2010 Improvement Question.

[BLUE BLEEDING]

The other day I viewed the clips of the John Nicholls best and fairest night from the Carlton website. I saw the acceptance speeches of Judd, Murphy and Gibbs and Ratten's coach’s speech. They talked of improvement in our players which I do not doubt will occur, but they also mentioned moving upwards on the ladder; especially Ratten.

At the time of these speeches Fevola was still a Carlton listed player and the club was still very much undecided on whether he will be with us in 2010 as it was only days after the Brownlow night issue.

Ratten even stated that the top four is our new aim. Also, today's Herald Sun wrote that the club were hoping to improve on this years 7th placing.

My question is if other supporters believe we will continue our ladder climbing in 2010 or not. I can see us improving our ladder position, but can also see us halting. The talk of us being bottom four is absurd; I'm hoping to be finalists again. Interested to see your opinions on where we will finish next year and if comments from that night are still valid even after the significant loss of Fevola.

 

[krayfesh]

I'll believe whatever the media tells me to believe.

 

[chaser1]

Before Fevola departure we were being touted as top four material. I for one think that we will be aiming high and improve. I want to see want Ratten and co will bring to the table in terms of game plan. If Ratten and co fail to do this, then we are in for a long year. The players natural development must continue and Ratten must be able to harness and implement a game plan that revolvers around Multi Faceted goal kickers.

Their are no excuses, they are employed to make decisions that keeps the Carlton football club aiming for a Premeirship. In my opnion this year will tell me if RATTEN is the man to take us to the Holy GRAIL. i personally have grave reservations about Ratten coaching ability. But we must give him a chance lets see how it develops!

 

[Monkey King]

Plenty of ways to gauge improvement that don't involve ladder position. I am of the opinion that Carlton will improve as a team in 2010 with every chance that ladder position will reflect that improvement. It's certainly not the doom and gloom scenario the naysayers are painting.

 

[ESKIE]

Me reckons we're the big surprise packet.....guys like Murphy, Gibbs...McLean, Henderson, Betts et al, can take the game on, go go go for it, "HE' is no longer there to hold them back with a stymied game plan...kick it to me...kick it to me...
We are a sleeping giant

 

[Warsaw]

Me reckons we're the big surprise packet.....guys like Murphy, Gibbs...McLean, Henderson, Betts et al, can take the game on, go go go for it, "HE' is no longer there to hold them back with a stymied game plan...kick it to me...kick it to me...
We are a sleeping giant

 

[JezBlues]

One thing that maybe has been overlooked due to the Fevola fiasco is the improvement in our backline. For years we've had a terrible backline and needed to kick huge scores in order to win games. I think now with Jamison returning from injury (and Waite if he plays down back) and the constant improvement of Bower throughout last year we will be able to stop some of the big name forwards. Also due to these young guys improvements Thornton has been freed up to play a floating loose man type role, which I think suits him well and I would like to see the 'marks from opposition kicks' stats from last year because I think Thornton would be up there. I think we could see a more defensive Carlton next year, maybe not kicking the big scores we've been seeing but no longer conceding the big scores either.

 

[BLUE BLEEDING]

One thing that maybe has been overlooked due to the Fevola fiasco is the improvement in our backline. For years we've had a terrible backline and needed to kick huge scores in order to win games. I think now with Jamison returning from injury (and Waite if he plays down back) and the constant improvement of Bower throughout last year we will be able to stop some of the big name forwards. Also due to these young guys improvements Thornton has been freed up to play a floating loose man type role, which I think suits him well and I would like to see the 'marks from opposition kicks' stats from last year because I think Thornton would be up there. I think we could see a more defensive Carlton next year, maybe not kicking the big scores we've been seeing but no longer conceding the big scores either.

Ratten did mention wanting to reduce the average score against in to 80's if we want to be successful. I believe it's achieveable.

 

[celtic_pride]

Me reckons we're the big surprise packet.....guys like Murphy, Gibbs...McLean, Henderson, Betts et al, can take the game on, go go go for it, "HE' is no longer there to hold them back with a stymied game plan...kick it to me...kick it to me...
We are a sleeping giant

Yeah because our win/loss ratio without Fevola in the last 10 years has been spectacular hasn't it ??

