Rumour Bluemour Discussion XLI

[Aphrodite]

#BUMP from February


Re: 'Alleged' rumours resurfacing ...

Folks, this is the way things are here.

Posters are responsible for what they post. Moderators can not attest to the accuracy or otherwise of any rumour posted.

Moderators will intervene for a couple of reasons.

1. If a thread is threatening to be derailed because of a post.

2. If invested parties request the removal of material.

None of this draws a conclusion as to the accuracy or otherwise of the original post.

There is no need to further speculate. What will be will be.

Also, you need to remember that this thread like all parts of this forum is bound by the rules of poster conduct. If you want to express skepticism towards a rumour that's fine, but having a crack at posters who are contributors to this forum is simply not on and will be acted upon.

Simply put, don't be a dick.

Thanks all!

 

[swuzzlebubble]

Do you think the club would go to him with a deal, he has one last season with us, in that time he gets the opportunity to save his AFL career but he must be moved on at season's end?

Could work out well for all parties if he has a good season at AFL level, keeps himself clean and returns us something in a trade at the end of the year.

I'd think best case from here is delisted and training for potential rookie/SSP spot which means he needs to keep out of trouble until February just to be considered.

 

[Bluebag13]

It's amazing on these types of players how many people say something like "Everyone deserves a second chance!" forgetting that for it to get to this point they've probably had about 9 chances by now.

Carlton were his 2nd chance club after burning multiple chances at his original club. Then, before the ink was wet on the deal he was suspended for off field indiscretions. Let alone what's happened since.

Professional athletes get arguably too many chances to turn things around. If they can't turn it around with the nigh on unlimited support available to them from the AFL, AFLPA and clubs then the solution isn't yet another chance.

Agree, as you said some people get a 2nd change or multiple, but some dont even get 1 chance at it

 

[Soapy V]

Do you think the club would go to him with a deal, he has one last season with us, in that time he gets the opportunity to save his AFL career but he must be moved on at season's end?

Could work out well for all parties if he has a good season at AFL level, keeps himself clean and returns us something in a trade at the end of the year.

I honestly don't know. I was told at end of year he was gone but a few players have pushed his case to stay. Where it now sits I have no idea

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

I am all for redemption and second chances but a club doesn't tell a talented young player like him to move on unless it's serious. He has burnt some bridges and bringing him back could cause issues amongst the playing group. At a time when we are trying to improve the club and it's standards not sure we can risk it

Tbh I'd love to see Elijah spend the year in the VFL for us if he's truly dedicated to making things right.

Get right in the head and show us a year of dedication and consistency and we'll have a look at you in 12 months time.

That is if nobody else wants to take him.

 

[Soapy V]

Cripps has never been a good forward option. He hits the score board more playing on ball and rotating forward with a smaller opponent matched against him.

Whenever he's played with a proper defender on him he's been poor. Doesn't have the speed off the mark or the contested marking power to beat opponents regularly as a genuine option.

I think he can push forward at times and be a bit of a difference

Issue is with Cripps he needs to be fully fit or he can be a liability. Personally, I would try and play him 15-16 games a year with some breaks in between to stay fresh and recover from all the knocks he gets. A fully fit Cripps for 15 games is a lot better than a 80% fit Cripps for 23 games IMO. He's bull and that's it

 

[dumb]

I honestly don't know. I was told at end of year he was gone but a few players have pushed his case to stay. Where it now sits I have no idea

hope they don't sulk like some did with marchbank and cuningham if elijah has to go

 

[lily of laguna]

Post trade period it was described to me as 'not making sense as the trust was broken'. The implication was he'd used all his chances, eroded the relationship, crossed the point of no return, so to speak. Maybe one or two clubs have a go as a free hit after he's delisted, even that interest is not guaranteed.

I'd assume he's gone unless we hear otherwise.

I have no idea of the situation I just think some club will want to give him a go for free.
I would like us to benefit from having him on the list and obviously from what Elijah has said he wants to stay.
If he gets himself sorted great for both parties.
If he has crossed himself out, fair enough.
It is strange to have him play the last 3 games in the 2’s and then remain on the list after we have signed Ainsworth and Hayward, if he had burnt his bridges so badly you would have thought it would be instant dismissal after the season ended.
But as I said, what would I know

 

[Mondyboy]

Cripps has never been a good forward option. He hits the score board more playing on ball and rotating forward with a smaller opponent matched against him.

Whenever he's played with a proper defender on him he's been poor. Doesn't have the speed off the mark or the contested marking power to beat opponents regularly as a genuine option.

