News Big Chopportunity

[celtic_pride]

Bit of a no shit Sherlock article from Mike Sheahan here ...

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25710308-19742,00.html

THE agitators among the Carlton faithful say Brett Ratten is soft. That the coach won't make a tough decision on his experienced players. The Ratten attitude will become a lot clearer this week when the Blues name their team for what suddenly is a crunch game against Fremantle in Perth on Sunday.

While the final game of the weekend ranks way down the order in terms of public interest in a captivating Round 14, the stakes are huge for Carlton.

The club's credibility is on the line after a 69-point thumping from Essendon at the MCG on Friday night.

The immediate future of a few Carlton players, maybe even their long-term future, also is on the line.

Ratten and his fellow selectors will spend extended periods discussing Brendan Fevola, Nick Stevens, Heath Scotland, Ryan Houlihan and Jordan Bannister.

Others, such as Steven Browne, also will come under scrutiny, but Browne is a boy at 20 and deserves a little patience.

Carlton's psyche took a battering on Friday night. It was the fifth loss in eight rounds, with a double-whammy: it cut the Blues' percentage by more than 7.

The best players on the night all had negative roles: Aaron Joseph, Andrew Carrazzo and Brad Fisher.

Fevola kicked just two goals (his opponent Tayte Pears was credited two goal assists), and his body language again raised eyebrows and, in some quarters, ire.

Yet, dumping the man sitting second on the goalkicking table is a tough call. Particularly in a must-win game.

Particularly so soon after his matchwinning eight goals against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

He didn't work hard enough on Friday night, but he didn't drown in opportunity, either (44 inside-50s).

He will survive. Stevens probably won't be so lucky.

He had a bad one: 21 possessions (efficiency rating of 57 per cent), three clangers, and several poor decisions in traffic.

He has a lot more to offer than what was on show against the Bombers.

Even the space offered by Subiaco Oval and the premium on good disposal is unlikely to save him this time.

And doesn't he still look chubby?

Either he or Scotland will feel the chill of cold steel on their neck.

Houlihan had plenty of the ball, but, for someone of his skill, fluffed two chances to kick goals when the game was in the balance.

He was highly effective against St Kilda the previous week in a negating role, but must do better with the ball in his hands.

Bannister had just the nine possessions. You get his best every time he plays. Is it, though, enough against good company?

Given Paul Bower will miss with a knee problem, Carlton is likely to make a minimum three changes and as many as five.

The Blues will regain Bret Thornton and are expected to recall Chris Johnson, with Jordan Russell back in the mix.

You would expect them to play Johnson, who they lured from Melbourne between seasons and is such a sweet kick, while the coach, unlike many supporters, likes Russell because of his pace and work ethic.

I'm tipping Stevens, Bannister and one of Scotland or Houlihan to get the chop.

SIGH ... Chris Johnson and Jordan Russell back in the mix for a call up ...

Shoot me now, I'd rather keep with what we've got now then to recall those two duds ...

Bad games from Scooter, Houlihan and Stevens >>>>>>>>> average games (which is most of the time) from CJ and JR ...

BTW Isn't that an indictment on the coach, that he only selects a player in JR, because of his pace and work ethic, disregarding his lack of skills and ability to actually contribute anything meaningful to the side each week ?

 

[Silvagnis]

St Kilda has improved this year because of the added workrate of McQualter and Jones.

Both can't kick for shit.

Add Toovey to that.

Your posts are constantly enlightening in a way Mojo31 failed with his long winded rants.

 

[The Cranium]

I had to laugh...is this for real...

And doesn't he still look chubby?

 

[Abaddon]

SIGH ... Chris Johnson and Jordan Russell back in the mix for a call up ...

Shoot me now, I'd rather keep with what we've got now then to recall those two duds ...

Agree. but who else do you bring in? The Carlton list is terrible.
None of Garlett, Robinson and Yarran are ready for AFL. Garlett and Robinson probably won't make it at the top level anyway.

Its really only Walker & Warnock to look forward too. And both are injury-prone players. Hard to see either stringing games together let alone seasons of football.

 

[Salaryman]

St Kilda has improved this year because of the added workrate of McQualter and Jones.

Both can't kick for shit.

Add Toovey to that.

Your posts are constantly enlightening in a way Mojo31 failed with his long winded rants.

Agree. but who else do you bring in? The Carlton list is terrible.
None of Garlett, Robinson and Yarran are ready for AFL. Garlett and Robinson probably won't make it at the top level anyway.

Its really only Walker & Warnock to look forward too. And both are injury-prone players. Hard to see either stringing games together let alone seasons of football.

