Bret Thornton

[AlecDuncan]

The Thornton of 09 should and would have got a game every week this year. Mystery as to why his game dropped off to such an extent.

That's something I'd like to know too. He looks like he's at last rediscovered some touch the last month at Preston, but it may be too little too late.

 

[Close to 17]

That's something I'd like to know too. He looks like he's at last rediscovered some touch the last month at Preston, but it may be too little too late.

There was no problem with Thornton finding the football

The problem was when he got it....things moved in slow motion

Opposition teams reset their defensive structures too easily when he got the ball and our attacking moves were stifled

 

[thylacine60]

There was no problem with Thornton finding the football

The problem was when he got it....things moved in slow motion

Opposition teams reset their defensive structures too easily when he got the ball and our attacking moves were stifled

 

[Jeremias]

T-Bird has been one of my favourite footballers over the past decade but it seems his time is up, at Carlton at least.

His problem is not that he's become a worse footballer, not by any stretch of the imagination. His problem is that he just doesn't fit into the game plan which we have employed throughout this season.

Our movement out of the backline this year (moreso the 2nd half of the season than the 1st) has been based on speed, and taking the game on. Back yourself and take a risk. This is why we have seen Army and JR flourish, Bower was excellent doing this prior to injury and AJ has had his moments. Anderson even did some good things running out of the backline, and Jamo has provided more run than he has in the past.

Thornton, however, just isn't that sort of player. All those mentioned above look to move the ball quickly, whereas T-Bird's first instinct with the ball is to slow the game down. He'll take his time, chip the ball around, look for the switch. He just was not willing, or able, to change his game to fit the game plan.

As such, I really think his time is up and it is understandable that both parties may wish to split ways with one another. Thornton is still a good footballer and will suit some teams very well. He's not a key defender but he has battled hard in that role for many years. He is best suited to the role of a 3rd defender where he can use his usually very good decision making to the advantage of the team.

I'd be staggered if there was not reasonable interest in him come trade week. If we do move him on, we won't get anything outstanding in return. I reckon there would be a few teams willing to part with a 2nd round pick for him, and if that is the best we can do, then so be it and we should take it, because he's clearly not in our future plans.

What I do know is that wherever he goes, I will wish him well. It's always disappointing to see a good player part ways with this team, and Bret has given his all for the CFC throughout his career - and for that I respect him & wish him all the best.

 

[zeeCFC]

Palmyra_Demon red carded in 16 posts....alright fess up, whose alias account is it?! C_P?

 

[Blues_Man]

The late noughties?

I think i have that on Video somewhere.

 

[Blues_Man]

Palmyra_Demon red carded in 16 posts....alright fess up, whose alias account is it?! C_P?

I'll take a stab and say Spudchamber .

 

[Canyouhearthedrums]

Club and Player have an agreement to find a new home for Bret in 2011. Few Vic clubs sniffing around. Likely to be a swap for a pick in the 30's or around that mark.

Note: Can we try and keep the talk about Bret here positive. He gets absoloutley canned on this board, and whilst it hasnt worked out as we and Bret would have liked in 2010, he gave us 8-9 years of great service and helped us along when the times were really really bad. Being asked to play Full Back when your undersized in the worst team in the competetion for 5 years is bloody tough, and Bret did as good a job as we could have asked for. Thanks for the service Bret!

Well said. While I can understand that his time at the club might be coming to an end, I've got nothing but love for him. gave his all during the dark times and, by and large, was a decent player for the Blues. Had he been in a team where he could play purely as a third tall, I reckon we'd be talking about a great career.

 

[Juddys_navy_blues]

What if we package Thornton, Fisher and Wiggens and send them off to Essendon, they have been known in the past to love ex Carlton players.(Campo, Allen and Murphy)

Or package the 3 and send them off to Brisbane, Voss would be throwing his 1st and 2nd round picks at us for them 3..

 

[Juddys_navy_blues]

Palmyra_Demon red carded in 16 posts....alright fess up, whose alias account is it?! C_P?

Could only be C_P couldnt it lol..

 

[CarltonFan]

Thornton, however, just isn't that sort of player. All those mentioned above look to move the ball quickly, whereas T-Bird's first instinct with the ball is to slow the game down. He'll take his time, chip the ball around, look for the switch. He just was not willing, or able, to change his game to fit the game plan.

it was deeper than that Jerrmias. His intensity at the ball was terrible. He went to ground so easily when 'attacking' the ball. Second efforts, poor. Skills were horrible and put his team mates under pressure.

A 'B grade' footballer all round.

