Setanta is improving no doubt.
He hasn't remained underdeveloped as Sydney Blue thinks.
He's really presenting at CHF. Judd and probably a couple of other team mates have clicked on that Setanta can play and it's paying dividends for Setanta and the team.
Setanta created more options than just a 10 possessions and 5 tackles in the last game. He presented a dozen more times, shepherded, bumped, tapped on and gave verbal support to his team mates...he talks out on the field; he isn't a 200cm mummy. He created enough options to have kicked 3-4 goals if he was a bit more accurate and a bit more selfish.
We are looking for multiple options and Setanta creates multiple options because he can get around.
So where is Setanta at in 2009 after the love tap in the preseason?:Chastised by the team but has earned their respect the hard way, and he's cracked a spot in the firsts following Waite's injury. His competition for CHF is Fisher and Hartlett (Cloke's gawn)
CHFThe majority of supporters support the idea that Carlos has done well at CHF thus far and a better option than the tried Cloke, Wiggins and Fisher and Hartlett and Edwards haven't been near it.
RUCKSetanta also dominated in the ruck in the Ants this year (whilst at present in the Ants Meese, who can't jump, is showing Cloke the way). Setanta's competition in the ruck is Cloke and Jacobs (injured too). Setanta has been called on by Ratts to have a turn in the ruck this year when Kreuzer went forward, so he could rotate with Hammer. Tasty situation. Setanta can compete in the ruck but we all know he turns into a ruck rover after the bounce.
DEFENDERMost of us know that he would be valuable in defense with the right match up or if injury to our current backmen forced our hand. Ratts said he was missed him in defense last year as we got chewed up by ruckmen drifting forward when he was injured. Ratts has called Setanta to do some defensive work too. Austin and Hartlett would be Setanta's main rival for the tall defensive spots.
INSURANCEWE all know both Setanta and Austin are playing because of opportunities presented with injury to Waite, Thornton, Walker and Warnock. Cloke, Wiggins, Fisher have been tried with only Fisher a chance for CHF.
Hartlett is playing well as a defender in the Ants and Austin is ahead of him there, but if he could get it together as a CHF he should be given a chance in that spot. But for now, Setanta is filling the void and Hartlett cannot be counted on.
Simple: It's Setanta's turn to show what he's got.
He may be surpassed after 2-3 weeks as Sydney suggests, but we wont know till we give him a shot at a position for 6 weeks (form permitting) and see if he can deliver on his potential as a CHF. He may just fit the role and allow Kreuzer to drift into a FP behind Fev and be our ruckman who makes their defenders short. If he is only given a 3 week stint and dropped after what he's shown then I'd say it's all over for him.
Give him a chance. A real chance like he's never had the luxury of doing. We may be surprised, excited and we fill in our biggest void since Kennedy was traded.
DELISTINGSThere's only so many you can drop at the end of the year and 3 is the minimum: IMO Garlett and Joseph are going to be promoted to the seniors so there's 2 picks they take up. Cloke is under contract till the end of 2010 (we have to carry him) and so is Johnson and Bentley. They could be 3 to delist end of 2010 in the compromised draft.
So who goes before Setanta in 2009? How many? Only the MC knows, we'd surely take at least 3 picks minimum in this year's draft, so that would be a
minimum 5 delistings required.
IMO, in order it could be:
1. Edwards (for Garlett)
2. Bentick (for Joseph)
3. Wiggins
4. Hadley
5. Hartlett
6. Anderson
7. Bannister
8. Ellard
9. Pfieffer
We need a couple of rookie prospects before the compromised draft.
I would definetely consider trading to get a great CHF but I can't see any young one available(except Kennedy

) and I would like Brown, Pavlich, Bradshaw, Reiwoldt, Kozi, Ryder, Hahn....types... or even Hall for 2 years (our window?). They aren't around. Even a kid would be a punt.
We haven't got much choice but to sow our seeds and develop our own to get better. Bower and Jammo as a priority with Austin to fight it out with/ compliment Thornton in defense (unless Setanta is preferred).
At CHF we may put Kreuzer there when Warnock comes but I prefer our 3 ruckmen to get spells on the bench to keep them fast and fresh. I would have them rotating in a FP next to Fev or even as FF if Fev was ever injured.
Till Waite is back, Setanta seems to be our best choice at CHF. He's going well atm but more importantly he's improving and seems to be putting together all the bits his learned in 5 years of Aussie rules into a more rounded game.
Setanta is a freak. 200cm. Versatile. He's on the Carlton list and Carlton can re sign him before others can.
Bird in the Bush