2003 squad preview by me ****

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G’day sad sad Blues

Lets have a look at your 2003 playing list, see if there is any cause for optimism

Matthew Allen - When fit, focussed & in form one of the better ruckmen
Callan Beasy - Slow developing, only so-so skills, doubt he’ll make it
Simon Beaumont - Reliable, plays tall in short defence, solid player
Blake Campbell - Had enough good moments to look a reasonable player
Scott Camporeale - Forget the tough stuff to do what he’s great at, breaking the lines
Cameron Croad - New kid, yet to see him play
Justin Davies - Hasn’t done much, but he has the aura of a player, he’ll make it
Andrew Eccles - Have always liked his game, a fraction of Flower and Greig in him
Brendan Fevola - No-one doubts the talent, everyone doubts the head, me too
Brad Fisher - New kid, yet to see him play
Simon Fletcher - Never gonna be great, but will always be okay
Anthony Franchina - Very poor 2002, not sure why, but a repeat will kill career
Scott Freeborn - Has spirit, but not really the skills for AFL, Dud
Barnaby French - Willing goer for a full game, vigourous, strong, happy to show it
Adrian Hickmott - Too brave for his own good, Blues need his “attributes”
Ryan Houlihan - Flashy goalscorer, heaps of talent, but SOFT SOFT SOFT
Darren Hulme - Blues need his hardness, work ethic, not flash, but good
Anthony Koutoufides - 30yo’s coming back from long term injuries don’t inspire me
Matthew Lappin - Needs to regain goalscoring touch, too many other jobs needed him
Luke Livingston - Has not impressed me, still young, only a maybe though
Glenn Manton - Very lucky to still be on list, now a hack who wont play much
Mick Martyn - I can see the reasons, just disagree, Mick gets beaten too often now
Adam Mathews - Old “new” big kid, yet to see him play
Andrew McKay - Great defender, but age is showing, saw him beaten sometimes last year
Corey McKernan - Surprised most by playing okay in 2002, will do well in 2003
Andrew Merrington - Long overdue to show worth, I think he’s a dud
Justin Murphy - 2002 confirmed my opinion, flashy & inconsistent
Karl Norman - New kid, yet to see him play
Jim Plunkett - Is a goer, but nothing like an excellent midfielder, wont last to 2004
Ian Prendergast - He’s okay, I guess, but I’m glad he’s not at Port
Brett Ratten - Midfield general, has smarts, skill, guts, strength, but not much pace
Kade Simpson - New kid, yet to see him play
Trent Sporn - Looks a quality player, maybe needs a bit more muscle
Bret Thornton - Looks unsure of himself, needs to work harder when on the ground
Jarred Waite - Old new kid, yet to see him play
Lance Whitnall - He cannot do everything, let him settle at CHF, where he’s quality
Simon Wiggins - Lots of confidence, looks reasonable

Sorry guys, your squad looks to have experience, hardness, even aggressiveness, but to me it lacks speed and quality, admittedly I don’t know the new kids you have. It just doesn’t seem to be a squad that can match up with the better compilations in the game.

I’ll leave the predictions until I have finished all club previews
 
I agree with most of that except for Thornton, who i think has a very bright future

What you said about Lance Whitnall is so true, just let him play at CHF
 
Sorry Chris, Bret Thornton is probably the most confident player on the team. He has no problem being sure of himself even if he hasn't quite earned the right yet! :D
 

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Agree with some, not sure about some others:

Andrew Eccles - If he was anything like Flower or Greig, he'd be the first picked every week - certainly NOT in our best 22.

Luke Livingston - Possibly a bit hard on the kid. Played mostly as a forward before he got to Carlton. He's still learning the craft. Got 2 great backman to learn from - SOS and Micky..

Andrew Merrington - Doesn't really have a position at Carlton. Plays where he has to. Could possibly move into defence this year.

Bret Thornton - Agree with ODN, possibly over-confident.

Think the rest is a pretty honest assesment, but I believe we could still finish anywhere from 6 - 12 (depending on injuries..)
 
A very generic post, not enough research done. I suggest you spend sometime at CSC and TBV sites read some vfl and training reports to get a better feel for the players.

