Toast Positives

[The Old Dark Navy's]

I was extremely agitated, frustrated and then deflated watching that game. My anger was boiling over. It's very emotional when your heart is invested in something and you have to wait a week to have another chance to redeem yourselves. I ate dinner, took the dog for a walk, watched a bit of TV, then came on here to view the inevitable fallout.

I can almost see the spittle on dozens of computer monitors, and foam coming out the sides of a few mouths. Wouldn't mind betting a few wives and girlfriends have disappeared into another part of the house, bemoaning football in general, and the dog is cowering somewhere.

It's times like these where I am glad I made a concerted effort to work through my frustrations before coming online. It was ANOTHER unacceptable performance no doubt, but some of the reactions are very ugly.

Sure, I muttered plenty of things to myself about individuals as the frustration grew, but the reality is there is not too many changes that can be made. Our skill level is down and we are not a physical team.

Why are our expectations so high? Preseason, most thought we would sneak into the 8 or miss altogether. We finished 7th last year. I reckon we will finish 7th again. We got bundled out first final. The same will happen again. Since losing Fev, we have gained nothing, lost nothing in terms of progress.

I have concerns for our chances long term I guess, especially as some of the players letting us down are fully developed physically and experience wise. I think they are all capable on their day but not too many lead from the front. Judd does in one way, although not as much as the commentators make out he does. Armfield is the other one. Keeps his feet and keeps going regardless of the odds. If Army can do it, the rest can do it. They just have to want it.

 

[jj1978]

I was extremely agitated, frustrated and then deflated watching that game. My anger was boiling over. It's very emotional when your heart is invested in something and you have to wait a week to have another chance to redeem yourselves. I ate dinner, took the dog for a walk, watched a bit of TV, then came on here to view the inevitable fallout.

I can almost see the spittle on dozens of computer monitors, and foam coming out the sides of a few mouths. Wouldn't mind betting a few wives and girlfriends have disappeared into another part of the house, bemoaning football in general, and the dog is cowering somewhere.

It's times like these where I am glad I made a concerted effort to work through my frustrations before coming online. It was ANOTHER unacceptable performance no doubt, but some of the reactions are very ugly.

Sure, I muttered plenty of things to myself about individuals as the frustration grew, but the reality is there is not too many changes that can be made. Our skill level is down and we are not a physical team.

Why are our expectations so high? Preseason, most thought we would sneak into the 8 or miss altogether. We finished 7th last year. I reckon we will finish 7th again. We got bundled out first final. The same will happen again. Since losing Fev, we have gained nothing, lost nothing in terms of progress.

I have concerns for our chances long term I guess, especially as some of the players letting us down are fully developed physically and experience wise. I think they are all capable on their day but not too many lead from the front. Judd does in one way, although not as much as the commentators make out he does. Armfield is the other one. Keeps his feet and keeps going regardless of the odds. If Army can do it, the rest can do it. They just have to want it.

And here is the reality check that most of us are fearing... come next year if we continue as we are... teams like Richmond, Melbourne etc will over-take us and we will return back to a rebuilding phase.

We can nip this in the bud.. but it will require a team-effort, Ratten needs to put his hand up and say he needs help/advice... and each player must look at themselves in the mirror and question what the hell is going on in their heads.

 

[The Big Sticks]

This is a VERY positive thread

Anyway I think Garlett was good with his forward pressure as usual.

Hendo was good too. Seems to be getting some confidence.

Armfield is underrated as someone said earlier. He is fast, courageous, plays with heart and working on his skills. Possible future captain?

Hampson finally started taking some grabs. Just needs to work on decision making.

That's about it. Not a good game at all

 

[The Coach]

Army

 

[Fail]

Army

+1 He gave it his all today

 

[Big Red is back]

+1 He gave it his all today

+2 love him

 

[Blue Bawls]

I was extremely agitated, frustrated and then deflated watching that game. My anger was boiling over. It's very emotional when your heart is invested in something and you have to wait a week to have another chance to redeem yourselves. I ate dinner, took the dog for a walk, watched a bit of TV, then came on here to view the inevitable fallout.

I can almost see the spittle on dozens of computer monitors, and foam coming out the sides of a few mouths. Wouldn't mind betting a few wives and girlfriends have disappeared into another part of the house, bemoaning football in general, and the dog is cowering somewhere.

