Always been a fan of Ryan and good to see him back
His supporters will say he has been included to improve skill and versatility to the side
His detractors will probably say he is being showcased in the last 2 rounds so that he may be traded
I wonder which one it is or whether it is a bit of both
For my part I hope he is playing at the Blues next year - good to see hoops in the finals again for the blues
It would be good if in the next 2 weeks that fev kicking his 100 th is on the end of an exquisite houlihan pass
Given he hasnt played since round 3 if he has an average game on Saturday can we recognise how long he has been out for a that it might take a week or so to get back in form-

2 good games so his value rises for trade

Melvey,

Have you been watching lately.

We are desperate for someone who can kick.

All very well to have Carrots, Murph and Walks getting the ball, but they keep slaughtering it.

Play Houla as an outside mid (wing/HF) and let him pass it to Fev. He (and Judd) are the only ones who can do it even 1 in 4.

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"You can't polish a James Hird"

It's common sense. If other clubs see that he has maintained his form after serious injury, they are far more likely to consider him for trade purposes.

good player, great skills and classy but you wouldn't rely on him to get you back in the game when the chips are down

If the team evolves as most think it will evolve I think he can be a valuable player in the team. He was an opportunist and dangerous half forward when he first came to prominence and then had to become a key playmaker because there were not many others to choose from.
If he can rediscover that instinct for kicking goals and compliment it with a bit of defensive pressure on the half forward line he could fill one of the holes.

I don't think anyone is going to trade for him on the back of 2 games late in the season.

Houla will be at Carlton next season.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

I'm looking forward to seeing how he fits in with a radically different team from the last couple of years.

Go Ryan.

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"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies." - Gene Hill

He's a better kick than Simpson

I'm open minded.

He played first 3 games this yr, we lost all of them. Accountability was still an issue and Houla, Stevo, Scotto and Co were getting plenty of heat back then.

We've had some really committed accountable kids come into the team since then and our whole team has tightened up accordingly - pressure all over the ground has improved greatly. Few "100 points plus" games since then from our defence.

As I've posted previously, I'm prepared for the MC to have a look at him as a goal kicking option across half forward (and this role ONLY) as the guy is a natural around goals and can hit targets if he gets it outside 50 - our list has stuff all genuine goalkickers as we all know and no Eddie highlights this.

Houla should be grateful that he has a chance to showcase his forward skills before year end - he at least deserves the chance to play forward in a "better" team.

The ball is in his court - if he fails in next few weeks he's got to be in trouble IMO. Playing against good teams will also be a big test for him.

Hope he succeeds as we desperately need more avenues to goal.

I'm happy to see Hoops back in the side. Stick him on the HFF and give him a free reign.

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I would offer the Swans Bentick and Fisher or Houla for there second round pick

I would offer Hartts and JR to either port or the crows for there second round

with those 2 second round picks i would trade one to the Eagles for Mckinley and the other to the Demons for Brad Miller

imagine a forward line in 2009 with Fevola, Miller, Mckinley and Betts compared to Fevola, Fisher, Cloke and Betts. I know which i one i'd take

me too - he was a good player when surrounded by stars originally - let see how he goes with Gibbs, Judd, Kruezer, Murph et al now;

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I will miss you Kouta - thanks for the memories. ps. Kouta > * for ∞

What value is Bentick to anyone?

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Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but The Blues abide forever."

Onya Frankie.

I like his toughness and we can rely on him in the heat of the battle in that last day of September.

He makes Barry Hall look like Fat Cat!!!

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It is not as bad as you are lead to believe.......it is %$#^& worse!!!

Good finishers are worth their weight in gold. We've got enough ball winners running around, we need someone who doesnt drop the ball at Fevs feet or put it 3 metres over his head.
He'll be licking his lips to see Hoops back in the team.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

We don't need him in the back line, put him forward and get a player that can actually kick straight.

i'm excited to see what he can do.

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a very accurate flying bomb.
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Took the words right out of my mouth!!!

All season long we've been lamenting forward entries - both in terms of skill but also loading up to Fev all the time. If we can afford Houlihan on the wing and floating forward to bring our lesser forwards into the game then it could be worth a number of goals to the team. I'm really looking forward to how we use him and how he goes.

Fev has overtaken him for games played for Carlton but he's still our second most experienced AFL player as a Blue.