Fair enough. It's probably asking for too much. I just worry he's going to break in two.

 

[lily of laguna]

Tbh I'd love to see Elijah spend the year in the VFL for us if he's truly dedicated to making things right.

Get right in the head and show us a year of dedication and consistency and we'll have a look at you in 12 months time.

That is if nobody else wants to take him.

I understand the desire to have him “make amends” and to show his commitment but one of the most important principles is to incentivise and reward players who push for AFL games.
Yes these might be mitigating circumstances but I think it could possibly do more harm than good to tell him it doesn’t matter how well you go in the 2’s you won’t get a senior game.
Reward for effort.

 

[lily of laguna]

I'd think best case from here is delisted and training for potential rookie/SSP spot which means he needs to keep out of trouble until February just to be considered.

He has a contract already and we have to pay him regardless.
He has to keep out of trouble full stop.
I’m sure Elijah would be fully aware of all the implications and consequences of behaviour if we decided to keep him.
It seems counterintuitive to me to delist a contracted player just to rerookie.
I’m sure he would already be on a “good behaviour bond”.

 

[marcmurphy3]

The only reason you would delist Elijah is if hes done to much damage, to ever win back trust. If hes burnt his bridges that bad he won't be training with us for a rookie spot.

 

[Coops93]

Cripps has never been a good forward option. He hits the score board more playing on ball and rotating forward with a smaller opponent matched against him.

Whenever he's played with a proper defender on him he's been poor. Doesn't have the speed off the mark or the contested marking power to beat opponents regularly as a genuine option.

For a guy his size that plays on players smaller than him he's quite a poor contested mark, and when he goes forward this gets exposed. He's not quick enough to break on a lead, and despite his size, doesn't really create any mismatch when he drifts forward. You'd like to think a tall defender has to play on him but the reality is he's a limited marker so any medium sized defender can do the job, who is then quicker than him, so he ends up being somewhat an odd man out.

Most of his goals tend to come from stoppage and clearance related situations, which is fine, but we just have to stop expecting/hoping for him to be a forward. He's a midfielder and that's all he is. Rest forward now and then, but don't expect that to be threatening.

 

[The Great Ian]

The only reason you would delist Elijah is if hes done to much damage, to ever win back trust. If hes burnt his bridges that bad he won't be training with us for a rookie spot.

Voss, Wright and CD should take the Carmine Lupertazzi approach re Johnny Sac/Ralph to whoever has a problem with Elijah.
Re Elijah - 'tax him good', but keep him.

 

[sevenwonders]

Don’t want McGovern or Elijah back, they don’t seem to prioritise their jobs as footballers and are more interested in other things, which is their prerogative. Unfortunately I think this is contrary to the environment we need to build to be a successful club again and that’s why we shouldn’t have them back.

 

[marcmurphy3]

I honestly don't know. I was told at end of year he was gone but a few players have pushed his case to stay. Where it now sits I have no idea

I read somewhere that Walsh was pushing his case but not sure if there is any truth to that?

Id be very happy if he stays but understand if he doesnt. Will trust the club on that one.

I do wonder how this is all affecting Ollie. Whether Lij getting delisted would damage our relationship with him or actually be a relief.

 

[Blue since 72]

I think he can push forward at times and be a bit of a difference

Issue is with Cripps he needs to be fully fit or he can be a liability. Personally, I would try and play him 15-16 games a year with some breaks in between to stay fresh and recover from all the knocks he gets. A fully fit Cripps for 15 games is a lot better than a 80% fit Cripps for 23 games IMO. He's bull and that's it

1000%.

Manage the guy he certainly wont do it himself.

 

[GT619]

Bit of “after” draft information. Nothing really earth shattering

Sydney were looking to trade mostly players to us for Charlie but couldn’t get many to commit. Rowbottom Campbell McInerney names that said no to a trade early

Charlie had been saying he was gone nearly all year. Gave up on season early. Geelong was preference over Sydney and GCS. As TDK & Jack gone we were happy to let him go for right price.

Humphrey had feelers out to come home and we were serious option. We asked but we’re quickly told not being traded and don’t bother offering anything. Feel he will ask again next year

No interest in Elijah at all. Damaged reputation

Chased Ned Reeves
Didn’t think Khamis would be an issue but Dogs kept changing needs
Absolutely wrapt with Chesser
We were in discussions with Florent even prior to Charlie option

Everything on table for draft. Insiders very excited by Dean & Ison. Will likely pick one more. Some believe Ison easily Top 10

Still looking at DFAs before finalising list

As someone said all of a sudden club has different look and feel and people are excited. Expectations are high and many players training already at club

List should be all good for pre season. Kemp coming along slowly. Cripps etc will be given good break and limited up until New Year

No one sees this as a rebuild.