It's times like these where I am glad I made a concerted effort to work through my frustrations before coming online. It was ANOTHER unacceptable performance no doubt, but some of the reactions are very ugly.

Sure, I muttered plenty of things to myself about individuals as the frustration grew, but the reality is there is not too many changes that can be made. Our skill level is down and we are not a physical team.

Why are our expectations so high? Preseason, most thought we would sneak into the 8 or miss altogether. We finished 7th last year. I reckon we will finish 7th again. We got bundled out first final. The same will happen again. Since losing Fev, we have gained nothing, lost nothing in terms of progress.

I have concerns for our chances long term I guess, especially as some of the players letting us down are fully developed physically and experience wise. I think they are all capable on their day but not too many lead from the front. Judd does in one way, although not as much as the commentators make out he does. Armfield is the other one. Keeps his feet and keeps going regardless of the odds. If Army can do it, the rest can do it. They just have to want it.

 

[blues4flag]

+1 He gave it his all today

+ everyday.

While he mightn't have the talent of others, if we had 22 players with his endeavour rest assured we'd be challenging for a flag.

Pity we'd struggle to find 5.

 

[jackn]

Positive 1. Army was brilliant. Ran hard all day while every single other carlton player was barely into second gear. Apparently they feel the slow jog is the way to beat the zone. Too much faith in what they learnt reading fables about hares losing races.

Positive 2. Lachie presented well until he was injured. Hopefully he's okay.

Positive 3. Only 8 more weeks of this shit.

 

[incog43]

Army is still playing rugby, straight, fast and hard. Another 50 games and he will be a beaut.

 

[blue gunslinger]

was it but 2 weeks ago and everybody was sticking the boots into Army?
As for his smothering didn't he go off last week with a busted nose?

 

[Alpha1]

We need at least 22 more Army's in this team, at least the kid has guts and gives it his all.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

If we are going to be constructive, this is the one I saw it. Bear in mind I recorded it and fast forwarded some sections of the game as the avalance occurred.

1. Walker - did some good things. Saw a pearler of a pass into the forward 50, and he runs and runs and runs. Problem is he is being an uncontested king, preferring to run away from traffic to provide an option and his disposal is not sharp enough to do that full time. Suffers from poor decision making like many of his teammates. I believe his run is all important, like Wojo from the Cats, but he has to be more prepared to get dirty.

2. Russell - has fallen away during this lean period. Not to the level of his previous whipping boy status, but is not exactly beating his man as consistently. Like many players, they look bad when the team is travelling bad. Is strong, is courageous, dominates when confident. Still a keeper.

3. Murphy - still a gun player, but is not coming along as the leader I thought he may be. Does not seem to inspire those around him, but seems pretty happy when he does something good. Could be a champion but perhaps coasting a little.

4. Gibbs - see Murphy above. We should be getting lifts from these guys, but always get the impression they are leaving something in the tank passion wise. Can't single them out as they are still better than most in the team, but sometimes if those you look to for inspiration aren't offering any, then it permeates the team. At the very least, the class players should be showing the others how not to panic.

5. Judd - still doing a power of work, still trying to drag us along, but we can't deny that some of his disposal is starting to hurt us, and it is not just the pressure disposal. Tonight we were in the game early in general play but were butchering chances and going forward haphazardly. Someone needed to provide the lift. The Judd miss on the run, followed by the set shot miss from the fortunate free after the kick, really deflated me. If ever we needed to exert scoreboard pressure to capitalise on our opportunities and give us a much needed boost, that was it.

6. Simpson - not going to bag Simmo too much. One of our few willing workers who puts his body on the line every week. He is entitled to the occasional quiet game. Loved the long goal shortly after hurting himself in a contest.

12. Robinson - yes he is tough as nails, but I don't think we were soft tonight. Tonight was about our poor skills and decision making AND going to ground consistently while our opponents ran forward unopposed. Robbo was a major culprit in this regard. We just lacked balance and poise all game.

13. Yarran - saw someone bagging him, but I liked plenty of things he did. Was willing to go back and help out in defence. Second year player who will be up and down, but as long as he continues to show us his class regularly, I have no major concerns.

