Around This Time Last Year..

[mightymightyblues]

In round 11 last year, we had just come off a fantastic performance against the Power in what would be our last win of the season before the 'Tanking' began.
We had then won 2 in a row and were looking to make it 3 against the Hawks on Friday night round 12. With Buddy being a late withdrawal, we all thought we were now genuine chances to beat the Hawks in front of TD's biggest ever attendance.
It may have been stage fright that got the better of us, or the players and supporters minds getting ahead of themselves but one things for sure, the Hawks were unbelievable and we did not play like the Carlton we were in previous weeks. This of course resulted in that 100 point drubbing.

Almost a year on coming into round 12, things have certainly changed but in the context of this week, things aren't much different. Last year we had also just come off a fantastic win against the Power and were feeling a fresh sense of enthusiasm. And like this year, we are also coming into a big game against the Pies who like the Hawks of 07, are looking dangerous. In Comparison, there will be a huge crowd to watch us and a National audience of plenty. Lets also keep in mind that Rocca who on his day can really open a game up will be missing, as was Buddy.

Hopefully this week, the Carlton we have seen in the previous years has expelled its demons and the new rejuvenated blues come out to play. We have taken a step forward now and its time we really performed in these sort of games. Sunday afternoon at the MCG, will determine Just how far we've come.

Go Blues

 

[hellfire]

...I hope it pans out the same way.

But I think this is going to be a very tight game. We don't match up well with you at all (your superior midfield, plus lightning fast key forward - which I believe is our kryptonite). I have a feeling you will get up, and I predict relentless trolling for the rest of the year.

Every team has a side they don't go well against, and I believe Carlton is ours!

 

[HBF]

There are some ket difference to this year than last. They include:

Chris Judd
Nick Stevens

Another preseason, and more games under the collective belts of Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Michael Jamison, Kade Simpson, and we have 3 draftees from last year that are doing well in Kreuzer, Armfield and Browne.

The loss of Clement really hurts Collingwood, as they find it hard to get a good matchup for Fevola.

I'm not saying that we are over the line, as Collingwood will be pretty keen to bounce back from earlier in the year, but we have a very good chance of going 2-0 against them this year.

 

[Smell The Glove]

So true HBF. Last year against the Hawks we were mauled in the middle of the ground (brings up shocking memories of Cain Ackland out in the open tapping the ball directly into the hands of a Hawthorn player all by himself- *shudders*). Thats where the toughness and experience of a bloke like Chris Judd really comes into play.

We were also not switched on that night. The errors during the warm-up were embarassing to say the least. Cannot see that happening this week, with all the hype and rivalry that goes into playing the Filth.

 

[THE BRICKMAN]

all year we have been 1 or 2 players off being at absolute full strength so it has been encouraging to be at 5-6 at the halfway point with the likes of walker and bower and banno still to come back in

 

[jj1978]

Biggest difference and the key here...

Last year v hawks was at the Dome...
This year v pies at the G!

We play much much better at the G!

 

[Smokey_22]

I think the boys relaxed too much after hearing of Buddy being the late withdrawal. Also the TD factor.

 

[WeninRome]

This is collingwood, no similarities --- we always come to play against the filth.

whats done is done, let us never speak of the past 6 years ever again, only way to go is forward.

Round 12 and beyond..


Go Blues

 

[Mayesy_23]

Plus JR wasn't close to the best player in the competition like he is now!

 

[jimmymetch]

this week is more important as last time we beat collingwood the win was soured by every non-carlton supporter saying 'carlton won because collingwood had a bad week'..when in actual fact we just absolutely pulled their pants down by playing 4 quarters of hard accurate and disciplined footy.

this time we need to beat them again jsut to show those people who tried to take that win away from us that we won off our own back with hard work..

i duhno if anyone else felt the same way after we beat them last time but i beleive this time theres a lot more at stake..

 

[Captain Judd]

Difference between this year and last year was...

We got rid of hacks such as ackland whittnal and Pagan, and we brought in judd stevens Kreuz and Ratts... Major difference. Judd did say when he came to Carlton that he cant wait to play in blockbuster games such as Collingwood etc. Juddy now is your chance to show the scum YOU ARE THE MAN!!!

Judd will get 40 disposals this week. (Contested disposals)

 

[The Cranium]

Plus JR wasn't close to the best player in the competition like he is now!

Concur.....Jordan will pole 3 Brownlow votes this weekend....BOG.

 

[Bluebear]

Judd
MCG
Pies

These are the biggest differences compared to last year.

Judd is hitting top form.......even compared to his best.
16 contested possessions? Holy crap.

We don't play well at the Dome. Far to easy for opposition defenders to zone off onto Fev. The G will bring out the best in our team as it so often has this year.

The Hawks dished up to us a taste of what was to come for the remainder of 07 and the start of 08.......that and we had Whitnall running around.
The Pies are not the Hawks. They don't have the firepower up front, even to match Roughy, Boyle and Croad.........and they don't have the defence of Browne or the midfield of Sewell, Mitchell, Crawford, Hodge, Birchall........and they don't have the Taylor/Campbell ruck which smashed the "unwilling to contest" Ackland.

No doubt the Pies will lift against us, but on paper I think we have them covered. We will need to play for at least 3 quarters at the intensity and skill of our final quarter.

1 Quarter of good footy will rarely win us games.