Carlton 2010

[gadj1976]

I see that Fisher is having the LARS op that Malceski did. Should be back in 3 months fingers crossed.

[Rik E Boy]

I see that Fisher is having the LARS op that Malceski did. Should be back in 3 months fingers crossed.

And hasn't Malceski dominated the scene since he returned?

regards,

REB

[McAlmanac]

I see that Fisher is having the LARS op that Malceski did. Should be back in 3 months fingers crossed.

Good news for the Bullants.

[gadj1976]

all jokes aside, he's still in our best 22.

[Dirko]

all jokes aside, he's still in our best 22.

Agree to dis-agree there gadg......

[The Sleeping Giant]

I see that Fisher is having the LARS op that Malceski did. Should be back in 3 months fingers crossed.

And hasn't Malceski dominated the scene since he returned?

regards,

REB

After seeing how tentative Malceski was last year, in hindsight it was probably the wrong option. Seen alot of signs on Saturday night that he will get back to his best this year.

[Voice]

I see that Fisher is having the LARS op that Malceski did. Should be back in 3 months fingers crossed.

Good news for the Bullants.

Even I've gotta laugh at that one. Well played Mc.
I don't see him in our best 22 or even best 28. He has some raw talent but the headspace is the problem. He crumbles under pressure and generally kicks his goals in the dying stages of a match when it doesn't matter anymore.

[Rik E Boy]

I see that Fisher is having the LARS op that Malceski did. Should be back in 3 months fingers crossed.

And hasn't Malceski dominated the scene since he returned?

regards,

REB

After seeing how tentative Malceski was last year, in hindsight it was probably the wrong option. Seen alot of signs on Saturday night that he will get back to his best this year.

Yeah I reckon you might be right there Giant.

regards,

REB

[gadj1976]

Carlton beat Brisbane, 14.9 to 12.8. Betts 3, others 2.

updated story from foxsports...(note the accuracy of the headline)

Brendan Fevola boots two goals but Carlton down Brisbane Lions by 16 points


February 26, 2010

Brendan Fevola has booted two goals but had little impact for Brisbane Lions as they lost to his former club Carlton by 13 points in their AFL practice match at Princes Park in Melbourne.
Fevola returned to the Blues' Princes Park headquarters for the first time since he was traded to the Lions in the off-season.

The forward kicked 2.3 in the Lions' 14.9 (93) to 12.8 (80) defeat, but was generally kept quiet by Carlton defender Michael Jamison.

His touches were greeted by an equal mix of boos and cheers by the 10,000-strong crowd early on.

But the boos took over as the game was in balance throughout the third and fourth quarters.

Brisbane led at the first three changes, before Carlton took control in the final term to win comfortably.

Carlton forward Eddie Betts booted three goals and was outstanding for the Blues, while Lions skipper Jonathan Brown managed three for his side.

Brisbane's loss was soured futher by what appeared to be another injury to luckless ruckman Jamie Charman.

After missing most of last year with a serious ankle injury, Charman went down early in the second quarter and was helped from the ground by trainers.

[Dirko]

Are you saying that we cant speculate that murphy has signed with gold coast?

Murphy is signed to the Blues til the end of the 2011 season. He didn't want to go to Brisbane so highly unlikely he wasn't to go to the Gold Coast.

And besides the Coasters are only after un-contracted players at the end of this season.

[hearts on fire]

SNAPSHOT
Coach: Brett Ratten
Captain: Chris Judd
Finished 2009: 7th (13 wins, nine losses)
Best and fairest: Chris Judd
Leading goalkicker: Brendan Fevola (89 goals)
Leading possession winner: Bryce Gibbs (615)

NEW PERSONNEL
On-field: Brock McLean, Lachie Henderson (exchange period), Kane Lucas, Rohan Kerr, Marcus Davies (NAB AFL Draft), Jaryd Cachia, Levi Casboult, Joe Dare, Josh Donaldson, Zac Tuohy, Simon White (NAB AFL Rookie Draft)
Off-field: Nil