17. O'hAilpin - Was never going to shine basically double teamed with Lake being one of those against him. However, Lake exposed him for judgment time and time again, and he is equally responsible for holding the ball in the forward line. Seems to have lost a bit of pace. Is he right?

18. Bower - not match fit. Has the ability but not thrilled with his output tonight.

19. Betts - Dogs planned for him and he didn't work hard enough to overcome that plan. Pretty easy to negate our most dangerous forward when no other forwards are taking the focus off him.

22. Hampson - liked the mark he took. First time I have seen him at full extension like that. Not doing anywhere near enough though.

23. Henderson - very hard worker. Has some brain fades as in kicking too close to man on mark but didn't drop his head and can only get better. Have some high hopes for him long term.

27. Armfield - plays well most weeks, and playing well when we are under siege is a real positive. He was very good today. Backs himself with the ball and crunches opponents when they have the ball. Not the greatest skills but you can not fault the way he goes about things.

29. Scotland - the most indecisive I have seen him. Usually one of our cooler heads but he was all at sea today.

32. Thornton - seemed to be zoning off his opponent even when they were threatening. Not a good game. Game seems to be too quick for him.

33. Houlihan - really struggled to get into the contest and make things happen. Not really the player to lift the team when they are down.

38. Garlett - never gives up. One of a few who was truly pressuring the Dogs. A vital part of the team, even if the flow of the game is not always to his advantage.

39. Jacobs - I thought he went okay. Good honest player is Sam. Showed something with that first snapped goal.

40. Jamison - decision making was ordinary in this game. Is usually very assured. Got found out on the lead and not very strong in contested situations. Strain seems to be showing.

44. Carrazzo - not sure what role he had out there but pretty much all the Dogs were running riot so am not sure how effective he was. Decision making was painfully slow. Hesitation was our biggest enemy in general and this was a poor game from Carrots. Part of our leadership group but if a message needs to be sent again, he is a candidate.

45. Joseph - he's a trier but is just not doing enough. Not sure whether a footy brain is a major part of his kit bag. Just seems to reactive at times.

Overall, a lift across the board is needed.

 

[blue gunslinger]

and our board?

 

[Alpha1]

What we need is courage, what we need is 21 more Armfield's.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

What we need is courage, what we need is 21 more Armfield's.

No, as courageous as he is, we need a balance of different types. 22 Armfield's would get flogged as you need skills and vision as well as run and guts.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

and our board?

Not going to speculate on the board and their input.

As far as coaching goes, at quarter time Rohan Smith said that Ratten gave them a bake for the way they were bringing the ball in to the forward 50. Yet some here question the coaching in this regard, as though the players would only be doing what Ratten tells them to. Consistently our players have ignored coaching instructions while under pressure.

 

[blues4flag]

Not going to speculate on the board and their input.

As far as coaching goes, at quarter time Rohan Smith said that Ratten gave them a bake for the way they were bringing the ball in to the forward 50. Yet some here question the coaching in this regard, as though the players would only be doing what Ratten tells them to. Consistently our players have ignored coaching instructions while under pressure.

Without doubt but then the question is why can't we stick to our structures under pressure? We seem to fall away more than most when the heat is on.

Do the boys do enough match simulation at training in this regard?

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Without doubt but then the question is why can't we stick to our structures under pressure? We seem to fall away more than most when the heat is on.

Do the boys do enough match simulation at training in this regard?

No idea.

It's not necessarily youth and inexperience as our experienced players often let us down, and other teams youngsters are playing out of their skin anyway.

Do we come back to being mentally soft, and how would you improve that if that is the case? We seem to lack some real mongrels, who also happen to be skilled.

Think about it, our front line players Judd, Murphy, Gibbs, Kreuzer, Simpson .... not a lot of mongrel there. The only front liner that attempts to be a mongrel gets suspended for doing so.

Physically we seems a long way behind most teams too, body and strength wise.

 

[95blues]

The Judd bashing is all good and well and in terms of his disposal by foot i will agree (however i do believe it coz he knows nobody is going to shepard and give him time).

