In a poor team, Houlihans deficiences are highlighted (same with everone). He is a highly skilled player. I'd like to see what role he could play in a decent team where he can play to his strengths rather than try to cover his weaknesses

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T E A M

Mckinley will be good but doubt we'll get him. But Miller? LMAO. You just don't get it do you?

Great to see Hoops back, he's been there through the tough times and has missed all our wins this year. Hope he plays in 2.

Always respect Franks opinions but I'm with Melvey on this one, get him back on the paddock and fatten him up for sale....

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

I know Houla has a lot of bashers, but I think up forward he will be very valuable. People have to understand we are never going to have 22 Chris Judd's running around, no one does (not even Geelong).

Houla is a guy who will benefit greatly from more quality being around the side. Up forward and another bloke to rotate in the midfield. I think in Ratts eyes he has always been in our best 22.

Melvey - Why would anyone give us 2nd rounders for those guys? Who do you think they are? Freo circa 1995?

Saddington (DEF) for Bower (DEF)

Wiggins (FWD) for Houlihan (FWD)

Like to see what Houlihan can do up forward this week and I'm not sure why everyone has to make up their mind before he even plays?

Lets just wait and see how he and his opponent go

..any gain from mckinley is more than offset by miller's patented dudness..

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

..the houla bashers are stuck in that rut.. ..houla wasn't a defender, so that hard defensive pressure was never going to he his forte'.. ..he was serviceable down back, he's by no means any softer than say waite, can't remember the last time i saw him put his body on the line.. ..as a team, we should be passed shufflin' good players to cover holes in the team.. ..we did it with houla (among others), and all year long we've lamented that medium sized lead up forward that we're missing.. ..bollocks..

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

He has kicked 25 goals the same amount of goals as our next forward Betts and ha sonly played 15 games and the first few down back.

McKinley's kicked 37 goals. Surprisingly good. Doubt he will be let go.

I think Houla is a good choice for this week - I think fev would be happy too seeing as Houla (as well as judd) seems to be able to pass to him lace out instead of kicking it too far over his head, at his feet, in the middle of a huge pack of 7 defenders.........................and so on

good luck houla

It's highly debateable any of those players would net that kind of value in this draft. McKinley would be a good pick up.

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Chris Judd: 'I've since watched some Steven Seagal movies and realise pressure points are no laughing matter.'

Cmon mate.. you're having a laugh.

Sorry to rain on the parade of the Houla love-fest... will never like him. Just don't think he represents what Carlton has always been about.

Wow, i reckon we have always had a mix of harder types and skilled players in our successful sides. Houla would have been a valuable player this year given the possession style of game we are playing.

Houla is a damn good player.

By the signs he showed in the Ants after a season out proves he is a cut above the rest.

As far as trade bait goes, well to suggest he has value implies he's a good player. The question is, do we want to lose a good player? I don't, but it depends on the value of the trade; doesn't it?

All I know, is we have missed his class. In those 2 and a bit games he played this year, despite the losses, I thought he was one of our shining stars.

I don't have mush time for Houla bashers; too biased in search for scapegoats.He is one of our most skilled exponents of the footy; everyone agrees on that at least.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I think his weaknesses would be highlighted in a successful team. They demand everyone puts their body on the line. Successful teams have strong leadership.

Can you imagine walking back to a huddle and facing Michael Voss after you've pulled out of a contest?

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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

He is soft

You cant have soft players anymore

Akermanis starred last night

He will be a liability in the finals because he doesnt chase defensively doesnt attack the ball when he is going to get crunched

Houlihan is the same

The game has changed

You cant afford to have guys like Houlihan in your team anymore

Not an inside player but not scared either -you dont play 160 games of AFL if you dont put your body in - nice skills and versatile
Interestingly Danaher was very keen to get him to the Demons a number of years ago and he wasnt a man to tolerate someone not going when it was his turn

My only comment is similar to Rhys - isnt a leader in terms of pulling the side up when it has a shocker- having said that I think he fisher fevola thorton have suffered worse because of the lack of leadership and direction from most of the senior players and leaders during the dark years

I DEFINITELY WANT TO KEEP HIM UNLESS A FABULOUS TRADE IS ON THE TABLE

You do play 160 games if you have been at Carlton in the last 8 years

Can`t agree Keogh. The game is softer now than ever before with keepings off/possession footy. Houla is suited to this style of play and should give our forward line a real boost.

Agree with Frank. Can't wait to see him out there tonight. I think he is a player who, with a good side around him will really shine. I don't see him a player who will lift the team either but in a strong team he will do well.

Keep Houla next year, we need someone else who will deliver the ball to Fev laces out. I'd like to see him on a wing or half forward as he can kick a goal too.

Good luck Hoops!!

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