BEST 22
B: Dennis Armfield, Michael Jamison, Bret Thornton
HB: Jordan Russell, Jarrad Waite, Andrew Carrazzo
C: Kade Simpson, Brock McLean, Bryce Gibbs
HF: Mitch Robinson, Setanta O'hAilpin, Andrew Walker
F: Eddie Betts, Lachie Henderson, Chris Yarran
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy
I/C: Paul Bower, Robbie Warnock, Aaron Joseph, Heath Scotland

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER
Chris Judd - the skipper has already got two John Nicholls Medals to his name since crossing from West Coast ahead of the 2008 season. He has been the driving force behind the Blues' on-field revival and it will be interesting to see how they fare during his three-game suspension to start the season.

UP AND COMER
Mitch Robinson - the fiery half-forward impressed last year before being sidelined by a stress fracture and will attack his second season with the benefit of a full pre-season behind him. He's already shown a great deal of improvement in the pre-season match program so far with fans still talking about the hanger he took in the Blues' intra-club match.

NEEDS A BIG YEAR
Chris Johnson - the half-back flanker's first season at the club was disrupted by thigh and hamstring injuries, but it's fair to say his form when he was fit wasn't the greatest. His decision-making let him down at times with the resultant turnovers seeing him spend time in the VFL.

CHANGING TACK
The departure of Brendan Fevola leaves a gaping hole in the Blues' attack, but it also allows coach Brett Ratten to recast his forward line into something that he hopes will give his blue-chip midfield more options to kick to. Getting the ball inside 50 hasn't really been Carlton's problem under Ratten, but it remains to be seen if the likes of Lachie Henderson, Setanta O'hAilpin and, occasionally, Jarrad Waite or Matthew Kreuzer can provide the appropriate marking power. Ratten will be counting on a strong contest at the very least from his talls, allowing the likes of Eddie Betts, Chris Yarran and Mitch Robinson to go to work when the ball hits the deck.

INJURY LIST
Brad Fisher (knee) - 11 weeks

WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
"Playing in the forward line with Brendan gone there are a lot of us who have to step up, but I'm sure we can share that workload between five or six of us. Each player in the forward line can contribute a lot [more] now which is good.

"I think we'll have a very unpredictable forward line which will be great. Oppositions won't know exactly who we're going to [inside 50] which will be a massive bonus for us I think." - Setanta O'hAilpin

CRYSTAL BALL
The Blues will be hoping for a good start to the post-Fev era, but their schedule early in the season is brutal with six of their first seven matches against finalists from last year. Judd's early absence through suspension only compounds the issue. The fixture does get a little friendlier around the halfway point, but with queries over their scoring power, they will probably be fighting for a spot in the lower reaches of the eight this season.

SEASON OPENER
Thursday March 25 v Richmond at the MCG.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx

[Jimmy_041]

Well, I cant argue with the Fev on this one

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/brendan-fevola-insults-carlton-fans/story-e6frecj3-1225839034490

He's finally grown a brain

[Turbo]

Well, I cant argue with the Fev on this one

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/brendan-fevola-insults-carlton-fans/story-e6frecj3-1225839034490

He's finally grown a brain

Thats funny as from a collingwood supporter. Almost as funny as it coming from Fev's mouth, he is a model citizen isn't he

[Jimmy_041]

I knew that was coming

[Turbo]

I knew that was coming

Knew you did, glad i didnt disappoint. Nothing like a bit of carlton V collingwood banter

[gadj1976]

Well, I cant argue with the Fev on this one

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/brendan-fevola-insults-carlton-fans/story-e6frecj3-1225839034490

He's finally grown a brain

Myah, fair enough but then he hasn't gone to the Gabba and experienced the Brisbane faithful yet has he? I think he's just happy he's out of the spotlight (ie, not in Melbourne). Imagine the focus on him this week if he was in Melbourne? Being in a cocoon so to speak, he's a bit more isolated than if he was in Melbourne.

