List breakdown

[OZBomb]

Alright folks I'm not sure if I have the authority to do this... but I'm cancelling any forward thinking thoughts, based on stuff that hasn't happened yet.

In fact I think it's best we shutdown Big Footy's Carlton section until the end of the season and then talk about what happened round 1 through 22 in a retrospective fashion.

Ridiculos

 

[Funkalicous]

Alright folks I'm not sure if I have the authority to do this... but I'm cancelling any forward thinking thoughts, based on stuff that hasn't happened yet.

In fact I think it's best we shutdown Big Footy's Carlton section until the end of the season and then talk about what happened round 1 through 22 in a retrospective fashion.

Ridiculos

Let's not go too over the top. One guy made a harmless expression about short-sighted outlooks. That's it. In no way was he disrespecting Mojo's efforts in this thread.

Anyway, for the sake of not wasting a good thread, let's get back on topic.

 

[Silvagnis]

Let's not go too over the top. One guy made a harmless expression about short-sighted outlooks. That's it. In no way was he disrespecting Mojo's efforts in this thread.

Anyway, for the sake of not wasting a good thread, let's get back on topic.

Nice moderating!

 

[Funkalicous]

Nice moderating!

There's nothing to it.

 

[WTTF]

Too early to call, let's wait and see how all these kids go before making a call. Alot of water to pass under before end of season.

You've changed your tune...........I seem to recall not so long ago, you stated that Ryan Jackson was a gun. Now all of a sudden, it's too early to make a call!

Need a refresher..............take a look at the thread.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=219249&highlight=ryan+Jackson


PS: great work as per usual Mojo. A very balanced opinion offered.

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

all this internal fighting can't be productive for us

CEASE FIRE

 

[OZBomb]

Fair Enough.

I've enjoyed this thread a lot.

I think everyone's hanging out for Feb 25 versus Geelong because this off-season has been far too long.

 

[mojo31]

Ease up everyone. I was just poking some fun here.

If we cant make some future predictions then not much point being on a football discussion forum really. It is all conjecture at this stage but its all good while we wait for the real stuff to start.

I have been busy the last few days and will try and get to the remaining 9 players over the next few days.

I spoke to someone just now about the practice match in Newcatsle and how the players are shaping up.

4 tall forwards look like being played. Fevola, Waite and Fisher are the first 3 picked. Setanta and Deluca are fighting it out for the forward pocket spot.
This is assuming all are fit come round 1. This is not the NAB cup team though where Fev and Waite might not be fit.
Setanta played well in the game up there (better than the 20min practise the other day). He would have the nod in front of Deluca at this stage.

Lance is going to be pushed back due to necessity. The club can play him forward but then Setanta or Deluca wont get a game so they have decided to fit in one of those giants and push Lance back.
Lance has CHB meaning Thornton loses his favourite spot and is forced to full back. Saddington will likely get the pocket and third tall.
Bower, Edwards are not ready yet.
The club is not so happy with Hartlett's form after starting off so well in the pre season and he is a long way off getting a senior game. He will likely get a
pre season game but I am talking about senior selction for the season proper.

Teague will be tried elsewhere this year as well as some half back flank. Defensive forward and a midfielder. Walker again played hbf and they want him to provide run and drive back there. Takes the pressure off him and the tagging roles means he has developed that side of his game. Played some there at TAC level before being drafted. Uses his pace and endurance to shut down somebody and run off his man. Will shine with the new kickouts to give an option.

Fev is behind where he should be. Getting married does not seem to have settled him down. Same attitude and short cuts at training.

Aisake is flying as per usual. Definite long term ruck option.

Houlihan will not be playing down back and will be playing mid/forward and be one of the rotations. Bentick is one of the first picked.

The club is worried about Raso with glandular fever and if he can shake it off and what it means for him long term.

Livingston is the 4th key defender and 3 will be played in the seniors meaning he plays reserves. Almost getting his career finished before he ebven gets a chance this year. Hopefully he can get an opportunity.

Thats about it. Will add some more when I speak to someone else later on today or tonight.

Cheers.

