2007: Increased competition for spots

[parrot]

In 2006 we had players like Sporn, Bryan, Livo, Longmuir, Chambers etc that were pretty much destined to spend much of 2006 in the VFL. Those players are now gone, replaced with a talented collection of draftees, pushing hard for spots. Now, for example Bryce and Grigg will be pushing very hard for a midfield spot. Jackson looks certain to be promoted as well. Russell also seems determined to become a permanent midfielder. The competition for KP defensive roles will increase, with Hartlett returning from injury, the promotion of Flint, and the recruitment of Austin. Bower still looks a favourite after his brilliant debut last year, and Setanta seems to have locked in a KP defensive spot. Even in the forward 50, Jake Edwards may challenge for a spot, along with Waite, Fisher and Kennedy. Benjamin is a wildcard. No one is sure if he'll be a midfielder, winger or defender, but looks an exciting prospect and will likely add pressure for defensive and midfield posts. He could turn into a Goodes type player. Joe Anderson may compete for a backline sweaping role. Even the ruck, while Ackland looks certain to be the #1 ruck, Hampson and Aisake will be competing with McLaren for the backup ruck role. This increased comptition for spots can only be a good thing. Players will really have to perform to cement a spot. Our list has undegone another major transformation.

 

[HBF]

Great post Parrot. Our depth is one thing that has improved out of sight over the past year or so. Lots to look forward to for Carlton fans

 

[Heff]

guys just wondering what your thoughts on the ants 2007????

as parrot said all thoes guys were regular ants in 2006, and while most couldn't cut it at AFL they were good quality VFL players.

Do you think the ants will struggle next year????? or will it help develop our kids now that there is more room in the ants line up?????

 

[drusswaylander]

For me it is great to see the talent we now have

Although lets not expect too much from them this season. Most of our best talent is still in the developing stage so I still expect bottom three. If we have a good run and a bit of luck perhaps a little higher

The excitement will be watching them develop

 

[BlueWorld]

Apart from Gibbs, not sure that too many of the new draftees will be pushing for senior selection at least at the start of 07. Would mostly be the draftees of the last 2 years- Bower, Russell, ?Hartlett that should be pushing for more regular senior selection in 07. Guys like Sporn, Livo, Chambers etc knew 06 was make or break & they had to cement a senior spot or be axed. Not sure we have as many in that situation this year.

 

[gandaal]

I'm a little worried about how we're going to go next year. We can only hope that several of the kids come out and make a serious impact straight away.

Players who I want to stand up straight away and solidify themselve as senior players rather than just "gaining experience at senior level":

Marc Murphy, Josh Kennedy, Bryce Gibbs, Joe Anderson, Paul Bower, Setanta O'hAilpin and Luke Blackwell.

With the exception of Joe Anderson and Bryce Gibbs, if these players don't burst on the scene and at the very least play some consistenly good footy I think we'll in some serious trouble and our future we'll be very bleak indeed.

 

[drusswaylander]

I'm a little worried about how we're going to go next year. We can only hope that several of the kids come out and make a serious impact straight away.

Players who I want to stand up straight away and solidify themselve as senior players rather than just "gaining experience at senior level":

Marc Murphy, Josh Kennedy, Bryce Gibbs, Joe Anderson, Paul Bower, Setanta O'hAilpin and Luke Blackwell.

With the exception of Joe Anderson and Bryce Gibbs, if these players don't burst on the scene and at the very least play some consistenly good footy I think we'll in some serious trouble and our future we'll be very bleak indeed.

A bit harsh Gandaal I expect the young blokes you have mentioned to show glimpses, but for all of them to play consistently well at such early stages of their careers is a bit tough Most players need to play about 100 games to become really comfortable with the AFL

 

[gandaal]

A bit harsh Gandaal I expect the young blokes you have mentioned to show glimpses, but for all of them to play consistently well at such early stages of their careers is a bit tough Most players need to play about 100 games to become really comfortable with the AFL

I'm not saying they'll never make it if they don't play consistent AFL footy next year (although I probably would if Setanta or Blackwell didn't and I'd be extremely upset about Marc), just that we need them to play consistent AFL footy next year if we're to improve as a team next year and have a premiership chance within four or so years.

