A small forward would be nice, but not essential!

[Blue Dimension]

Fev's has about the same time as ROK left in him i would think,so we better hope we do "pluck" a gun with our draft picks if we're sticking with the youth policy.

Sorry, I've stated this in many other threads. It's about prolonged success, and i want that, not just a few years up the ladder. We've waited too long to be taking short cuts now.

We'll end up half there like Fremantle then regret it later.

Continue to draft the young talent and the rest will take care of itself. Hawthorn is a perfect example.

i think we should try n get josh kennedy back from the eagles
what would we have to give up?

Maybe not this year...

Next year, depending on what happens in with him in 2009, may be the year - but we can't live off that hope, there are too many variables and it's unlikely that it'll ever happen.

 

[carltonfc12!]

apparently he was missing the life of carlton and all his mates hear
i hope we get him back i always liked him
but mckinley would be the best

 

[BlueYoss]

I dont think we do need another small forward PK. I keep saying that I think a reshuffle of our forward line could perhaps prove successful. We all know we're too one dimensional.

Would love to see Houlihan and Walker up forward both can be very very good up there for us, along with Cloke and Kreuzer rotating. If murphy and Gibbs can push up more often who knows how many goals they could kick between them.

I agree with everything except the conclusion that we don't need another small forward.

It would provide versatility to our structure -Geelong, Hawthorn, North and Collingwood have all played 2 small crumbing forwards together to very good effect; and as HBF pointed out, we still need the depth in case Eddie gets injured.

Hoops is a great crumber, and will be a very valuable player in our forwardline, but lacks that extra yard of pace.

Think back to the port game, Walker was trying to take 1 handed 360 speccies every time the ball was kicked forward. Whilst it was great to watch, (and he pulled a couple off ) more often that not the ball would spill to the ground and we had nobody ready for the crumbs. Houlihan and Betts should suffice for now, but it'd be great to have another classy small forward

I've noticed this too, but with a full pre-season training with the forwards I'm sure we'll see Tex come out next year with a much better understanding of when to fly for the speccie and when to stay down for the crumb.

 

[blues4flag]

I've noticed this too, but with a full pre-season training with the forwards I'm sure we'll see Tex come out next year with a much better understanding of when to fly for the speccie and when to stay down for the crumb.

Exactly. He's scarcely spent a quarter up there in his career at Carlton. With a bit of training and structure, can see him making a more than capable forward (whether the club believes he'll be of most valuable to the club up forward is a different issue), particularly with his defensive pressure. His first couple games back were phenomenal in that regard, just needs to learn how to play the position a bit better.

 

[bludrew79]

C'mon, where did our confidence go? do'nt forget how good this midfield really will be.. WC didnt have any real notable forwards for its flag and we have FEV so one up

but midfields create goals... we will have alot more possesion 40-60 from goal which breeds goals unlike this year having all our ball 60-80 and trying to spot up!

another year come more confidence and ability... Grigg will probably kick 10-15 running from 50 (a la v. Sydney) as well as Stevens... A fit Walker & Houlihan adds 30 odd between them... Murphy Gibbs and Judd will all float and kick very close to one a game for the year

I know alot of this is on the basis of maturity and ability... but i have confidence in this list...

Plus we got eddie in the consellation draft, so i wouldnt worry about the board finding the right fit

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

At 6 though?

nah... hoping pick 24, but highly unlikely

 

[Shambolic]

We have David Ellard. He may not be quick but throw him in and he will produce in 09!

I know you guys sponsor him and all but do you really think he'll make it?

I think a player like Gamble who can take a mark but is deadly at ground level is requied. Ellard looks clever but not sure he is pure skill, works hard enough or has the zip required.

 

[BlueYoss]

I know you guys sponsor him and all but do you really think he'll make it?

I think a player like Gamble who can take a mark but is deadly at ground level is requied. Ellard looks clever but not sure he is pure skill, works hard enough or has the zip required.

Seems as though Joseph has the edge in the pace department and Ellard has the better skills/decision making.