Have you actually seen Henderson play ???? How do you know he'll be any good ?
It's pretty annoying how some fans seem to de-value Fevola's worth and value to this club now that he has been traded.

PS I wouldn't count on getting Carlton Grand Final tix anytime soon.

 

[jonoman89]

The improvement in our backline and midfield will definitely see us in good stead. The top 8 is not a target for us in 2010 - it is an absolute bare minimum achievment. A "participation" award if you will.

Actually having a CHB and FB in the side will dramatically improve our structure. The midfield will be even more potent with the young duo of Murphy and Gibbs stepping up another level, plus the contested ball addition of McLean should see Judd really damage teams with his outside game.

Much to look forward to in 2010.

 

[parrot]

Midfield. It's already awesome and will just get better in 2010. Murph and Gibbs are close to elite now, and have a lot of upside. Walker is one with a lot to prove. Has heaps of talent, and is now injury free at last. Grigg is another with huge potential. Showed glimpses but had an ordinary injury-interrupted season in 2009. Robbo, Browne and AJ are others with huge upside. Mclean is a talent, but has struggled over past seasons at the Dees. He'll benefit from the better culture, better quality coaching, development and facilities. He has to take his game to a new level to be part of this impressive midfield group. Our midfield is the best in the AFL.

Defense. Struggled last season because of injuries to Waite, Jamo and Austin. Hard to replace those 3 quality KP talls. Their return will be a huge plus. When everyone's available, our defense is actually a strength. AJ and Armfield are excellent smalls, and our talls are very good as well.

Rucks. Again massive upside. With Kruezer, Hampson and Warnock we have the most talented young ruck trio in the AFL. They'll struggle against physically stronger rucks though.

Forwardline. This is the unknown. Losing the best FF in the AFL means massive structural changes. For the first time in many years we won't have a forwardline based on one focal target. Our smalls are excellent and there's plenty of upside in Betts, Garlett and Yarran. Hendo obviously has a heap of improvement. Reckon Setanta should play CHF - he was awesome until injured. Played a great game V Saints and Freo. Waite will help out. How well will our forwardline function without Fev? Less predictable certainly. But the challenge is for the forwards to convert the opportunities previously given to Fev.

So looking at things objectively, this is still a very very under-developed list, with a ridiculous amount of upside. But there's a lot of work to do to get to be able to compete consistently well against the older, more experienced teams in the comp.

 

[Kramer1]

Meh...forwards are over rated. Restrict the opposition scoring and generate shitloads of inside 50's and the W column will take care of itself.

 

[Ryan Dixon Webb]

The tumor has been extracted and flown first class to Brisbane to attach itself to Michael Voss's prostate and drive him to a short lived career of mediocrity.

We have a group of gutsy, talented young men that want success. Last years loss in the finals will be burning in everyone's mind, mediocrity will not be accepted, we WILL! play from our ****ing hearts!

 

[footballs great]

I think we are heading for a great year ahead with another pre season in to Gibbs and Murph they are going go to the next level next year Mclean is a great pick up and I like the way he plays

Also with Walker, Waite, Jamo, Warnock all coming back into the team fully fit will be great

Im hoping O’hAilpin can make a very good chf as he can run all day and he will always have a go so hoping he steps up this year

Kreuzer will play more as a forward this year and we will really see how good he is. I think he has done a great job holding down the ruck at such a young age

FB: Joseph Jamison Thornton

HB: Bower Waite Russell

C: Gibbs McLean Walker

HF: Garlett O’hAilpinHoulihan

FF: Kreuzer Henderson Betts

RR: Warnock Judd Murphy

IC: Hampson, Armfield, Carrazzo, Simpson

EM: Mark Austin - Mitch Robinson - Heath Scotland - Shaun Grigg- R Hadley

Chris Judd – suspended for the first 3 games so Shaun Grigg comes into the side for him