Bret Thornton

[Stamos]

I think he should stay, what does having a fall out with the coach have to do with talent and form. I believe this is the same situaton with Wiggins, this is extremely unproffessional by Ratten and has had a big inpact on where we finished on the ladder. As I have previously said, they have treated him discracefully, he's 26 and at his peak. He can take marks, run off his oponent rarely panicks and mostly make good decisions. It's a real shame that they want to trade him under these circumstances as we need defenders, shame on Ratten for holding grudges at the expence of the team.
Ps Fisher is another one, at least he can take a contested mark.

????????? You think Wiggins wasn't played because he had a disagreement with the coach? Chief is much loved by the whole club, but everyone, including him, would know he has no part in our future. The game has past him.

As for Thornton, he was dropped because he did not follow our gameplan. I think we will be able to trade him for something reasonable, but he cannot fit into our backline where we lack big KPDs.

 

[mac25]

Might have struggled at AFL level but he's been consistently brilliant in the Ants. On merit he should have been picked ahead of Bower in the finals, especially as Bower was playing injured.

Since being dropped in July, he's been in the best in 6 of 9 games. BOG twice (including the best final), 2nd BOG twice (including the preliminary final) and 5th BOG twice. A general in the backline who's brilliant at getting across to help the other defenders.

Clearly he and Ratten are not seeing eye to eye as he couldn't have done much more to get a game.

Spot-on not sure were Blue gunslinger gets his Northern Bullants reports from but Thornton has been very good for a significant period,and as mentioned with Bower out of touch and Austin looking a long way off senior footy our tall defence stocks are looking thin, even more concerning is Ratten advocating the recruitment of Tarrant

 

[blue gunslinger]

Might have struggled at AFL level but he's been consistently brilliant in the Ants. On merit he should have been picked ahead of Bower in the finals, especially as Bower was playing injured.

Since being dropped in July, he's been in the best in 6 of 9 games. BOG twice (including the best final), 2nd BOG twice (including the preliminary final) and 5th BOG twice. A general in the backline who's brilliant at getting across to help the other defenders.

Clearly he and Ratten are not seeing eye to eye as he couldn't have done much more to get a game.

Thornton's form may have been incredible at the back at the end of the season, I don't know, but I can't have it stand that his form has been universally good at VFL level.

His first game back at VFL level was a disgrace. Didnt try, no effort, no tackling - as a Thornton fan I was insulted. Look, get angry if you get dropped but take it out on the football, not your Club.

you can see why I am easily confused

 

[DamoESP]

you can see why I am easily confused

Thats not hard.......zing!

 

[blue gunslinger]

Thats not hard.......zing!

2 things to try before dying
haircut
shave

 

[WeninRome]

2 things to try before dying
haircut
shave

lol

 

[blue gunslinger]

damo kind of looks like a ZZtop dude but plays better guitar!

 

[Jimthegreat]

Thorntan plays well at VFL level, but doesnt reflect that when playing in at AFL level. He is soft

Soft???? One thing you can't accuse him of. Must've played pretty well at AFL level to get to 160 games. Crap players don't do that. While I'm not sure his style suits our game these days he's certainly been a good player at AFL level made tougher having to play KP more than he should've when he wasn't suited. For a rookie-lister years ago we've done well out of him.

 

[methinks]

If you seriously think the only reason T-bird was not getting a game in the seniors was because of Ratts holding a grudge, you are kidding yourself.

There are a number of measures which the coaches/match committee have in place when assessing a player's performance. Most of these measures are a mystery to us supporters, but are key indicators in whether a player gets a game or not (this is why some players do better or worse in the club's B & F than what most supporters predict). Without knowing what these measures are, we cannot comment on the reasons why a player is not getting a game.

FWIW, when it comes to team selection, the team is selected by the match committee & Ratts only has one vote. It would be hard to keep a player out of the team because of a grudge if the rest of the match committee believes the player has done enough to warrant selection. I think it would be best if you don't post stuff that you know nothing about.

What makes you think I know nothing about some of the inside stuff? I've been reading posts on this site for 2 years before I started posting. How about you shouldnt make assumptions about a person. I was right about Walker and Im right about Thornton, when it's an oppinion I will say it is but when I'm speaking as though it is fact then it's fact. I will also say this, alot of the players clash with Ratten so he will NOT be there beyond next season. That's a fact.

 

[methinks]

????????? You think Wiggins wasn't played because he had a disagreement with the coach? Chief is much loved by the whole club, but everyone, including him, would know he has no part in our future. The game has past him.

As for Thornton, he was dropped because he did not follow our gameplan. I think we will be able to trade him for something reasonable, but he cannot fit into our backline where we lack big KPDs.

Alot of the players have had clashes with the coach, FACT

 

[methinks]

Who gives a fying fluck - If you can't see that Thornton, Wiggins and Fisher have been passed by, and you think professional organizations allow personal situations to control their emotions - then you haven't been a champion player and coach of AFL footy......,ohh..wait..

