Only con I have is we missed a couple of late goals. Would've been sweet as to nudge the 100 point victory margin first up and beef up our score and winning margin.

Pros, like Fortitude Valley after dark, are vast and plentiful.

Our highest score since Round 13 2001.
Biggest winning margin since Round 10 2001.
Our second best first half since Round 10 2001.
Best start to the season in 25 years.
Great team effort.
Intense.
Top of the ladder.
No major injury concerns.
Talent waiting in the wings.
to name a few.

Pros

All my boys played well. Some better than others.
My Smurph was sublime.
Eddie and his cohorts in Robbo and Garlett were ferocious in the F50
Defensive pressure was great
Ruck - finally some competitiveness - happy with Sammy work and Krooz's tap work was great.
Waitey - was disrespected by Richo and Richo and the Tiggers paid the price.
Hads - where have been you son? Very good in and under. I fear for AB not being able to get a game if Hads stays fit.
Scotto - did some nice things and will be better for the run.
JUDD - The magic is back and in spades.

Cons

Simmo's kicking for goal - either running in or from set shots.
Wiggo's missing some easy goals but he was positive than negative - he's the Chief!

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

This is becoming far more of an issue than Russell's kicking ever was. He is now the midfielder who pushes forward to finish and last night he sprayed two goals and two assists that I can recall off the top of my head.

His woes in front of goal have been around for a while but his field kicking suffering is hurting his stock in the team no doubt. Still played a solid game though.

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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.

Pros
Hadley. If he maintains this and fitness, he could be the real key to unleashing an awesome midfield

Cons

The second quarter. We fell to their level and missed too many targets. A better side would have made us pay.

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Everything before the word "but" is horseshit - J Snow

PRO: Overall team performance and relentless pressure.

No CONS worth noting.

I would like to address some of the crazy talk here about Chris Johnson. I focused on his game after all of the comments here about his game. Please give the kid a break! Some of his rebound and setting up of play last night was first class -- did you notice who threaded the ball to Garlett for his first goal. I know some always want a whipping boy but for a team that has had its disposal issues and it is widely accepted as having been our achilles' heal, you could see the thinking behind his recruitment. Richmond's capitulation last night was largely due to that exact issue -- not being able to hit targets. So Morton kicked four goals -- one of those goals was when someone else was playing on him when Johnson was off the ground, one was from 50 on the boundary -- which is just too good, and the others were crumbing goals where there were a lot of Richmond players and only Chris Johnson defending. Questions could have been asked of the other defenders for not being in the zone. Again, can we just reserve judgment. From what I saw, he is going to be more than just a fringe player. It may be he ultimately ends up on the wing, but the team is better with his polished disposal.

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I send an SOS to the world

I concour.

Although i recall him twice being outmarked by Morton in a 1-on-1 when it looked 50-50...and yes maybe he could/should have got a fist in there but this happens to everyone...has thornton/scarlett never had a forward take a mark against them in a 1-on-1 situation??

Yes there is improvement to be made but i think its an easy one...cant make any solid judgements after only 1 game...

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Carlton Premiers '10

Won't talk about the Pros, because that's been done to death since Thurs night and we're all thrilled with the result.

However, if I was playing devil's advocate I'd say the concerns were...

- Johnson, got toweled in the air defensively. At 23 (?), this is a bit of a concern. Based on that performance, I'd say he's certainly no lock-in for defense, though obviously he'll be given every opportunity because his kicking is a plus (as fjanyc noted). Maybe wing is more his spot. We can't afford to have such a glaring weakness down back the opposition coaches can exploit every week.
- Simpson's kicking hasn't improved based on that peformance. He will never be elite until he improves his kicking
- Wiggins - set shots for goal still poor (though every other part of his game is coming along nicely)
- Russell - as above
- Houlihan - still played like a blouse at times

Just one other word, I thought Scotland was terrific (esp given his limited pre-season) and probably didn't get the accolades he deserved for his peformance on Thurs night. Wish he was 10cm taller.

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

After watching the replay the thing that stood out for me was how much our work inclose improved. Hadley was sensational and Krooze cleary looked like a deserved number 1 draft pick

This is my take on it.......

The Tigers prepared for a shoot out against us. In 2008 i'd say the perception of Carlton from other clubs is we are dangerous when the game opens up and the physicality leaves the game.

2008 version of the Carlton team was not a physical side. Our attack and pressure caught them out Thursday night and they just couldn't match it

Lets hope the desire to win the ball we witnessed on Thursday night is what we can expect from now on cause it was refreshing to see

This is the most Pro's Melveys had since, well, last payday

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i have a tab

Just a tab? It used to be a whole one, but you wore it down?

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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.

Not seeing Chris Johnson as a pro is a con.

Pro: Ladder:

http://sportal.com.au/afl-ladder/1025

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Cheats never prosper (except in the AFL)

Can I ask a question - does anybody know anything about the team that beat Richmond on Thursday night, nobody in the media seems to be bothered with the team that actually won, and after years of turmoil is now on top of the ladder and looking good.

Maybe if we started going feral on talkback and blaming everybody and threatening to burn the stadium down we'd get some attention

or maybe they dont want to admit, WE'RE BACK

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Those of you who think you know everything are annoying to those of us who do.

I see that as a pro.

There's more attention on the team which lost, which means more of a chance of flying under the radar, and handing out a few more beltings this year.

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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.

I agree. Flying under the radar is good. Keeps our young boys' feet firmly on the ground. I worry that the younger players may get ahead of themselves. Let's hope not though!

So far under the radar in fact its like Richmond never played an opponent last Thursday.


Certainly will assist in keeping the lid on down at Visy Park.

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

Winston Churchill

When you're in the box seat Richmond will always stand out and take the media focus away from us.

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

Johnson was playing on the oppositions best tall forward for the night. This is not what he was recruited for and not his role in the side, for this reason i thought he performed very well.