Last night was ok, pretty much just a meet and greet. Wiggins came down, as did Simpson and O'hAilpin. First thing that i noticed was that Setanta was absolutely huge - very broad shoulders, very tall, and also Wiggins was solid as well - could just be because they had Kade Simpson next to them? 
They just introduced the players and said a bit about them, and then the carlton MC asked them some questions about their careers to date.
Then it was over to the fans for question time :-
Pagan: All players agreed that he is a tough man, and Kade said that you need to really work hard to earn his respect - it took him a few years but he kept working hard, and eventuallly gained Denis' trust and respect, and he was rewarded with a midfield role. Setanta said that Denis has been very good to him, but tells him to only do the little things and do them well. It was interesting to hear Wiggins speak as he said how he was quite intimidated by Denis when he first came over to Carlton, and that it took Denis a while to figure out the way Simon works, as he's an over-thinker, and that now Denis has realised what he's like, he trusts him to get on with his own reflection and to go about the footy in his own way, and it has really helped Simon play better and feel far more confident with his footy. Credited that to his recent playing and scope for improvement.
Ratten: Ratts is very full-on according to the boys. He's "like a 12 year old, who can just go all day." He's very keen on helping the boys, he sometimes gets to training an hour beforehand to work with the young kids and teach them and give them one-on-one time. Ratten isn't happy with anything but the best, and doesn't accept half-hearted jobs. Makes them do their best. Has a lot of time for them.
Assitant Coaches: they spoke highly of the assistant coaches, in particular having Braddles and especially Ratten down there. Seemed very pleased with the way things are going on the track.
Pratt: The boys were happy when asked about him, and his name got an instant applause from the crowd. They said that Pratt spoke to the playing group first thing on the Monday morning, and told them the deal, told them about respecting the jumper and the club, and quickly dealt with the Lance/Scotland issue of players having a certain responsibility in the public eye, and that it's not on. Incidently, Wiggins did say that the media really blew that out of all proportion, and that he felt the media comes down twice as hard on carlton as they do any other club. Someone in the crowd asked why the players are out, and Wiggins replied that it is hard to tell young kids to not go out and have fun with your mates. Said that he did it, everyone does it, except he might have been a bit more careful about the way he had fun (Was only giving Kade a stir).
Captain: The Boys were asked who they'd like and thought would be captain, and when it was going to be announced. Kade said "Lance Whitnall, and it will be announced this week..." or so. Wiggins said they're having a board meeting on Tuesday night, presumably to discuss and name the Captain, so I guess we will al know by NabCup time.
Leadership Group: I'm glad someone asked this. The boys said that the senior boys had all had interviews about being in the leadership group, and of the younger players, names like Gibbs, Murphy and Wiggins had all had interviews. Simon said it's quite intense, and you go into the room full of Carlton people, and they all drill you with questions pretty much.
Ladder position 2007: You don't play footy unless you're playing for the finals. Boys want to and are aiming for the finals, otherwise there is no point in playing (if you're not aiming for top 8). Pratt has also said he doesn't want anything lower than 10th.
Kade Simpson: I wasn't too impressed with kade unfortunately. He looked disinterested, whether it was nerves or boredom. Either way, it didn't look good. he spent most of the time watching replays on the widescreen (at least we know he loves his footy!). Even during question time, he didn't present very well. He slumped on his chair, swung it around, didn't really answer questions clearly. When asked about the rule changes, he just gave a big "UUMMMM..." before answering, and then Wiggins had to step in. For those that have him in their leadership roles, such as vice-captain - i'm not sure he's ready for any of that yet. Yes, let him lead on-field, but i'm not sure he has the confidence in speaking to be a vice yet. Even when fans were going over for signatures, he wasn't talking to them, just looked really disinterested. Also - when asked about the intraclub he said that he wasn't trying too hard, and that he' sjust waiting for Essendon
Hardly said boo to any supporters.
Setanta o'hAilpin: What can i say, i want to marry him I think he's a boobs man. ha.