I renewed my membership after this year off. what does that tell ya

 

[GT619]

Looks like may rare it’s head again this time next year.

pass he doesn't talk

 

[CJMB]

It's a fair discussion.

Our midfield mix has always been a concern. George is a very good player who has had a great year BUT we have been poor and can't compete against good sides. The modern game is run and spread. Things need to change

Having Cripps & Hewett in the one side makes us vulnerable especially if we don't win the ball first. Neither are great kicks either. This isn't helped by Lord and Cerra who aren't quick. All individually good (or potentially good) players but as a mix there is a bit of sameness. Ben Campo more of the same. Walsh has some dash

Jagga will help but he is 19 coming off an ACL and hasn't played a game yet. Walker is a year away. Names like Chesser Wilson Florent will help with run but are more wing/HB types. Motlop Ainsworth Moir Williams will hopefully get mid minutes. Will we add another mid type at the draft?

The 5 man bench may help. I expect Cripps to spend some time forward next year as well

I'm not sure the answer but things need to change

I think it's less about the Cripps-Hewett-Cerra combo in the middle and more about the players surrounding them.

At times last year we had those 3 on-ball but then Pitto rucking surrounded by wings & flanks in the likes of Acres, Lord, Docherty, Cincotta, Fogarty, White. Hardly potent.

Here's a bit of a dramatised/exaggerated version:

FB: Haynes Weitering Cincotta
HB: Docherty Young Saad
C: Lord Cripps Acres
R: Pittonet Hewett Cerra
HF: Fogarty DeKoning White
FF: Motlop Curnow Durdin
INT: McGovern Carroll Hollands Young Evans (BM: before May)

Compare that setup to something we potentially could see this year, maintaining the same PC/GH/AC combo:

FB: Dean? Weitering Newman
HB: Cowan Haynes Florent
C: Chesser Cripps Walsh
HF: Reidy? Hewett Cerra
FF: Ainsworth Kemp Smith
FF: Hayward McKay Williams
INT: Lindsay? Lord Hollands Evans (AM: after May) O'Keeffe

 

[CJMB]

Do you think the club would go to him with a deal, he has one last season with us, in that time he gets the opportunity to save his AFL career but he must be moved on at season's end?

Could work out well for all parties if he has a good season at AFL level, keeps himself clean and returns us something in a trade at the end of the year.

Not sure I'd say it benefits us, if we're already willing to delist & pay him out to get him away from the club then the token pick in the 60s next year is definitely not worth it. Also if he wasn't going to be there in 12 months why would we play him ahead of someone who has a future with us and in all likelihood provides more on field in the medium to long term? None of it makes sense to me.

 

[CJMB]

I think he can push forward at times and be a bit of a difference

Issue is with Cripps he needs to be fully fit or he can be a liability. Personally, I would try and play him 15-16 games a year with some breaks in between to stay fresh and recover from all the knocks he gets. A fully fit Cripps for 15 games is a lot better than a 80% fit Cripps for 23 games IMO. He's bull and that's it

I think he's ok drifting forward and creating a mismatch, less so starting forward with a genuine tall defender manning him.

 

[katmanblue]

Re: Elijah.

I wonder if there is some mechanism were we can put him on the LTI (mental health) so that he is able to play VFL but not AFL for the year, but also not take a list spot.

I know normally with the LTI, they can't play VFL either but this may be some sort of exception.

He will get paid either way, but that may give home a chance to prove himself, with no real impact on list decisions

 

[majesticseacapt]

I honestly think if Elijah is delisted, it will be the worse thing for him.

He won't have the professional support around him to get his life back on track.

I'm hoping this is the wake up call he needs to pull his head in. Not only got CFC, but for own benefit.

 

[juzza316]

The sooner we delist Elijah, the sooner all these delusional scenarios of him being around next year can stop. It is clear his position at the club has become untenable.

 

[Blue_Fusion]

I honestly think if Elijah is delisted, it will be the worse thing for him.

He won't have the professional support around him to get his life back on track.

I'm hoping this is the wake up call he needs to pull his head in. Not only got CFC, but for own benefit.

Carlton first, not Elijah first.

Club will not just turn their back on him, they will continue to help him even if they delist him.

But as a football club we have an on field priority and keeping a disrupter on the list is a very bad move.

People need to understand, this isn't a second chance we're talking here... for it to get to this point, there would have been many opportunities to redeem himself beforehand.