 

[Silvagnis]

Great work Mojo!

Though I'm not happy with Livo being pushed out of the side because we actually have some depth this year.

Are you saying Parrot's wrong regarding Hartlett being the Eagles' number 1 key position player?

 

[SurreyBlue]

Not happy about some of that Mojo and if we go down this road again, then I expect more of the same again. Seems to me we are still not putting our best team forward with Whitnall down back and Walker off the half back line. Pagan is either very stubborn or just plain annoying.

 

[OZBomb]

The decision to play Teague in the mid-field, even briefly, baffles me. He's getting the Bowyer treatment, in that they know that pace is a weakness yet still are attempting to take him out of his comfort zone putting him in the mid-field. Being set-up to fail in my opinion.

Walker on the back flank is another strange decision.

Pagan might live or die by these decisions this year, I think.

Looking forward to Setanta, Fisher, Waite, Fevola this year... lets hope it doesn't rain too much with that forward line.

 

[WTTF]

4 tall forwards look like being played. Fevola, Waite and Fisher are the first 3 picked. Setanta and Deluca are fighting it out for the forward pocket spot.
This is assuming all are fit come round 1. This is not the NAB cup team though where Fev and Waite might not be fit.
Setanta played well in the game up there (better than the 20min practise the other day). He would have the nod in front of Deluca at this stage.
Cheers.

Interesting to here those insights.

I'm surprised to here that Deluca is being considered, unless that means McLaren is not guaranteed a spot in the side. I wouldn't have thought we'd play French, McLaren & DeLuca in the one side.

Setanta instead of DeLuca I could understand, as he offers a little more flexibility than DeLuca.

 

[mojo31]

Andrew Walker

Midfielder

19 years old. 33 AFL games.
18 games in 2005.

Strengths: Andrew is as gifted an athlete as Carlton has had since Kouta. A good size at close to 190cms and 90kgs now. Has a huge leap and big hands. Very quick over any distance but particularly over the first few steps where he is explosive. Great endurance and finishes second in most of thew time trials. Great balance and is quite strong despite still only being 19. So really he the perfect physical specimen for a modern footballer. A quite shy and introverted person off the field who loves the club and is a very likeable young man.
Extremely hard trainer and is thoroughly professional with how he prepares himself. Versatile and capable of playing as a tagger, midfielder, wing and a half back flanker.
His footwork in close can be breathtaking at times. Blind turns, baulks, gathering the ball with 1 hand or bursting through a pack. He has shown he can do the unbelievable at times.

Weaknesses: Does not get enough of the ball at senior level. The kicking action is very awkward and breaks down under pressure. Bounces with his left hand and this naturally tends to run to his left and make it hard for him to kick on his right. Does not settle before kicking and rushes himself. Picks the wrong options at times and tries to do to much with the ball. Unsure of what to do and what his role is. Looks conflicted at times on the field with what to do. Attack or play the percentages. Follow the coaches instructions or play his natural game. Not football smart and is not a great reader of the play and needs to develop that side of his game. Flies for some huge marks but drops to many at this stage.
Not great awareness when he gets the ball and can be tackled from the side and has a little bit of tunnel vision instead of peripheral vision.

