Bret Thornton

[carlton09]

Were are Carlton at in regards to T-Bird? Looked all but gone at the end of 2009, rejuvenated his career as a swingman last year and survived the cut even after a very ordinary 2010. He has played most of 2011 as a defender and has done enough to keep his place in the side, well injuries could be a reason why he is still in the starting 22.

Were is he at?
Is he gone at seasons end or can he yet again survive another cut?

 

[Poseidon]

Goneskies, you'd think. Only in the side until White, Watson, Bower etc etc develop/find form IMO.

 

[Blueboys7]

I'm glad we kept him and at this stage he still has something to offer. Right now if I had to choose whether to cut or retain him, I'd retain him.

When you look at how injury prone Bower and White are and to a lesser extent Jamo (who looks to be over his injuries), we fall away too quickly to delist him this year. Watson and McCarthy are a few years away from making a contribution IMO.

 

[elhadjihenry]

Had a good game against the Cats and was decent on friday (under not much pressure though), ability to swing back and forward means he is a useful depth player.

 

[Faz 2000]

By the end of this year and certainly next year, he should find himself pushed out of the side.

Defenders will be: Jamison, 2 of Bower/White/Watson, plus Laidler, Russell, Yarran, Duigan in various roles.

Forwards will be: Waite, Hendo, Kreuzer (part time), plus Walker the mid-sizer, with Jeff and Eddie.

T-Bird would still get called up in case of injuries, etc, but he *should* be surpassed by these guys in the near future.

 

[GordonBlue]

I like Tbird... I would just love it if he stays forward, when we get our defenders back..

 

[The Big Sticks]

Thornton is purely a depth player.

He is playing at the moment because of injuries to others and so the youngsters can continue to develop. This is a good reason why he should be kept on the list.

 

[Silvagnis]

Shocked to say that I've actually enjoyed Thornton being back in the side, but a trade to the Giants might beneficial to both parties. Bret could hold down a short term tall position for GWS whilst they develop their young spine. And Folau o). Lord knows Thornton isn't any worse than Fraser who secured the Filth Fasolo or Farmer.

 

[Thrawn]

Bert Thornton.

 

[TheKITC]

I'm glad we kept him and at this stage he still had something to offer. Right now if I had to choose whether to cut or retain him, I'd retain him.

When you look at how injury prone Bower and White are and to a lesser extent Jamo (who looks to be over his injuries), we fall away to quickly to delist him this year. Watson and McCarthy are a few years away from making a contribution IMO.

This.

I would be tempted to give him a one-year extension just for cover at the end of the this season if he continues contributing to the level he has thus far or any better.

I think his mature body has been great to cover for injuries to what seems like preferable players for us in White and Bower and for players who aren't yet ready in McCarthy and Watson.

His ability to play on the second or third opposition tall as well as potentially up forward work in his favour IMO.

I thought he was pretty good against Melbourne on Friday and fitted in ok with our structures back there. Hasn't been doing some of the things from years gone by and even the pre-season matches that frustrate me and other Blues supporters.

One more year me thinks, but having said that, wouldn't be too upset if he was poached by say, GWS.

 

[Show_Me_The_Money]

As things stand now he's well and truly back in our best 18 and you can see his confidence is slowly returning. I think he can get better. You don't play 160 games of AFL and then just become crap in your prime. He's on his way back.

 

[jonoman89]

He's actually been OK thus far, save round 1. We need depth in our key position stocks and Thornton offers that.

I'd be loath to delist him. A one year contract would be wise, i don't know if he could anything better than that from another club.

 

[Stamos]

I reckon he's turned it around over the last couple of weeks. Was solid against both Geelong and Melbourne. As to whether or not he stays next year will depend I think on other's movements, our understanding of the strength of the draft, and how many new players we want to pick up.

 

[gbatman]

He's having his best year yet. Probably only playing in Bower's absence but he has been more than handy. He will gain a new contract I would imagine as seeing he is playing and playing alright he must be ahead of the other half of the list.

 

[Dramoth]

Shocked to say that I've actually enjoyed Thornton being back in the side, but a trade to the Giants might beneficial to both parties. Bret could hold down a short term tall position for GWS whilst they develop their young spine. And Folau o). Lord knows Thornton isn't any worse than Fraser who secured the Filth Fasolo or Farmer.

I highly suspect that this will be the case.

He is only in the side due to injury/bad form for our main defenders and wont really have a place in the forward line once we get that end sorted out. He is purely a depth player and if he is willing to accept that, he will be offered a reduced salary contract and finish off his career with the blues.

