Opinion 2014 Predictions

[thylacine60]

This is awkward..... my phone pocket dialed all of that apologies

too much sense

 

[Silvagnis]

I'm gonna use that one next time I get a warning from the mods

Would that work on Talking Carlton?

 

[Carl]

The vast majority of pragmatic supporters would not argue with the majority of this. I love to muck about with Best 22's and the like. We now have over 30 players with legitimate claims, and others on the cusp. The fact is we have a myriad of developing and new players on our list.
The best form of defence has always been attack, providing you have the arsenal to do the job.
Ratten and MM circa 2013 have concentrated on "not losing" more than winning, if that makes sense.
The likes of Bell, Menzel, Graham, Cripps, Docherty and the other youngsters have been recruited to add to our list, to provide the weapons. Moving these blokes from the practice range to the front line has to be a priority. Army is all you have described, but does have his limitations. It is a sad fact that players like Army who are the heart and soul of a club usually have to eventually give way to more talented and creative team mates. We need to become the hunted, not the hunter.

I have included Tommy Bell in the developing players, and readily concede that he could be lumped in the same try hard category as Army. Bell however is showing he wants "it" as much as Armfield, but brings a dimension that we have been lacking for so long. He can get his hands on the ball and get his hands free to dispose of it. A Cripps with more "class" may go past Tom, but for now, his physicallity makes his team mates walk considerably taller. The Murphy's and Judds can play the ball, knowing someone is there to plough a path. IMO, his ability to contribute at the stoppages makes Bell the most attractive of our "try hard" brigade.

The Armfields, and a declining Scotland have genuine claims to best 22 status, I just see on a needs basis, they are the most logical to give way to Menzel, Graham, Cripps, Docherty, Holman, Temay and co. as their form warrants a game.

I also totally agree with your point re Lucas and Yarran, if they cannot improve their intensity and output, to match their skills and "game craft", then I share the opinion that they would be behind the genuine contributers like one D.Armfield regardless of potential or "X" Factor.

Armfield didn't miss a game in 2013 shows MM must like what he does. I think Army would make a good BP- quick, good tackler and rarely gets beaten 1 on 1.

 

[Weiterbot23]

Everyone tipping we will finish a lowly 6th! Where is the #belief!?


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[Azul]

Everyone tipping we will finish a lowly 6th! Where is the #belief!?

I'm actually hoping we finish ninth and the new WADA chief snuffs out Essendon for a 2nd year in a row.

 

[Silvagnis]

Armfield didn't miss a game in 2013 shows MM must like what he does. I think Army would make a good BP- quick, good tackler and rarely gets beaten 1 on 1.

Dennis-Lane is still a St Kilda player.

 

[Weiterbot23]

I often wonder why armfield isn't used more as a small defender?



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[checkpoints]

1. Where do you think carlton will finish ? 4th-8th
2. Who will be our leading goal kicker ? Henderson (Although if Casboult learns to kick straight we might have ourselves a Power Forward...)
3. Who will be our first Debut ? Thomas. Rookies - Temay/Giles/Holman
4. Who do you think will be our most improved players? Lucas/Yarran/Casboult
5. Do you see any one going backwards? if so who? Duigan. Damn those knees!
6. Most anticipated game. Round One - Then Collingwood, Richmond, Essendon*, Geelong, and Hawks
7. Whats Dales new nick name going to be? (hate the name Daisy)
8. Who will win our best and fairest? Gibbs/Walker
9. First Rookie to be elevated Cachia
10. Total number of debut players for season 2014 6

General AFL Questions
Ladder( if you can be bothered)
1. Sydney
2. Fremantle
3. Hawthorn
4. Geelong/Carlton
5. Carlton/Geelong
6. Port Adelaide
7. Collingwood
8. Richmond
9. North Melbourne
10. Gold Coast
11. Adelaide
12. West Coast
13. Western Bulldogs
14. Brisbane
15. Melbourne
16. GWS
17. St Kilda
18. Essendon* (player infringments, player burnout)

2. Grand finalists ?
Carlton v Freo (with Carlton eventual Premiers)

3. Brownlow Medalist ?
B. Gibbs

4. Coleman Medalist ?
J. Roughead

5. Rising Star ?
T.Boyd

 

[Loramarthalas]

1. Where do you think carlton will finish? 7th to 10th Hard to see us going above teams like Sydney, Freo, Hawks, Pies, Cats, or even, as much as it hurts to say it, the Tiges. A good run with injuries could see us into 7th. A bad run, we could fall a fair way, given that we have a tough draw. Expect improvement from Adelaide, West Coast and North too. The middle of the ladder is going to be a messy, ugly place.