If there is enough talent in the rookie list and only one of them can be retained it could come down to the club's need for speed vs. skill. IMO with the generally sub-par footskills of our list Ellard should be the one to stay.

 

[Shambolic]

Seems as though Joseph has the edge in the pace department and Ellard has the better skills/decision making.

If there is enough talent in the rookie list and only one of them can be retained it could come down to the club's need for speed vs. skill. IMO with the generally sub-par footskills of our list Ellard should be the one to stay.

You rate his footskills? (asking as I havent seen it but have only seen him 3 times this year)

 

[BlueYoss]

You rate his footskills? (asking as I havent seen it but have only seen him 3 times this year)

I've only seen him play about 4 times and for mine he can kick.

 

[blue gunslinger]

Seems as though Joseph has the edge in the pace department and Ellard has the better skills/decision making.

If there is enough talent in the rookie list and only one of them can be retained it could come down to the club's need for speed vs. skill. IMO with the generally sub-par footskills of our list Ellard should be the one to stay.

True and Ellard WILL work hard enough!

 

[THE AISSASSIN]

We have David Ellard. He may not be quick but throw him in and he will produce in 09!

Why ? because he is from WA like you and therefore he will succeed ?

We definately neen another small fwd with pace for both defensive pressure and to crumb goals. He needs to be instinctive off the packs as well as be able to provide a leading option.

A good, smart small fwd should be a high priority.

And we must realise that Eddie has had 3 or 4 Hammies already.......he may be prone to more such problems........this area is our biggest deficiency in terms of list balance and needs to be addressed

 

[blue gunslinger]

Why ? because he is from WA like you and therefore he will succeed ?

We definately neen another small fwd with pace for both defensive pressure and to crumb goals. He needs to be instinctive off the packs as well as be able to provide a leading option.

A good, smart small fwd should be a high priority.

And we must realise that Eddie has had 3 or 4 Hammies already.......he may be prone to more such problems........this area is our biggest deficiency in terms of list balance and needs to be addressed

By all reports Ellard does have the ability to chase and yes I know he is not the fastes. But he does read the play very well, has good balance and just needs some more self confidence. I know he is a WA boy and this season with players like Bower, Browne Army etc it has once again shown that once they settle down after the move east and put in the hard yards they can given the chance blossum. Blackwell is a question mark still but I certainly have faith that Ellard will overcome his height and speed issues as I think his positives outway his negatives. But in the end it is up to him to put in the work over summer and show that he can make the grade. The great thing about our current coaches is they are willing to throw the kids in and see if they can cut it. In the end the boiling pot is the only place to show ypur real stuff.
I just think Ellard fits the mould but will be either very good or very poor. In his limited role there is no grey.
And yes I am mostly just trying to spread the word, you never know who might be listening!

 

[DIG]

Lets pick up a young, quick aboriginal forward pocket type in the Rookie draft, there's always a couple still floating about. Don't have to commit to two years that way but may be worth a punt - Betts can mentor him.

 

[ericpascoe]

nah... hoping pick 24, but highly unlikely

I wouldnt be surprised to see Yarran not even make it to 6 - Bombers could take him at 5

 

[Eddie19]

Charlie Sharples for pick 69?

 

[thylacine60]

How good is it to have pick 6 in a draft this strong? Heard mention today many think it's the classiest bunch since 2001. Surely we have to get a gun no matter who we take?

 

[Blueinblood]

Tbh i would be disapointed if we didnt pick up one of Sharples, Ballantyne, Nev Jetta, Robin Nahas and even Chris Yarran.

 

[madblue25]

Ryan O'Keefe anyone?? Lol.. may my prayers be answered

 

[HBF]

nah... hoping pick 24, but highly unlikely

Then he'll be headed to Fremantle.
Stick to the proven formula Shmurf - take the best available at #6, #40 and #69.

 

[Ryan Dixon Webb]

Anyone know if Robin Nahas will be in this years National Draft? I've watched a bit of VFL this year, mainly Port Melbourne and he seems like a pretty classy player. I think he'd slot in nicely to a foward pocket at Carlton.