Exciting things to see in 2009

[gbatman]

1. Floggings. It's been a while since we delivered some serious beatings to our opponents. I remember back in 2000 when we were a fair side we would beat sides by 50, 70 sometimes 100 points. Can't wait to see Carlton mercilessly slaughter some side with an onslaught of dominance.

2. Fev and Judd being able to sit and rest happily on the bench while we still manage to dominate the opposition.

3. Loading the all-australian side with Carlton players. Fev, Judd, Murphy, gibbs and Waite are fair chances.

4. Not having to worry about opposition's key forwards.

5. Not getting a flogging in the ruck.

6. Small forwards.

7. Fit start.

8. Exciting new players (Warnock, Robinson, Yarran). Robinson rising star?

9. The return of Andrew Walker. How will a fit Walker go in a good side...

10. All the players who will improve because they have had a proper season and are a year older.

11. Finals and maybe top 4...

 

[I LOVE THE CFC]

relax......

 

[Dominator_7]

I'd be happy with 12-13 wins and a top 8 finish myself... Think you're being a bit too optimistic my overexcited fellow Carltonian...

 

[Weiterbot23]

I don't think top 4 is totally out of the question!

We have an incredible draw, and we were only 3 wins away from top 4 last year (saints only had 13 wins)

Also our list should improve out of sight. Players like gibbs, grigg, kruzer, walker, bower and jamo should all are set for massive improvements on last year.

All that plus the certain decline of clubs like stkilda, sydney, adelaide, collingwood, north etc. Means top 4 for sure!!!!

 

[40yearBLUE]

I don't think top 4 is totally out of the question!

We have an incredible draw, and we were only 3 wins away from top 4 last year (saints only had 13 wins)

Also our list should improve out of sight. Players like gibbs, grigg, kruzer, walker, bower and jamo should all are set for massive improvements on last year.

All that plus the certain decline of clubs like stkilda, sydney, adelaide, collingwood, north etc. Means top 4 for sure!!!!

Couldnt agree more.

Ratts has set the bar higher, finals is a must this year and he has made that public. I think he also knows he needs to keep a little bit of a lid on his public utterences but I think he thinks top 4 is where we should be this year.

 

[BLUE BOY BEN]

settle down guys top 4 is pushing it........... to not make the finals for ages and then hope to get right back into the top 4 of the competition is drastic and we should be thrilled with a top 8-5 finish.... i no i would be

 

[mickelboy182]

I don't think top 4 is totally out of the question!

We have an incredible draw, and we were only 3 wins away from top 4 last year (saints only had 13 wins)

Also our list should improve out of sight. Players like gibbs, grigg, kruzer, walker, bower and jamo should all are set for massive improvements on last year.

All that plus the certain decline of clubs like stkilda, sydney, adelaide, collingwood, north etc. Means top 4 for sure!!!!

Pessimist.

 

[gbatman]

wow the carlton winning spirit is really gone in some fans... Happy with 12-13 wins :-O. That's not the Carlton of old's way of thinking! With our list top 4 is very realistic. We definatly should not be in the bottom dregs and we are, on paper, a better team than a lot of others out there.

Some can't see it but I think I might. Come on folks get excited. The players can keep the lid on it but it's our job to take the lid off and throw it away!

 

[40yearBLUE]

wow the carlton winning spirit is really gone in some fans... Happy with 12-13 wins :-O. That's not the Carlton of old's way of thinking! With our list top 4 is very realistic. We definatly should not be in the bottom dregs and we are, on paper, a better team than a lot of others out there.

Some can't see it but I think I might. Come on folks get excited. The players can keep the lid on it but it's our job to take the lid off and throw it away!

Some fans are just young and dont know us as a powerhouse, all they have ever known is us as a car wreck.

BLUE BOY BEN (sorry I dont know how to insert more than 1 quote in my post) you have to look at the state of the competition. Last year no one really wanted positions 4 to 8, teams just fell into them. There were really only 3 teams for most of the season (Cats, Hawks, Dogs) then around 15 rounds, the Dogs fell off the pace and everyone else was just nowhere near it, including us and teams were very inconsistent and many including Saints and Pies were in danger of not making the finals but fell into the places they did.

We finished 11th but it could just have easily been 4th had a few games not been botched (Essendon twice, Tigers Rd1, Swans by 2 points - that 4 wins puts us a game clear in 4th), but we didnt win them and we were not ready. (Our finals hopes died about half way through the third quarter against the Saints around round 18 I think). Of the teams above us last year, I see a few of them dropping, Saints, Swans, North and Adelaide for example and I dont rate the Tigers at all, Brisbane could also fall, but maybe not. So if they all do fall as the evidence suggests, then unless teams below us rise further than we do that means we could easily be a top 4 chance. I think we will be fighting the Pies for 4th. It isnt just wishfull thinking, it has some logic behind it.

