AFL 2005: Carlton

[The Hitman]

Carlton will be hoping to win the Wizard Cup this Saturday, but Brett Collett looks at how they’ll fare after March.

Carlton continued their improvement under coach Denis Pagan in 2004, and with a rejuvenated Lance Whitnall, an on-song Brendan Fevola and Nick Stevens leading the midfield, the Blues will head into this weekend’s Wizard Cup grand final full of confidence. Whether that confidence can transfer to the season proper is another thing, but Carlton must be looking at a finals berth this season to completely banish the ghosts of 2002.

For the rest of the preview, go here.

So how do you think the Blues will go in 2005?

The Hitman

 

[Thrawn]

Hey Hitters, long time no see. How are ya mate?

Anywho, there are a few things I'd like to point out:

Carlton’s structure looked better than the previous year, but they were still susceptible to the maulings that embarrassed Pagan in 2002-03.

Pagan was not our coach in 2002. That was Wayne Brittain.

Carlton have not been able to find a reliable full back since Stephen Silvagni retired at the end of 2001, with Luke Livingstone and Bret Thornton both having a crack at the key defensive post.

Thornton is a reliable FB/CHB for his age, possibly more considering the scalps he has taken and the way he goes about his game.

He is serviceable, but if Carlton is to contend for the premiership in a few years’ time, they’ll need to invest in a better option at full back.

Disagree. He'll be either our premier FB or CHB for years to come - he's one of the best young FBs in the comp IMO along with Harris and Rivers. He is more than capable of playing his role - not only does he negate his opponent well but also provides a lot of run from defence.

Most Important Five

Nick Stevens
Matthew Lappin
Scott Camporeale
Brendan Fevola
Anthony Koutoutfides

Looking at the pre-season, I'd replace Kouta and Campo with Thornton and Whitnall. If not that then Kouta with Thornton as he is the only "tall" defender we have that can actually play his role well. Without him we'd have no defence at all whereby players like Lloyd, Richardson, Hall et al will be even more damaging. With Whitnall it remains to be seen if he can keep his form into the season proper. And we are far less Kouta-reliant now.

But aside from that, you have written an excellent review and I fully agree with it. I nanswer to your question, I reckon we'll finish around the same mark as last year. Around 9th - 12th.

 

[The Hitman]

I did have Thornton in the most important five, but replaced him with Kouta at the last second.

I think if your captain can stay on the field, he'll remind everyone how good he can be. Probably last roll of the dice in that regard, but as long as he is fit enough to get out there, he'll be valuable whether he plays in the middle, down back or up forward.

I'm just not convinced about Thornton. He's agile enough, but when he comes up against the bigger and better blokes, I've seen him struggle. From memory Lloyd always takes him to the cleaners, although he wouldn't be Robinson Crusoe there.

If Hartlett can develop, I think he'd be a better FB option. He'll be bigger and he will be a bona fide star IMO. I just think Thornton would be better suited as a third defender, where he doesn't need to be as big and he can use his agility more, like he did against the Bulldogs.

The Hitman

 

[Thrawn]

I'm just not convinced about Thornton. He's agile enough, but when he comes up against the bigger and better blokes, I've seen him struggle. From memory Lloyd always takes him to the cleaners, although he wouldn't be Robinson Crusoe there.

He's beaten the likes of Hall, Riewoldt, Bradshaw, Neitz and including Lloyd ever since his debut in 2002. Doesn't like Gehrig or Tredrea though. He has played 3 games on Lloyd, and bar one of them Thornton has soundly beaten him... he has had only 6 goals kicked against him total in those three games. In the one where he was beaten, Lloyd kicked something like 2.7. Against lesser opponents like Miller, Rawlings... blokes like that, he does very well against.

So I think you should refresh your memory a bit - he matches up very well on fish face.

 

[Funkalicous]

It's not a bad review to be honest Hitman. You probably underated our defence (especially Thornton who is without question a bonafied GUN)a bit too much than is acceptable however. For me that's been the highlight of the pre-season comp. It's been like a brick wall! Your rating of the defence has reflected with your overall season position, but you'll be proven wrong, mark my words. We'll make the eight for sure!