 

[Johnny_3]

guys just wondering what your thoughts on the ants 2007????

as parrot said all thoes guys were regular ants in 2006, and while most couldn't cut it at AFL they were good quality VFL players.

Do you think the ants will struggle next year????? or will it help develop our kids now that there is more room in the ants line up?????

i think it will give guys like asike and raso a chance to develop. and back to the increased competition i think it's great as we're growing as a club but soon we'll have to get rid of quality depth plaers like blackwell and bentick. I think how the club delists and recruits in the next 4 years will help determine wheather we come a premiership side.

 

[BlueBelle]

Players who I want to stand up straight away and solidify themselve as senior players rather than just "gaining experience at senior level":

Marc Murphy, Josh Kennedy, Bryce Gibbs, Joe Anderson, Paul Bower, Setanta O'hAilpin and Luke Blackwell.

Add Jordan Russell to that list as well

 

[gandaal]

Add Jordan Russell to that list as well

I was going to add Russell to the list and then just plain forgot.

 

[audas]

In 2006 we had players like Sporn, Bryan, Livo, Longmuir, Chambers etc that were pretty much destined to spend much of 2006 in the VFL. Those players are now gone, replaced with a talented collection of draftees, pushing hard for spots. Now, for example Bryce and Grigg will be pushing very hard for a midfield spot. Jackson looks certain to be promoted as well. Russell also seems determined to become a permanent midfielder. The competition for KP defensive roles will increase, with Hartlett returning from injury, the promotion of Flint, and the recruitment of Austin. Bower still looks a favourite after his brilliant debut last year, and Setanta seems to have locked in a KP defensive spot. Even in the forward 50, Jake Edwards may challenge for a spot, along with Waite, Fisher and Kennedy. Benjamin is a wildcard. No one is sure if he'll be a midfielder, winger or defender, but looks an exciting prospect and will likely add pressure for defensive and midfield posts. He could turn into a Goodes type player. Joe Anderson may compete for a backline sweaping role. Even the ruck, while Ackland looks certain to be the #1 ruck, Hampson and Aisake will be competing with McLaren for the backup ruck role. This increased comptition for spots can only be a good thing. Players will really have to perform to cement a spot. Our list has undegone another major transformation.

Season hasn't even started, and already, we are getting some quality stuff. Keep it up baggas.

 

[Bluebear]

I'm a little worried about how we're going to go next year. We can only hope that several of the kids come out and make a serious impact straight away.

Players who I want to stand up straight away and solidify themselve as senior players rather than just "gaining experience at senior level":

Marc Murphy, Josh Kennedy, Bryce Gibbs, Joe Anderson, Paul Bower, Setanta O'hAilpin and Luke Blackwell.

With the exception of Joe Anderson and Bryce Gibbs, if these players don't burst on the scene and at the very least play some consistenly good footy I think we'll in some serious trouble and our future we'll be very bleak indeed.

geez Gaandal, you sound a bit flat. You'd only be woried about how we will go next year if you're expectations are too high.
E.g. expect finals - should be worried cause won't happen barring freak accidents to many good players in other teams.
This team should aim for 6-10 wins - anything under 5 should see heads rolling in the senior coaching position.


Would have thought Murph and Carlos did enough last year to be considered in the best 22. Gibbs, Bower and Kennedy the most likely IMO to join them as regulars in the seniors.
Big questions over the other newies (not being harsh - just untired at this level).

Re competition for spots the main pressure will be felt in the midfield, and will hopefully produce some great performances. For the first time since coming to the club Stevens may be under pressure for his spot, which IMO will see him produce some great football.
Agree re backline pressure for spots for the first time in a long time.
Great to see, and can only make the team better.

Who knows, in a year or two we may be looking to trade "a good player lacking opportunities"..........oh the luxury.

 

[Muji]

Totally agree Bluebear. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer and closer. Can't wait will we're back in finals action.

 

[blues4flag]

Man am I excited. We've got the best list currently that we've had in years - futuree's looking bright. Walker, you're a gun .