 

[Blueinblood]

1. Floggings. It's been a while since we delivered some serious beatings to our opponents. I remember back in 2000 when we were a fair side we would beat sides by 50, 70 sometimes 100 points. Can't wait to see Carlton mercilessly slaughter some side with an onslaught of dominance.

2. Fev and Judd being able to sit and rest happily on the bench while we still manage to dominate the opposition.

3. Loading the all-australian side with Carlton players. Fev, Judd, Murphy, gibbs and Waite are fair chances.

4. Not having to worry about opposition's key forwards.

5. Not getting a flogging in the ruck.

6. Small forwards.

7. Fit start.

8. Exciting new players (Warnock, Robinson, Yarran). Robinson rising star?

9. The return of Andrew Walker. How will a fit Walker go in a good side...

10. All the players who will improve because they have had a proper season and are a year older.

11. Finals and maybe top 4...

I doubt these will be eliminated.
Similar ruck line-up to last year and Warnock isnt going to get 30 Hitouts a game. We will still get beaten in the ruck most weeks. Just have to Make our ruckman, especially Kruze and Cloke kick goals.

I still have queries over who has the ability to play on Pav and Brown.

 

[Warsaw]

One Mitch Robinson
One Chris Yarran.

 

[gbatman]

I doubt these will be eliminated.
Similar ruck line-up to last year and Warnock isnt going to get 30 Hitouts a game. We will still get beaten in the ruck most weeks. Just have to Make our ruckman, especially Kruze and Cloke kick goals.

I still have queries over who has the ability to play on Pav and Brown.

Jamison, Bower, Waite, O'hAilpin - tall defenders who are bigger, better and fitter this year.

Warnock was recruited as a tap ruckman. He's very tall and talented. His fitness is a bit of a problem with his injuries but I don't see why he can't be like Justin Madden and win the ball over most opponents most often. Kreuzer has a year under him and a full AFL pre-season. He'll be better for it. Don't forget Jacobs!

 

[BlueYoss]

Anything short of the NAB Cup+Minor Premiership+the Flag (+ $1M bonus from NAB) would be totally unacceptable.

(What lid???)

 

[Juddys_navy_blues]

After so long without finals, id be happy with anywhere between 1st and 8th, we have the talent to finish top 4 but things have to go our way and we need to win those close games that we couldnt finish off last year. To add to the side we have a fit judd, more classy recruits, Robbo,Yarran and johnson. A settled backline and other avenues to goal this year, all in all should be exciting times ahead.

 

[Bradles21]

good to see optimism, but so many teams are capable of finishig in the 8 i wouldn't be suprised if we miss out. I would love to see us in there come finals but;
Geelong and Hawthorn pencil them in for top 2
Western buldogs probably third best side
then there's
Adelaide, Port, Sydney, Saints, Essedon, Brisbane, Richmond, Collingwood, Carlton, North all capable of top 8 finish

Then there's Fremantle, West Coast and and Melbourne

 

[GPW1]

flag

 

[40yearBLUE]

good to see optimism, but so many teams are capable of finishig in the 8 i wouldn't be suprised if we miss out. I would love to see us in there come finals but;
Geelong and Hawthorn pencil them in for top 2
Western buldogs probably third best side
then there's
Adelaide, Port, Sydney, Saints, Essedon, Brisbane, Richmond, Collingwood, Carlton, North all capable of top 8 finish

Then there's Fremantle, West Coast and and Melbourne

You seem as determined to find reasons we cant make the 8 as most of us are to show we can. I guess you believe in the apocalypse as well. But just because I am argumentative I will make my argument.

Just listing the rest of the teams around us don't make it an argument by the way. Why do you think they can make it and not us? I am not trying to be a smart ass or be mean but if we are going to have a debate lets have a debate. After all that's what most of us are here for, intelligent debate about our team.

Adelaide seem to be around the mark of last year, I dont see them sliding or gaining so expect them around 4 to 6 this year.

Port are a rabble. The coach barely hides his contempt for the team and the board these days. He couldnt even back Cassisi unreservedly last week. Bottom 4 again.

Sydney, a more ageing list than 9thmond, they have done wonders with that group but will start to fall now, Kinneally was one of their better players and has seen the writing, he didnt want to face another tough wasted struggling year there.

