced midfielders that can kick goals.

Tarrant was just an overrated, inconsistant hack at Colonwood and shouldn't even be mentioned in relation to Fev.

The Bulldogs do have a lot of midfielders kicking goals, but remember last year how shit they were without Robert Murphy (who plays as a tall, quick target) and before they recruited Scott Welsh, which has given them something more to kick to than just Brad Johnson. Also having those two extra targets helps their crumbers score well in every game. (eg Akermanis)

Woosha had the advantage of having possibly the best midfield combination we have ever seen while they were at the top of their game. It would be hard for any team to ever replicate that again.

I believe he is desperate to keep Fev so as to not throw the young guys to the wolves, oh, and of course the fact that he is a matchwinner who is unstoppable on his day.

Our young midfielders are developing quite well (a lot faster than I thought) and we have already seen Murph, Gibbs, Grigg, Betts etc. starting to step up and kick more goals. It won't be long before they will be kicking their 2-3 goals a game along with Juddy and we won't need to direct every attacking move through Fev, he will just be the X-factor roaming one-out in the F50 that the opposition will have to stress about.

IMO we are only using Fev like this while those around him develop. Think about it, when those around him step up, do you think that the opposition teams will be able to afford to double team him and leave their opponents? I think not.

Unfortunately, key forwards take longer to develop than midfielders and I think we are already seeing proof of this in 2008. Good times ahead.

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"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself" - Henry Ford

Dammed if you do and dammed if you dont for Ratts.

The Bullants are getting smashed and playing shit football against shit opposition. Ruckman take longer to develop and we all know that so why bring in Hampson when if the eyes of the coach he has not done enough to force his way into the team? In fact why bring any of them in? If they really warranted selection it would show in their games in the twos - they would clearly standout from the others.

A couple of years ago we appeared on the right track - signs of improvement in the seniors and a very strong VFL outfit. Now we are showing real improvement in the seniors but our depth players arnt performing in the level below. For us to really have turned the corner both teams need to be performing. Geelong is the perfect example where last year they made it a double header - essentially the competition for a spot in either team would have been fierce. Do we have the same sort of competition for spots in our teams? @#$%&! no!

Any player that isnt prepared to be more than a passenger should go regardless of their ability. People question why Wiggo and Russell are in the team - the answer is simple they bust their arse and demand a spot - A bloke like Sugar should be in the team every week given he has size and ability yet for whatever reason he is unable to get the best out of himself.

We are not out of the hunt for the finals just yet. I would rather see us give it an amlighty shake over the next six weeks and have a real crack at making it - tell those on the fringe if they want a game demand it dont expect it - why should a player who hasnt demand his position suddenly become a star at senior level - thats a dream not reality.

Without disrupting the balance of the team too much, we should be looking at players in positions we hope they'll be playing on a regular basis, so we can hit the ground running in 2009, with a finals campaign well & truly on the agenda.

We know what players who have been in the system a few years can do, like Russell, Wiggins, Fischer & Thornton.

Shouldn't we be evaluating those on the next level, who will provide our depth, so we can make informed decisions on them before next year, like Jackson, Edwards, Pfeiffer, Anderson, Hampson?

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The Future is Bright, the Future is Navy Blue.

Possibly, but while we are still in the hunt these guys should have to earn their spot. Yes this year is a development year and these guys can still develop in the 2's if all coaches are involved in their progress so that their weaknesses can be worked on etc...

In terms of individual and team development, being in with a chance to get to the finals is going to make EVERY game count and whether we win or lose it makes EVERY player focus and work hard. This is great for development and team spirit especially if we knock of some quality opposition along the way!!!

Playing guys for the sake of getting them on the big stage is only 1 aspect of development within the whole picture IF the other pieces of development are in place. Which I believe to a large extent they are.

Though I do think we need a Buckley/Maccarthy/Voss/Richardson skills coach who doesnt play for the Bullants.

I'd love to make finals but realistically, we're only a mathematical chance.

Also, I don't think playing some of the guys I mentioned would diminsh the teams focus or output, if anything should enhance it in the short term.

These guys will be hungry for the ball & keen to put their best foot forward at every contest.

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The Future is Bright, the Future is Navy Blue.

Yes we are only a mathematical chance now but within the last month we have been a definate chance.

The question is have these guys deserved a call up and will they develop any faster at senior level? Maybe Pfieffer as emergency has been the closest call but the MC have decided that their output and the teams output would be diminished, otherwise they would be in!

Ratts has said recently that Hampson is not yet ready to step up and I would be fairly sure that goes for the others you mentioned (except Pfieff as I said).

We have been thrashed in the ruck this year. Why not try something new & play Hapmson for the remainder of the season?

Fischer has been average at best this year & Russell has been very inconsistent.

Surely dropping these blokes isn't too far of a stretch & hopefully will benefit their form & in turn, the teams?

I'm not in charge (& never will be ) & not privvy to the MC's team planning, but from outside, that's what I'd do.

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The Future is Bright, the Future is Navy Blue.

Yep, fair enough not bad suggestions at all.

I think Fish has been ok, and JR well there's a 20 page discussion just waiting to be had

My point is Im sure the MC makes all the list and team decisions with plenty of thought and all things considered. This year I think the team balance has been pretty good and injury has been a big factor, just like last year with Aisake.

If we bring Hampson in and he strengthens our rucks, allows Kruezer to go more forward then we might still play finals this year.

Team balance has been pretty good & hence, the balanced performances.

We have had our fair share of injuries & hopefully we don't have them next year. Although, the injuries have allowed us to get a better look at some kids, which we'd rather this year than next.

Maybe the MC is going with a theory of having a settled team, week in week out, to build confidence in each other moving forward? Most of the changes this year have been forced by injury.

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The Future is Bright, the Future is Navy Blue.

Ratts has clearly stated that Hampson is not yet ready, although he has been given senior games this year. It is tough because I personally dont like using Krueze as much as we do in the ruck, but we have little alternative. I would play Aisake before Hampson but the MC definately dont agree with me.

Fair go, this is a FIRST year coach you are talking about. Nobody is perfect and you want him out after 3/4 of a season (where we have been much better than last year).

The backline is looking the goods with Ratts allowing Jamison, Bower, Setants, Browne, Anderson and Austin to develop. I'd say its better than getting Mick Martyn in.

The natural development is a large factor - however Gibbs credits alot of his new form to Greg Williams tutoring him. Something Ratts initiated.

This is not a team that has been together for 5 years like geelong. They effectively came together at the end of last year, it will take time.

As far as investing in the future he has put in Austin and Hartlett, whilst all our rookies have featured this year. Hey, I would like Kennedy in the team too - but I would like Judd a sh!tload more.

Not only that, he has got all the players behind him. They are not having secret meetings trying to sack him.

How is Matty Knights going?? What about Dean Bailey??? I'd say ratts is doing better than them. Really, what do you think any other coach could have done better this year (keeping in mind they also don't have hindsight)

He isn't under the pump - hell, last week we lost to sydney by 2 points!! whilst playing the kids when sydney usually flog the crap out of us.

you make some good points but if you watch the Bombers and Melbourne you can see a team with more structure and game plan. Like i said our development has come from the natural progression of some our our high draft pics.

Where as you look at the bombers, several of the lesser known kids are playing good football.

Plus their players are playing in their best positions!

Exactly. Some of our players are running around like headless chooks and do not know where they belong within the team

Which of our players are doing that?