 

[AlecDuncan]

Man am I excited. We've got the best list currently that we've had in years - futuree's looking bright. Walker, you're a gun .

Best for over a decade IMO.

 

[Johnny_3]

Best for over a decade IMO.

maybye 6 years. definently best potential in over a decade but the list from 95 till around about 2000 was killer

 

[HBF]

Wouldn't mind seeing a few of the younger boys getting some more senior experience this year, or debuting for that matter. Talking about guys like:

Hartlett
Russell
Bower
Edwards
Flint
Raso
Gibbs
and maybe some of the other draftees from '06.

The light at the end of the tunnel is certainly getting bigger.

 

[Jeremias]

Wouldn't mind seeing a few of the younger boys getting some more senior experience this year, or debuting for that matter. Talking about guys like:

Hartlett
Russell
Bower
Edwards
Flint
Raso
Gibbs
and maybe some of the other draftees from '06.

The light at the end of the tunnel is certainly getting bigger.

Wouldn't be surprised if most, if not all of these guys got senior action in 07.

How many debutantes do you think we will have next year?

 

[HBF]

How many debutantes do you think we will have next year?

A few I would imagine:

1. Gibbs (Round 1 certainty)
2. Hartlett (Before the half way mark)
3. Flint (Before the halfway mark)
4. Edwards (Before seasons end)
5. Grigg (Before seasons end)
6. Anderson (Before seasons end)
7. Hampson (Before seasons end)

 

[blues4flag]

A few I would imagine:

1. Gibbs (Round 1 certainty)
2. Hartlett (Before the half way mark)
3. Flint (Before the halfway mark)
4. Edwards (Before seasons end)
5. Grigg (Before seasons end)
6. Anderson (Before seasons end)
7. Hampson (Before seasons end)

Doubt Hampson would debut unless of injury. Just isn't ready for AFL footy from all I've read on this site, and if he does debut, he'll play a max of one or two games I would think.

 

[blues4flag]

maybye 6 years. definently best potential in over a decade but the list from 95 till around about 2000 was killer

Agree. Let's just hope that potential is translated to the field and isn't wasted.

 

[Jeremias]

A few I would imagine:

1. Gibbs (Round 1 certainty)
2. Hartlett (Before the half way mark)
3. Flint (Before the halfway mark)
4. Edwards (Before seasons end)
5. Grigg (Before seasons end)
6. Anderson (Before seasons end)
7. Hampson (Before seasons end)

That would be a great effort for us if 4 out of the 6 players we drafted this year made their debuts. Don't discount Benjamin either. Austin I doubt, but, like Bower did last year, he may find himself in the team for the last few rounds.

I would probably swap Flint and Edwards around. I think that Edwards will debut before the half-way mark of the season, and we may have to wait a bit longer for Flint, but I have no doubts that he will make his debut at some stage.

Wouldn't that be an excellent result for the club, around 7 debuts next year!

 

[gandaal]

geez Gaandal, you sound a bit flat. You'd only be woried about how we will go next year if you're expectations are too high.
E.g. expect finals - should be worried cause won't happen barring freak accidents to many good players in other teams.
This team should aim for 6-10 wins - anything under 5 should see heads rolling in the senior coaching position.

I don't expect us to play finals next year yet I'm still worried about next year. I hate to say it but the difficult times are still ahead.

 

[HBF]

That would be a great effort for us if 4 out of the 6 players we drafted this year made their debuts. Don't discount Benjamin either. Austin I doubt, but, like Bower did last year, he may find himself in the team for the last few rounds.

I would probably swap Flint and Edwards around. I think that Edwards will debut before the half-way mark of the season, and we may have to wait a bit longer for Flint, but I have no doubts that he will make his debut at some stage.

Wouldn't that be an excellent result for the club, around 7 debuts next year!

IMO J, Benjamin is a development player and I don't expect him to play senior footy in 2007.

Austin is an interesting one. Can't say i've seen anything of Austin, so i've had to rely on what other people have been telling me, and what I have read about him on other media outlets.