Saints window is also closing. They still have a very dangerous list, but it isnt capable of delivering. They almost missed the finals themselves and it was only because no one else wanted it that they got 4th, whilst I expect them to make the 8 it will only be because there is no one else capable of taking it from them.

Essendon. You are kidding right? Bottom 4. Actually thats a bit harsh, perhaps 12th. They dont have a great list and rely too much on Lloyd and Lucas both of who are getting slow and tired.

Brisbane. Hard to get a handle on them. Voss is untested but a lot of clubs were clamouring for his services ours included so he must have the goods. They have an ok list so they will figure. Not sure they are top 4 though.

Richmond. Do I really have to go into reasons why this list of past performers wont make it past 9th again? Actually, like the saints they stumble into the 8 on the basis of it being a weaker year like last year.

Collingwouldnt. They have a workman like list, capable of upsetting most teams and will figure. They could steal 4th from us. Not up to the top 3 though.

North. I have been predicting their fall for a few years and they have baffled me as to how they stay up with their band of no names. Sooner or later though I am going to be right and they will fall. You can only play on passion for so long.

I agree Cats, Hawks, Dogs top 3. I dont think Eade will fail to learn from last year.

I also agree Freo, Melb and WC will finish bottom 3 and then probably Port. Maybe in that order. Then Essendon, Swans and North around the middle, with Tiges, Saints, and Bris fighting it out for 8th and 7th.

The top 3 we know, leaving Blues, Pies, Bris and Adel fighting it out for 4th.

I dont think we are at the level of the top 3 even though we have shown we can beat the dogs. We wont have their consistency this year. But I believe we will be a match for the other teams in the bottom of the 8 and will beat some of them some of the time and others not, but be in the mix at the end. The key will be beating the bottom 8 sides consistently and convincingly.

If you have arguments for any of the other teams as to why they might not finish where I think they will lets here em.

Cheers.

 

[Bradles21]

You seem as determined to find reasons we cant make the 8 as most of us are to show we can. I guess you believe in the apocalypse as well. But just because I am argumentative I will make my argument.

Just listing the rest of the teams around us don't make it an argument by the way. Why do you think they can make it and not us? I am not trying to be a smart ass or be mean but if we are going to have a debate lets have a debate. After all that's what most of us are here for, intelligent debate about our team.

Adelaide seem to be around the mark of last year, I dont see them sliding or gaining so expect them around 4 to 6 this year.

Port are a rabble. The coach barely hides his contempt for the team and the board these days. He couldnt even back Cassisi unreservedly last week. Bottom 4 again.

Sydney, a more ageing list than 9thmond, they have done wonders with that group but will start to fall now, Kinneally was one of their better players and has seen the writing, he didnt want to face another tough wasted struggling year there.

Saints window is also closing. They still have a very dangerous list, but it isnt capable of delivering. They almost missed the finals themselves and it was only because no one else wanted it that they got 4th, whilst I expect them to make the 8 it will only be because there is no one else capable of taking it from them.

Essendon. You are kidding right? Bottom 4. Actually thats a bit harsh, perhaps 12th. They dont have a great list and rely too much on Lloyd and Lucas both of who are getting slow and tired.

Brisbane. Hard to get a handle on them. Voss is untested but a lot of clubs were clamouring for his services ours included so he must have the goods. They have an ok list so they will figure. Not sure they are top 4 though.

Richmond. Do I really have to go into reasons why this list of past performers wont make it past 9th again? Actually, like the saints they stumble into the 8 on the basis of it being a weaker year like last year.

Collingwouldnt. They have a workman like list, capable of upsetting most teams and will figure. They could steal 4th from us. Not up to the top 3 though.

North. I have been predicting their fall for a few years and they have baffled me as to how they stay up with their band of no names. Sooner or later though I am going to be right and they will fall. You can only play on passion for so long.

I agree Cats, Hawks, Dogs top 3. I dont think Eade will fail to learn from last year.

I also agree Freo, Melb and WC will finish bottom 3 and then probably Port. Maybe in that order. Then Essendon, Swans and North around the middle, with Tiges, Saints, and Bris fighting it out for 8th and 7th.

The top 3 we know, leaving Blues, Pies, Bris and Adel fighting it out for 4th.

I dont think we are at the level of the top 3 even though we have shown we can beat the dogs. We wont have their consistency this year. But I beleive we will be a match for the other teams in the bottom of the 8 and will beat some of them some of the time and others not, but be in the mix at the end.

If you have arguments for any of the other teams as to why they might not finish where I think they will lets here em.