However, i have noticed over the past few weeks that Judd pretty much always beats his man to the ball, the problem is... Juddy grabs it and dishes it off to carrots or simmo who then promptly handpass it at somebodies feet or 3 feet behind them. At this point Juddy has sprinted past looking for the offload and his trailing opponent is gifted with a free possession. Pretty sure i saw it at least 8 times last night alone.

Just my opinion.

 

[Hank_Hill]

Setanta Ó hAilpín played a blinder again.

O'hailpin what a legend. 1 kick 1 handball for the match. good to see he is sticking to his great form of the last 6 weeks.

 

[jimsta10]

The only positive thing was me not venting all the anger that was floating inside my head onto this board last night (this was due to me taking 2 sleeping pills and going off to bed earlier)

Like most hot headed and passionate Carlton supports, the temptation of venting anger is a must.

Reading some of the posts this morning lead me to realized that I acted like a complete dic in front of my 3 year old son during the game. This is not good when he mimics most things you do.

Everyone is hurt, I even noticed SOS and his family in the crowd, and he too looked somewhat guttered.

Waite is an obvious inclusion for the Sydney game, Bower hopefully pulls up ok and continues to play...these could be seen as somewhat positives, but then again, opinions do vary.

 

[blue gunslinger]

+ve soon to play in Perth

 

[Blue since 72]

If we are going to be constructive, this is the one I saw it. Bear in mind I recorded it and fast forwarded some sections of the game as the avalance occurred.

1. Walker - did some good things. Saw a pearler of a pass into the forward 50, and he runs and runs and runs. Problem is he is being an uncontested king, preferring to run away from traffic to provide an option and his disposal is not sharp enough to do that full time. Suffers from poor decision making like many of his teammates. I believe his run is all important, like Wojo from the Cats, but he has to be more prepared to get dirty.

Agreed.

3. Murphy - still a gun player, but is not coming along as the leader I thought he may be. Does not seem to inspire those around him, but seems pretty happy when he does something good. Could be a champion but perhaps coasting a little.

4. Gibbs - see Murphy above. We should be getting lifts from these guys, but always get the impression they are leaving something in the tank passion wise. Can't single them out as they are still better than most in the team, but sometimes if those you look to for inspiration aren't offering any, then it permeates the team. At the very least, the class players should be showing the others how not to panic.

Agreed.

5. Judd - still doing a power of work, still trying to drag us along, but we can't deny that some of his disposal is starting to hurt us, and it is not just the pressure disposal. Tonight we were in the game early in general play but were butchering chances and going forward haphazardly. Someone needed to provide the lift. The Judd miss on the run, followed by the set shot miss from the fortunate free after the kick, really deflated me. If ever we needed to exert scoreboard pressure to capitalise on our opportunities and give us a much needed boost, that was it.

Agreed.

17. O'hAilpin - Was never going to shine basically double teamed with Lake being one of those against him. However, Lake exposed him for judgment time and time again, and he is equally responsible for holding the ball in the forward line. Seems to have lost a bit of pace. Is he right?

Agreed.

38. Garlett - never gives up. One of a few who was truly pressuring the Dogs. A vital part of the team, even if the flow of the game is not always to his advantage.

Agreed.

It would appear the main positive for me was not having foxtel as I havn't seen the game and obviously won't bother trying to.

Re Walker, think he has taken the attacking side of his game too far; ie only running one way in recent weeks.

Honestly believe Murph and Gibbs haven't imposed themselves more on the team beacause of Judd. I remember Benny Cousins saying when he and Judd were at WC he often caught himself standing still watching Juddy doing his thing it was that good. I think unfortunately this is one down side to Judd being such a dominant on field player, the younger guys stay in the shadows longer instead of finding their leadership position within the team. Gibbs and Murph should have found their voice by now and be directing traffic out there. Instead they still come across as bit players.

Judds kicking has been dead average this year.

Irish appears injured and needs to go away and get fixed. If he was played on Lake all day this was a massive tactical error.

In my opinion Jeff Garlett has been a revelation this year and of the three small forwards works the hardest most often. Has been a great pick up and hope he stays with the Blues and keeps playing the way he has been.

So to wrap, positves are not having foxtel can be a blessing, Jeff Garlett is on our list, oh and there's always next week.

 

[Alpha1]

Positive for me was turning off the TV at half time, first time I have ever done this, felt ****ing empty.