Flog .... and a fairly unsophisticated troll

 

[Captain Judd]

Id rather have Chris Johnson over neck! I know there both weak but johnson is as good as neck with his disposal and is quicker than neck! Also he is younger to, so id rather give him more game time! But id rather have Scotland over Russel any day of the week!!!

 

[NWTYRX]

Robbo is suspended, so he won't play

 

[Captain Judd]

Don't make any unnecessary changes.
Those boys owe us a bit after Friday night, I say.

Why would we want to bring back players we have been bemoaning all year, now?
What next, bring back Cloke and Wiggins?
I don't get it.

You want change?
We play Yarran and Robinson

agreed!

 

[HeziBarecket]

I'd chop HOULIHAN for good. He just gets worse. His workrate against decent opposition is always pathetic.

His handball to Stevens who was in traffic, then he runs off instead of assists was absolutely laughable. It's the reason we get bullied by scum like Essendon, Freo, the Swans.

He represents a weakness in our side that is always guaranteed for exploitation, and after 8 years in the system he's still as 'ordinary' and 'promising' as when he started.

 

[Athomas]

Russell, Thornton and Garlett
for
Bower, Stevens and Houlihan/Bannister

CJ might come in for the other of Houlihan/Bannister/Fev too.

 

[Broadside]

we should take a leaf out of Essendon's book...they suspended one of their very best players (McVeigh) for going out late Sunday night and missing a training session, in what is one of their biggest games of the year.

We too should take some hard decisions in dropping Fevola and Stevens, even if it lessens our chances of a win this week (I don't believe it will make too much difference given their form). Because the long term gain will count for much, much more.

 

[CrippsonBlue]

we should take a leaf out of Essendon's book...they suspended one of their very best players (McVeigh) for going out late Sunday night and missing a training session, in what is one of their biggest games of the year.

We too should take some hard decisions in dropping Fevola and Stevens, even if it lessens our chances of a win this week (I don't believe it will make too much difference given their form). Because the long term gain will count for much, much more.

And when they lose, and we win, do you think we will be looking at their loss with regret and envy...

Punishing players for discipline is one thing, punishing them for on-field performance is another.

Where has this obsession come from for needing to drop 'big names' to show some balls? Ratts has consistantly dropped our more senior/regular players throughout the season - Scotland, Houlihan, Russell, Cloke etc.

The reasons range from injury, to poor form, to disciplinary. In past years, Scotland would have been played with that level of fitness, someone like Houlihan would not have been dropped for discipline reasons, and Russell etc. would have retained their place regardless of whether they earned it.

Added to this, Ratts also did not rush back Grigg, Walker etc. and they were made to earn their place, yet in past seasons they would have come straight back in.

Ratts has made plenty of big calls - geez we all argue over controversial selections every week almost.

I cannot understand the push to drop Fev, when in all likely it could cost us the game. He is second? highest goalkicker - his form throughout the year does not warrent an omission. Are Hawks fans asking Buddy to be dropped because he is not reaching the same heights as last year

Stevens is the only one that should come under serious scrutiny this week after an average year, and a woeful performance on the weekend. If he is not dropped, you would think it truely is his last chance - yet if he or Fev is not dropped, people will call Ratts soft and gutless

 

[Lukesta63]

Maybe if Ratten had dragged Fev's big ass in the second half ,he wouldn't be under pressure to make a statement at the selection table!

Brendan Fevola=bigger than the Carlton Football Club

 

[Gozz]

I'd chop HOULIHAN for good. He just gets worse. His workrate against decent opposition is always pathetic.

His handball to Stevens who was in traffic, then he runs off instead of assists was absolutely laughable. It's the reason we get bullied by scum like Essendon, Freo, the Swans.

He represents a weakness in our side that is always guaranteed for exploitation, and after 8 years in the system he's still as 'ordinary' and 'promising' as when he started.

I agree wholeheartedly here. A player who can't even perform in VFL doesn't deserve to play AFL. When I saw him play for Bullants this year he was an absolute digrace. Houlihan offers no support to teamates, his supposed great skills are more legend than fact and he pretty much makes the contest 21 vs 22.

Stevens is a different story, he is a lot better than Houla even though he has similar issues. Against the Crows he showed us what he can do but just needs more responsibilty like he used to have before Judd. I think the coming of Judd has made Stevens slack and all he needs is a bit of inspiration.

So I'd drop Houla and Army for this week cos Armfield doesn't seem to have the basic skills of AFL yet but he will be a great player no doubt with his speed and tackling.

 

[BlueYoss]

Bit of a no shit Sherlock article from Mike Sheahan here ...

Seeing you reference Sherlock Holmes again made me laugh out loud!

 

[thylacine60]

Apparently he wasn't a fair dinkum detective, YossMan. Did you know that?

 

[The Cranium]

Apparently he wasn't a fair dinkum detective, YossMan. Did you know that?

