I get what you're saying, and yes, the arrogance can't be fabricated. It has to be found within, after far too long being dormant in our souls.

Not really sure I agree with you about talkback callers, but I know what you mean.

_________________
And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

We did what was necessary to win after a softboiled start by the boys. Sure, the coach is trying a few things out and not bowing to flood pressure but there is nothing worse than chasing tail constantly in the first quarter.

Robbo is the savior clown of our code. Inexplicable talent but nut-job. Near impossible to forecast where he'll take his game and our club. Great to see a pillow-biter like Williams try and have a go at Robbo- and in a practice match at that.

Hoops. Look out.

Hadley did very well.

Gartlet so impressive defensively. To even get a hand on Cyril when you weigh as much an HB pencil is mighty.

Johnson neat and clever, Sauce dogged and resilient.

@#$%&! those umpires need a flame thrower taken to them in them. Beyond shit house.

Jacobs and Garlett have done their chances of elevation no harm whatsoever. Both good chances for rd1 if they keep it up.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Pro: lifted after a woeful first quarter (first half really) where we fell into the trap that is the zone defence

Con: disposal by hand is an absolute nightmare and looks as bad as last year, and the year before that and the year before that

Con: terrible job manning Roughead; yes he was good but he wasn't that good

Do not dink it 1 metre to the bloke next to you and DO NOT always loop it...

The zone defence should be crushed in one season, it's so simple to master... run in the spots (or channels to use a term from the world game) that leave the two defenders confused about who takes responsibility. They both hesitate, you get a clean run at the ball and they look like complete idiots. Instead we just got pushed wider and wider as we tried to kick around the zone instead of over it.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Pro:
- Good come back
- Multiple goal kickers

Cons:
- we are STILL not playing 4 quarters of football. We still have those really bad quarters like we had last year. Very bad tackling in the 1st quarter.
- Garlett is on the rookie list so he won't be playing in the seniors.
- Waite consistently give away dumb mistake free kicks.
- Jammo's read of the flight of the ball is not that good.
- Cloke really needs to work a lot harder, his ruck position will be taken over, so he better make a name for himself in the forwardline. I reckon he is way too slow for players of his size (non-ruckman size).
- Houlihan is still soft as butter.

Pro

Got the W after a poor start, albeit againt a Hawks side well below strength.

Thornton - full credit to him. Strong game after a VERY ordinary start. I know it's only NAB cup but he infuriated me in the first qtr, though he wasn't alone there. Great game after qtr time.

Garlett - two games now where he has had impact, offensively and defensively. I think we've found one there

Simmo - see Thornton.

Gibbs/Murphy - see Simmo

Hadley - Thought he was good when he came on. Fingers crossed he stays healthy, really believe he can add some real value to our midfield and release Juddy.

Fev - Great work rate, throwing his body around and not stupidly.

Cons

Only NAB cup, can't take too much away from this.

First qtr was atrocious. We dish that up in the real season and we'll be lucky to win a game.

Hawks missing plenty of first graders.

Russell - I can see why we debate him so much. Does some really great stuff but lets himself down with poor skills or decisions.

Umps - Too much of an impact on the game today both ways (though we got the raw end of it early)

All in all, will take the W but know full well it's all about the real stuff and there's plenty of room for improvement. Hopefully the boys and the club are approaching it the same.

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We are on our way back...

Pro: we don't have to play in Berri!

_________________
when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth

Feelgood Hit of the Winter - GHRP-2, GHRP-6, CJC-1295, AOD-9604, Humanofort and Hexarelin

good on you melvey for finding an outlet for your "embarrassed carlton supporter" complex. for your sake i really hope carlton becomes a clone of whoever is the flavour of the month with you (reckon it's the hawks at the moment).

you become obsessed with stuff like this ... nothing wrong with that cos that's what it's all about ... but then when challenged i bet you'll say "yer, but it's not like carlton is the only thing in my life ya know ... i have far more important things to do so i'm heading off to get drunk with me mates and i'll leave you to your pathetic carlton worship thingy."

so what if the cheer squad made a goose of itself!

does it impact on anything i saw on the tv re our game style etc? is it really something i should be focussing on instead of garlett's eye-catching cameos? should i forget about armfield's impressive progress re disposal / composure so that i can indulge in some self-flagellation in an attempt to expiate the sins of the CS? should we introduce some sort of moratorium on the on-field comments / analysis in order to focus on an eddie-style initiative to ensure the CS is wholesome and fun and oh-so vanilla and family / sponsor friendly? perhaps we could get joffa in as a consultant on this ...

btw ... i've been going to the footy for almost 40 years and have seen those "supercillious hawks" (sorry frank for stealing that) carry on in similar manner ... but i've only thrown this in just to give you an excuse to say "well it's not like i'm from the dinosaur age like you ..."

