I thought Fisher was fantastic and looked very mobile...

Oh Russell.... if he puts this kinda game week in week out he'd be one of our most important players... fantastic work tonight

Grigg is just a beauty... and Hadley showed what we were missing

How accurate is kreuzer's ruckwork... just puts it down the throat...

Joseph looked like the player we've been missing for so long... the tagger... the tagger to stop oppositions best player...

The workrate of our indigenous player was like something i have never seen before... just did not let up... pressure was at its maximum... Garlett, Yarran and Betts...

Armo had his third fantastic game and will have to be in the best 22... i failed to see him miss a target... he just attacks the ball so well... he improved immensely...

Jamo was absolutely sensational, and johnson looks so comfortable...

Most satisfying loss ever

_________________
cruise (Kreuze) missile:
a very accurate flying bomb.
SOURCE: http://library.thinkquest.org/3785/glossary.html

..i think Thornton's really beginning to shine, now that he's finally got some proper support down back.. ..loved his mongrel, especially the way he was giving it to Gabellet after Joseph rammed him into the earth....

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

there's a lot to love about the blues tonight. as Big Kev woulda said, i'm excited...

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

I would think we can conclude from this match that:

a) Hadley will get a game in round 1. His possessions were well measured and damaging to the opposition.

b) Fisher and Wiggins will be under pressure to make the team in round 1.

c) Cloke is good as a forward target. Sure, he might not be the answer, but he is a better option in front of the sticks than some of the other forwards.

d) Grigg is going to be a gun player

e) Browne will be in the mix for round 1 selection.

+1

Was very happy with the overall match. If we had have kicked straight, we would have won. There were a couple of sitters which went begging, which would have narrowed the margin to a kick or so.

The defensive pressure in the F50 was good. Started off slow, but was incredible by half time. The Cats were genuinely rattled by it.

Not a whole lot of negatives last night for mine.

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

Went to the game last night and was really glad I did. Will watch the replay later.

The small crowd (maybe 15000) seemed to be majority Carlton and were extremely loud. Lots of support.

My observations:

1. Attitude and feeling amongst group is extremely high
2. Fanatastic ability to just keep running
3. Defensive pressure very good especially in forward line.
4. Russell's game was probably the best I have seen from him along with the Port game last year. Played wing most of it which suits him better. Watching him live his workrate is amazing and he puts his body on the line. Made a couple of mistakes and doesn't get enough of the ball for the effort he makes but he may still be a chance to make it. If so he needs to play wing and not as a lead up fwd. Running off the wing he can be a good chop out for Judd, Gibbs etc.
5. Anderson - His home is BP. His second half was probably the best I have seen from him in a while when moved there. Gets lost up the ground. He is tough and hard and will do a job.
6. Defence - Really improving. Thornton filled the role of Waite very well and reads the play well. Bower improved as the game went on. Jamo is going to be very good but IMO his pre season has been average although he was better last night. I thought Austin was very good. Got caught out a few times but did well and his kicking is as good as anyones in the side. Add smalls of Armfield (who has really stepped up) Browne, Johnson, Scotland & Anderson and it is one tought unit. For me it shows we can release Waite to other parts of the ground!
7. Like the way we got the ball in quick and long to the fwds. Without Fev we went for other options and we lloked good because of it. Yes, we chopped it up a few times but we didn't look as predictable.
8. The 'Brothers'. Watch Garlett, Betts and Yarran and they never shut up talking to each other and their first instinct is to give it to each other. All will be good. Garlett probably struggled against some bigger bodies but has that magic. Yarran seemed to get more comfortable as the game went on but still adjusting. Betts, came on and made a difference. Browne did some good defensive work and add Houlihan and it is awesome. Need to get it in quick. For the past few years I have been pushing for him to play more midfield and last night showed why. In burst he can be damaging, reads the play well and uses well. With other small fwd options he needs to keep doing this.
9. Did well. His presence is vital to structure. Got found out defensively but when we get it long to him he makes a contest and brings smalls into play.
10. Hadley was a star. Been dying for him to get fit. Will make a huge difference in the middle and worked all night. All class and really led the side.

Heaps more I could add but very impressive by the kids. Never walked away form a Carlton loss so content.

Richmond must be shitting themselves!

Agree BB, I must have been watching a different game.

A few players really stood up, presented themselves and took on responsibility I thought.

Russell really did some terrific things at crucial times which must give him some real confidence.

Joseph has been given a tremendous opportunity by Ratten and he's accepted it with glee.

Chris Johnson has been very good from what I've seen. A touch of class.



Not sure what to make of Austin just yet. Beautiful mover and good disposal but not up to it in the one on ones yet.

Cloke is providing some form of presence in the forward line but he's slooooowwwwww.

Yarran reminds me of Justin Murphy. If he's more disciplined than Murphy was he'll be a star.

Grigg and Anderson needs to tidy up foot skills. Very promising though as we all know.

Bentley is just backup.

