It's taken me until now to let the disappointment subside. Still gutted but trying to take the 'glass half full' pov and will not do the cons, which have already been well covered.

PRO's

In a strange way, think we'll look back on this game as our real coming of age. Not just the opponent, it was the quality and style of the game. It wasn't a shoot out, it was hard nosed, in and under, finals type intensity slugfest where we acquitted ourselves well. This is the style of game that wins finals so hopefully the boys can take some confidence out of that. After yesterday, even the wider football community will acknowledge we are on our way and on the right track. No doubt still plenty of work to do though.

Still top four with a healthy percentage. Acknowledge there's a log jam and we should (at least) be 4-2 however we've got an opportunity to really cement our spot in the higher rungs of the ladder. Just have to take care of our end of the bargain. It's quite surreal being disappointed with our record yet we still sit fourth

I know it's minor and we should definately NOT be happy (internally) of where we are at. However I found it interesting that Healy and Hird today included Carlton in the discussion of the really top teams in the comp. Just a small sign that we are being taken seriously and have a HUGE opportunity to achieve something this year. IMHO, with what we know we can improve upon, we should be aiming for top 5 from here on in.

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We are on our way back...

Who is on the MC?

I reckon they have got it wrong a few times this year, and it has arguably cost us games.

Bentley is bloody hopless. Slow, fumbles.

Simialy, against the Bombers, we played the rookies one week too many. I genuinely believed Garlett/Robbo shouldn't have played. Could have been the difference in a 4 pt game.

We have some good kids + Banno and Hads in the VFL, surely they are better than the Bentleys and Clokes etc.

Thought Setanta looked lost in the big game yesterday.

Players get exposed when the heat is turned on, in big games like yesterday.

Gotta be tough and make good decisions under pressure, and execute the skill too. About 3 or 4 were exposed yesterday and the challenge is on the MC to start playing the 'best' talents.

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

Pros:

My HTPC was awesome for recording the game.



Cons:

Not a game I want to rewatch.

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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

Pros - at 3/3 we're sitting 4th. It's really not too bad a result. The way we are playing is giving me great confidence that things could be better. Bombers, Swans, Hawks. All games that a better more experienced side would win. With every game we get closer to becoming that side.

I won $24 on Hawks -39.5


Cons - I've not seen a single bit of the game. If I'd gone, we may have won...

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Congratulations CK95

Another con:

Not sure what it was like at the game live, but on tele it sounded like there was more support for Hawthorn in the crowd. Curious about whether this represented the crowd balance, or just where the crowd mikes were placed?

More Hawks on the ground level as thats where there reserved seat members sit. Up the top deck it was pretty even though. Amazing atmosphere.

Just as the Big Kev inspired "I'm excited cause we just lost to last years premiers" and "good effort" are the stuff of gold stars and elephant stamps at primary school.

The ill informed rants of the pragmatists are no different to the ill directed praise and worship of the elephant stampers. They're flowering opinions. Get over it!

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

Just as mine is, champ.
As you said, "get over it"

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

I was a great game of footy. The reason we love the game like we do is because of days like Saturday. The G is the most amazing stadium in the world and we watch the most amazing game of skill, bravery and excitement.

Hopefully Fev will forgive himself soon, although it should be a timely reminder that he is just 1 part of a 22 man squad. It takes everyone doing their bit all of the time to get to the pinnacle.

Our bottom few players are the difference between winning and not. You can't take players into big games that don't have the footy smarts, or composure, or talent to stand up for a full 4 Qtr game.

Let's not kid ourselves, the Hawks weren't full strength. WC nearly beat them in Tassie last week.

Once again we selected a physically weaker squad and paid the price.

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end of message

Were we at full strength Duke?

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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.

Often when I read this thread, and many of the players threads, I imagine I don't know the result and deduce we lost by 80-100 points.

Then I read excuse after excuse as to why we almost beat Hawthorn, so then I deduce that Hawthorn are actually heaps better than us.

Then I remember I actually watched the game, our players weren't torn to shreads, and Hawthorn are not really any better than us, we only lost by 4 points and could've easily won.

Robert Walls kept saying our bottom six are no good. So I guess our bottom six are no good. That's a con.

I realistically expected us to win every game from Rd 1 until we win a premiership because 'we're coming'. I never expected to lose a close, hard game against quality opposition - a game that will be of immeasurable benefit to us. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?

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

Pretty much, DUC. I can't think of a player that would have made a huge difference to our line up.

