Pamam
Premiership Player
One step at a time for Blues
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23312239-19742,00.html
IT WILL be heaven for the man in the hot-dog van.
Carlton is expecting up to 15,000 fans to cram into the Princes Park outer on Friday. For a practice match.
Chris Judd is poised to play his first game in navy blue.
You can understand the excitement, given Carlton has won 11 games in the past three seasons.
By the end of 2007, Blues fans were even barracking against their own in the hope of snaring No. 1 draft pick Matthew Kreuzer.
Finally, the arrival of Judd is something tangible to cheer about. There will be early knock-offs across Melbourne on Friday afternoon for the 4.30pm start.
But will the great man make that much of a difference?
If Judd is somewhere close to 100 per cent (and we have to believe the Blues on this one), the answer is an overwhelming YES.
Any doubters should just cast their minds back to Brownlow night, 2007.
The superstar midfielder became the first player in Brownlow Medal history to poll votes in eight consecutive rounds.
From Rounds 1-8, he racked up a lazy 16. Then, as the groin injury took over, the season fizzled out.
But when fit, Judd is the best player in the competition. Plain and simple.
His mere presence is worth at least another four wins for Carlton.
The return of Nick Stevens from a neck injury, perfectly timed to coincide with Juddment Day, is probably worth another couple.
It is all about the ripple effect Judd's arrival will cause.
The former Eagle will cop the No. 1 tagger. If the opposition turns to another lock-down player, he will go to Stevens.
Any wonder Marc Murphy has been so chirpy. After being battered, bruised and scragged through last season, here is his chance to shine.
Again, the worlds have aligned. In year three, he is ready.
Best-and-fairest winner Andrew Carrazzo can now be used as a tagging option. Maybe in a Cameron Ling-style role.
With Heath Scotland and Bryce Gibbs also midfield options and Kade Simpson now a reliable and damaging winger, new coach Brett Ratten has plenty to work with. But, wait, there's a catch. It's not easy to surge from 15th to finalist in one year under the AFL's socialist policies.
And even forgetting the tank talk, the Blues were second last in 2007 for a reason. The main reason was obvious: their defence was on the nose.
Denis Pagan once famously said he recruited Mick Martyn to play on the "gorillas". The Blues could have done with old Micky last year.
Setanta o'hAilpin is an exciting athlete capable of providing devastating rebound, but is he ready to play full-back week in, week out?
Probably not.
Bret Thornton, at 24, must step up to another level in a key defensive post. His stocks have stalled.
An injury to either one, or both, of those tall options would be a devastating blow. Michael Jamison's development will be crucial as he could emerge as a versatile option.
Ratten has recognised the problem and will start Jarrad Waite at centre half-back.
It is an inspired move. At 25, Waite should be ready for a top three finish in the best-and-fairest if he can stay injury-free. He must be consistent for the Blues to have a chance of pushing for the finals.
There are also massive questions over the ruck. Cain Ackland was a major disappointment last year and isn't in my best 22.
Kreuzer isn't ready to be whacked around in the ruck, so it looks like being a combination of Shaun Hampson and Cameron Cloke.
It's hardly Dean Cox/Mark Seaby, but that's Carlton's lot.
Brad Fisher's thumb injury is a major blow. Again, much will rest with Brendan Fevola up forward.
With Judd and Co. pumping it in, you won't bet against Fev kicking 80.
But of more concern is how many the Blues will let through at the other end.
Even with Judd, expect only small steps in improvement this year.
The Blues will break free of the "tank zone", but will still finish between 10th and 14th.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23312239-19742,00.html
IT WILL be heaven for the man in the hot-dog van.
Carlton is expecting up to 15,000 fans to cram into the Princes Park outer on Friday. For a practice match.
Chris Judd is poised to play his first game in navy blue.
You can understand the excitement, given Carlton has won 11 games in the past three seasons.
By the end of 2007, Blues fans were even barracking against their own in the hope of snaring No. 1 draft pick Matthew Kreuzer.
Finally, the arrival of Judd is something tangible to cheer about. There will be early knock-offs across Melbourne on Friday afternoon for the 4.30pm start.
But will the great man make that much of a difference?
If Judd is somewhere close to 100 per cent (and we have to believe the Blues on this one), the answer is an overwhelming YES.
Any doubters should just cast their minds back to Brownlow night, 2007.
The superstar midfielder became the first player in Brownlow Medal history to poll votes in eight consecutive rounds.
From Rounds 1-8, he racked up a lazy 16. Then, as the groin injury took over, the season fizzled out.
But when fit, Judd is the best player in the competition. Plain and simple.
His mere presence is worth at least another four wins for Carlton.
The return of Nick Stevens from a neck injury, perfectly timed to coincide with Juddment Day, is probably worth another couple.
It is all about the ripple effect Judd's arrival will cause.
The former Eagle will cop the No. 1 tagger. If the opposition turns to another lock-down player, he will go to Stevens.
Any wonder Marc Murphy has been so chirpy. After being battered, bruised and scragged through last season, here is his chance to shine.
Again, the worlds have aligned. In year three, he is ready.
Best-and-fairest winner Andrew Carrazzo can now be used as a tagging option. Maybe in a Cameron Ling-style role.
With Heath Scotland and Bryce Gibbs also midfield options and Kade Simpson now a reliable and damaging winger, new coach Brett Ratten has plenty to work with. But, wait, there's a catch. It's not easy to surge from 15th to finalist in one year under the AFL's socialist policies.
And even forgetting the tank talk, the Blues were second last in 2007 for a reason. The main reason was obvious: their defence was on the nose.
Denis Pagan once famously said he recruited Mick Martyn to play on the "gorillas". The Blues could have done with old Micky last year.
Setanta o'hAilpin is an exciting athlete capable of providing devastating rebound, but is he ready to play full-back week in, week out?
Probably not.
Bret Thornton, at 24, must step up to another level in a key defensive post. His stocks have stalled.
An injury to either one, or both, of those tall options would be a devastating blow. Michael Jamison's development will be crucial as he could emerge as a versatile option.
Ratten has recognised the problem and will start Jarrad Waite at centre half-back.
It is an inspired move. At 25, Waite should be ready for a top three finish in the best-and-fairest if he can stay injury-free. He must be consistent for the Blues to have a chance of pushing for the finals.
There are also massive questions over the ruck. Cain Ackland was a major disappointment last year and isn't in my best 22.
Kreuzer isn't ready to be whacked around in the ruck, so it looks like being a combination of Shaun Hampson and Cameron Cloke.
It's hardly Dean Cox/Mark Seaby, but that's Carlton's lot.
Brad Fisher's thumb injury is a major blow. Again, much will rest with Brendan Fevola up forward.
With Judd and Co. pumping it in, you won't bet against Fev kicking 80.
But of more concern is how many the Blues will let through at the other end.
Even with Judd, expect only small steps in improvement this year.
The Blues will break free of the "tank zone", but will still finish between 10th and 14th.
