Just wondering if this has ever crossed anyone else’s mind... if you re-call (I haven't bothered to track down articles) at the start of last year much was said of the need to take a cautious approach with the Kruez so as not to over-expose him to the rigors of AFL football at such an early age. There was even discussion that he would be rested quite a bit... but ever since he broke into the team it's obvious that he is becoming more and more important to the structure in his own right, not to mention that he is developing and showing signs of being something special at a much quicker rate than expected (IMO).

So what has changed now? Has he come on quicker than expected? Are we managing him through ruck rotations? Or, is just the fact that guys like Ackland, Cloke and Setanta could never cut the mustard in the ruck, that we are forced to throw Kruez and Hampson into the deep end? Peoples thoughts?

Like everyone here, I am just rapt with this kid.. he has it all... size, versatility, attitude, discipline, footy smarts, clean skills, athleticism, maturity beyond his years.. just love the way he goes about it.

Kreuzer reminds me of hymie.

A quick squirt of oil and a battery charge and he 's right to go.

Seriously, the man's a freak. Our best #1, IMO.

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There's so much I could say...

He has been asked to do more than what he should but thats because we've been unable to get Warnock onto the park.

Next year Kroozes ruck load should be eased when 206 takes the field

Warnock won't play for the blues in 2009

Watched an interview with Waite earlier in the year he was asked who he thought was the best of the Number 1's - He nominated the Kruez - He thinks his superior fitness and endurance is the key

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

..it's a bit of everything.. ..the only real rucks we've had after drafting Krooz were Ackland [simply not afl standard], a rookie too green to play AFL in the Sauce, and a project type in Hammer.. ..then we addressed this with gettin' Knockers, but he's yet to play due to inuries.. ..Cloke tried hard for us last year but he's just not a ruck..

..what i will say though, is the bulk that Krooz has already put on.. ..factor in how many teams this year are playing their lesser Rucks, or using KPP's from fwd/back to rotate thru their rucks, and i reckon Krooz and Hammer have the size to compete and not get thrashed physically.. ..so we've been lucky this year in that aspect..

..also, Krooz is far and above vfl lvl, and playing him there would just stunt his growth i reckon..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Have to agree with this. Unbelievable given his size.

Rate of development would be ranked:

Kreuzzzz
Gibbs
Murph

We are a lucky bunch. Tank you very much...it was all worth it.

isnt funny that those Richmond drop kicks are all quiet in regard to the Kruezer vs Cotchin debate.

They would have made you think at times last year that we choose the wrong player at #1.

Kruezer just needs to spend the this summer eating at la porchettas 5 times a day so that he comes back 8-10 kg bigger next year.

watch this space the kid will dominate AFL for the next 10 years.

Kreuzer is on his way to being a star. He already goes almost full tilt the whole game, and then is able to impact a game even further when he drifts forward. I can't wait to see him spend some more time up forward. I think he'll really help sort out our forward structure. Imagine trying to stop the Kreuze, the Mad-irishman and the Fev. Plus with Eddie and co crumbing. Plus it will reduce the physical toll on him as he is still very young to be our main ruckman.

He moves across the ground so well, he can beat a midfielder to a contest, his arms seem almost straighter and longer than Fisher's when marking, can ruck and knows how to find the goals. If Cotchin is going to be better, he'll have to be one hell of a player.

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

Kruezer is already close to the best ruck in the AFL.. Incredible

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#23: Lachlan Henderson

..he's goin' great, coming on faster than anyone could have expected.. ..but let's not get carried away.. ..his repeat efforts and ability to get first possession or a clearance when he loses the hitout is amazing, it's as if he instantly switches from ruck to ruck rover as soon as his feet hit the ground after contesting the ruck.. ..he's also v.good at locking the ball in without givin' away over the shoulder type tackles.. ..with Knockers to come back in, and more-so for next year i reckon Krooz will spend alot more time up forward.. ..possibly, ditto Hammer..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

According to Smurph on "One Week at a Time", Kreuz is known as "Humphrey" around the club because he doesn't say much.

Good thing he's not known as that because he runs around with no pants on.

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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 also remember someone else, (Gibbs perhaps?) saying that earlier in the year. He also said that because of that, when he talks on the field, they listen.

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The turning of the tide, falling in behind
Pretending not to find, the questions in my mind
The shining of the day, the old familiar way
Follow the road where it leads
And all the way we will sing...

does anyone have the TimeOnGround percentage? If he rotates heavily with Hampson, then i would think he would only spend around 65% time on the ground, and i reckon that is responsibly taking care of him. no need to panic about turning into Josh Fraser

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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 remember reading an article some time this year about the Krooz, and the nickname Humphrey he was given during his first year because he was so quiet, but this year they've kinda made him a leader of the young young blues, and he's been a bit more talkative and has apparently taken well to the role.. ..so good to get all 3 No1's with leadership qualities..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

btb Krooz's TOG for the first 16 rounds is as follows:

Rd
1 59% Rich
2 70% Lions
3 60% Ess
4 59% Syd
5 75% W/B
6 73% Hawks
7 71% Freo
8 71% Coll
9 79% Adel
10 66% Eagles
11 74% Lions
12 64% Saints
13 63% Ess
14 58% Freo
15 72% Rich
16 73% Syd

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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.

According to Champion Data prior to the last round 68% or Pro-Stats 84mins a game.

Some interesting interviews on CFCTV with Capuano and Hammer.

Can't speak highly enough of Kreuzers influence, leadership and potential.

Excellent stuff.

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There's so much I could say...

i've heard several journos (and friends of mine) state that the next 'hird/voss/buckley/harvey/ricciuto' dominant group in the competition will be gibbs,selwood, cotchin, and higgins. . But im with whoever stated earlier that all tigers fans are quiet about who is better out of kreuz and cotchin. . At time of drafting i heard and thought that cotchin may have been the best player in the group, but kreuzer was what we needed most and after passing up leuenberger the year before, we had to take him. . In hindsight he's further developed than leuenberger AND cotchin so we win

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Cuck Follingwood

..it's amazing that whenever ppl seem to name the next up and coming midfield giants of the game.. ..you'll get gibbs and selwood and pendlebury and now cotch etc etc.. ..but there's often Murphy left out, and more often ppl forget Cooney.. ..brownlow medalist cooney.. ..personally i reckon the kids are just getting better and better.. ..back in the day each team had a star midfielder, nowadays it seems the good teams have all-stars for their midfield..

..but yeah, the Krooz is gonna be great, but buggered if i know whether it'll be Ruck or KPF.. ..he's so good as a ruck, but with his endurance he could easily be a real roaming CHF that just presented all day.. ..talk about a great target to kick to coming out of defense..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..