OK, so after the Hawthorn game there was pretty much universal agreement that we weren't going anywhere with our bottom 6 players. So let's have a look at the team changes since then - comparing the squad from the Hawthorn game to the squad for the St Kilda game.

Ins:
Austin
Browne
Hampson
Bannister
Garlett
Grigg

Outs:
Waite
Thornton
Wiggins
Russell
Cloke
Bentley

Considering Waite and Thornton are outs and clearly in our best 22, it probably means the MC need to make another couple of changes. Obviously injury and form have prevented this. But overall, it seems to be the case that the MC have learned some of the lessons from the Hawthorn game, and have done their best to get games into guys like Browne, Austin, and Hampson. They also managed to play Yarran and Robinson at various stages between these matches.

So all in all, what is your opinion? Have the MC learnt the lessons from the Hawthorn game, and how do you rate their efforts in turning over our bottom 6 since then?

I think its been good, we wil never see Bentley again, and unlikely to see Cloke and Wiggins much beyond this season, with Russell on borrowed time unless he can pull something out of the hat.

We are still a work in progress, but I think we have identified better now who has a future and who has not, but the process will continue for the remainder of the season.

Unless he is injured, i think the MC should have included Robinson instead of Garlett.

He would have done everything Garlett did last night and more with the bigger body to create a contest in our forward line being the major difference.

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Carlton Premiers '10

Garlett is clearly not ready for AFL with his body size, and is playing above his weight division, BUT as he puts on some size over the next few years, he will be a quality player.

His touches last night were very important, defensive pressure up there, and his goal in the first quarter was pure quality. He will drift in and out of games, but that will be rectified after a few preseasons and some further development.

No matter what, the potential of our list as it matures and is realised will be the envy of the other clubs, and the wins flow like a good champagne.

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For some silly reason, you people want to assassinate him, and it's just rubbish. You people. All of you, ALL of you!

Good topic to discuss Molly.

There's 2 Hawks games which offered clues for the match committe as to what was needed: last year round 22 and this year's 4 point loss (which we should have won).

After last year's round 22 debacle against the Hawks, the things that was really clear to me were:

Cloke and Fisher are too slow for forwards against the top teams
Stevens can't wear a hard tag and doesn't defend the other way
Ruckmen needed to support Kreuzer and Kreuzer needing to add more weight and strength
WE are Fev centric. One dimensional
CHB CHF a big issue for us
Need a tall defender for the ruckmen floating to the forwardline.

Following the Hawks game this year I was adamant (pretty obvious) that Cloke and Wiggins were passengers and badly out of form. They're gone and Setanta has presented and defended better than Cloke could ever do, and the forwardline pressure Garlett gives us is far better than the type of pressure an out of form Wiggo could.

Great to see Hammer in to assist Kreuzer and it is paying dividends.

Austin belongs (and unfortunately has replaced Waite in defense)

Browne is a bonafide AFL player and Bentley doesn't even come close.

Grigg has similar physical attributes as Russell, but we get an extra 10-15 disposals from Grigg, and a few lines being broken.

The bottom 6 now would be IMO:

Garlett
Armfield
Browne
Austin
Setanta
Hampson

I have no problem with the abovementioned in our top 22 whilst Walker Waite Warnock Thornton are out...and Robbo and Yarran still developing first year players...I don't mind them in the team because they can at least they can get to a contest and have a few tricks.

In fact, I do see a future for Russell (if he can improve his offensive side), but this week the newbies in the team are ahead of him...even Garlett (just). Then there's Jacobs who could also be considered a bottom 6 player when rucking, and by geez he can ruck too.

But that's just my opinion.

I still think we will give the finals a shake this year and in 2010 I believe we will snag at least 1 hot player to add to the list...maybe 2.

Blue Skies Molly

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I too like the flair and defensive pressure Garlett brings to our side...........however he only ended up with 4 poss's last night and as you stated Wangers he is probably a bit out of his depth at the moment. In my opinion he has a bright future however just needs a bit more size/strength and composure with the ball in hand which will come with time.

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There is no footy god

I saw him at the Ants game today, and in a hoodie he looks like a skinny 14 year old who hangs around outside the 7/11

I dont think its a coincidence that as soon as Wiggins and Cloke havent been able to get into the side we have played a lot better, these two players, as hard as they try arent upto it and should not get another game unless we have nobody else to turn to if some players get injured.

I agree we are Fev centric and need a CHF badly, cant wait for 206 to play in the ruck so we can throw Kruezer up there.