Rank the 2002 Blues Playing List

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Thought it might be an interesting exercise to rank the Carlton players for 2002 right through the senior list. Hell we'll be using the rookie list as well and a couple of them are known players so throw them in as well.

So what are your rankings from 1-44 for the 2002 season. You can take into account aging players, injured players, those likely to serve time

I will give it some thought and post mine ASAP.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Okay that should be 1-43 (38 seniors and 5 rookies). This is taking into account how much time the player will spend on the field and how effective they will be during that time, any niggling injuries they have, the increased or reduced roles they are likely to play, past history, aging legs etc etc. Purely subjective but this is how I rate the 2002 Blues and how I think they'll perform.

1. Andrew McKay - the backline general since SOS has retired.
2. Brett Ratten - Still the best despite increasing attention.
3. Scott Camporeale - Will mature further this season to compliment his silky skills.
4. Adrian Hickmott - The engine behind the Blues ferocious approach to the game and the fittest player at the Blues if off season training is any guide.
5. Simon Beaumont - Has an important key position role to play and should be able to continue his early 2001 form.
6. Corey McKernan - Call it a hunch but his best is fantastic and will be a massive focal point. His enthusiasm is very encouraging.
7. Lance Whitnall - May have a floating role so will not have as much pressure to carry the forward line as usual. Expect to see a much more relaxed Big Red in 2002.
8. Matthew Allan - Well, he has the undisputed number one ruck position and will not be required to rest in the forward pocket. Will be dominate if he remains injury free.
9. Matthew Lappin - Should benefit from having less pressure on him this year. Will still be as dangerous as ever.
10. Craig Bradley - One feels this is a phasing out period for the skipper much like the Parkin handover to Brittain. Can not help but be productive and inspirational.
11. Glenn Manton - A much better player than the critics suggest. Will win his share of contests from full back. Hugely important player.
12. Darren Hulme - Will again be the goer we need him to be. Will improve yet again.
13. Justin Murphy - Back where he belongs. Will show he never should have left.
14. Jim Plunkett - Will again give a good account of himself in most matches. Beware those second year Blues!
15. Ian Prendergast - Has a big role to play in our height deficient areas. Impressive fitness will keep his star rising if injury free.
16. Anthony Franchina - Accountable player that has started to show his own skills. Rated highly.
17. Brendan Fevola - Huge talent but will we get to see it. If he has any sense at all, he will show all his cards on the field instead of off it.
18. Simon Fletcher - Showed himself to be that honest type of player that we need to offset the stars in the side. Will continue to cement a spot.
19. Ryan Houlihan - Hopes for an elevation to top 10 status this year but off field dramas and speculation aren't positive. Has the potential to be anything. Will again be handy.
20. Trent Hotton - Will again be a key position/ruck backup and that value can't be underestimated.
21. Anthony Koutoufides - Would normally be 20 places higher but any time on the field and in form will be a bonus in 2002. I pray for a finals fairytale from the Koutaman!
22. Andrew Eccles - Injury free will be a huge boost to this Blues team as he has real talent. Still an unknown quantity though.
23. Scott Freeborn - A return to 2000 form beckons. Can Scott pull it off. At least will be serviceable.
24. Michael Mansfield - Will be important if injury strikes. A very efficient player giving it all he has got in the twilight of his career.
25. Ang Christou - Like Mansfield except he is a Blues favourite. In the right position to have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders should be get onto the field.
26. Simon Wiggins - The most impressive of the 2000 national draft class. Shows all the attributes and attitude to progress much further.
27. Luke Livingston - There on potential and reputation at this stage. The great blue hope in most Carlton circles. Recent reports are encouraging.
28. Lindsay Smith - In the firing line up to his neck if Allan goes down. Has a good leap and many Roos were sorry to lose him.
29. Trent Sporn - Probably the most unlucky not to get a run in 2001. Will definitely see senior game time in 2002.
30. Callan Beasy - Strong forward type but that is not where our deficiency lies. Looks promising for 2003.
31. Adam Pickering - Played senior football off the rookie list but the jury has still not seen enough of him to judge.
32. Jordan Doering - Marked down through his 'demotion' to the rookie list but showed enough to suggest he can make it if his attitude holds out.
33. Andrew Merrington - Needs to show more consistency in 2002. Has some ability.
34. Blake Campbell - Showed enough to warrant another look. May find it hard to break into a strong running brigade.
35. Sean O'Keefe - Much like Campbell. Handy lower grade player who deserves a longer look.
36. Jarrad Waite - Has the physical attributes and the bloodline to be a great player. 2002 will be a learning curve.
37. Sam Cranage - Has ability but whether that is enough to make the senior side is doubtful. Back onto the list via a 'lucky loser' mystery selection.
38. David Gallagher - Widely considered the worst on our list but has a lot of pace if Diesel can teach him some skills.
39. Adam Mathews - Back up ruckman lucky to earn a recall by virtue of salary cap restraints and lack of quality talls in the draft.
40. Michael Davis - Surprising axing from a strong Bomber squad. Has the ability to make something of himself in time.
41. Ezra Bray - Well, I've heard of him at least. Has some skills but by all accounts the most injury prone player in the world. Should be right at home in this Blues side.
42. Justin Davies - Not much known. Future prospect, strong overhead mark.
43. Bret Thornton - Like Davies except he's on the rookie list only and even less known about him.