I loved the bloke playing for us, but I for one am glad that I don't have to try and defend his actions anymore. This may sound strange, but I really hope he has a good year.

The thing for him, against someone like Warney is that Warney has some nous about the game and can make a career from being a lad. Fev can't, so he'd better fix up his act or he'll be on the social dungheap shortly after footy is finished.

[CoverKing]

Are you saying that we cant speculate that murphy has signed with gold coast?

Murphy is signed to the Blues til the end of the 2011 season. He didn't want to go to Brisbane so highly unlikely he wasn't to go to the Gold Coast.

And besides the Coasters are only after un-contracted players at the end of this season.

Jabber, Coasters can only sign uncontracted players, however they will be involved in the trade period, and those clubs wanting high draft picks have ability to get them by trading big to the Coasters!!

[Voice]

Probably the most frustrating game I've ever watched tonight. Can't believe that a team that played so badly, and when I say badly I mean terribly bad, could still be in the game right to the end.
The first half we looked like a team that could be beaten by the Broken Hill U16's, Murph was shitting his pants, not putting the body in, Joey Anderson is way out of his depth and shouldn't be on an AFL list, Setanta probably shouldn't be either. While he does some good things at times, he'll never have the composure needed from an AFL player.
Our backline is too short and not strong enough, our mids can be intimidated and second guess themselves.
Scoring shots and inside 50's weren't an issue and I don't think it will be, we'll get enough scores, just our disposal can be terrible.
Then you look at the third quarter. Silky, fast possesion that we all know they are capable of if the ball is in the right hands. That's the problem though I guess, there's too many hands that aren't the right hands and shouldn't even be on any AFL list.
Out of our team tonight here is my honest assessment

Eddie Betts Keep, good forward line crumber, needs to keep his head screwed on though
Andrew Carrazzo Keep, racks up possessions, uses them mostly well, good outside player
Ryan Houlihan Gone, well past his best though composed at times
Marc Murphy Keep, although he's outside, needs to toughen up
Setanta O'hAilpin Gone, Experiment has passed its use by date
Jordan Russell Keep, struggled with disposal in early career but has improved greatly now he has a role that suits
Heath Scotland Undecided, clearence work was exceptional tonight but past his best. Wont perform consistently enough
Kade Simpson Keep, Probably has the best skills in our squad, besides Judd
Bret Thornton Undecided, for now as we have no other option, should take 2nd or 3rd tall
Jarrad Waite Keep, obvious reasons, one of the most versatile in the league
Andrew Walker Keep, but must stay on the park and start showing something soon
Brock McLean Keep, is doing his inside job well, warming to him slowly
Joe Anderson Gone, out of his depth
Bryce Gibbs Keep, needs to put his mark on games more and probably needs to be better coached
Michael Jamison Keep, should of had the proper shoulder ops that he needed at the end of last season
Matthew Kreuzer Keep, don't need to say anything here, unbelievable kid
Dennis Armfield Gone, pace is electrifying but skills and decision making will never be up to it
Lachlan Henderson Keep, still very young at 20 and will get stronger
Aaron Joseph Keep, annoying little prick, every team needs one
Robert Warnock Keep, has to hold marks though but works very hard on and around the ground
Christopher Yarran Keep, will be special when he concentrates on nothing but football
Mitch Robinson Keep, needs to get stronger and focus his aggression a little

Actually more keeps there than what I thought there would be. Some are on conditions of course and should only ever be depth players really.
When you look at the rest of our list though it's mostly crap except for our 2 back up Ruckmen in Hampson and Jacobs and of course Judd to come back in.
In summary, WE NEED MORE DEPTH.

[Voice]

Forgot about Bower. He's very much improved and probably would've been handy tonight.

[Turbo]

Disagree. We should have probably won. The only real difference was we kicked inaccurately and J Brown. Other than that it was a tough fought match where both sides showed plenty.
It shows Carlton aren't far off. The inclusion of Judd and Bower will help. I do agree that we need more depth but there would also a majority of teams that would say the same.