If he doesnt like the offer, then a trade might possibly be worked out for him with GWS which sees him there for the remainder of his career and a few more years of pain and torment.

I hope that he stays at the club as a depth player because he is handy for that, but even then, as some of the younger defenders start coming through, he wouldnt even be considered for that role in the future.

Maybe his best chance is to look at resuming his career at GWS and finish off playing in their firsts for the next couple of years.

 

[steveo898]

He has been having a good season so far, Hope he can continue the good form and stay a blue for the rest of his career. Solid player when his on top of his game.

As others said, I believe his slowly creeping back to his prime. Starting to gain some confidence with his position in the team.

 

[Azul]

austin, thornton, o'hailpin all gone.

Serviceable games don't mask the fact that none would get a game if bower, henderson and kreuzer were around.

Watson, mccarthy, casboult, mitchell, mcinness - many options to step up next year.

Depth? Don't expect us to have a horror run with injuries to kpp every year.

 

[BlueTouchPaper]

austin, thornton, o'hailpin all gone.

Serviceable games don't mask the fact that none would get a game if bower, henderson and kreuzer were around.

Watson, mccarthy, casboult, mitchell, mcinness - many options to step up next year.

Depth? Don't expect us to have a horror run with injuries to kpp every year.

Ironic...

This time last year everyone was having aneurisms over the lack of talls in our side.

Now we want to delist three straight off the bat.

 

[ESKIE]

injuries happen, I;d give him a one year extension, he is depth and experienced.

 

[Artie Bucco]

Shocked to say that I've actually enjoyed Thornton being back in the side, but a trade to the Giants might beneficial to both parties. Bret could hold down a short term tall position for GWS whilst they develop their young spine. And Folau o). Lord knows Thornton isn't any worse than Fraser who secured the Filth Fasolo or Farmer.

This

 

[juzz88]

austin, thornton, o'hailpin all gone.

Serviceable games don't mask the fact that none would get a game if bower, henderson and kreuzer were around.

Watson, mccarthy, casboult, mitchell, mcinness - many options to step up next year.

Depth? Don't expect us to have a horror run with injuries to kpp every year.

No chance we will drop 3 talls in one season. Especially considering two of them are mature talls and the other has actually proven that he can play at AFL level when he is fit (and is starting to show signs that he may be approaching his previous level of fitness again).

As much as it pains me to say it, Austin is the most likely to go unless he can force his way back in to the 1's.

Maybe Thornton goes too, if he is deemed to be too costly in terms of salary cap room.

Setanta isn't going anywhere based on current form.

 

[steveo898]

austin, thornton, o'hailpin all gone.

Serviceable games don't mask the fact that none would get a game if bower, henderson and kreuzer were around.

Watson, mccarthy, casboult, mitchell, mcinness - many options to step up next year.

Depth? Don't expect us to have a horror run with injuries to kpp every year.

Henderson is already available?

Watson McCarthy Casboult Mitchell Mcinness have yet to prove them selves in the big league (With good reason, being still very young and New to the club)

So to go into a season with only those players who some also have a injury history: Kreuzer(knee) Mitchell(shoulder) Bower(Quads) Henderson(hips)
Is very risky.

We need depth in talls just as much as we need depth in every other position & I believe O'Hailpin, Thornton & Austin(if he stays fit) are decent players to have.

 

[ScarfacePacino]

As things stand now he's well and truly back in our best 18 and you can see his confidence is slowly returning. I think he can get better. You don't play 160 games of AFL and then just become crap in your prime. He's on his way back.

I agree not at his age maybe when at 32 or years of injuries. I think the football club should keep him although this may depend on his increase in pay, and if he gets a better offer at another club like a two year contract there.

 

[Malifice]

Useful player, good mark and a reliable kick, reads the play well. Guilty of slowing the play down on occasions and not being attacking enough (in opposition to the game plan).

His dummy spits are pretty epic as well.

I really dont get all the hate for T bird.

 

[ScarfacePacino]

austin, thornton, o'hailpin all gone.

Serviceable games don't mask the fact that none would get a game if bower, henderson and kreuzer were around.

Watson, mccarthy, casboult, mitchell, mcinness - many options to step up next year.

Depth? Don't expect us to have a horror run with injuries to kpp every year.

Those players have shown absolutely nothing that they play over 50 games until they get a game in the AFL. Three of them have been progressing well in the VFL and Mitchell just coming back from injury. They look good if they can cement a spot in the AFL. Thornton and O'hailpin future will be likely known towards the last seven games if they in or out.The other is near finished.