 

[Fat Red]

ODNs, McKay first, that is a HUGE call, much as I am a big fan. I'll have to get to work on this one

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

It is a big call but remember this as much a prediction as a grading of where they are currently at. McKay is as professional and inspirational as they come. His stabilising influence is even more pronounced with Silvagni's retirement. He is an attacking defender that does everything asked of him. Rarely beaten. My thoughts are that Ratten has had an injury concern recently and he is starting to show signs of being frustrated by constant tagging. Also if Kouta was fit, he would be number one almost certainly.

I'm trying to stay away from career highlights when gauging next season, looking more at what we will require in the circumstances.

 

[Fat Red]

1. Lance Whitnall -The Fat Boy should be freed up by the presence of McKernan and I see him going to a new level of maturity. Too good to be kept down.
2. Brett Ratten - As good as any midfielder in the comp; should have won last year's B&F and did win the year before. Not old yet.
3. Scott Camporeale - The only thing holding him back is his occasional petulance.
4. Adrian Hickmott - Hard, skilled, reliable and hard to match up on. Mr Mental Strength.
5. Matthew Allan - No injuries=comp leader.
6. Simon Beaumont - Could be our key player this year; the defence linchpin.
7. Andrew McKay - just another year of excellence and professionalism.
8. Matthew Lappin - A consistent forward line excitement player; more than can be said for any of his rivals.
9. Craig Bradley - His best is as good as ever but there are more 18 possession games rather than 28 these days.
10. Corey McKernan - Can't see him going back to his 96 form, but that doesn't mean he still won't be a star.
11. Justin Murphy - Class will tell.
12. Darren Hulme - If this guy is our 12th best player we are looking pretty good for next year.
13. Ryan Houlihan - Should step up to a more consistent level this year...class is clear and will grow up.
14. Brendan Fevola - I'm an eternal optimist but surely Sticks can turn this guy's attitude around.
15. Glenn Manton - Another vital player--all our defenders will have to play well. Like a dour opening batsman, he does what he can do and doesn't try what he can't.
16. Jim Plunkett - I love this guy but he does have limitations.
17. Anthony Koutoufides - Carlton will make the finals. Kouta should be back by then. Even if he just stands on the ground that could make the difference for us
18. Trent Hotton - This guy is a genuine footballer and if he was given a proper role I think he would be a big contributor. Unfortunately he's likely to be the spare parts man again.
19. Ian Prendergast - Showed a bit but I don't see him making a consistent contribution this year.
20. Simon Fletcher - Doesn't get enough of the ball for mine.
21. Anthony Franchina - Has been overtaken by some young hungry small players.
22. Ang Christou - Would be MUCH higher if I was confident he won't get injured.
23. Simon Wiggins - What he said.
24. Jordan Doering - I rate this guy, can't believe he was delisted. Will be back.
25. Andrew Eccles - unknown quantity for me.
26. Scott Freeborn - A great tryer but needs to find some skill to be valuable in the modern game.
27. Michael Mansfield - Too old, too slow, too left-footed.

For the rest I bow to ODN's superior knowledge.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Originally posted by Fat Red
1. Lance Whitnall

Now there's a surprise.

