Thankyou Denis and co!

[Lajon]

I am extremely happy to see we have gone for an exciting (extremely exciting actually) youth prospect in the PSD rather then opting for a washed up hack (ala Mckee, Porter).

I have been hoping we'd pickup Betts all year and to pick him up in the PSD as opposed to the rookie list is just another bonus as he can start playing immediately.

Finally, it seems Calrton have broken the mould of topping up the list with older players from other clubs. As I said before, it is a blessing in disguise that Richmond snagged Knobel.

Also very happy with our rookie recruits and judging on the comments from footydraft, it seems like we got a good mix:
Batson - BIG ruckman with good skills and good tapwork EDIT - Thanks ODN
Smith - Inside midfielder and a big ball winner
Becker - Outside midfielder with good skills and pace
O'Hailpin - Well we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Becker - BIG ruckman with good skills and good tapwork
Becker - Outside midfielder with good skills and pace

Wow, that Becker can do it all!!! I hear Batson is not too shabby either.

 

[luke2177]

Yeah, gotta agree with you. It really gives us something to look forward to in 2005, with all this young talent hopefully to come through!

Having said that, I think the Blues needed a Knobel type - someone to assist Barnaby French and allow Deluca to play mainly forward.

I'm happy with Betts, though - I didn't know he was training with the Blues!

From Afl.com.au:

Betts a super talent: Pagan

The speculation that Carlton would use its third pick in the pre-season draft to snare discarded ruckman Trent Knobel or Steve McKee was contradicted on Tuesday, when the Blues selected a 173-centimetre, 18-year-old forward pocket Edward Betts.

Of the seven clubs involved in the pre-season draft, only Carlton and Port Adelaide selected teenage players yet to make their senior debuts.

Formerly of the Calder Cannons, Betts kicked three goals and was among the best players in the club's 2004 premiership and also has the potential to play in the midfield in time.

"He's a super talent," Blues coach Denis Pagan said.

"He probably didn't present that well at the (draft) camp, but he's been training with us and we just thought it was too good an opportunity to pass up."

The Blues were reportedly keen on ex-Saint Knobel, who was snatched by Richmond with the first pick, but chose to overlook former Magpie McKee, who has been troubled by a nagging groin injury.

"It's just unfortunate it didn't work out the way we were going to go," Pagan said of the Tigers' decision to take Knobel.

"We realised the situation probably on Thursday last week of what was going to occur and we had to change tack slightly."

In the Rookie Draft, Carlton picked up ruckman Daniel Batson from the North Ballarat Rebels, highly rated Jesse D. Smith, the Calder Cannons' best-and-fairest player in 2004 and best on ground in their TAC Cup flag, midfielder Nick Becker, also from Calder, and Aisake O'hAilpin from Ireland.

 

[blues4flag]

ME too. I'd rather have a youngster over an older player, and Jessie Smith looks like he's gonna be a great player, having won the Calder Cannons B&F and best on ground in the TAC Cup final.

 

[gadj1976]

I also am pretty stoked.

I spose with the list we've got, it's better to gamble on a young bloke than older fellas.

I feel for Porter though, an ex Blue who was only shifted on to get McKernan.

Anyway, to the future and I can't wait to see Betts in full flight.

 

[Chemical]

How many ex Calder Cannon players are on our list? A fair few I'd think

 

[celtic_pride]

To misquote Bob Hawke 'Anyone who thinks Carlton is full of old, recycled players is a bum !!!'

Also can anyone tell me how Brad Fisher is going ?
I know he had an seriously knee injury but I haven't heard much news since.

 

[juzza316]

All going well should be back Round 6 2005

 

[Silvagnis]

Wow, that Becker can do it all!!! I hear Batson is not too shabby either.

Can boom boom make it as a player like his fellow strathmore draftee dunn will, just so rex can call him in a game.

 

[Stevens is Grouse]

Leading up to the draft I was quite excited about recruiting Knobel as he is just the type of player we needed. When I found out he will be going to Richmond I was pretty anxious that we might pick up a hack in McKee, Zantuck or Porter. I couldn't be any happier with recruiting Betts. IMO he will drag fans to games to see him weave some magic in the forward pocket aka Davey. Hopefully he will be the talking point in a few years like Davey is know (Why did 15 clubs pass on him).

Thank you Denis and co for such a wonderful job.