anyone think he could be that mid-sized, exceptionally skilled forward we've been looking for like a LeCras, Medhurst, Dale Thomas, Akermanis role?

We have the likes of Fev and at times Kreuzer down there for the tall timber and the smalls in betts and garlett but no inbetween...

We are really missing that mid-sized player who can take a mark but is also good at ground level and Houla definetely has the skills...he can take a mark and has kicked some beautiful goals from the boundary and from 50m this year and it just lifts the team and deflates the opposition when you kick goals like he does.

I personally think he'd be a great forward asset with his goal-kicking ability and improved chasing and tackling (it has improved ok)

_________________
Carlton Premiers '10

I wouldn't offer him a contract. Lucky to be there on ths list now.

_________________
Delulio is a member of TISM

His place in the team has been under more scrutiny than ever this season and he may struggle to hold a place in the team over the next two seasons but definitely deserves another contract.

_________________
"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

hate to agree with jimmae at the best of times but there are other players who'll get chopped before him

I'm not his biggest fan but I'd give him another 1

_________________
Love Cricket? Love me

Class act...we don't have that many of his ilk.

He missed that 55 metre goal which would have won us the game against the Aints, so I'm a bit peeved with him. He did some great stuff which resulted in a couple of goals for us which didn't go unnoticed. I would have liked to have added that to his thread in the Players thread.

Sure he's good enough to be a defenseive forward and has the scalps of McLeod and Fisher on the weekend, but against McLeod with his dud hips he snagged 3 goals.

I want him retained to play as a forward. A goalkicking forward moreso than a defensive forward.

He shouldn't cost us much either.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

yup he looks great as a lead and is mostly a nice kick

_________________
#23: Lachlan Henderson

Get a copy of the last quarter last week.
And I aint talking about the set shot missed
And after you watch it just say no

I would have highlighted his last quarter as the exact opposite...

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Should get a rolling one year contract from here on in to keep him on his toes. At his best he is in our best 22.

_________________
You want the flame? Give us the marbles!!

Tip toe

For frig's sake..he is a valued player by his team mates,and highly respected by the majority of ex player media commentators who have played at the top level,and would know.
He has exquisite skill at times,and is a handy player for most of the time.
He had major surgery on both his hips,and is feeling good in his body for the first time in a long time.You'd be crazy to get rid of him now,when the team is beginning to rise.
I'd be incredibly sad not to see him as part of our grand final team,and especially when he gave so much during our depressing years,and albeit with troubled body movement through that time.
He deserves a great contract,and he has my respect.

_________________
That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

What else would he say about a fellow Laundromat Musketeer who always kicks it to Fev?
Not sure how it helps diversify our forward line though.

_________________
Bawditawaba

Agreed. I don't think we are that flush with forwards and skilled kicks of the ball that we can just let him go.

I think he is definitely most useful to us played up forward as he is a good set shot and can deliver it well in to the inside 50. For years people have said he needed to be in a higher quality team so his talent could really shine through, and we are on the way well and truly to being that. I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes then.

_________________
I would like to thank Collingwood for helping me keep faith in my old man. He always told me that 'People are thick'.

So Fev suggests he likes Houla kicking it to him as a way of "sticking fat" with another player with whom he was involved in an incident in what, 2001?

_________________

Wait till the end of the year ... has a solid year then give him a 1 year contract and keep him hungry ... following year plays well again reward him with a 2 year contract ... simple put needs to show more but as others have pointed out worth a contract as a depth player as a minimum at the moment... BUT he should not try to command big bucks either.

Hopefully his hips are beginning to get right and we will see some improvement from now until the end of the year ... worth a punt but keep him hungry till the end of the year ... make him earn the contract as I think he still has a little way to go.

You never let us down.

If Fev and Judd reckon he's the most highly skilled player in the team I can't see him being set free.
He missed from 55 but therearen't that many players going around that can kick them from there. Fev, Brown, Dew but they all miss too.
He'll get at least a year by year contract until it's time for him to go.

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

Smurph kicked one from that distance during the game. What a kick.

_________________
“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.

I heard he wants to go to St.Kilda. Might be trying to use this to get a bigger contract. My sources tell me that he used this last time (his manager said both melbourne and saints were ready to sign him).

_________________
It is not as bad as you are lead to believe.......it is %$#^& worse!!!

Ryan,
I'm not lyin' when I say....
I love to watch you play.
Now get out there on Friday week,and play sooooo well that all your detractors go whimpering back in to their kennels.
You have more fans than naysayers...so hold on to that.
Also,I'll bet you don't want to go to the saints.
Why would you when you are gonna play with your blueboys on Grand Final day,some time very soon.

_________________
That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

If his contract is extended then I hope he isn't expecting too much money for it...
I'm not a huge fan of Hoops... IMO, he is far too inconsistent. He plays well when the team are having a bad day... but I never notice him when we are all playing well... yes he is great at kicking the ball directly to a player, but I'm not a fan of players that stand there and simply watch (reaching their arms out, to try and make it look like they are making the effort) the opposistion run past, when they could have easily laid a tackle.
Huge fan of Joseph though

_________________
GO BLUE BOYS!!