4. Who do you think will be our most improved players? Henderson. That guy is ready to bust the competition open.

5. Do you see any one going backwards? if so who? It could very well be Juddy. Let's hope not though.

6. Most anticipated game? Essendon*, followed by Essendon*.

8. Who will win our best and fairest? Walker.

 

[BM123]

Carlton Questions
1. Where do you think carlton will finish ? 5th or 6th ( with hope of a prelim if we don't play a interstate semi final)
2. Who will be our leading goal kicker ? Henderson, Yarran or Garlett
3. Who will be our first Debut ? Temay
4. Who do you think will be our most improved players? Lucas, Watson, Casboult and Bell ( fringe players becoming a regular part of our best 22)
5. Do you see any one going backwards? if so who? Armfield ( No longer best 22)
6. Most anticipated game ? Collingwood ( no need to explain this one) and Hawthorn ( need to end their streak over us)
7. Whats Dales new nick name going to be? Daisy
8. Who will win our best and fairest? Murphy
9. First Rookie to be elevated Cachia
10. Total number of debut players for season 2014? Four

General AFL Questions
1. Ladder( if you can be bothered)
2. Grand finalists ? Freo, Sydney
3. Brownlow Medalist ? Selwood
4. Coleman Medalist ? Cameron
5. Rising Star ? Hogan

 

[BM123]

Everyone tipping we will finish a lowly 6th! Where is the #belief!?


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9th to 6th is pretty decent considering all the competition we will have for a finals spot.

 

[Claypigeon]

Carlton Questions
1. Where do you think carlton will finish ? 4-6
2. Who will be our leading goal kicker ? Jeff Garlett (again) - Hendo a close second
3. Who will be our first Debut ? Tom Temay (not including Dale Thomas
4. Who do you think will be our most improved players? Andrew McInnis (based on 2013 form)
5. Do you see any one going backwards? if so who? Brock McLean (altho unlikely)
6. Most anticipated game Dale Thomas
7. Whats Dales new nick name going to be? (hate the name Daisy) Thomo
8. Who will win our best and fairest? Marc Murphy
9. First Rookie to be elevated Jarryd Cachia
10. Total number of debut players for season 2014: 6

General AFL Questions
1. Ladder( if you can be bothered) Top 8: Carlton, Fremantle, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Richmond, North Melbourne, Geelong, Adelaide (in no particular order)
2. Grand finalists ?
3. Brownlow Medalist ? Joel Selwood
4. Coleman Medalist ? Jarryd Roughhead
5. Rising Star ? No idea

 

[ShanDog]

Carlton Questions
1. Where do you think carlton will finish ? 6th
2. Who will be our leading goal kicker ? Garlett
3. Who will be our first Debut ? Temay
4. Who do you think will be our most improved players? Murph to be back to 2011 form, Rowe for a big improvement with fitness fixed, Graham, Yarran.
5. Do you see any one going backwards? if so who? I wonder if Carrazzo can regain form considering his prolonged injury issues.
6. Most anticipated game When Blues play at Adelaide Oval and I get to see it
7. Whats Dales new nick name going to be? (hate the name Daisy) Moneybags
8. Who will win our best and fairest? Hendo
9. First Rookie to be elevated Wood, when one of our rucks blows out a knee/shoulder/foofer valve
10. Total number of debut players for season 2014 3 - Temay, Cripps, and Holman. Giles to debut 2015 unless there are injuries.

General AFL Questions
1. Ladder( if you can be bothered)
Freo
Sydney
Hawks
Geelong
Richmond
Carlton
North
Port
Crows
Pies
Essendon*
Eagles
Suns
Brisbane
Bulldogs
Saints
GWS
Melbourne

2. Grand finalists ? Sydney and Freo
3. Brownlow Medalist ? Jager O'Meara
4. Coleman Medalist ? Jeremy Cameron
5. Rising Star ? Graham

 

[Dramoth]

I often wonder why armfield isn't used more as a small defender?



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Because he is a defensive forward who can kick goals. Last year (2012) he kicked 16 goals... this year he kicked 17.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Carlton by 4 goals.

Bookmark it.

 

[10Dulkar]

I'm years away from having the knowledge to answer these questions but I have noticed quite a few people seem to take it for granted that Carlton will drop out of the eight. I am not so sure and any team coached by Mick Malthouse should not be written off before a ball has been kicked (or that should be bounced?). You could see last September how much he was relishing the challenge of being in the eight against the odds and going further than everyone anticipated. He's had a full season under his belt and I reckon the Navy Blues will go well this year. Good luck.

 

[thylacine60]

Cheers, 10D. Enjoy Eddie, he can kick you 50 if handled right.

 

[Big Sim]

1. Where do you think carlton will finish ? Top 8. Where exactly depends on our KPs, mostly if Waite stays on the park and Watson steps up. If both of those happen, we can finish top 4.
2. Who will be our leading goal kicker ? Waite if fit, otherwise Garlett.
3. Who will be our first Debut ? Cripps.
4. Who do you think will be our most improved players? Yarran and Kreuzer as a forward.
5. Do you see any one going backwards? if so who? Judd.
6. Most anticipated game. Essendon for the boos.
7. Whats Dales new nick name going to be? (hate the name Daisy) Tank engine.
8. Who will win our best and fairest? Murphy.
9. First Rookie to be elevated. Wood.
10. Total number of debut players for season 2014. Four.

