this will be a good test- Laidley has made on secret of the fact that he wants to go all the way in the NAB cup - where as Ratten has indicated that it is the season proper he is interested in .

The result should be interesting .

Sydney veiwers - 7HD is showing the game from 8.30 - I think when Freetv comes in we will be getting a lot more footy of FTA with stations trying to fill slots

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Surprising to see Browne & Hampson left out.
Providing there are no injuries and the likes of Yarran & Robinson show promise I'll be happy......couldn't care less about the result.

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There is no footy god

..wins wins and more wins.. ..i want wins.. ..yer locked into playing the 1st rnd anyways, so to think an extra 3 games on a better ground would perhaps undo fitness down the track into the season proper is bollocks to my thinking.. ....as for seeing what the youngsters are capable of, that's what training, intra-clubs and bullants is for.. ..when they're good enough we'll try them on.. ..but i'd much rather we win and go as far as we can.. ..winning culture is good culture, and the risk of injury playing on shoddy grounds for a glorified praccy match is plain silly.. ..nab challenge is risky business..

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

shaun grigg. how good is this kid.

just watched the pre match press conference, an boy was grigg impressive in the way he handled the media.

this guys should be one of our media go to guys from now on.
he was excellent.

very impressive, he spoke like a seasoned veteran, and was not robotic in his answers at all.

top stuff.

I am a big fan of Grigg too.

On the field he never backs away from a contest - he is hard at it - moves across the ground like a Rolls-Royce.

For those that criticized Hughes for taking Grigg instead of Jetta - will certainly be asking for a double serve of Humble Pie - for a few around here it will be Apple Pie.

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

Winston Churchill

Totally agree on Griggsy. He's clearly stepped it up off the field to be deemed the man to front the media ahead of Friday night. He spoke well, was poised, confident and not at all shy of the spotlight. On the field, I liked what we started to see last year. I think 2009 might just be the year he makes his mark for The Navy Blue. This is from a guy who definitely had his doubts about the kid, so pass the pie.

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http://www.thesauce.com.au: 2011 Player Partner of Andy Collins

..he does look the goods.... ..to be honest i didn't really follow the whole Grigg/Jetta thing, and i don't follow the bullants that closely so it's been 08 for me, and he definately got better as the season went.. ..late in the season did some nice clearance work when given the few opportunities....

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

Carlton
2 – Jordan Russell
3 – Marc Murphy
4 – Bryce Gibbs
5 – Chris Judd - Scott Saunders
6 – Kade Simpson
8 – Matthew Kreuzer
9 – Chris Johnson - Doc Sherrin
10 – Richard Hadley
12 – Mitch Robinson - Habib
13 – Chris Yarran
14 – Brad Fisher
16 – Shaun Grigg
18 – Paul Bower - TruBlueBrad
19 – Eddie Betts
21 – Mark Austin
24 – Nick Stevens
25 – Brendan Fevola
26 – Joe Anderson - cj69
27 – Dennis Armfield
28 – Cameron Cloke
30 – Jarrad Waite
32 – Bret Thornton
33 – Ryan Houlihan
34 – Simon Wiggins
38 – Jeffery Garlett
39 – Sam Jacobs
40 – Michael Jamison - Pklz
45 – Arron Joseph
47 – Greg Bentley

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Got to love the stare Down by Setanta on Llyod

I disagree in Hampson not playing

Jacobs and Kreuzer are the ruckman

I reckon Kreuzer is more value as a running tall onballer

hampson needs game time now

Its his third year in the system

Poor decision IMO

This is a lookalikes contest yeah?

Very surprised about Hampson missing. Unless there's a good reason we don't know about, we should definitely be playing him on Friday night. He needs all the game time we can get him as a primary ruckman right now. I'm not doubting Sauce has done all that has been asked of him in the pre-season and we know the kid has endeavour and determination. I am certainly not writing him off. Hell, I even sponsored him at Ants level in '08. It's tough love, but I have to think it's more important to stick with Hammer at this stage and see if he's really got game. 2009 is the year for Hammer to stand up and repay the early faith in him. Sauce will get his chance.

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http://www.thesauce.com.au: 2011 Player Partner of Andy Collins

Great avatar, Bluedave. Balharry comes through!

From the Blueseum

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Check out www.blueseum.org for all of your Carlton information needs.

Thanks. I probably should use an avatar of my grandfather though!

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... %20dowsley

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http://www.thesauce.com.au: 2011 Player Partner of Andy Collins

Will be good to see Jacobs get a good run. He has earnt it.

Hampson will get his turn next week and probably from then on.

Jacobs needs a go. And not just a token 10 mins playing third fiddle. This will be good for him and good for the club.

Read somewhere that he had a virus all week-Hammer that is. Weather there is any truth to that rumour i dont know but it would certainly explain why he isn't selected.

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Loooook OUT!

under the weather all week perhaps Mighty?

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This might sound extreme in the context of alleged sexual assault, drunken violence and a drug trafficking charge...

We would appreciate any pictures of you have of your Grandfather, who remains one of the best named Blues ever it must be said. We'll PM you if that's OK.

From the Blueseum

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Check out www.blueseum.org for all of your Carlton information needs.

Been there, done that.

hey. am new to the forum, after being an avid reader for the last couple of years, and I'm looking forward to adding my two cents worth from time to time. starting now...

like everyone, i'm excited to see the boys back in action again. What i'd like to see most of all against the Roos is an improved skill level, and more options created up forward. following on from that, i'm curious to see what Brett Ratten's plan's B and C are, should plan A not work out. North have owned us for too long, so psychologically, tomorrow is a big game!

Especially keen for all the new boys to get a run, and am loving Grigga. He is the essence of what the new Carlton is about.

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i don't wanna spend my life explaining myself. Either you get it, or you don't- Frank Zappa

I'll report on Fisher, and before anyone shoots me, yes I wasn't a fan in 2008, BUT i did say I'd start with a clean slate for Fisher in 2009.

I'll be looking at his set shots, disposal, positioning and defensive pressure mostly.

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Mjonc signing off at 8888