Carrots is a bonafide ball winner, pity his kicking is some 68% accurate or whatever but Hoggy & Rice in the '95 GF team weren't so great by foot either.

That's good enough for me. Some of blueboy23's friends reckon that Carazzo is not in our best 22. There ya go. It's a make or break year for him. And after all, he's 29 years old next year. This time, being 206 cm tall won't save him. Carazzo - captain of GC17 - the new Mark Williams!!!!!

_________________
Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

Hartlett and Edwards are the 2 that come to mind straight away for me. We are crying out for alternatives up forward, but I have a hard time imagining either of these guys commanding a regular spot. I think both were a little lucky to avoid getting the chop at the end of last season, so 2009 is make-or-break for them, IMO. (footy can be cruel - I know if I was Ryan Jackson I'd be a bit dirty that Hartlett and Edwards are still on an AFL list and I am not...).

If either, or both, Hartlett or Edwards step up in 2009, that would be a huge bonus. I've never had much confidence in Hartlett, but he did show signs of improvement last year and, if he can stay injury free, maybe there is a role for him. He has some attractive attributes - he's a big boy, reasonably mobile for his size, and can kick 50+ over opposition floods. But is he good enough though? And will his body allow him to play to his potential?

Edwards is only 21, but he really needs to show something in 2009. He hasn't looked completely hopeless in the limited opportunities he's had at AFL level, but his form in the VFL was very disappointing at times in 2008. Would like to see a lot more intensity from him more often this year. Looks good on the fast lead at times, but needs to add a lot more to his game IMO (such as consistent 2nd & 3rd efforts, being able to contribute more when used up the ground, etc).

Others that come to mind who need a good year, for various reasons, are - Fisher, Houlihan, Hadley, AB, Ando, Armfield, Banno & Wiggo. I don't think Betts, Carlos, Carrotts & JR are under as much immediate pressure, but, with the young players we have coming through, those guys will need to keep improving to maintain their spot too.

It's an important year for Walker too, but in a different way (more like 'can he go from good player to elite player?', rather than 'can he stay on the list?').

The competition for spots is becoming intense right across the list (even amongst the 'established' players) and this should result in improvement....which I think is all we ask for in 2009.

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Thalia Thai in East Brunswick

_________________
Wisdom tells me I am nothing
Love tells me I am everything
Between the two my life flows

I put $20 on Gibbs to win the Brownlow this year.

I was starting to doubt the Gibber until he came good in the secondhalf of 08.

I now reckon he is ready to tear ths competition a new one.

Hope Ratts has him on the ball more in 08.

I believe Cameron Cloke will make CHF his own. Admittedly there's a bit of hope mixed
in with that expectation.
But if he can, the upside for the team would be enormous. A big strong no nonsense ''marking'' CHF
working in tandem with Fev, and a looming top notch ''mosquito fleet'' in and under makes the mouth
water.

_________________
The problem with Socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money.

I thought is was going to be Walker

But the other player that I think will become 'elite' is Bower.

Has all the makings of a Sexton/Fletcher dynamic defender.

_________________
They coud'nt.....could they?

Grigg is ready to dominate IMO. Big, tough and can influence a result as shown a couple of times this year with second efforts and key clearances.

Gibbs is set to become Top 20 player.

Bower and Jamo will become the new Scarlett and Harley.

Austin will emerge as a "young" Jarred Rivers type CHB.

_________________
Mjonc signing off at 8888

Jordan Russell will become the new Chris Judd!

The FEV - he will play a altered role within the forward line this year playing more up the ground at times than a sit at home forward

Santy.

Unlike others who have had injuries and have recovered and had a full preseason so far, there isn't any assumption that he'll return to previous levels and build on that.

No doubt that's in part because of the difficulties in assessing and treating his injury. Some would doubt it was a real injury, and others would wonder whether it will continue to hinder his footy.

But if he's good to go now (and that's how it appears at the moment), he'll silence a lot of his critics. Talk all you want about up-and-coming defenders, but when you have a guy who has a big, mature, and athletic body and good skills, it'll be hard to keep him out of a spot.

There'll be plenty of time for the youngsters to be groomed for the seniors. There's no rush, and it's high time we discarded the idea that any kid with talent should be put straight into the side while he develops rather than when his body matures.

What, the one Richmond got

_________________
"I will rejoice in their anguish, delight in their failure and revel in our success"

We are Carlton, @#$%&! the rest !!!!!!

JUDD!

He is going to tear the competition apart in 2009.

Oh, and Eddie Betts will also step up, but that's just so he can look Mr 206 in the eye.

_________________
Click here to follow TalkingCarlton on twitter
TalkingCarlton Posting Rules

..Houla's, running fit and with Ratts setting him loose in the forward line..

..and i still see alot of improvement in our three No 1's..

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

Money on Gibbs and Walker this year for the Brownlow.

Big improvers this year will be Gibbs, Walker, Bower, Grigg, and to a lesser extent Waite and Murphy.
http://www.navyblueblog.com/archives/11

_________________
|♥♥♥♥♥♥| http://www.blueseum.org |♥♥♥♥♥♥|

Having watched a fair chunk of our 08 games over summer I was surprised at some of the things JR did. So many positive moves which took real skill and dedication that were eventually let down by a mistake that made him look like an amateur. Great lead and mark followed by a kick into the man on the mark, crunching tackle and deft pick up followed by a handpass to a team-mate's feet when he was in the clear. He does all the hard things quite well, it's just that little 10% of polish that will turn him into a great player who could play across the park. He's improved every season, so he's my tip to take the biggest stride.

I cant believe anyone on this board believes that Tommi has been doing anything but delivering over the past 4 years.

Time for ........... to deliver, indeed.

_________________
"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Yeah I thought Tommi's second efforts were top notch in 08, no idea why this came about Agro.

_________________
------------------------------
Griggaisagun

Not to mention the nice quaddies he picked up over the spring. The guy was on fire!!

_________________
You want the flame? Give us the marbles!!

A third of the season nearly over and a few guys are under the pump.

Possibles at this stage considering there is normally around 6 changes each year.

Fisher
Edwards
Stevens
Wiggins
Bentick
Hartlett
Houlihan
Setanta

Remembering that this is the last uncomprimised draft for a long while some big decisions will be made at years end.

Especially if we don't make the finals.