General AFL Questions
1. Ladder( if you can be bothered) Hawthorn top, Brisbane bottom.
2. Grand finalists ? Hawthorn and Sydney.
3. Brownlow Medalist ? Murphy.
4. Coleman Medalist ? Franklin.
5. Rising Star ? Menzel.

 

[Big Sim]

The fact that he has Lighting speed, and is probably our best tackler is reason enough to give him a game.

He is the effort and 1%er king. Guys like Lucas and Yarran have class but id run out much more confident in a final with robbo and army by my side than those two highly skilled but largely offence only type.

There is definitely still room for the armfield types in today's game.

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In mediocre teams, yes. In premiership teams no. His decision making and skills are not up to it unfortunately because he is indeed a real goer.

 

[Azul]

I have noticed quite a few people seem to take it for granted that Carlton will drop out of the eight.

We were never in the eight - we finished ninth. Coupled with a tougher draw courtesy of our post-finals sixth position - keeping the status quo gets harder.

Avoiding embarrassing losses to Essendon (twice) and St Kilda would be a start. Avoiding capitulation to the lowly Bulldogs is another thing non-playing psychologist Nick Duigan will have to address.

Mick has had 12 months to construct a game plan to challenge the top sides. We didn't win a single game against Hawthorn, Fremantle, Geelong, Sydney, Collingwood nor Essendon and late in the season only recorded lucky 1 point wins against Port (1 win above us) and NM (1 win below us).

 

[Silvagnis]

We were never in the eight - we finished ninth. Coupled with a tougher draw courtesy of our post-finals sixth position - keeping the status quo gets harder.

Avoiding embarrassing losses to Essendon (twice) and St Kilda would be a start. Avoiding capitulation to the lowly Bulldogs is another thing non-playing psychologist Nick Duigan will have to address.

Mick has had 12 months to construct a game plan to challenge the top sides. We didn't win a single game against Hawthorn, Fremantle, Geelong, Sydney, Collingwood nor Essendon and late in the season only recorded lucky 1 point wins against Port (1 win above us) and NM (1 win below us).

What's a lucky win?

Is it any different to the unlucky losses we had last year?

No luck involved in Carlton winning a final against the side that defeated Freo and Hawthorn.

There isn't a lot separating the sides outside of the top four. You can throw a blanket over these teams. We accounted for Port who beat the Pies last year.

 

[Big_Luch]

ii dont see how adelaide and wce will rocket into finals calculations.

WCE are in rebuild mode with their midfield and the crows are not going to improve out of sight with pods and betts.

 

[Blues_Man]

Carlton Questions
1. Where do you think carlton will finish ? 5-8
2. Who will be our leading goal kicker ? Garlett
3. Who will be our first Debut ? Cripps
4. Who do you think will be our most improved players? Yarran, Watson, and Menzel
5. Do you see any one going backwards? if so who? Hopefully nobody
6. Most anticipated game V Collingwood
7. Whats Dales new nick name going to be? (hate the name Daisy) Daisy
8. Who will win our best and fairest? Gibbs
9. First Rookie to be elevated Catchia
10. Total number of debut players for season 2014 3-4

General AFL Questions
1. Ladder( if you can be bothered)
2. Grand finalists ? Freo
3. Brownlow Medalist ? Fyfe
4. Coleman Medalist ? Cameron
5. Rising Star ?No idea

 

[Blues_Man]

You have been bagging out Armfield for years and he constantly proves you wrong.

Yeah, i can only see Armfield improving...he's a beauty

 

[BlueBelle]

1. Where do you think carlton will finish ? 5th
2. Who will be our leading goal kicker ? Henderson or Waite
3. Who will be our first Debut ? Thomas. Rookies - Cripps
4. Who do you think will be our most improved players? Yarran
5. Do you see any one going backwards? if so who? I think Army may struggle to be in the best 22
6. Most anticipated game. Collingwood (hope Daisy plays) then Richmond (they'll be out for revenge) and then Essendrug (how we didn't beat then last year makes me sad)
7. Whats Dales new nick name going to be? It'll still be Daisy
8. Who will win our best and fairest? Simmo
9. First Rookie to be elevated? Scotland
10. Total number of debut players for season 2014? 5

General AFL Questions
Ladder( if you can be bothered)
1. Sydney
2. Fremantle
3. Hawthorn
4. Geelong
5. Carlton
6. Richmond
7. North Melbourne
8. Port Adelaide
9. Collingwood
10. West Coast
11. Adelaide
12. Gold Coast
13. Western Bulldogs
14. Brisbane
15. Melbourne
16. GWS
17. St Kilda
18. Essendrug

2. Grand finalists ?
Hawthorn vs Sydney

3. Brownlow Medalist ?
J. Selwood

4. Coleman Medalist ?
J. Roughead

5. Rising Star ?
T.Boyd