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end of message

Con:

I am pretty sure dannyboy has written in another thread that over time Ratts will need to be evaluated whether he is to be the young coach who is learning and can take us to the flag or whether he has limitations and may only take us so far and I whole-heartedly agree with this opinion. Now I believe Brett has done a lot of good work since he was made senior coach and our team play is to be applauded but selection decisions are adding some BIG crosses to his ledger I’m afraid. And I am sorry to say that even without the benefit of hindsight, the selection of Bentley was unwarranted and premature and many could see that as soon as the team sheets was released.

Risky selections should and will attract criticism and bring about plenty of detractors and there is a pattern of selection decisions that seem to indicate that Ratts and the MC are being too gung-ho and risky with there selection decisions and relying on chance instead of realistic assessment to make hardnosed decisions. This has been disappointing. And whilst it is not Brett alone who makes these calls, the buck stops with him.

Against the scum, they chose to keep Garlett in the side when it was clear the week previous that a rest was required. Also, no tall replaced Jamison and as expected Waite was dragged back deep and we lost his drive. Could’ve been prevented at the selection table.

Against the swans, there were indications the previous week that Robbo was tapering off sharply and needed to go back to the Ants. His performance, unfortunately was like Bentley’s, we essentially played a man down.

And then, the Bentley inclusion. Other proven players were available and arguably performed better than Greg did and were overlooked for a player who has known limitations up against a pressure side like the hawks. Lots knew it was a bad call Thursday and this sadly was vindicated.

I am still proud of the boys and it was fantastic to see them go the way they did on Saturday but I am almost angry about the Bentley selection and what it may have cost us. I have faith in Brett’s coaching and believe he could be a premiership coach but he needs to re-evaluate his selection thinking and process because I would go as far as suggesting it has cost us at least 2 wins this year

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C'mon Blueboys!

Pro's:-

Hawthorn are getting their top line players back and are again a force. They won the god damn premiership last year............... and we ALMOST beat them!
THAT'S A MASSIVE PRO! Regardless of some mistakes and dissapointing efforts (players and MC!), it was a good effort.

JUDD / FEV
Superstars! Love em! Judd's out to $7 on Brownlow odds...... Get On Him!



Cons:-

Bently
Poor disposal in the NAB cup, Poor disposal at VFL level................ What the hell do you think is gonna happen at AFL level?????? It's just gonna magically change? RUBBISH. He's crap and should be left alone.
Bannister would be a much better selection.

Cloke / Russell / Setanta
Cloke tries hard, but had an off game. Setanta is being thrown forward, back and ruck and as hard as he tried, had a game he'd rather forget. Russell is everybodys 'Bum Chum' and has no chance of being dropped despite him being a soft bitch with poor choices.

Ratten & MC.
The selection of Bently was a joke and i'd love to hear you warrant that one!
Lappin as a forward coach should be questioned too.
Kick-outs have been crap all year and MUST MUST MUST be addressed!
Playing the wings................. Can we do anything else?



Next week............. Robbo MUST come back in. Hell, throw him up forward if you like.
Kreuzer cannot be expected to ruck the whole game against Sandilands so Hampson should be included which would mean Setanta will probably get dropped again.
We just HAVE to win next week................ it's a dangerous game. Loose this and we'll be out of the 8. With Hawthorn making a comeback to form, it's gonna be harder to keep a spot in the Top 4.

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"
- Aristotle

frankly couldn't give a fig about the top 4 or even top 8 - what is more important is getting the structures right and making the right call on the players on our list. We have the cream, now lets build the pudding

I want some pudding

give me my pudding

pudding!

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

truer words have not been written. that's a BIG YES from me

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

I agree marciblue - great post.

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There is no footy god

People were calling for Yarran to be picked before Bentley who was BOG in the twos. It then turns out that Yarrran had a hammy. So it would be fair to say that people here think they know stuff but they dont have a clue whats going on inside the club. What roles players are being asked to play. What goals have been set for individuals. What fitness levels players are at.

The bentley selection could have been risky but it also could have been a chance for the MC to see what he was made of. The same as the old " just put Yarran in and see what he can do" crowd wanted.

I reckon everyone should get over his selection and move on. We are building a team and a culture. If Bentley selection says to Hampson/ Yarran/ Robinson that if they work hard and play well over a few weeks in the twos the MC will be true to their word and will select them then the decision sits fine with me .

Go Blues !

Well said.

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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.