If your judgement is based on last years performance, then you likely to have plenty of misgivings about the players. Most of them were played out of their natural positions and skill zones. Like Prenda, Beasy and Merro in ruck. Play Beasy at HF or FF, you will see strong in air, good turn speed, quick, and a booming kick, can kick those 60 - 65 m goals.

Also, let me correct some perennial perceptions about us being old, slow and short. Half of Carlton's current list is 190 cms +, almost 2/3 rds of the players are below 25 yrs, and again half the side has good leg speed reflected in the recent time trials and pre season training.

One to Watch : An upcoming gun is Jarrod Waite, about 193 cms, quick, athletic, great skills, superb in 2nd and 3 rd attempts, and highly versatile. He may play on the wing or HF this year as part of his initiation, but will be an important cog of our backline in future years.

I" say your knowledge about Carlton players is as good or bad as my knowledge about Port players. But importantly we won't choke in September like ms tredrea and ms primus.
 
Let me get this straight "My Two Cents"

because you do not agree with my opinions, it is fact that I am wrong, and that I also have not done sufficent research?

Did I get that correct?

I'll be sure to get you to check my work in the future, oh all seeing oracle.
 
Come on folks, As is entitled to his opinion. It's not his fault he can't see very much from South Australia now is it? :p

I would like to point out to Asgardian that he did a similar thread last year and he was mostly wrong, wrong, wrong! As it turned out we were far worse than even he imagined!!!!!:eek:
 
Originally posted by Asgardian

Matthew Allan - When fit, focussed & in form one of the better ruckmen
I disagree. I actually think he has lost his stuff to an extent.

Callan Beasy - Slow developing, only so-so skills, doubt he’ll make it
Booming kick and high marking. If he is slow developing, it is indicative of the role he plays. A little tough on him, he is a 50-50 proposition.

Simon Beaumont - Reliable, plays tall in short defence, solid player
More than solid, he is one of our best, though disposal needs work occasionally.

Blake Campbell - Had enough good moments to look a reasonable player
Should step up further in 2003

Scott Camporeale - Forget the tough stuff to do what he’s great at, breaking the lines
Will revel in a fit list

Cameron Croad - New kid, yet to see him play
Taking a chance that we can harness this kid.

Justin Davies - Hasn’t done much, but he has the aura of a player, he’ll make it
All class and all heart

Andrew Eccles - Have always liked his game, a fraction of Flower and Greig in him
A lot of Tiger Woods in him too, fantastic short chipping game! Saved by a 2 year contract I suspect.

Brendan Fevola - No-one doubts the talent, everyone doubts the head, me too
Amen to that. On his next last chance.

Brad Fisher - New kid, yet to see him play
You and the rest of the world.

Simon Fletcher - Never gonna be great, but will always be okay
Never going to be great, sometimes okay, often woeful.

Anthony Franchina - Very poor 2002, not sure why, but a repeat will kill career
I'll tell you why .. he is too one dimensional. Gotta admire his heart though.

Scott Freeborn - Has spirit, but not really the skills for AFL, Dud
How far can spirit take you if you can't take possession of the ball? Always at the bottom of packs ... usually trying to retrieve his own spilled ball.

Barnaby French - Willing goer for a full game, vigourous, strong, happy to show it
Little wonder he gets praise from a Power fan but he has got Blues fans rubbing their hands together already.

Adrian Hickmott - Too brave for his own good, Blues need his “attributes”
I believe years of abusing his body in matches may bring about a premature end to his career.

Ryan Houlihan - Flashy goalscorer, heaps of talent, but SOFT SOFT SOFT
Showed a brief sign of turning it all around in round 21. If he doesn't show it again, Pagan will have him out quick smart.

Darren Hulme - Blues need his hardness, work ethic, not flash, but good
Engine room player, makes others stand tall (no jokes about his size please).

Anthony Koutoufides - 30yo’s coming back from long term injuries don’t inspire me
If he stays uninjured, he will frighten you. You don't lose his ball running ability that easily.