Comment: A bottom aged player taken in the 2004 draft and is barely 19 now and has physically matured over the pre season. Packed on the muscle all over and the long lean body is now well developed. Fitness has stepped up to the elite level now and despite putting on a lot of weight he is just as quick as when he was drafted. So many rough edges on his game when he first came to the club. Gradually they are being smoothed out.
Barry Mitchell has worked extremely hard on his kicking action and it is smoother now on both sides. In the practice game it look noticeably better and his skills were definitely up. Steadied too with the ball and looked more composed.
Played as a tagger last year and showed he has the fitness and discipline to stick with a number of gun players. Was ignored a number of times each time I was the games live (hard to see on television) especially from the kick outs. Worked hard to make position only to be overlooked. Really sapped his confidence. When he did get the ball in congestion there was a distinct lack of blocks put on to allow him time and space to run and carry the ball. Consequently he was under pressure all the time.
We need to look at how the West Coast midfield block for Judd to see what can be done to open up spaces for him to attack and do that for Andrew.
What Andrew does have is a superb attitude to his football. Is really hard at the ball and man and is a physical player who loves to compete. Loves a bit a verbal and niggle on the field top get him going.
The word is that he will be playing half back flank after 2 practice games there. Not what I would be doing. I would play him on the wing against the most dangerous wingman from the opposition and ask him to do a close checking defensive job. Then really run hard forward when Carlton have the ball and all out attack. I don’t want to see him dragged back to the goal square where opposition teams will do if he plays back (like WB did with Cooney). He is not ready for that where one mistake will cost a goal. He is too young and inexperienced for that.
Play him on the wing where he can fly for his marks and hunt his opponent around the field when the ball is in dispute. Then when he wins the ball or team mate has it he can run and take off and make space and give an option.
Then as his fitness takes over he can stop hunting his opponent and look to dominate and dictate play late in quarters and at the end of the game.


2006: Set to really take a big step this year. Is physically ready to. Future: Will be a gun all over the field. Mark of the year playing off the wing.



Eddie Betts

Small forward

19 years old. 19 AFL games.
19 games in 2005.

Strengths: Anticipation is something that sets Eddie apart from most players. Just reads the ball of the hands of the pack so early he gains a step on his opponent. Blindingly good footwork in close and makes players miss him with a stutter step or baulk. Steps around players easily and fakes a quick kick or handball and suddenly he has some space. Very good kick who can snap on either foot and kick under a player or quickly lift a kick. Just overall suited to the forward line and is an instinctive footballer. Does not need to be taught the game just needs to be physically ready to capitalise on his talent.
Good pace and a good tackler with a very good technique. Prepared to chase and harass. Good trainer and will not the hard work needed once training is under way.

Weaknesses: The obvious one is his height and small build. Really limits him to a forward pocket until he builds up to take the physical hits he would as a midfielder. Burst player who does not have natural endurance. Two times now he has come back overweight for the pre season. The first time he was injured and some of it was understandable but this year there were no excuses.
Changed his living arrangements and that should help him not living with his auntie in lets just say an “unhealthy environment and influence” and leave it at that.
Tries to do a little bit to much sometimes with the ball and be a bit to selfish at times. Dropped last year after turning up late to training before the Western Bulldog game up north.


Comment: Had an overall good year when you consider that he came under an injury cloud. Passed over in the national draft and taken by us in the PSD after Richmond somehow “managed” to find the cap space to fit Knobel in (same thing this year with happened as well with Richmond and not supposedly being able to participate in the PSD).
Sp basically was unfit and injured when he came to the club and did all the training and fined his body right down and was a genuine excitement machine. Showed a real talent to crumb the ball and keep his feet and kick a goal. Really lifts his team and the crowd.
Needs to watch his fitness and body all the time to get the best out of his talent. Plenty of talk in the media about a midfield role this year and while it might be a good story it really is just that. He would be smashed if he lined up in the centre square more regularly and he neither has the aerobic fitness or size to be much good in there. He might roam a little further and wider this year bit is basically going to be front and square off the pack in the forward line all season. Putting pressure on and snagging goals where he can.
Good pickup for Carlton and one of the few genuinely talented and instinctive players we have on our list.

2006: Forward pocket all year. 30 goals.
Future: Every year they will talk about a ‘new” midfield role and then play him in the forward pocket. Just like Didak, Sampi and others.

 

[mojo31]

Great work Mojo!

Though I'm not happy with Livo being pushed out of the side because we actually have some depth this year.

Are you saying Parrot's wrong regarding Hartlett being the Eagles' number 1 key position player?

Wash your mouth out Cypher. Parrot is never wrong.

Hail to the Parrot.

 

[mojo31]

Not happy about some of that Mojo and if we go down this road again, then I expect more of the same again. Seems to me we are still not putting our best team forward with Whitnall down back and Walker off the half back line. Pagan is either very stubborn or just plain annoying.

