Houlihan Selection

keogh · **Joined:** Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:36 am **Posts:** 6425

Princes Park Whistler wrote:

keogh wrote:

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

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.

I reckon it works the other way

Anyone can get 20 cheap possessions and 10 uncontested marks a game particularly a guy like Houlihan who reads it well and will have it kicked to him because he has good disposal.

Thats fine until you come up against a good side who pressure you. You have to respond with more intensity.

Houlihan along with a few others get found out in this situation

Ironically it is more important to put your head over the ball and chase defensively than ever when the crunch games come.

The Bulldogs looked like millionaires last night.

Wouldnt suprise me that they will go out in straight sets because IMO they are a soft team.

Someone posted a thread about mediocrity and that this club to some degree still embraces it. Houlihan symbolises it.

dannyboy · **Posted:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:41 am

I understand the reasons for his selection and hope he goes out there and kicks a bagful and blazes for all to see

but i agree with Keogh

when Houla cannot get in this side, then we are a chance against the best

until then our weaknesses defensively will always unravel us.

and I'll add again, JR will not be dropped while we need some players to cover defensively for other so called 'offensive weapons'.

Blue Sombrero · **Posted:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:39 am

keogh wrote:

frank dardew wrote:

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

Rubbish. We have cut thirty players in the last 8 years, most of whom have played less than 50. If Houla has a good night tonight or if we win because of him, some people are going to either have to say they were wrong or they wished we had lost.
Personally I hope he gets a few kicks. No doubt the vultures will be saying he is a lost cause after missing all season and not getting 30 possies. he can't win with some people but as long as the MC is happy with him, that is the main thing. They don't have to answer to anybody on TC, fortunately or we'd have a team full of Darren Hulmes. Tough little bugger but didn't have Houla's skills. Started about the same time but left a few years ago despite not having played 160 games.

DIAMOTISM · **Posted:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:53 am

Carlton will be a premiership team when the likes of Houlihan cannot get a game in our side. He doesn't chase down players, can't tackle, doesn't put on a block on for his team mates and won't go the hard ball. He is a liability.

But then the girls think he is hot so I wish him really well tonight and hope he can do the things I mentioned above.

Warby · **Posted:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:21 pm

Hoops is a quality half forward and a class finisher.....hallo!.....that's right!.....we desperately need one.....welcome back...... :-D

ammo · **Posted:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:31 pm

welcome back to the gun!

Nicko Carstairs · **Joined:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:02 am **Posts:** 629

buzzaaaah wrote:

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

QFT. Looks good so far!

camel · **Posted:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:33 pm

Stick that up your arse Houla bashers!

Blue Sombrero · **Posted:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:39 pm

DIAMOTISM wrote:

Carlton will be a premiership team when the likes of Houlihan cannot get a game in our side. He doesn't chase down players, can't tackle, doesn't put on a block on for his team mates and won't go the hard ball. He is a liability.

But then the girls think he is hot so I wish him really well tonight and hope he can do the things I mentioned above.

We'll also be a premiership team when the likes of Judd can't get a game.
Easy statement. Means nothing.

Nicko Carstairs · **Joined:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:02 am **Posts:** 629

DIAMOTISM wrote:

Carlton will be a premiership team when the likes of Houlihan cannot get a game in our side. He doesn't chase down players, can't tackle, doesn't put on a block on for his team mates and won't go the hard ball. He is a liability.

But then the girls think he is hot so I wish him really well tonight and hope he can do the things I mentioned above.

He must've read your post. Good first quarter. 3 goals and some great kicking.

DIAMOTISM · **Posted:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:08 pm

Blue Sombrero wrote:

DIAMOTISM wrote:

Carlton will be a premiership team when the likes of Houlihan cannot get a game in our side. He doesn't chase down players, can't tackle, doesn't put on a block on for his team mates and won't go the hard ball. He is a liability.

But then the girls think he is hot so I wish him really well tonight and hope he can do the things I mentioned above.

We'll also be a premiership team when the likes of Judd can't get a game.
Easy statement. Means nothing.

Good start for him and I am very happy for him.....but I still haven't seen a tackle laid or a block for one of his team mates. Geelong would eat Houlihan alive.

Nicko Carstairs · **Joined:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:02 am **Posts:** 629

DIAMOTISM wrote:

Blue Sombrero wrote:

DIAMOTISM wrote:

Carlton will be a premiership team when the likes of Houlihan cannot get a game in our side. He doesn't chase down players, can't tackle, doesn't put on a block on for his team mates and won't go the hard ball. He is a liability.

But then the girls think he is hot so I wish him really well tonight and hope he can do the things I mentioned above.

We'll also be a premiership team when the likes of Judd can't get a game.
Easy statement. Means nothing.

Good start for him and I am very happy for him.....but I still haven't seen a tackle laid or a block for one of his team mates. Geelong would eat Houlihan alive.

Hard to argue with that one. I thought he had a tackle, but he doesn't.

dane · **Joined:** Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:14 am **Posts:** 22357

@#$%&! hell talkingpostivity.

keogh · **Joined:** Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:36 am **Posts:** 6425

dane wrote:

flower hell talkingpostivity.

NO

Shoshie · **Posted:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:00 pm

3 first quarter goals, just need those for the rest of the match.

Navy Blue Horse · **Joined:** Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:39 pm **Posts:** 15848

Looks like he ran out of puff....good to see him back though. Could teach a few teammates about ball use.

camel · **Posted:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 10:07 pm

Navy Blue Horse wrote:

Looks like he ran out of puff....good to see him back though. Could teach a few teammates about ball use.

Yeah, but can't be too hard on a guy for running out of puff after such a long lay off. His start to the game won't replicated week in week out, but it was a timely reminder of Houlihan's upside. IMO, he definitely has a role to play in our best 22.

Jarusa · **Joined:** Sat Feb 26, 2005 9:00 am **Posts:** 23123

Great first quarter.

Should have tried to smother instead of hip and shoulder a guy about to kick the ball on the wing in the second quarter.

Good for a first game back but needs to be harder at it.

frank dardew · **Joined:** Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:38 pm **Posts:** 7640

First pass lace out to Fev -brilliant first quarter -would have won more games if he and walker had been fit all year
Nopt surprised he tired still one of our best skill wise -a nice return
Jarusa very harsh - not sure how he should have beem harder at it tonight

Jarusa · **Joined:** Sat Feb 26, 2005 9:00 am **Posts:** 23123

frank dardew wrote:

Jarusa very harsh - not sure how he should have beem harder at it tonight

It was a good game for a first game back, but there were some things in his game tonight that he has always shown.

I think Houlihan is a very goo player, but also acknowledge that he does not make the right decisionsin contested situations sometimes. That is fine as long as we do not have too many players doing it. Some are more harsh and think we cannot afford to have one player like that. I reckon very good sides can afford to carry one or two as long as they are exceptional finishers. Still good trade bait if the Blues staff want to be ruthless enough.

Houlihan Selection

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