A shame we didn't see more of O'Keeffe. Lovely left foot kick.

Won't mention every player, because I couldn't be bothered, but ...

Cloke - thought he was very good, better than I expected, presented all night, and showed some good hands at times
Yarran - thought he looked better as the game went on, very clean hands and not just a flashy type, was able to get involved in the play around the flanks - very promising
O'Keefe - had bugger all game time but like G.Healy (I thinK) I was impressed by the one little bit he did, sometimes you can just see class from the very outset
Johnson - another good effort, looks to have a touch of clas, and not sure he is a pussy
Russell - almost looked a class above last night, gee he has a turn of pace, and is a good size, definitely should be persisted with in the seniors cause it's possible he will turn the corner big time one day soon
Hadley - got better as the game wore on and looked a class midfielder by the end, great to see him start to show signs because he's the type of playe we need
Thornton - excellent

All in all very, very happy with last night's loss. Thought the lads went hard all night, and that's all you can expect, and really it's a good sign that the lads gave it their all, they are clearly working hard for their current coach.

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

I love the way Joey gives his all and attacks the contest but his disposal efficiency is well below AFL standard.
He's well back in the queue IMO.

Of the others you mentioned, I was really pleased with Hampson, Browne and Kruezer. Generally good composure and athleticism to boot. Congratulations also to AJ. Great concentration and intensity.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

QFT. If ever the term "honourable loss" is acceptable, it is after this game

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The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

Ronald Reagan

From my vantage point in front of the Plasma, I though the "Baby" Blues did very well....

Loved it when that smug @#$%&! Ablett got tackled after taking a nice grab....Hi s facial expression was pure
"I just ate a turd"

JR very nice. The former Tiger Aussie did well. Once he gets his positioning right will be very nice in the
backlines.

CJ has a nice kick, and looks very calm.

The Aboriginal lads Eddie Betts, you are gonna be a GUN !! Yarran & Garts looked nice....

17 points, was a very respectable loss considering the "elite" were out.

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Go to http://www.snoutslouts.org/ for a look at the mighty GFC...

I always hoped he could, but I never believed Russell could look that good on a football field. He was the most positive aspect of the night.
I am still surprised how well he looked for most of the game. If he can take that now, get confiedence from it and deliver consistently in season proper he will add heaps to our team. Part of the 22 on that performance

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C'mon Blueboys!

..Ratts is saying we're most likely gonna elevate two rookies prior to round 1.. ..i'm hopin' that Garlett gets up.. ..i know he's slight, but i think he can still handle seniors no problem.. .being slight, he's learnt how to move around the bigger bodies.. ..sure, he's not gonna be breaking tackles anytime soon, but he can tackle others ok, and he's agile enough to get out of trouble most times.. ..and, i dig the way he looks out there.. ..so suave and dapper, reminds me of errol flynn.. ..he's like a swashbuckler out there..

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

..i also think that between Betts and Garlett, we've got a real fair of forward defense specialists.. ..they have an this ability to 'shark' the ball out of other's hands without the need to even tackle them.. ..they're both great at knocking/tapping the ball out of ppl's hands.. ..they create heaps of turn-overs.. ..Bettsy especially had instant impact as soon as he was subbed on..

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

The Carlton list has depth.

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"It was like calling your ex girlfriend after a night on the booze, just a really bad decision".

I've only watche dit once so far but:
Russell's best game for mine.
Thornton did very well.
Yarran showed a bit of class but won't play round one.
Garlett will be great.
The rucks did OK Kreuzer was wasted in the role he had last night and never really got into the game for mine.
Wiggo was good in general play but for once his kicking let him down. If he had marked and goaled at 3/4 time.....
Hadley went OK for his first hitout in a while. Won't play round one.
Joey will need to step up a notch if he is going to play much footy.
Armfield will be a fgood player and will probably keep Joey out of the team.
Johnson was a good pickup and Scotland will have to earn his place all over again it seems. Johnson doesn't have Scotland's tank but looks like he will go OK.
Hampson will be OK if he lears to take more marks
Jacobs is worth perservering with.
Now I'll look at it again.
Those who thought the kids would be scarred for life were a bit off the mark IMO.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

I think that's a fair comparison, style-wise both smooth movers with lovely skills and seem to move in third gear. Murphy was a good player who never quite reached his potential, and had trouble settling at a club (5 stints at 4 clubs?). I think he was a high pick too...

I'd be disappointed if Yarran can't surpass Murphy's career. As long as he remains healthy, his success will be determined by how much he wants it.

_________________
cruise (Kreuze) missile:
a very accurate flying bomb.
SOURCE: http://library.thinkquest.org/3785/glossary.html

you were watching the wrong player then... he was beyond controlling... he was class... 100% efficiency from 15 possies is bloody impressive

_________________
cruise (Kreuze) missile:
a very accurate flying bomb.
SOURCE: http://library.thinkquest.org/3785/glossary.html