Positives

[BlueTouchPaper]

No-one excited by a match at Princes' Park?

 

[OldBlueFan]

While he did have a couple of clangers (who didn't) I loved the way JR looks to have carried over the confidence he gained late last year. I think it is fair to say the man has arrived and will play a big part in what is shaping as a solid defence. What about his pace when he chased down one of their zippier forwards? He also took a couple of great one-grab marks on a night where other players watched it slip through their fingers.

Bower was outstanding and yes, not too much of the "deer in headlights" syndrome. His willingness to run and carry out of the backline was great and he looks to have gained enough size to handle the largest of forwards this year. Ditto on the one-grab marks for him too.

Jamison and Thornton were their usual solid selves.

If we can keep these 4 on the park to develop as a settled defensive unit (ala SOS, Sexton, Dean & McKay ... no, I'm not saying they will be that good, but they'll be good enough!) we will give our forward line some much needed time to develop. It will also mean that Waite will rarely be needed in the backline, which will free him up to switch between being a link man coming out of defence and a target deeper inside the 50 metre arc.

Although most seem to think he was at best OK and at worst terrible, I thought that Henderson showed a lot of promise. He definitely knows how to use his body (so as he gets stronger he will do that more effectively) he even won a couple of the wrestles only to drop the mark. He also moves around the ground very well for a guy his size. And I know it wasn't the hardest of shots, but the goal he kicked was at an important time (so the pressure was on) was a fair way out (but made the distance easily) and never looked like missing (unlike Carrazzo's bender ). If he's given the chance to prove himself and let his confidence grow, I think he could finish the year as an important aspect of our forward line.

 

[starchamber]

Betts
Houlihan
Walker

Them 3 are back in Carlton for round 1 possibly as we surely need our best 22. Stick it to the AFL only if we could have given Fevola the same ban oh well.

 

[Dennis]

This is an incredibly short thread. It says a lot

JR was good...just dont let him kick in anymore

 

[libsug]

We only have to play Sydney once in the H&A this year.
Same boring mega flood game style. You could hear the enthusiasm of the ground just sucked out. And we got suckered into it just like we did when we played them Round 2 last year.

Unwatchable.

 

[Blue Girl 4 life]

-Yarran was a positive for me last night,
Pretty silky skills. Really impressed with his efforts last night.
- Lucas and Davies were a positive for me, they didnt stand out, but they did some pretty nice things and were pretty good for their first games.
Robbo- What a game... he is one tough nut. Really enjoyed watching him play last night!
JR- Although he made a few mistakes, he impressed me last night, his confidence has continued throughout the pre-season and he is really improving. I love the way he took the game on at some stages and he really worked hard. I can't wait to see how his whole season goes.
Bower!!! Bower was sensational last night, took some really strong marks and was really strong down in defence.

 

[Ryan Dixon Webb]

Yarran's finishing will improve throughout the year. Reminds a bit like Garlett's work in early 2010, got the pill but just couldn't get it through the sticks, but as he got use to the intensity he managed to allow himself more time.

Henderson just needs to hang onto some marks and he'll be golden. Thought presented well, was physically and had a good work ethic.

 

[gbatman]

Davies showed a bit I thought although has a fair bit to go.
Browne looks to have improved a fair bit although fumbled a lot.
Bower, Yarran, Robinson, Carrazzo were all pretty good.

 

[transmed_999]

Positives:

- Yarran - showed what he is capable of - just needs to convert. A confidence player and once he has a break out game look out!

-Bower - solid last night and will take another step this year.

-Grigg - some good touches last night and hopefully in remains injury. Definately in our best 22 for mine.

- Robinson - what a star. Like he aggression and second and third efforts. Will take another step this year.

Other positives included Davies (like the way he moves and has a bit of size), Lucas (some good touches and will only get better), Henderson (presented well and should be persisted with - a kkp who only turned 20 a few months ago - remember Josh Kennedy?).

Can't wait for the real stuff to begin starting with the Tigers.

The return of Murphy, Simpson, Betts, Walker, Houlihan, and maybe Waite should make a world of difference.

 

[HARKER]

We've really motored along.

Considering the rate of posting in the last 18 hours, we'll hit 600K before March 1

 

[Carlton Villa]

I reckon defensively we are on the right track. In fact i am not scared of us facing fev and Brown anymore. They will kick goals for sure, but not huge bag fulls.

Oh and i thought Warnock looked really good. Would have liked to have seen him play forward a little last night.