 

[Jock]

Hes done well off the rookie list and been a bonus for us.

Avoiding physical contact and some poor disposal sees him not in our best 22 anymore.

I thank him for his efforts every week over a number of years when we were down and out.

 

[Feva]

Just looks ok for the Bullants today.

Made some mistakes but done some ok things as well.

Would be good if we could involve him in a trade because his time is running out.

 

[pumped]

Thought he was great for the Bullants today. Probably best or second best. Definitley a skilled player, just lacks discipline at times. Probably will go but still good enough to play senior footy elsewhere.

 

[blues4flag]

He's been consistently good at VFL level, as you'd expect. On form he should have played against the Swans but clearly our of favour with Ratten.

Unless we get a pick in the 20s, I'd be hoping him and Ratten put their difference aside as at worst he's a handy depth player.

 

[KoutoufidesGhost]

I think Thornton would be a good player in a strong backline. He reads the play well, has good hands and back himself third man up. His major deficiency is he can be beaten on the lead, but in a stronger backline with other defenders able to come across and help, he could flourish.

 

[Buzz/Sticks/bryce]

His contested marking today was first class. Was reading it very well- way to good for VFL footy. It's a shame how its panned out, but he definitely needs a new environment.

 

[Blue Bloods]

it was deeper than that Jerrmias. His intensity at the ball was terrible. He went to ground so easily when 'attacking' the ball. Second efforts, poor. Skills were horrible and put his team mates under pressure.

A 'B grade' footballer all round.

From the AFL Prospectus 2010.

Thornton kicking efficiency 87.7% second best in the AFL also ranked second at marks from oppostion kick in the league only Lake was better and won the third most ground ball gets in the defensive 50 in the comp. Not bad stats!!!

Always had a hard time against the bigger bodied players but was a great third man up.

If he goes it is a shame, been very good for the Blues and I for one will hold him in high regard.

 

[AlecDuncan]

From the AFL Prospectus 2010.

Great find BB. There are a lot of short memories around here.

 

[CrippsonBlue]

I can understand Bret wanting to seek a trade, but I can't understand the club, nor supporters wanting a trade to occur.

So often people criticize our players in the 2's who can't get a regular game, but the mere fact of having reserves teams implies every list in the competition must carry a number of players not good enough to break into the lineup every week.

What do people honestly expect of such players? They have deficiencies, clearly.

It's a sickening thought to think of some of these players needing to play regularly in the seniors due to injury, but not so with Thornton.

If we need to call upon him, he is the exact sort of depth you want, and someone that can still keep the season on track. On top of this, if we let him settle into that role as 3rd tall I can see him as one of those players to help us take the next step. Some have highlighted his inability to move it quickly out of defense - he is not incapable of learning this, but clearly it would take time after so long in the system to adjust his game. He has all preseason to work with the coaches to address this.

If we're going to continuously play an injured and out of form Bower, and every other player (despite form) over him though, obviously there's no point in keeping him.

He sounds all but gone, but I for one think that it would be a shame, and a massive setback to our depth and therefore top 4 aspirations to lose him.

 

[Claypigeon]

If we're going to continuously play an injured and out of form Bower, and every other player (despite form) over him though, obviously there's no point in keeping him.

He sounds all but gone, but I for one think that it would be a shame, and a massive setback to our depth and therefore top 4 aspirations to lose him.

Torn a little. .. I think the game has past him a little but in hindsight I would have played him ahead of Bower last Sunday. .. Is a decent depth player for the moment. .. Wouldn't begrudge him a trade and wish him the best. ..

 

[Weiterbot23]

If he is going to be traded we will get much much less than fair compo in return because of his large contract (around 400k i think). Any team that trades us a pick for him is effective adding that 400k on top of what their cap already is. Can't imagine too many teams that would want to add that on.


I agree he is too slow rebounding the ball from defence but he has done some great defensive jobs in the past and I would also like to see him given a chance up forward. Should be kept as a depth player rather than traded for a late pick.

 

[The Great Ian]

Ratts will be making a huge mistake if he gets rid of Thornton.

Let's face it, we won only 4 games from our last 12 so Ratts recent record is nothing to write home about so who is he to be making such calls on such an experienced player with poise and a great ability to read the play??

 

[Kramer1]

Ratts will be making a huge mistake if he gets rid of Thornton.

Let's face it, we won only 4 games from our last 12 so Ratts recent record is nothing to write home about so who is he to be making such calls on such an experienced player with poise and a great ability to read the play??

Erm...the coach?

 

[Weiterbot23]

Personally don't have too much faith in Ratts