Oh thanks for that Thy, my life is ruined.

 

[BlueYoss]

Apparently he wasn't a fair dinkum detective, YossMan. Did you know that?

Gilly tells me that the inability to distinguish fantasy from reality is diagnosable as psychosis.











Not that there's anything 'wrong' with psychos.

 

[thylacine60]

You'd have to think a bloke's knowledge of such things (or mttp lack of knowledge) is a fair pointer to his ignorance in other areas.

 

[celtic_pride]

here is the fact about Fev ...

You drop him for disciplinary reasons, and we would have zero chance of beating Freo ...

You can fine or suspend his match payments if you like, but honestly, he might be a piss-poor role model, but he is our most valuable asset, and if we dropped Fev, we might as well shut up shop for the year and admit we're tanking ..

Chris Johnson is a terrible, terrible pick up and the most ironic thing is that Hayden Skipworth has been a better PSD pickup for the Bombers.

Now is not the time to make 'ground breaking' statements about the culture and discipline of the club, and if the club is dropping Stevens, put in bloody Joey Anderson instead of Jordan Russell, who is the 2nd biggest spud in the AFL after another Jordan, ironically, McMahon.

Anyhow this club has very little depth it seems, and we're years away from winning a flag (anyone who thinks overwise has been smoking too much wacky tabaccy)

 

[Mr.X]

Agree. but who else do you bring in? The Carlton list is terrible.
None of Garlett, Robinson and Yarran are ready for AFL. Garlett and Robinson probably won't make it at the top level anyway.

Its really only Walker & Warnock to look forward too. And both are injury-prone players. Hard to see either stringing games together let alone seasons of football.

I reckon both of them have shown more than Yarran.. they'll be fine and will come good.

Agree with the sentiments re Walker - we should have traded him while he had some currency

 

[celtic_pride]

But Mr X, apparently Andy Walker is an 'elite' superstar who is going to take us to the promised land, according to some of the nuff nuffs who post on this board ...

I think we should leave Walker un-contractedfor GC17, and we should be able to get a top 10 draft pick in return as compo, it makes a lot of sense, frees up salary cap, and we should get another good kid in return.

And Tex should be able to get away a lot more with his 'irresponsible driving antics' up there as well

It's a win-win situation

 

[PumpyChowdown]

here is the fact about Fev ...

You drop him for disciplinary reasons, and we would have zero chance of beating Freo ...

You can fine or suspend his match payments if you like, but honestly, he might be a piss-poor role model, but he is our most valuable asset, and if we dropped Fev, we might as well shut up shop for the year and admit we're tanking ..

Well, considering Freo have won 9 of the last 10 games against us, a little shake up couldn't hurt our stats.

I have a major issue with Fev. His attitude is cancerous. His attitude and ego have placed him and his needs above that of the club. We should have traded the flog a couple of years ago and allowed some youth to develop.

Dropping him now might cause some short term pain, but more that likely will realise long term gain. How?

i) Fev realises (not likely) that he is not bigger than the team and he needs to give 110% EVERY TIME HE SETS FOOT ON THE FIELD.

ii) We restructure our forward line, give game time to Yarran, Garlett and Robbo. Chuck Austin and Irish up forward. Rotate Hammo and Kreuz through Full Forward/Ruck. CHANGE IT UP! IT MIGHT WORK!!!!

The current forward set up is simply Fev. If he's on we win the majority of the games. If he's off, we lose. It's an incredibly risky strategy. Why don't other players get a chance up front? Why must we tolerate the petulance and dummy spitting of the big chinned flog? Why are young players getting exposed and influenced by Fev's attitude?

There is a lack of discipline in the club that is glaringly obvious. Juddy's bought some of it back into line, but it seems he can't influence our older and more experienced players such as Fev, Scotland, Hoops and Stevo.

If they can't be disciplined, if they don't play for the team and if they don't contribute they NEED to be sent to the two's for an extended time and we need to develop our youth.

It's simple.

/rant

 

[Silvagnis]

But Mr X, apparently Andy Walker is an 'elite' superstar who is going to take us to the promised land, according to some of the nuff nuffs who post on this board ...

I think we should leave Walker un-contractedfor GC17, and we should be able to get a top 10 draft pick in return as compo, it makes a lot of sense, frees up salary cap, and we should get another good kid in return.

And Tex should be able to get away a lot more with his 'irresponsible driving antics' up there as well

It's a win-win situation

Sherflog.

 

[Salaryman]

Gilly tells me that the inability to distinguish fantasy from reality is diagnosable as psychosis.











Not that there's anything 'wrong' with psychos.

You'd have to think a bloke's knowledge of such things (or mttp lack of knowledge) is a fair pointer to his ignorance in other areas.