Certain players redeeming themselves somewhat

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Tis the year of redemption at Carlton. The well discussed 'comebacks' of Brendan Fevola and Ryan Houlihan who seemed likely to forego all 'get out of jail free' cards in the offseason. Matthew Lappin is another who seems to have matured over the offseason.

Matthew Allan was destined to never play again and even though it is only one game, he showed yesterday that he still has what it takes.

Justin Murphy while not impressing me as much as he impressed some others provided an avenue and restored some confidence. He didn't fly for marks or burn anyone off with pace, he simply got to the drop of the ball and hit a purple patch. He is a strong grab, is a good kick and should be used up forward more often.

Anthony Franchina played a great game yesterday, not only held his opponent but showed some dash and fine reading of the flight of the ball. Could Pagan turn him into a Troy Makepeace type of player?

Scott Camporeale is starting to display some form of old and along with Lance Whitnall hardly qualifies for requiring redemption but it really was a relief to see them hit some top form.

Last but not least .... Kouta. Nothing more needs to be said.

 

[LordLucifer]

Please don't allow the emotion of one game to cloud your vision. The players you have named have not been removed from under the microscope at all, merely given a one week rest.

Sure Murphy played well but that's it for the season, he will pack up shop and go into hibernation till next year. If he puts in another good one, that's a bonus, might trigger some interest in him from another club. We can't afford to carry this guys based on the output we get, it's too much one way traffic at the moment. This guy does not know the meaning of the word consistency so it's bye-bye.

Anthony Franchina has had more chances than the Australian slips cordon and finally decides to put in a good one. Well gee whiz, too little too late as far as I'm concerned. Consistency is not his strong suit either !!

Camporeale & Whitnall should be playing to this level every week especially if they expect to be paid the huge dollars they are on. These two have had the blowtorch turned on their butts for the past few weeks so it was about time they fired up, doesn't mean one of them won't be put up for trade though.

Kouta is another who has to play good footy, everyone is watching his every move so closely. He is on huge money and the expectations of the rank & file supporter is that we aren't getting our return on the investment. Hopefully some of the demons inside his head have disappeared so that he can reach the elvels we all know he is capable of.

Mathew Allan ?? The money-grabbing turncoat who eventually shot himself in the foot (or maybe it was his idiot manager who pulled the trigger) was always going to be the best ruckman at the club, French is only a back-up in case he gets injured. On recent history, we will always need a French or two to cover for Allan's regular injury problems. Gotta admit though, what a difference it makes to have a ruckman who can give our midfielders first use of the ball.

I don't know why you have singled out Mathew Lappin here, he has done nothing wrong at all. He has been terrific since he arrived at the club and has been the only consistent player the club has had all season.

Fevola & Houlihan, aaaah, my pet favourites !! I find it hard to say they have both 'comeback', rather they knew they would face the firing squad come seasons end if they kept going down their own well worn path. Fevola burst out of the blocks kicking goals regularly but has not been able to maintain the rage, the goals have diminished dramatcially. Houlihan has found some consistency in his game but still won't chase preferring to take an easy handball for the easy stat. Acurrate as buggery when kicking for goal but lazy as hell inbetween. One or both of them will be on the market at the end of the season, neither of them will be worldbeaters so it's only a matter of time before they go.

The simple facts are that our playing list is woeful, not bad or ordinary, absolutely woeful. This combination cannot & will not win enough games to play finals footy let alone actually win a final. The only way to get to the top is to trade & delist the current players on the list so some of those named here are going to be casualties, make no mistake about it.

Thank god for Waite & Fisher I say, these two put a smile on my face every week. The problem is we need another 10 of them, not a gaggle of overpaid & underperforming lemons.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Lighten up a tad Sheiky my man.

No claims of messiahs to be found in my post. Merely pointing out that some players who one may have thought would never turn in a good performance again have done just that. I had all but written off a lot of the players I mentioned and could not see where the next good game was going to come from.

Never singled out Matty either, simply said he had matured over the offseason. His Fox Footy interviews confirm this and it is a positive considering some of the less than desirable circumstances he had found himself in at times.

All in all there are some positives, no matter how fleeting. It is nice to be reminded once in a while that this players haven't lost the ability for good, it is just a matter of figuring out how to tap into it consistently.

 

[Jars458]

Originally posted by The Old Dark Navy's
[B
All in all there are some positives, no matter how fleeting. It is nice to be reminded once in a while that this players haven't lost the ability for good, it is just a matter of figuring out how to tap into it consistently. [/B]

Spot on

Two weeks ago people were saying Hawks were pathetic and Schwab should be saked. After two good wins now the media are saying their finals chances are alive.

Carlton are only one game adrift of the Hawks and therefore you can still make the finals, however slim that chance is.

Given what happened over the off season and Carlton's injuries I think they have done a great job so far this year. I picked Carltn for the spoon again but dont' think that will happen now.

If Allen Whitnall Camp and Kouta can get some consistency you will win a lot more games.

Hence I am worried about the game in two weeks time.

 

[BlueMark]

Kouta is leading the B&F easily.
Matty Lappin has been brilliant at Half Back.

It completely escapes why these two are 'under the mircoscope'

Lance has been good across half back and his creation of space for himself and his teammates has been as good as it ever was. Yes does need to hold some marks and not try to knock down to teamamtes who are not where they are supposed to be ie 'Front and Centre.' Although against Richmond they finally started doing it.

Murph was finally used were he should be, as an attacking forward. Let the opposition chase him.

Franchina is and always has been a tagger. If he stops the opposition player getting kicks or clean possession then he has done his job

Allen has just gotten back from injury and has had two games. Give him a break. His second against Richmond was good.

Campo was finally able to recievce clean ball in the last couple of weeks and thus able to create the space he needs to be effective. He is a link player.

Fev and Houla and have stood up and done everything and more that have been asked of them. Note Fev plays a large part of each game up the ground, and that is under Pagans instruction, not Fev wandering off to get a kick. We are currently using a rotating forward line and the idea is to draw the oppositions best backman up tghe ground in order to open up the forward 50 to allow players to run into space.