Radical Draft Selections

[BrizzyBlue]

We can pick as many defenders, midfielders and utilities as we have numbers to call out, but our biggest challenge is for years we haven't had first use of the red thing. Look at the success of the top teams over the years. They have all had a strong troupe of ruckman. We haven't really had a goodun since Aggots and he had a long apprenticeship under Harry.

Do we sit on our hands and hope that young Irish is gunna lead us to the promised land or do we take radical action this draft period? Now I know it hasn't been considered fashionable to draft a ruckman in the first round and sometimes till after pick 25 or so, with the exception of Josh Frazer. I think that Sellar is a risky conveyance for fulltime rucking duties and Kreuzer won't be available till next year. So what to do?

Leading up to the trading/draft period, we have gotta make a big play to bring young Fabian home to join his reborn older brud. We must do whatever it takes to entice him to Princes Park. Whether that be by trade or in the PSD, it doesn't matter we have to get this genuine palm pilot.

Whether we secure Fabian or not, the next suggestion is the most radical thing you are likely to read today. I have watched a ****load of underage football the past couple of years on TV, Video, DVD and live and IMHO the big Hamburger is the most accomplished skyscraper I've seen coming through the ranks since Adam wore square pants. Assuming the bummers win the spoon, they should take either Gibbs, Hansen or Gumby. If we finish 15th or even 14th, we could pass on the leftovers and go for the big Sandgroper. We already have an emerging plethora of midfielders both inside and outside but they have had to learn to shark the taps of most other sides timber. How much more delivery into our forward 50 would we get if we were able to win just 10 more taps a game?

There are plenty of quality defenders and midfielders later in the draft so we aren't gunna miss too much with the evenness of this Super-Draft.

I say let's set a trend rather than follow one. We need Fabian Deluca and Matthew Leuenberger to come on down to join our exciting grunts and fliers. What say you?

 

[HBF]

You make a very good argument BB, but ruckman tend to slip down the order come draft day. Sellar will go early as he can play forward as well, and IMO, he will go in the top 5 somewhere.

It wouldn't surprise me in Leubenberger is still available when we have our second pick, which is likely to be a PP. With this in mind, and I have posted this several times on BF, this is the way I think we should go draft day:

1st Pick - Lachlan Hansen - Lock it in Eddie!
2nd Pick (PP) - M. Leuenberger or Renouf. We need a developing ruckman and either one of these two would be a great acquisition at Carlton
3rd Pick - Best available Midfielder - Some of these guys will be gone by this time, but i'll list them anyway. Anyone from Albert Proud, Travis Boak, Shaun Grigg, Ricky Pettard, Chris Schmidt, Bachar Houli and Rhyce Prismall, Throw in Gary Moss as well.

 

[crowsarethebest]

Basically you guys need to take the best avilable. You have gaps in the midfield, Backline, forward line, ruck- everywhere. I think that your midfield is looking ok, not as big of a problem as your backline and forward line. Down back and up front you have some good things to build your side around, in Whitnall and Fevola. Then you've got a young KPP in Kennedy, and a ruckman who can play forward in Deluca. You have French and Bryan-I don't know what has happened to Bryan but he played a blinder in his debut. Down back you don't really have much more.. You've got Livingston, Saddington and Thornton who are really 2nd-3rd tier players. About 2 seasons ago I thought Thorton was very promising. Now he has been in a form slump or something.

I think with your 1st pick you need to try and get Hansen/Gumbleton depending who is available but if there is Gibbs, you might want to have a look at him. This year you might as well stock up on ruckman/KPP. I think you can still get some good midfielders late in the draft, you really need a hard nut in there and a pacy player in the middle. A player like Moss could still be there late and a hard nut like Hislop could be avaible with your second pick. I would think that you guys take best avaiable no matter what position.