I dont disagree with you Surrey. For me Lance should be played forward and Andrew is a natural wing who is physically ready for that role now.
If they want some run back there then play Jordan Russell back or McGrath who can give some rebound. Carrazzo can also do the job and then move into the midfield and McGrath/Russell brought off the bench as a rebounding defender for the roatation.

 

[mojo31]

The decision to play Teague in the mid-field, even briefly, baffles me. He's getting the Bowyer treatment, in that they know that pace is a weakness yet still are attempting to take him out of his comfort zone putting him in the mid-field. Being set-up to fail in my opinion.

Walker on the back flank is another strange decision.

Pagan might live or die by these decisions this year, I think.

Looking forward to Setanta, Fisher, Waite, Fevola this year... lets hope it doesn't rain too much with that forward line.

Teague has trimmed down but will still be embarressed by the quick midfielders if he plays in there. He plays half back flank and thats it. If he is not good enough or is out of form then drop him to the reserves. Dont change his game. He is limited and they should play to his strengths (courage, defensive ability. 1%ers and reading the play) rather than highlight his weaknesses (cant kick and is slow). In the midfield his pace and kicking will be highlighted and his ability to play quite tall and punch the ball and be 3rd up in a marking contest are taken away.
Playing as a defensive forward will not work as he cant kick and teams will play there attacking defender on him and not be hurt by Teague when he gets the ball. Wirrupunda, Chris Johnson, Rohan Smith and the like will get 25 possessions and set up play if they are matched on Teague.
Play him back to leave him there. No match up for him then take him off. If his form is poor then drop him.

Walker on the HBF I do not agree with either.

4 talls might be a bit much but they may well start out with that then take Setanta off at times and bring on a smaller player like a Murphy to change things up. Fisher and Waite are agile and quick and so is Setanta so it might work.

 

[mojo31]

Interesting to here those insights.

I'm surprised to here that Deluca is being considered, unless that means McLaren is not guaranteed a spot in the side. I wouldn't have thought we'd play French, McLaren & DeLuca in the one side.

Setanta instead of DeLuca I could understand, as he offers a little more flexibility than DeLuca.

The match committee rates Deluca quite highly and were falling over themselves to re-sign him last year on a 2 year deal. Not warranted in my opinion. I would have offered him a 1 year deal or put him up for trade.

 

[Effes]

Forward line sounds too tall......teams like Sydney will kill us on the rebound.

Interesting post on another site had Scotland playing as the loose man in defence. He did rack up quite a bit of ball late last year and could provide a bit more carry than Lance

 

[mojo31]

FB:Lappin-Thornton-Saddington
HB:Walker-Lance-Carrazzo
C:Scotland-Bentick-Simpson
HF:Fisher-Waite-Houlihan
FF:Betts-Fevola-Setanta
RUCK:French-Kouta-Stevens

Bench:McLaren-Murphy-Teague-(Bannister/Russell/McGrath)

Based on what I have been told might be a likely starting team for round 1 of the AFL season. Not taking into account any injuries and if Fev is ready.

Against a team like Sydney then maybe Setanta is not started and Murphy or Lappin might be in the forward line and one of Bannister/McGrath/Russell depending on who gets the nod plays back to cover for Lappin.

That would be my best guess at a team at this stage.

 

[Funkalicous]

Forward line sounds too tall......teams like Sydney will kill us on the rebound.

It is rather tall, but Waite and Fisher are as mobile as anyone on our list.

What would really help us is if Fevola can get his defensive game back. With his foot speed off the mark, he should be making life hell for defenders.

 

[Silvagnis]

Andrew Walker

Midfielder

19 years old. 33 AFL games.
18 games in 2005.

Strengths: Andrew is as gifted an athlete as Carlton has had since Kouta. A good size at close to 190cms and 90kgs now. Has a huge leap and big hands. Very quick over any distance but particularly over the first few steps where he is explosive. Great endurance and finishes second in most of thew time trials. Great balance and is quite strong despite still only being 19. So really he the perfect physical specimen for a modern footballer. A quite shy and introverted person off the field who loves the club and is a very likeable young man.
Extremely hard trainer and is thoroughly professional with how he prepares himself. Versatile and capable of playing as a tagger, midfielder, wing and a half back flanker.
His footwork in close can be breathtaking at times. Blind turns, baulks, gathering the ball with 1 hand or bursting through a pack. He has shown he can do the unbelievable at times.