The guy just wants to play footy for Carlton. You can hear it in his voice, he's so determined to do well for this club. He's very grateful for everything the club has done and continue to do for him, as well as his player sponsors. A little girl asked if he missed his mum, he said he does and it was all very cute, i thought he was going to cry. Ok, so i hoped he was going to so i could fall in love with him even more The club fly his family out once a year to watch him play. Will play in defence and loves it. Really just beamed when asked. Also, just spoke and spoke all night with all the supporters.
Simon Wiggins: This guy really impressed me. The way he spoke was extremely professional, and he really did very, very well. I hope he gets into the leadership group, because he's very mature and sensible and really knows how to speak well which is important. He's quite knowledgable. Just did really really well. I have a lot of respect for this guy.
Bryce Gibbs: Doubt he'll play in any bullants games, will be starting with the seniors, and is just amazing the way he goes about things - has a very mature head and just reads teh play so well.
Eddie Betts: Very fast and a great crumber, second-to-none. Been playing him in the midfield/forward line, his endurance isn't up to palying a full game in the middle, but he's just so good at forward pressure and reads the ball so so well.
Brendan Fevola: He's fine. Just looks like he wants to continue on with what he did last year.
Brad Fisher: really quite tall, will play forward.
Jarrad Waite: CHB.
Shaun Grigg: Full of praise for all the young kids, especially Grigg. Is super quick, has good skills, needs to bullk up a bit, but has a great left foot kick and will play a few games.
Mark Austin: Seems to have 'all the time in the world', in that, he never seems in a hurry to do anything. They had a bit of a laugh about Austin
Joey Anderson: Another favourite. He's massive, a KPP, very quick and will play.
Clinton Benjamin: Super quick.
Sugar Shaun Hampson: Will be a gun.
We already knew all the above I suppose
And just for Fullmont101 and Italian_styles - I printed off that great photo of Setanta from a few months ago. I went up and got him to sign it, and both Setanta and Simon were 'ooh'ing and 'ahh'ing over the photo. They loved it! They spent a while looking at it, and wanted to know who the sexysquad were and that is was a great photo and looks really good, and they were just really really impressed. So i gave you guys a big plug, told them to check out your website, although Simon said anything with the "Sexysquad" and a bunch of blokes on it, he might give it a miss
Seriously though, they were pretty impressed.
And i was too, not so much with Kade, but the other two made up for it.
GO BLUES!
They just introduced the players and said a bit about them, and then the carlton MC asked them some questions about their careers to date.
Then it was over to the fans for question time :-
Pagan: All players agreed that he is a tough man, and Kade said that you need to really work hard to earn his respect - it took him a few years but he kept working hard, and eventuallly gained Denis' trust and respect, and he was rewarded with a midfield role. Setanta said that Denis has been very good to him, but tells him to only do the little things and do them well. It was interesting to hear Wiggins speak as he said how he was quite intimidated by Denis when he first came over to Carlton, and that it took Denis a while to figure out the way Simon works, as he's an over-thinker, and that now Denis has realised what he's like, he trusts him to get on with his own reflection and to go about the footy in his own way, and it has really helped Simon play better and feel far more confident with his footy. Credited that to his recent playing and scope for improvement.
Ratten: Ratts is very full-on according to the boys. He's "like a 12 year old, who can just go all day." He's very keen on helping the boys, he sometimes gets to training an hour beforehand to work with the young kids and teach them and give them one-on-one time. Ratten isn't happy with anything but the best, and doesn't accept half-hearted jobs. Makes them do their best. Has a lot of time for them.
Assitant Coaches: they spoke highly of the assistant coaches, in particular having Braddles and especially Ratten down there. Seemed very pleased with the way things are going on the track.
Pratt: The boys were happy when asked about him, and his name got an instant applause from the crowd. They said that Pratt spoke to the playing group first thing on the Monday morning, and told them the deal, told them about respecting the jumper and the club, and quickly dealt with the Lance/Scotland issue of players having a certain responsibility in the public eye, and that it's not on. Incidently, Wiggins did say that the media really blew that out of all proportion, and that he felt the media comes down twice as hard on carlton as they do any other club. Someone in the crowd asked why the players are out, and Wiggins replied that it is hard to tell young kids to not go out and have fun with your mates. Said that he did it, everyone does it, except he might have been a bit more careful about the way he had fun (Was only giving Kade a stir).