 

[audas]

Basically you guys need to take the best avilable. You have gaps in the midfield, Backline, forward line, ruck- everywhere. I think that your midfield is looking ok, not as big of a problem as your backline and forward line. Down back and up front you have some good things to build your side around, in Whitnall and Fevola. Then you've got a young KPP in Kennedy, and a ruckman who can play forward in Deluca. You have French and Bryan-I don't know what has happened to Bryan but he played a blinder in his debut. Down back you don't really have much more.. You've got Livingston, Saddington and Thornton who are really 2nd-3rd tier players. About 2 seasons ago I thought Thorton was very promising. Now he has been in a form slump or something.

I think with your 1st pick you need to try and get Hansen/Gumbleton depending who is available but if there is Gibbs, you might want to have a look at him. This year you might as well stock up on ruckman/KPP. I think you can still get some good midfielders late in the draft, you really need a hard nut in there and a pacy player in the middle. A player like Moss could still be there late and a hard nut like Hislop could be avaible with your second pick. I would think that you guys take best avaiable no matter what position.

And Waite and Fisher ?

 

[crowsarethebest]

And Waite and Fisher ?

Woops forgot about them. Fisher is a 3rd forward at best. I think you guys still need a forward. Sorry, I was just trying to give you guys an opinion from an outsiders point of view. Don't worry. I rate Waite and Fisher very highly. You guys still have a lot of work to do but your list is starting to look slightly better. Hows Bower and Hartlett going?

 

[HBF]

Woops forgot about them. Fisher is a 3rd forward at best. I think you guys still need a forward. Sorry, I was just trying to give you guys an opinion from an outsiders point of view. Don't worry. I rate Waite and Fisher very highly. You guys still have a lot of work to do but your list is starting to look slightly better. Hows Bower and Hartlett going?

Hartlett played his first game last week after a lengthy layoff with a hamstring injury. He played in the VFL reserves and from all accounts, he played well. Should go back into the senior VFL team in a week or so. Would love to see him debut later in the year, if his form warrants it.

Bower has been injured as well, but I believe he should be back this week. Will see how he goes.

 

[audas]

Woops forgot about them. Fisher is a 3rd forward at best. I think you guys still need a forward. Sorry, I was just trying to give you guys an opinion from an outsiders point of view. Don't worry. I rate Waite and Fisher very highly. You guys still have a lot of work to do but your list is starting to look slightly better. Hows Bower and Hartlett going?

Intentions are appreciated, good work. FYI I think Wiggins is slipping under the Radar a bit as looks like a chance to really step up and create some much needed depth to a potential power-house forward attack.

Think there are some coming through in the ressies that will put there hand up next year for the back set up, and that leaves the blues, IMO about three positions short plus depth. A good ruck, ONE more potent mid fielder and one (probably two) more decent back players.

So these aquisitions, plus at least a couple of stand ups from rookies, drafts, will also free up other players to play their normal game (thornton, lance, walker) which will add another dimension to the blues.

 

[Kooley]

Basically you guys need to take the best avilable. You have gaps in the midfield, Backline, forward line, ruck- everywhere. I think that your midfield is looking ok, not as big of a problem as your backline and forward line. Down back and up front you have some good things to build your side around, in Whitnall and Fevola. Then you've got a young KPP in Kennedy, and a ruckman who can play forward in Deluca. You have French and Bryan-I don't know what has happened to Bryan but he played a blinder in his debut. Down back you don't really have much more.. You've got Livingston, Saddington and Thornton who are really 2nd-3rd tier players. About 2 seasons ago I thought Thorton was very promising. Now he has been in a form slump or something.

I think with your 1st pick you need to try and get Hansen/Gumbleton depending who is available but if there is Gibbs, you might want to have a look at him. This year you might as well stock up on ruckman/KPP. I think you can still get some good midfielders late in the draft, you really need a hard nut in there and a pacy player in the middle. A player like Moss could still be there late and a hard nut like Hislop could be avaible with your second pick. I would think that you guys take best avaiable no matter what position.

you need to watch a games a bit more closely pal. thornton has been very good this year and once we get some more depth down back will be an excellent 3rd tall.

 

[crowsarethebest]

you need to watch a games a bit more closely pal. thornton has been very good this year and once we get some more depth down back will be an excellent 3rd tall.

