32. Bret Thornton

[jj1978]

Hi all welcome to 2008 and my Buddy, one of our favourite defenders..... Bret Thornton... YAY!!!

Come here to discuss Bret and his achievements in 2008!

[jj1978]

Round 1 - 2008. Carlton V Richmond.

Watching the game live I tried as often as I could to take my eyes away from Judd to watch Bret in action.

From this game Bret was our No1 possesion getter with 28 disposals at 78% efficiency, so basically 23 of his disposals did something of value. For those of you dreamteamers Bret would of been a fantastic defender this round to have picked up.

What stood out for me was under his new role as being more of a third defender was how well he can read the play. Sure sometimes his disposal so far in this season in the NAB cup and 1st round has not been his finest but physically and mentally he's looking good for this year.

Bret's also been floating a bit up forward of late and had the opp to kick a goal, but it was not to be! BAD Bret :(

Come round 2 I predict Brett to assist Jamison in holding off Gehrig and the Rapist (Milne), whilst Waite takes care of Revolt!

[Jeremias]

T-Bird was our best player on Thursday night. Jamison's inclusion in the team has really assisted Bret in taking his game to the next level. He isn't suited to be a primary tall defender any more and is far more suited to a running 3rd defender role, which he played well vs the Tigers. Found plenty of the ball sweeping off the half back flank and as mentioned above, used it effectively far more often than not which is a good sign.

This new role suits him no doubt but he may be needed to adjust his playing style once again to help negate the potent tall St Kilda forwards.

[lfctorres9]

will he continue to play this role throughout this year?? Im thinking of picking him up in my dream team:D

[jj1978]

Round 2 - 2008, StKilda V Carlton.

On another miserable night for the Blues, Thornton yet again got the chocolates IMO as our most valuable player for the night.

Letting him run and go as the 2nd or 3rd defender has really set his world on fire. At some stage in the final quarter he had racked up 8 possesions yet again being the glue holding our back half from being scored heavily against.

One impressive thing this week was his decision making and backing up of the defenders was superb.

Aren't we lucky we didn't let him go to the Wees and Poohs!

[jj1978]

Apologies for my round 4 Review on Bret being delayed. I was rewatching the game last night paying particular attention to my buddy :)

All bar one miskick in this game and a dodgy 50m against him for holding Medhurst's jumper, Thornton was on fire!

He was the general of the backline throughout the game. His desire to win this was written all over his face.

For those supporters knocking this man, you're all a bunch of muppets! He wears his heart on his sleeve and is emotional and has that key passion that is needed in a defender; "To win the contest".

Basically Thornton takes the terminator mentallity. He will not stop until you are dead!

2 moments of his game summed up his performance perfectly.

1) The ball was heading into Didak's grasp... Thornton backs up his team-mate, runs in from behind and executes the cleanest punch out you'd see.

2) The ball is in the middle of the ground... wobbling about haphazardly... in one split instant he grabs it cleanly and dishes out a superb handpass to a player who receives it cleanly and quickly.

For us to have a convincing win this weekend against Melbourne, Thornton is very very important.

[jj1978]

My Poor buddy... Injured (Knee).. could be out 4-6 weeks!

DABNABIT!

Get better soon Bret!