Weaknesses: Does not get enough of the ball at senior level. The kicking action is very awkward and breaks down under pressure. Bounces with his left hand and this naturally tends to run to his left and make it hard for him to kick on his right. Does not settle before kicking and rushes himself. Picks the wrong options at times and tries to do to much with the ball. Unsure of what to do and what his role is. Looks conflicted at times on the field with what to do. Attack or play the percentages. Follow the coaches instructions or play his natural game. Not football smart and is not a great reader of the play and needs to develop that side of his game. Flies for some huge marks but drops to many at this stage.
Not great awareness when he gets the ball and can be tackled from the side and has a little bit of tunnel vision instead of peripheral vision.

Comment: A bottom aged player taken in the 2004 draft and is barely 19 now and has physically matured over the pre season. Packed on the muscle all over and the long lean body is now well developed. Fitness has stepped up to the elite level now and despite putting on a lot of weight he is just as quick as when he was drafted. So many rough edges on his game when he first came to the club. Gradually they are being smoothed out.
Barry Mitchell has worked extremely hard on his kicking action and it is smoother now on both sides. In the practice game it look noticeably better and his skills were definitely up. Steadied too with the ball and looked more composed.
Played as a tagger last year and showed he has the fitness and discipline to stick with a number of gun players. Was ignored a number of times each time I was the games live (hard to see on television) especially from the kick outs. Worked hard to make position only to be overlooked. Really sapped his confidence. When he did get the ball in congestion there was a distinct lack of blocks put on to allow him time and space to run and carry the ball. Consequently he was under pressure all the time.
We need to look at how the West Coast midfield block for Judd to see what can be done to open up spaces for him to attack and do that for Andrew.
What Andrew does have is a superb attitude to his football. Is really hard at the ball and man and is a physical player who loves to compete. Loves a bit a verbal and niggle on the field top get him going.
The word is that he will be playing half back flank after 2 practice games there. Not what I would be doing. I would play him on the wing against the most dangerous wingman from the opposition and ask him to do a close checking defensive job. Then really run hard forward when Carlton have the ball and all out attack. I don’t want to see him dragged back to the goal square where opposition teams will do if he plays back (like WB did with Cooney). He is not ready for that where one mistake will cost a goal. He is too young and inexperienced for that.
Play him on the wing where he can fly for his marks and hunt his opponent around the field when the ball is in dispute. Then when he wins the ball or team mate has it he can run and take off and make space and give an option.
Then as his fitness takes over he can stop hunting his opponent and look to dominate and dictate play late in quarters and at the end of the game.


2006: Set to really take a big step this year. Is physically ready to. Future: Will be a gun all over the field. Mark of the year playing off the wing.

A better kicking technique? Walker is massive after 3 pre-seasons.

Carlton's community camp

Photos and match report from the Newcastle practice - scroll down to the eleventh post

 

[Silvagnis]

Fev's only tackle for 2006.

 

[mojo31]

A better kicking technique? Walker is massive after 3 pre-seasons.

Carlton's community camp

Photos and match report from the Newcastle practice - scroll down to the eleventh post

Good pic on Andrew there. Yes he has really matured and filled out. Notice his head over the ball and not so much of his body leaning back (although still to much in that pic)
On both sides at training and at the practise match last week he was really leaning over the ball and dropping it straight down and the floaters were gone. The ball was spinning and had real punch on his kicks.

I hope you have boomarked all the Walker is a dud threads ready for his much improved 2006 season Cypher?
Stanton>>>Walker
Sylvia>>Walker
Ray>>Walker
Trotter>>Walker
Walker is the worst number 2 pick ever.

 

[Effes]

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175518
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197031
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195051
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216260
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154374

 

[Silvagnis]

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175518
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197031
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195051
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216260
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154374

And F/D will be back posting in two weeks?