Captain: The Boys were asked who they'd like and thought would be captain, and when it was going to be announced. Kade said "Lance Whitnall, and it will be announced this week..." or so. Wiggins said they're having a board meeting on Tuesday night, presumably to discuss and name the Captain, so I guess we will al know by NabCup time.
Leadership Group: I'm glad someone asked this. The boys said that the senior boys had all had interviews about being in the leadership group, and of the younger players, names like Gibbs, Murphy and Wiggins had all had interviews. Simon said it's quite intense, and you go into the room full of Carlton people, and they all drill you with questions pretty much.
Ladder position 2007: You don't play footy unless you're playing for the finals. Boys want to and are aiming for the finals, otherwise there is no point in playing (if you're not aiming for top 8). Pratt has also said he doesn't want anything lower than 10th.
Kade Simpson: I wasn't too impressed with kade unfortunately. He looked disinterested, whether it was nerves or boredom. Either way, it didn't look good. he spent most of the time watching replays on the widescreen (at least we know he loves his footy!). Even during question time, he didn't present very well. He slumped on his chair, swung it around, didn't really answer questions clearly. When asked about the rule changes, he just gave a big "UUMMMM..." before answering, and then Wiggins had to step in. For those that have him in their leadership roles, such as vice-captain - i'm not sure he's ready for any of that yet. Yes, let him lead on-field, but i'm not sure he has the confidence in speaking to be a vice yet. Even when fans were going over for signatures, he wasn't talking to them, just looked really disinterested. Also - when asked about the intraclub he said that he wasn't trying too hard, and that he' sjust waiting for Essendon
Hardly said boo to any supporters.Setanta o'hAilpin: What can i say, i want to marry him
I think he's a boobs man. ha. The guy just wants to play footy for Carlton. You can hear it in his voice, he's so determined to do well for this club. He's very grateful for everything the club has done and continue to do for him, as well as his player sponsors. A little girl asked if he missed his mum, he said he does and it was all very cute, i thought he was going to cry. Ok, so i hoped he was going to so i could fall in love with him even more
The club fly his family out once a year to watch him play. Will play in defence and loves it. Really just beamed when asked. Also, just spoke and spoke all night with all the supporters. Simon Wiggins: This guy really impressed me. The way he spoke was extremely professional, and he really did very, very well. I hope he gets into the leadership group, because he's very mature and sensible and really knows how to speak well which is important. He's quite knowledgable. Just did really really well. I have a lot of respect for this guy.
Bryce Gibbs: Doubt he'll play in any bullants games, will be starting with the seniors, and is just amazing the way he goes about things - has a very mature head and just reads teh play so well.
Eddie Betts: Very fast and a great crumber, second-to-none. Been playing him in the midfield/forward line, his endurance isn't up to palying a full game in the middle, but he's just so good at forward pressure and reads the ball so so well.
Brendan Fevola: He's fine. Just looks like he wants to continue on with what he did last year.
Brad Fisher: really quite tall, will play forward.
Jarrad Waite: CHB.
Shaun Grigg: Full of praise for all the young kids, especially Grigg. Is super quick, has good skills, needs to bullk up a bit, but has a great left foot kick and will play a few games.
Mark Austin: Seems to have 'all the time in the world', in that, he never seems in a hurry to do anything. They had a bit of a laugh about Austin
Joey Anderson: Another favourite. He's massive, a KPP, very quick and will play.
Clinton Benjamin: Super quick.
Sugar Shaun Hampson: Will be a gun.
We already knew all the above I suppose
And just for Fullmont101 and Italian_styles - I printed off that great photo of Setanta from a few months ago. I went up and got him to sign it, and both Setanta and Simon were 'ooh'ing and 'ahh'ing over the photo. They loved it! They spent a while looking at it, and wanted to know who the sexysquad were and that is was a great photo and looks really good, and they were just really really impressed. So i gave you guys a big plug, told them to check out your website, although Simon said anything with the "Sexysquad" and a bunch of blokes on it, he might give it a miss
Seriously though, they were pretty impressed.
And i was too, not so much with Kade, but the other two made up for it.
GO BLUES!