 

[McCartney5]

Originally posted by The Old Dark Navy's
[
6. Corey McKernan - Call it a hunch but his best is fantastic and will be a massive focal point. His enthusiasm is very encouraging.
7. Lance Whitnall - May have a floating role so will not have as much pressure to carry the forward line as usual. Expect to see a much more relaxed Big Red in 2002.

Thats just wrong

I have watched Corey, I'd have him down where you had Prendergast and have Prendergast about 10 spots lower

Lance Whitnall is in your top 3

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Originally posted by McCartney5


Thats just wrong

I have watched Corey, I'd have him down where you had Prendergast and have Prendergast about 10 spots lower

Lance Whitnall is in your top 3

Once again people are missing the point. This is not how the players should be ranked right now or Kouta would probably be number 1. This is how each one of us feels the 2002 season will pan out and how important a role we believe the player will fill.

Now I do rank Lance above Corey as a player at the relative stages of their careers but I have doubts about his consistency and have terrible memories of a bad start to 2001 for Lance. Those doubts will linger until he proves otherwise. I know Corey had some shockers in 2001 also but I expect his role to be a very important one. That is to free up our other forwards to kick more goals. Lance may very well have a fantastic year up forward but he has shown he needs that foil a la Hamill pre 2001 and SOS last year. Corey should be that foil for him and as such a lot rides on his ability to take out the best defender each week. If he is marking well and kicking well and leading out, he will get the best defender and Lance will have a picnic matched up on the second best defender.

I'm hoping anyway. All subjective but more prediction than where we are at. Hell, I could predict that David Gallagher will be our best player in 2002 and it might be the worlds most stupid call but it can't be called wrong because it hasn't happened yet.

Are we all clear on this yet?

 

[Jars458]

Can't believe you had Gallagher so high ODN!!!!lol


Eccles at 22 hey. Where would you have put Massie if the swap had not occured I wonder.


Kouta not at number one? For shame.

 

[Fat Red]

It's hard to put a guy at number one who doesn't get back till August, but maybe you're right!

 

[Jars458]

Originally posted by Fat Red
It's hard to put a guy at number one who doesn't get back till August, but maybe you're right!

Nah I was just teasing

I think Nigel Smart is a better player than Kouta.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Originally posted by Jars458


Nah I was just teasing

I think Nigel Smart is a better player than Kouta.

It is suddenly so apparent. You actually love Kouta don't you Jars? You have that playground teasing thing going but you are actually quite obsessed.

Tell me, how pissed off, not to mention surprised would you be if Gallagher became a very good player with us? And I do mean seniors.

 

[Jars458]

Originally posted by The Old Dark Navy's
It is suddenly so apparent. You actually love Kouta don't you Jars? You have that playground teasing thing going but you are actually quite obsessed.

Tell me, how pissed off, not to mention surprised would you be if Gallagher became a very good player with us? And I do mean seniors.

Well on a scale of one to ten , try 100000000000, BUT

Its not gonna happen.

He just does not have what it takes.

i have seen him many times for the Eagles in the SANFL and he cannot even make the grade at that level consistently

He doesn't have an instinct about what to do wtih the ball when he gets it and can't take the first or sometimes even the second option and will be caught holding the ball

his kicking lacks penetration and he can't hit a target and he missed easy goals

If the Carlton training staff can resurrect his career it will be a bloody miracle.

I am laughing just thinking about all the frustration that he will cause Blues fans if he ever gets a game!!


My view is that we will get MUCH more use out of Nelson than you guys will get out of Gallagher. I am thinking we might use him as a tagging run with type player.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Yeah, Nelson is slow but has some talent and heart whereas Gallagher is quick with no other attributes apparently. Maybe we can instruct him to run and tackle but under no circumstances is he to take possession of the ball.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Gallagher has slow thought processes IMHO.
I remember him getting caught in two minds and then caught with the ball in that order last year, in the games he featured.

He will no doubt grow another leg at such a famous club. What with all the South Australians that have gone before him and excelled he will no doubt burn - especially when he plays the crows

Goodluck gags

 

[Blues2001]

I must say that there is a huge Adelaide influence on the Carlton board these days. Nothing wrong with that, you are always welcome.