Cheers.

lets argue then, although i love carlton and want them to suceed i am a realist and i dont think we are a top 4 side.. we finished 11th last year and yes we had some unlucky games but we also won ones we probably shouldn't have, very inconsistent.
Richmond- think wil suprise everyone yes they have older players whom are all in very good form, as well as some of the best young players going around. very good chance for top 8 maybe even top 4
Essedon- If they have luck with injuries they have a very good playing list, very good key position players, prob not top 8 but they do have the wood on us, and could suprise looked good againt the dogs
Port- Went from grand final to 12th injuries and some form hit them but this playing list is capable of doing anything and with the ******** chad back and another pre-season into the young mids watch out
Adelaide and Sydney- every year get ridden off every year they prove ppl wrong they both have the wood over us and the game style allows them to not get belted and win the close games
Collingwood- Always strong and competitive side, could be anything this year.. most likely top 8
North- Have a very good side still good forward back and mids, again will suprise, i rate there side.
Brisbane- very good playing list and with new coach in voss could do very well.

All i am stating by saying this is the there are a lot of clubs in the same position as us and that we are no better then them.

 

[Weiterbot23]

Last year we won some games we shouldn't have and lost some we shouldn't have. How do you beat collingwood twice and then loose to essendon twice?

I think with another year of experience our list will become more consistant.
My hope is that we can beat the tigers, essendon and collingwood all twice, which is very possible and that will hold us in good stead.

If it's top 4 or top 8, we should all be expecting finals, ratts and the team are

 

[TwiggleyFanClub]

It might be pretty even this year.

I can see a top 3: Dawks, Cats, Pies.
I can see a bottom 3: Dees, WCE and Port
I can also see 10 teams that may not have a great deal between them this year.

I'd like to see us in the 8, but we need a few things to go right for us.

 

[GIBZZY 09]

hope fully setanta can step up

if warnock takes advantage of his height itll be great for ruck back and forward

want cloke and kruzer and forwards

\betts and yarran and crumber

fish and fev as major targets

and if love to c judd getting those clearence goals

 

[Murph_The_Smurf]

hope fully setanta can step up

if warnock takes advantage of his height itll be great for ruck back and forward

want cloke and kruzer and forwards

\betts and yarran and crumber

fish and fev as major targets

and if love to c judd getting those clearence goals

bloody hell go back and edit this , the spelling is absolutely crap , let alone the grammar.

Things to be excited by this year !

BRYCE GIBBS !!!!

 

[40yearBLUE]

lets argue then, although i love carlton and want them to suceed i am a realist and i dont think we are a top 4 side.. we finished 11th last year and yes we had some unlucky games but we also won ones we probably shouldn't have, very inconsistent.
Richmond- think wil suprise everyone yes they have older players whom are all in very good form, as well as some of the best young players going around. very good chance for top 8 maybe even top 4
Essedon- If they have luck with injuries they have a very good playing list, very good key position players, prob not top 8 but they do have the wood on us, and could suprise looked good againt the dogs
Port- Went from grand final to 12th injuries and some form hit them but this playing list is capable of doing anything and with the ******** chad back and another pre-season into the young mids watch out
Adelaide and Sydney- every year get ridden off every year they prove ppl wrong they both have the wood over us and the game style allows them to not get belted and win the close games
Collingwood- Always strong and competitive side, could be anything this year.. most likely top 8
North- Have a very good side still good forward back and mids, again will suprise, i rate there side.
Brisbane- very good playing list and with new coach in voss could do very well.

All i am stating by saying this is the there are a lot of clubs in the same position as us and that we are no better then them.

Be sure to remember this post during the year as the form starts to reveal itself. Lets visit it around say round 7 when the early form indicators will be in and compare. We seem to agree on the Pies and Bris and Adel but after that we totally disagree, i dont rate North, Syd, Rich, Ess or Port, for the reasons I have highlighted, so we will see.

 

[Ryan Dixon Webb]

I'm really excited about seeing Browne, Hadley, Bannister and Houlihan making solid contributions. It'll be comforting to know that we don't always have to rely on the Judd's and Gibb's of the team to take a game by the throat.

 

[Dustyjackman]

I'm excited about the fact that our newest recruits will be able to play this year without the heavy weight of expectation that the past three years draftees have been burdened with.
As the opposition coaches will now be looking at ways to curb our mid-field power, plus trying to get their heads around whatever our forward set-up might develop into, gives our new comers (and some of our fully restored old timers) a chance to slip in under the radar a bit. Those under the radar types might just pop up in a game or two and get us over the line.