Matthew Lappin - Needs to regain goalscoring touch, too many other jobs needed him
Will relish some help up forward and a bit of a roving midfield role will suit on occasion. Classy player.

Luke Livingston - Has not impressed me, still young, only a maybe though
Has done everything asked of him. Blues fans might be raving about Luke a little prematurely but the rest of the AFL are underrating him totally considering his age and the performance of the team and midfield in particular.

Glenn Manton - Very lucky to still be on list, now a hack who wont play much
Not a hack at all. Just not tall enough to play full back and not versatile enough to play anywhere else. Will have to re-invent himself with Martyn in the side.

Mick Martyn - I can see the reasons, just disagree, Mick gets beaten too often now
Whether he gets beaten or not is irrelevant, he is there to take the heat of Livvo and Thornton so they can develop their own games. If he stays on the field, his job is done.

Adam Mathews - Old “new” big kid, yet to see him play
Expect to see him on the injured list during the Wizard Cup!

Andrew McKay - Great defender, but age is showing, saw him beaten sometimes last year
Still came 2nd in the B&F and SOS suggested Macca was sacrificing himself too much to cover for the rest of the backline. A stronger showing from others will see Macca put in a good one.

Corey McKernan - Surprised most by playing okay in 2002, will do well in 2003
Should enjoy longer, stronger delivery in 2003.

Andrew Merrington - Long overdue to show worth, I think he’s a dud
Supposedly not used very well by the coach. Won't get another chance beyond 2003 unless he shines.

Justin Murphy - 2002 confirmed my opinion, flashy & inconsistent
But talented. Needs some attitude work.

Karl Norman - New kid, yet to see him play
Latest cult hero, will be lucky to see much senior time however.

Jim Plunkett - Is a goer, but nothing like an excellent midfielder, wont last to 2004
A training leader but doesn't seem to fit into the midfield game plan. Could turn into a goalsneak this year.

Ian Prendergast - He’s okay, I guess, but I’m glad he’s not at Port
Admit it Chris, you know very little about Prender don't you? ;) He is the best athlete at the club so it would be a shame for him not to make it. Proof that athletes do not equal footballers necessarily.

Brett Ratten - Midfield general, has smarts, skill, guts, strength, but not much pace
Doesn't need pace either. Expect the skipper to make amends.

Kade Simpson - New kid, yet to see him play
Will be a very good player and despite his size may be in the seniors by years end.

Trent Sporn - Looks a quality player, maybe needs a bit more muscle
Has added some bulk and oozes class. Will be a long term quality player.

Bret Thornton - Looks unsure of himself, needs to work harder when on the ground
As mentioned, he is a very confident player who is not daunted by reputations. A beautiful kick of the ball who won our rookie of the year award. Look out for him.

Jarred Waite - Old new kid, yet to see him play
The next big thing by all accounts, has size, strength and skill. Can hardly wait (pardon the pun).

Lance Whitnall - He cannot do everything, let him settle at CHF, where he’s quality
He can so do everything!!!

Simon Wiggins - Lots of confidence, looks reasonable
Heir apparent to McKay. Strong, courageous, runs lines brilliantly. Leadership material.
 
Originally posted by Asgardian
Let me get this straight "My Two Cents"

because you do not agree with my opinions, it is fact that I am wrong, and that I also have not done sufficent research?

Did I get that correct?

I'll be sure to get you to check my work in the future, oh all seeing oracle.

I think it is a good idea to collaborate with a team poster, it would improve the quality of your analysis and prediction. Without harping on this too much, understanding of 2nd tier and fringe players is often a good reflection of how well one knows the list. Your comments or non comments on Penda, Beasy, Waite, Thornton etc are a give away.
 
I'm back, and I still don't need your two cents, small change

The good news for the Blues is they'll avoid the spoon, bad news is I reckon they'll only just miss out on it.

My tip is that the Blues will finish 15th.
 
Well As got a few right and the position was spot on .. so far. I think I had many of the players pegged right this season except for Fev who has been a revelation.

I'm proud of my calls on Thornton and Macca but the Hickmott one was the best get of them all.:cool:
 

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2003 squad preview by me ****

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