I thought he was a FB thats all.

 

[Kooley]

I thought he was a FB thats all.

but you said he was in a form slump. that's what i'm responding to. thornton will never be a suitable full back for us but he has been doing a pretty reasonable job considering.

 

[DIG]

I can't see drafting of forwards being a priority for us, given how strong our full strength forward line is, and the more pressing concerns we have elsewhere.

 

[BrizzyBlue]

You make a very good argument BB, but ruckman tend to slip down the order come draft day. Sellar will go early as he can play forward as well, and IMO, he will go in the top 5 somewhere.

It wouldn't surprise me in Leubenberger is still available when we have our second pick, which is likely to be a PP. With this in mind, and I have posted this several times on BF, this is the way I think we should go draft day:

1st Pick - Lachlan Hansen - Lock it in Eddie!
2nd Pick (PP) - M. Leuenberger or Renouf. We need a developing ruckman and either one of these two would be a great acquisition at Carlton
3rd Pick - Best available Midfielder - Some of these guys will be gone by this time, but i'll list them anyway. Anyone from Albert Proud, Travis Boak, Shaun Grigg, Ricky Pettard, Chris Schmidt, Bachar Houli and Rhyce Prismall, Throw in Gary Moss as well.

Interesting response over on CSC. One of the guys pointed out that whilst there may be a trend to let Ruckmen slip down the order a bit, in years that quality ones are available, they get snaffled early. His list:

1- Michael Gardiner
2- Brad Ottens
1- Jeff White
2- Justin Longmuir (Forward/Ruckmen)
1- Josh Fraser
15- Barry Brooks
9- Hamish McIntosh
7- David Hale
20- Will Minson
6- Kepler Bradley (utility/ruckmen)
7- Patrick Ryder (Forward/Ruckmen)

I debated back that this may be the case but we as a club haven't gone down that track before and now we need to.

 

[HBF]

^^^ That makes interesting reading, but i still stand by my original statement and we need to take the best available pick with the clubs needs in mind. As Hartlett and Bower have not debuted at Senior level yet, we need to get a backman that we know can play. That's why I keep saying Hansen, Hansen, Hansen.

Pick up a ruckman with our second pick, which is likely to be a PP, and then best available midfielder after that.

 

[BlueFeaver]

Woops forgot about them. Fisher is a 3rd forward at best. I think you guys still need a forward. Sorry, I was just trying to give you guys an opinion from an outsiders point of view. Don't worry. I rate Waite and Fisher very highly. You guys still have a lot of work to do but your list is starting to look slightly better. Hows Bower and Hartlett going?

You raise all very valid points. The best player policy come draft day makes loads of sense and as you said this is our best way forward. I agree with your comments about our backline, Thornton was on the way to becoming one of the leagues best defenders but now is best suited to the 3rd best forward. There is still a role for him at the blues but not as a key defender. Lance has been fantastic but as we know gets exposed on more athletic opposition and can get dragged back to the last line. The future of our defense lays with Hartlett (FB), Bower (CHB/HBF), Setanta (BP/HBF), Russell (HBF) and possibly the inclusion of Hansen at CHB. This with a small defender/mid would be a likely defense for years to come. Your overview of our forward line is probably a little off the mark. Think of this Fev (FF), Kennedy (CHF), Waite (HFF), Fisher (FP/HFF), Big Red (HFF/FP) and likes of Betts and Murphy rotating as a small forward and rover. There are a few teams that would kill to get some of these players.
The ruck is a problem, we see this year with the Saints how much it can hurt not having a quality ruck. First use is a huge advantage. Carlton should make Fabian Deluca a priority in the PSD.
I am sure all the Blues supporters appreciate your constructive comments and if its any consolation, you guys are by far the best team in the AFL at this time. Your best recruite over the last 5 years is Neil Craig, I'd give my left nut to have him at Carlton. He is old school in his manner but cutting edge with his methods.

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

would be very pleased if we picked up Luenberger with PP #18.