_________________
... an eagle flew out of the night. he was something to observe, came in close i heard a voice, bending stretching every nerve, had to listen had no choice ...

Funni you say that cause i actually said to my mates thank god i'm not one of them

Pro

Cloke and Murphy kicking for goal improved

Gartlett and JACOBS good rookies

Arnfield now using pace to create is disposing of the ball with certainty

Finally worked out how to play against Hawthorn zone -took over 45 minutes though

Juddsters goal

Disposal in the third and fourth much better

Simpson terrific this week

Hadley a bit rusty but havent seen him for awhile

Agame we should have won a did


Cons

Dirty Simon Taylor against Murphy early

Having Mclaren and razor - perfect tackle by fev in the back and 50

50 METRE PENALTIES - how many did they get

Couldnt contain a big forward Rough head and hale last week

The first quarter and a half a full strength hawthorn would have been 10 goals up at quarter time

Couldnt hit a target in the first quarter or so

Couldnt work kickouts early

This is something i certainly noticed. 3 or 4 times he got hands to the footy in a pack situation, but just couldn't hold on. If he gets the strength and confidence needed to hold onto these he will be dynamite around the ground and will be able to push forward and become dangerous too. Huge upside with this guy!!

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@cecil_anderson

Just finished watching the game

Pros
Well covered in all the other posts but some thoughts

Armfield - didn't stop running, presenting, tackling and his disposal has really improved

Big Sammy - while slow did well in the ruck tapouts and competed well, has much to offer.

Eddie and Garlett - love to watch these two, excitement plus!

Robbo - love his work rate and the tougher it is the more he likes the contest

Another opportunity to match against quality opposition next week.



Cons
We are small and lack strength down back. Losing Campbell Brown was a big blow for them and we had no one to match his power. This will continue to be our Achilles heel in the short term.
Jordy did some good things but must do more to keep his spot as we know have a whole group of players of his type.
Hammer's inability to take a pack mark as mentioned earlier. Several times he almost had them. Upside here is enormous!
Inconsistency with disposal, but better than this time last year.

Go Blues!

_________________
"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

PROS
Hawthorn did us a great favour in the long run by monstering us in the first quarter.

Didn’t play well but still won, a win is a win is a win.

All rookies showed something, and the decision on who to elevate will be tough. Garlett is a must for mine.

Lots of goal kickers.

Mark Williams hilarious attempt to rough up Robinson being caught by the cameras. Try getting the ball next time, lady, and not twisting the rookie’s wrist. Just one of many examples of their Clarkson inspired gutless sniping. If we had a decent tribunal, Robert Campbell would be reported for elbowing Murphy.

Johnson’s beautiful passing by foot. Especially that one to Cloke that ended in a goal.

We get to play the other Grand Finalist next week.

CONS

Switched off in the first quarter. A definite case of déjà vu to our NAB Cup match last year and Round 12-ish 2007 against the Hawks.

Umpiring, personal unfaves, the 50 metres paid to the Hawks, because the umpire was too slow indicating play on. If the umpires are not smart enough to call play on straight away, then get rid of the rule altogether. Roughead’s blatant push in the back to T-Bird, yet Fev can get shepherded out of a contest.

Having to watch Hawthorn play, man, are they rubbish to watch. Without Lance they are unbearable. Hopefully we only play them once this year.

We are still a bit light on down back, an in-form Setanta will be a huge asset this year.

pros: plan B worked well after a terrible start (go ratts)

cons: the hawks at full strength will be a different story!

_________________
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on". -Winston Churchill.

PROS : Judd , Stephens , Gibbs , Fev , Murphy , Armfield , Simpson , Thornton , Waite , Garlett .

Jacobs. . . . Will be our no1 ruckman . Hadley. . . . will be in the team all year if he can stay fit .

CONS : Russell , Anderson , Fisher , Bentley .

Umpires. . . . Fev got ( or didn't get ) a couple of very bad calls . However some of that we got back with Hammers goal that wasn't .

_________________
Get the facts first.
Then you can distort them at your leisure.

Pros:



Agree. All the rookies showed a bit I thought.

I also liked the games of Simpson and Armfield.

Nice again to get a win against a team we've struggled against.

And 2 wins in a row at the Dome, somewhere we've struggled to play well.

Agreed. I think it's been noticeable the improvement having a few extra quality ball users in the team.

PRO: Some extra cash in the Club coffers. (Who Cares Cup Semi-finallists and finallists get bonus money, IIRC)

_________________
And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

PRO:
Carlos' suspension is now effective for one less H&A game.

Pro:

Reversed a terrible first 1/4.
Rookies showed something.
No injuries.
Don't have to play in Berri next week.


Con:

AFL umpires think they're part of the show.
Flat first 1/4.
Some senior players are still making basic skill and decision errors.
Didn't get to test ourselves against a full strength side.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa