Job well done

[AndyWalkersGirl]

Well done to our boys for a much improved 2008. For too long, supporters were just seeing massive beltings week after week, and it was almost as if we were just so used to seeing it, we didn't expect any different. This year has proved that our bleak dark period is well and truly over.

Well done to Ratts, first year in, and he has brought a lot more than just talent into this club Playing for the jumper, playing for your team is back. As a supporter, this year has been a pretty good one just in terms of seeing our change of attitude and the fact that kids like Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs are talking about how they bleed navy blue.

Tonight was a disappointing finish, but I dont think it overrides the successes on and off-field all year. Fev was unlucky, just goes to show though that when you keep busting a gut, you get closer and closer. Well done Fev on a top year

Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs both got over 30 possessions and they're still under 21. Talk about top effort.

So, an applause from me for a good 2008 turn-around by our boys. And when we do get to that no.17, goodluck to anyone trying to shut us up about it

Go Blues

 

[Alpha1]

I agree great effort by the boys lets build on this season and take the other steps we need to be a finals contender. We have to do a lot of skills work over the pres season and knowing Ratts I am sure he will be planning that. I am a happy Blues supporter although we got thumped tonight the season has been a big positive.

 

[OZBomb]

I agree with all of the above

There'll be new standards going into 2009, so let's keep it moving forward

 

[The Cranium]

Will be interesting to see the final makeup of the side come years end. Well done baggers on ya efforts for 2008.

 

[cjfc]

cant wait for 2009. this season has gone so quick. very happy with the 10 wins. huge improvement from the last few years. well done blues.

 

[OZBomb]

It's been a year of nearly really...

We nearly made the finals.

Fev nearly got 100 Goals.

Brad Fisher nearly kicked 50% from set shots.

The Age did eveyone a favour in sacking much of it's writing staff, but then disappointed everyone by retaining Caroline Wilson.

What might have been.

 

[thylacine60]

Well done to our boys for a much improved 2008. For too long, supporters were just seeing massive beltings week after week, and it was almost as if we were just so used to seeing it, we didn't expect any different. This year has proved that our bleak dark period is well and truly over.

Well done to Ratts, first year in, and he has brought a lot more than just talent into this club Playing for the jumper, playing for your team is back. As a supporter, this year has been a pretty good one just in terms of seeing our change of attitude and the fact that kids like Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs are talking about how they bleed navy blue.

Tonight was a disappointing finish, but I dont think it overrides the successes on and off-field all year. Fev was unlucky, just goes to show though that when you keep busting a gut, you get closer and closer. Well done Fev on a top year

Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs both got over 30 possessions and they're still under 21. Talk about top effort.

So, an applause from me for a good 2008 turn-around by our boys. And when we do get to that no.17, goodluck to anyone trying to shut us up about it

Go Blues

Yep.

It's been a year of nearly really...

We nearly made the finals.

Fev nearly got 100 Goals.

Brad Fisher nearly kicked 50% from set shots.

The Age did eveyone a favour in sacking much of it's writing staff, but then disappointed everyone by retaining Caroline Wilson.

What might have been.

Hard to laugh tonight although that is funny.

 

[MBIB]

The last few years in Round 22 I've been relieved, this year I'm disappointed we don't get a crack at someone next week.
At least we'll get some decent highlights at the Brownlow this year

 

[Blueinblood]

I am not all that disspointed that we lost onight because had we won we would be getting alot more press over the summer and because we got smashed the attention wil go somewhere else.My tip is tigerland. Less pressure is better.

 

[HBF]

Our best season in some time. So many positives to come out of this year, and we can look forward to bigger and better things next year. Very proud of the whole playing list.

 

[Lynch takes a mark]

You have gone from 15th to 11th with a new coaching staff, Chris Judd & Nick Stevens into the midfield, Fevola having his best ever season, Gibbs/MM/Kruezer playing the majority of the season ect

At least get angry at somebody, fire the bootstudder at least guys

Here we are sacking most of the coaching staff and football department and it's only the 3rd time we have missed the 8 since 1991 or something ridiculous

 

[HBF]

10 wins in 2008, 4 wins in 2007.
Massive massive improvement.

 

[Big Red is back]

Good improvement now it is time to get a proper game plan. Ratten your real test starts now.

The way the Hawks, Roos and Cats exposed us at the Dome and to a lesser extent the saints everytime we play them now is the time to develop a more strategic approach.

These side all use either a cluster or zone very well and it is time we learn to combat it and develop one as well

 

[MBIB]

10 wins in 2008, 4 wins in 2007.
Massive massive improvement.

It's another thread entirely but I hope the '10 win' thing doesn't become a curse next year.

 

[BlueSnake]

Great year

Despite most of the team getting thumped tonight (the few new kids were really out of their depth unfortunately) I am glad Murphy and Gibbs ended 2008 with a great game.

Murph got 36 possessions and once again his kicking looked better. Gibbsy got 32 possies as well as 2 great goals.

I would also like to say how fantastic a certain Paul Bower's development has been...

He was given a huge task tonight, and although Buddy kicked 4 goals, I would consider his work absolutely sensational. He didn't wimp out, he took them on and did his best. All aboard the Bower bandwagon!
Like Jamison, he is already a very important defender and going to be a very good player for us.

Really looking forward to next year.

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

You have gone from 15th to 11th with a new coaching staff, Chris Judd & Nick Stevens into the midfield, Fevola having his best ever season, Gibbs/MM/Kruezer playing the majority of the season ect

At least get angry at somebody, fire the bootstudder at least guys

Here we are sacking most of the coaching staff and football department and it's only the 3rd time we have missed the 8 since 1991 or something ridiculous

Thanks for your input!

You know sometimes success is measured in ways other than making than finals. We had ten wins this year, that is more than the last 2 seasons put together. We unearthed some players and many more made massive improvements on what they had done. We had a rookie coach who rode the bumps and coached many great wins despite heavy margins at 3 quarter time. Success my friend is not always about wins and losses, finals or wooden spoons. The Carlton Football Club has achieved something this year and have set a foundation for the future.

Put it this way. Sydney will make the finals this year and have finished a game or two ahead of Carlton. Does that make them more successful, this year perhaps, however the longer term dictates that i know which bus i would rather be on!!

Go Blues, great season of improvement with so many highlights to remember over summer. Thank you!!

 

[4blues]

Thanks for your input!

You know sometimes success is measured in ways other than making than finals. We had ten wins this year, that is more than the last 2 seasons put together. We unearthed some players and many more made massive improvements on what they had done. We had a rookie coach who rode the bumps and coached many great wins despite heavy margins at 3 quarter time. Success my friend is not always about wins and losses, finals or wooden spoons. The Carlton Football Club has achieved something this year and have set a foundation for the future.

Put it this way. Sydney will make the finals this year and have finished a game or two ahead of Carlton. Does that make them more successful, this year perhaps, however the longer term dictates that i know which bus i would rather be on!!

Go Blues, great season of improvement with so many highlights to remember over summer. Thank you!!

Fantastic post, exactly what most REAL carlton people would think of this year, CANT wait till 09 and beyond.

 

[pupsta]

very very happy with the season. i think we all got a bit carried away when we started talkin finals then were pissed when we stuffed it up but when we look at where we were and what our expectations were at the start of the year we really moved forward.
murph and gibbs really took giant leaps and with juddy and stevo back in there we have close to the best midfield goin around. also goin by their ages probably the next 5-7 years.
fev was brilliant but still a bit wayward at times. still needs work on his body language/attitude but some kp fwd help might improve that.
i think hoops showed enough in his few games to stay on.
hampson/kruezer/cloke seemed to work alright for me and on that krueze probably exceeded expectations.
fish did well but probably our most attractive bargaining chip.
eddie improved alot became more consistent.
hartlett needs a fresh start somewhere else.
wiggo did well with his chances
russell improved also but skills still terrible also trade bait but if we retain him should be used as a tagger.
ackland do i need to say anything.
anderson showed enough.
armfield thought he showed enough too lightning quick skills need work.
austin didnt see much of him
bannister sorry to say times up.
bentick love the way this guy plays
bower still worries me a bit but suprisingly quick as he chased down buddy a couple of times.
carrots good just needs to handball more to better kickers
edwards was great but wasnt given enough time i thought.
grigg stepped up like murph and gibbs
setanta did ok early think we need him in the side.
saddo bye bye
simmo another consistent year
scotty another consistent year but his skills dropped a bit this year.
stevo great to have him back
juddy do i need to say anything. (opposite to ackland)
thornton trade bait
tex should keep him added another dimension to the team when he came back and can now play fwd or back
waite brilliant.
hadley unlucky
jammo great
pfeiffer showed enough

Conclusion
TRADE BAIT:
Fisher, Russell, Hartlett, Thornton,

DELIST:
Ackland, Saddington, Bannister, Jackson, Austin

TEAM FOR 2009 with spots to be filled

B: Carrazzo Jamison O'Hailpin
HB: Scotland Waite Grigg
C: Simpson Judd Murphy
HF: Walker Brown Lovett
F: Betts Fevola Kruezer
R: Hampson Stevens Gibbs

INT: Houlihan Bower Cloke Benitck


Think we need a good CHF and HFF and with our trade bait, cash and draft picks we should be working hard to fill those two spots. Capable in every position other than those and a great bench. still need to rotate the ruck regularly with cloke and krueze


Hopefully fisher and a pick will be enough to get Browny throw in russell and hartlett if needed and maybe thornton will get us lovett. that would be great IMO

 

[celtic_pride]

I'm sorry, but I really get frustrated with people saying they are 'happy' with our season ..
That last game of the season might have left a sour taste in my mouth, but in many ways I consider this season a 'failure' ...
Major expected improvement was to be expected, however I am very pissed off we lost so many games to shit teams like Richmond and Essendon (twice) and we got smashed by quality opposition several times, IE North, Tassie and Geelong, which means we are still a fair bit away from being the top sides.
I'm also a bit sick of muppets who wouldn't trade for a gun like Daniel Kerr, what kind of crap are you on ??
Players like Andrew 'I go missing in big games' Walker and Brad 'downhill skier' Fisher are of course tradeable in order to get another star recruit.
I also question Kade Simpson's future at the club, I do not believe he has the 'aggression' or the 'courage' required to be an top line player at this level, and another player who should be put on the market (even if only for another draft pick)

Also now if we can't trade him, Jordan Russell must be delisted ... We can't afford to waste another spot on the list with this untalented plodder ... I would like to think someone at the club has the courage to make the hard calls and delist Russell, even if he was a high draft pick.

Overall our season gets a 4/10 for me, with that list, we should have been playing finals ..

 

[murphbf08]

Conclusion
TRADE BAIT:
Fisher, Russell, Hartlett, Thornton,

DELIST:
Ackland, Saddington, Bannister, Jackson, Austin

TEAM FOR 2009 with spots to be filled

B: Carrazzo Jamison O'Hailpin
HB: Scotland Waite Grigg
C: Simpson Judd Murphy
HF: Walker Brown Lovett
F: Betts Fevola Kruezer
R: Hampson Stevens Gibbs

INT: Houlihan Bower Cloke Benitck


Think we need a good CHF and HFF and with our trade bait, cash and draft picks we should be working hard to fill those two spots. Capable in every position other than those and a great bench. still need to rotate the ruck regularly with cloke and krueze


Hopefully fisher and a pick will be enough to get Browny throw in russell and hartlett if needed and maybe thornton will get us lovett. that would be great IMO[/quote]

Great post i agree with most of it, but i don't think we'll get brown would be great but we simply do not have the draft picks and trade bait options to get a big player again i think. in my opinion we really need to pick up some backman with some size, i reckon maybe a murphy or mundy(i'm not sure about these players???) someone on the fringe from another side we can use on the bigger forwards, very difficult though because it takes so long to develop these players no side wants to trade anyone thats any good. imo waite needs to be used on the wing loose man in defence hff, he is just not bulit to be a kpp. i mean look at our defence against hawthorn, how could we possibly compete with them, bower and jamison will be great players but i don't think they can be our number 1 and 2 big back options going forward. but i do agree with the lovitt option he has killed us everytime we play essendon, he has blistering pace,would be good to see lovitt and betts together would be an excellent dynamic crumbing to fev, we do need a cff badly as well if only harlett or edwards were up to it. maybe one of them will break out next yeat although unfortunately i dout it.

 

[Dramoth]

very very happy with the season. i think we all got a bit carried away when we started talkin finals then were pissed when we stuffed it up but when we look at where we were and what our expectations were at the start of the year we really moved forward.
murph and gibbs really took giant leaps and with juddy and stevo back in there we have close to the best midfield goin around. also goin by their ages probably the next 5-7 years.
fev was brilliant but still a bit wayward at times. still needs work on his body language/attitude but some kp fwd help might improve that.
i think hoops showed enough in his few games to stay on.
hampson/kruezer/cloke seemed to work alright for me and on that krueze probably exceeded expectations.
fish did well but probably our most attractive bargaining chip.
eddie improved alot became more consistent.
hartlett needs a fresh start somewhere else.
wiggo did well with his chances
russell improved also but skills still terrible also trade bait but if we retain him should be used as a tagger.
ackland do i need to say anything.
anderson showed enough.
armfield thought he showed enough too lightning quick skills need work.
austin didnt see much of him
bannister sorry to say times up.
bentick love the way this guy plays
bower still worries me a bit but suprisingly quick as he chased down buddy a couple of times.
carrots good just needs to handball more to better kickers
edwards was great but wasnt given enough time i thought.
grigg stepped up like murph and gibbs
setanta did ok early think we need him in the side.
saddo bye bye
simmo another consistent year
scotty another consistent year but his skills dropped a bit this year.
stevo great to have him back
juddy do i need to say anything. (opposite to ackland)
thornton trade bait
tex should keep him added another dimension to the team when he came back and can now play fwd or back
waite brilliant.
hadley unlucky
jammo great
pfeiffer showed enough

Conclusion
TRADE BAIT:
Fisher, Russell, Hartlett, Thornton,

DELIST:
Ackland, Saddington, Bannister, Jackson, Austin

TEAM FOR 2009 with spots to be filled

B: Carrazzo Jamison O'Hailpin
HB: Scotland Waite Grigg
C: Simpson Judd Murphy
HF: Walker Brown Lovett
F: Betts Fevola Kruezer
R: Hampson Stevens Gibbs

INT: Houlihan Bower Cloke Benitck


Think we need a good CHF and HFF and with our trade bait, cash and draft picks we should be working hard to fill those two spots. Capable in every position other than those and a great bench. still need to rotate the ruck regularly with cloke and krueze


Hopefully fisher and a pick will be enough to get Browny throw in russell and hartlett if needed and maybe thornton will get us lovett. that would be great IMO

I'm sorry... do you actually have a brain... Do you know anything about football or are you just some troll from another club who has created a dummy account to piss us off...

You want to delist Bannister.. how about we delist Judd as well... Bannister before he got injured was one of our best defenders... and Austin??? You want to trade T-Bird... well a couple of years ago, I would have been arguing against it but we still need him around the club for a couple of years while Austin gets better.

You have grigg on the half back flank when he is a forward...

You have Bower, another one of our best defenders sitting on the bench.

Ok, Brown I can see in our forward setup and would be a good foil to Fev but Lovett?

Hammer isnt ready to take the #1 ruck roll yet... he still needs another 12 months before he will be ready to take that role.

 

[celtic_pride]

I'm sorry... do you actually have a brain... Do you know anything about football or are you just some troll from another club who has created a dummy account to piss us off...

You want to delist Bannister.. how about we delist Judd as well... Bannister before he got injured was one of our best defenders... and Austin??? You want to trade T-Bird... well a couple of years ago, I would have been arguing against it but we still need him around the club for a couple of years while Austin gets better.

You have grigg on the half back flank when he is a forward...

You have Bower, another one of our best defenders sitting on the bench.

Ok, Brown I can see in our forward setup and would be a good foil to Fev but Lovett?

Hammer isnt ready to take the #1 ruck roll yet... he still needs another 12 months before he will be ready to take that role.

Hate to break it to you sunshine, but I have it on very good authority that Jordan Bannister will be delisted ... A decision I agree with ..
I just think at his age, and with his injuries, we can't afford to keep his spot on the list anymore ... It's a shame, and he has been a decent player, but tough decisions have to be made ..

 

[BlueBelle]

Conclusion
TRADE BAIT:
Fisher, Russell, Hartlett, Thornton,

DELIST:
Ackland, Saddington, Bannister, Jackson, Austin

TEAM FOR 2009 with spots to be filled

B: Carrazzo Jamison O'Hailpin
HB: Scotland Waite Grigg
C: Simpson Judd Murphy
HF: Walker Brown Lovett
F: Betts Fevola Kruezer
R: Hampson Stevens Gibbs

INT: Houlihan Bower Cloke Benitck

Delist Aussie?

Carlton aren't even interested in Lovett so you can forget that.

Let's not make this thread a bitch about who should be delisted and who should be retained...

The boys took a big step this year and will only get better. We have the youngest list in the comp and to think that for all the years under Pagan we never worked on our skills, you can see why we still struggle with that area of our game.

Another pre-season, some more good kids from the draft and perhaps a few trades will see us continue our improvement next year.

I have a feeling that this time next year we'll all be booking our finals tickets

Congratulations boys!

 

[4blues]

Cameron Cloke was a real positive for Carlton this year, yes he might not have been the dominate ruckman that we need but you cant question his attitude, the bloke gives 110% against bigger and taller opposition each week, he shows controlled aggression chips in with goals, is a booming kick and can take the odd screamer, im glad for him and the club that his shoulders held up and maybe in the future could play across half forward and provide another option to goal for our midfield. I hope that the improvement continues in 09 as i have really enjoyed his passion for the navy blue jumper this year.