Nicely said Alice, no I'm not a coach and no I'm not an AFL player so good onya for pointing that out. What I said about wanting Thornton to stay is an oppinion, but the part about Ratten clashing with with other players is FACT. Here's another FACT, even if Thornton leaves I guarentee you that he still will be at an AFL club doing alot better than Ratten who won't be coaching the Blues after next season.

Ps nice mouth you have on you

 

[Salaryman]

Hi Melvey

 

[WeninRome]

Nicely said Alice, no I'm not a coach and no I'm not an AFL player so good onya for pointing that out. What I said about wanting Thornton to stay is an oppinion, but the part about Ratten clashing with with other players is FACT. Here's another FACT, even if Thornton leaves I guarentee you that he still will be at an AFL club doing alot better than Ratten who won't be coaching the Blues after next season.

Ps nice mouth you have on you

Only started posting hey....well you should have learnt some grammar prior to doing so and possibly, learnt to watch the way you speak to other posters.

If you have inside knowledge then great, act like eric or BIB, and be informative. At the moment you are coming off like a complete jackass.

Slagging off players/ coaches isn't tolerated here and if that's all the inside goss you have then I suggest you zip it.

Look forward to your informative posts in the future

 

[SurreyBlue]

Our players have been blaming the "all" our coaches previous and present for anything and everything. It's time the CFC made a statement about these players and i for one am glad they have started to back the coach's in. If T-Bird or any other player has a problem with the coach then it's either suck it in and play on or move on!
Enough is enough with the baby sitting at Princes Park.

 

[ShaxBlue]

Our players have been blaming the "all" our coaches previous and present for anything and everything. It's time the CFC made a statement about these players and i for one am glad they have started to back the coach's in. If T-Bird or any other player has a problem with the coach then it's either suck it in and play on or move on!
Enough is enough with the baby sitting at Princes Park.

I Agree... Its about time the some of the players round the blues spulled their heads in and focused on winning our 17th flag!! Waite and Thornton were dropped at same time early this season and the coaches got crucified for it... well J Waite was one of our best players in the last half of the season and u could see how much he wanted to win the footy and be a part of our team!

Saying that though, i think that we are selling the value of T-Bird a bit short in this draft only going for a 3rd round in most comments i reading..clubs out there looking for a backman (obvious when u see the rumour mill) and at 27yrs for the 2011 season, T-bird would be a good pick up for any of those clubs.

He is almost 4years younger than Tarrant (+much less injury prone) and he is same age as Warnock from Melb but with 100games and finals experience plus is a proven defender....
Both those players being tossed up as 2nd round trade offers - so y not Thornton as well... even if we have to throw in a later pick to snag the 2nd rounder!!!


Thanks for being the rock in a weak backline Thornbird... U r a champion

 

[blue gunslinger]

What makes you think I know nothing about some of the inside stuff? I've been reading posts on this site for 2 years before I started posting. How about you shouldnt make assumptions about a person. I was right about Walker and Im right about Thornton, when it's an oppinion I will say it is but when I'm speaking as though it is fact then it's fact. I will also say this, alot of the players clash with Ratten so he will NOT be there beyond next season. That's a fact.

I guess we have a lot of people who have inflated opinions of their positions within the club. Do you have a physio?

 

[rp84]

I Agree... Its about time the some of the players round the blues spulled their heads in and focused on winning our 17th flag!! Waite and Thornton were dropped at same time early this season and the coaches got crucified for it... well J Waite was one of our best players in the last half of the season and u could see how much he wanted to win the footy and be a part of our team!

Saying that though, i think that we are selling the value of T-Bird a bit short in this draft only going for a 3rd round in most comments i reading..clubs out there looking for a backman (obvious when u see the rumour mill) and at 27yrs for the 2011 season, T-bird would be a good pick up for any of those clubs.

He is almost 4years younger than Tarrant (+much less injury prone) and he is same age as Warnock from Melb but with 100games and finals experience plus is a proven defender....
Both those players being tossed up as 2nd round trade offers - so y not Thornton as well... even if we have to throw in a later pick to snag the 2nd rounder!!!


Thanks for being the rock in a weak backline Thornbird... U r a champion

I appreciate your positivity, however, it is also very unrealistic. Thorton will get no better than a 3rd round pick, and I fully expect it to be closer to a 4th rounder.

That said, he did a great job in a bad team. Just has NO currency whatsoever. Hindsight is a lovely thing, but we should've offloaded him to the Hawks for a 2nd rounder a few years ago.

 

[mediumsizered]

Our players have been blaming the "all" our coaches previous and present for anything and everything. It's time the CFC made a statement about these players and i for one am glad they have started to back the coach's in. If T-Bird or any other player has a problem with the coach then it's either suck it in and play on or move on!
Enough is enough with the baby sitting at Princes Park.

Spot on. I get sick of seeing the tail wagging the dog. I don't expect all listed players to love the coach. At the end of the day the players & coach should all have the same goal & that is our 17th premiership. Along the way some egos are going to get deflated, but those players who forget there is no 'I' in team have no place at our club. How many players did Barassi clash with over the years, yet they knew that Barassi was aiming for the ultimate success & would take no prisoners along the way.