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Thornton

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The Edukator

The Edukator

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Simple question because people seem to have varying feelings over the matter.

Would you support the selection of Bret 'T-Bird' Thornton playing a role in the best 22 this year?

obviously its form based, but right now its really a matter of self conviction.

Personally i think it might be worth playing him on a HFF because of his strong marking capabilities. I can see potential for a 25-30 goal kicking season if he learns how to kick straight and sorts out attitutde issues.
 

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If we only had 21 players on the entire list and the AFL made us play 22 then we would have to consider Thornton as to avoid a fine.
 
He has worth as a player. He can play back and forward which gives us a few more options depth wise. I think that there is a spot for him somewhere but he has become the whipping boy and most now wouldn't have him in the side regardless of his role and how well he plays it.
 
Don't stunt Hendo's development by asking him to hold down the FUF position yet.

Too young and still has more to learn about the caper.

Let someone a bit more experienced warm the seat for the young guys until they are ready to step into the role.
 
Of course he is... that's why he's still on the list...

I really don't understand why anyone would think otherwise... if he's performing well ebough... he gets a go... if he keeps it up when selected... he maintains his spot.... this applies to every player on our list...

On the weekend... he was among our best players... show that form again, and he's a candidate for round 1
 
His days of being a backman are probably over. We've done a great job assembling a decent backline in talent and in depth over the last few seasons.

But to dismiss his ability to provide a forward option while our other young talls develop is being short sighted.
 
GordonBlue said:
if he's performing well ebough... he gets a go...

On the weekend... he was among our best players... show that form again, and he's a candidate for round 1
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AndSmithMustScore said:
But to dismiss his ability to provide a forward option while our other young talls develop is being short sighted.
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yet some people are still so dismissive of him ?:confused:
 
The Edukator said:
yet some people are still so dismissive of him ?:confused:
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I guess some people are more conserrvative in their assesment of where the clubs list is at this stage.

Some will throw younger players in at the deep end sooner, other will allow them more time to develop in VFL and a more limited role in the seniors.
 
He reads the play well and is a solid mark. He has worth but must fight for his place, show the same intensity as everybody else and not drop his head.

I hate it when people are so dismissive of him as he was a great servant for the club in our darkest hour and deserves a chance to fight for a spot.
 

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The Old Dark Navy's said:
He reads the play well and is a solid mark. He has worth but must fight for his place, show the same intensity as everybody else and not drop his head.

I hate it when people are so dismissive of him as he was a great servant for the club in our darkest hour and deserves a chance to fight for a spot.
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Hear, hear. :thumbsu:

I'm hoping he's selected at merit. I thought late in 2010 he should have been in contention to play but seemed to have had his name crossed out by the MC.

The fact he's still on the list suggests that he'll be given a fair go this season. On the back of his performances in the preseason, he has to be at least considered. Henderson is coming off an injury and O'hAilpin is nowhere to be seen at present (not to mention incredibly inconsistent).

Thornton is capable of playing both ends of the grounds, however like ASMS I feel we have more solid options down back. He could end up a handy substitute with his new found versatility, however.
 
would prefer perhaps closer to goal than half forward. people have been mentioning slow ball use... think he might do better as a get out of jail, long bomb in hope type rather than lead up (no doubt that would still be part of his game). if you had to choose between waite or thornton on the half forward line you'd have waite, surely. seen thornton pull down quite a few marks as a backman in a contest, no reason he can't do it as a forward.
he'll probably provide more of an aerial contest than setanta who would be better when it hits the deck, something to keep in mind with the small forwards.
 
i really hope to see him in our forward line this year. he can take a mark, read the play well and has a good kick.
the fact is we dont have the luxury of being so critical on our tall forwards, we just dont have alot of options to pick from.

Thornton (Read above)
Casboult (More time in the VFL)
Mitchell (Very young)
Waite (Best option)
Henderson (Better CHF)
Carlos (Very inconsistent)
Kreuzer (coming back from injury)
Walker (3rd tall)
 
The Old Dark Navy's said:
He reads the play well and is a solid mark. He has worth but must fight for his place, show the same intensity as everybody else and not drop his head.

I hate it when people are so dismissive of him as he was a great servant for the club in our darkest hour and deserves a chance to fight for a spot.
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My thoughts exactly ODN.

I'd love to see him played in the brad fisher type role as a third tall forward this year.
 
The Old Dark Navy's said:
He reads the play well and is a solid mark. He has worth but must fight for his place, show the same intensity as everybody else and not drop his head.

I hate it when people are so dismissive of him as he was a great servant for the club in our darkest hour and deserves a chance to fight for a spot.
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I agree with you ODN. T-Bird is no longer guaranteed automatic selection in the squad and needs to fight for his spot like everyone else who is on the edge.

He has value as a forward... but he still needs to pick up his game in terms of thinking quicker in moving the ball on and looking for options. With our current game plan, he is the one player who is going to actually slow down our movement of the ball.
 
I don't know what Carlton are doing with Thornton, he has ability and some may say he's a bit slow, but he has experience and is a good mark, I think he's been unfairly treated, if they aren't going to play him, why didn't they try and trade him or delist him?
He doesn't seem to be in the best 22 and maybe that spreads out to 25 or 28, if that's the case he shouldn't be at the club, you'd be better off with another youngster trying to develop.

Watson will be a great player for Carlton, so he's taken up another defensive position, so that only makes it harder for Thornton.

I think they have to play the players based on form, if Thornton is in good form he deserves a go.
 

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Maybe, he will need to start kicking goals for the bullants.

Setanta is not gonna take us to a flag. If you can't hold a mark and you're playing as a tall forward then you can't play.

Kreuzer, Walker and Warnock will be batteling for the 3rd tall spot. Who knows one of the young draftees might stand up but I doubt it. I wouldn't mind seeing Watson thrown forward a bit. He looks like a good forward prospect with his athleticism, hands, size, and booming kick. Austin and White are outside chances to support Henderson and Waite too. Guys like O'hAilpin and Hampson who can't hang on to the thing are not options.
 
Didnt vote, dont care either way. If he is selected to play good on him, he is good enough that week, he deserves ALL of our support. If he doesnt he is either injured or not good enough that week, and still has the following week(s) to break in.

Thats pretty much all there is too it really. We dont need polls, he does not have to be popular with BluePride and his clueless crew, the club does not need permission from us to play him but I sometimes wish supporters needed permission from the club to be one, a few of you wouldnt make the cut.

Nice thread :thumbsu:
 
wmvaux said:
I don't know what Carlton are doing with Thornton, he has ability and some may say he's a bit slow, but he has experience and is a good mark, I think he's been unfairly treated, if they aren't going to play him, why didn't they try and trade him or delist him?
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They tried to trade him last year and had no takers. He still had another year on his contract, so it wasn't worth delisting him.


As others have said, Thornton's biggest assets are his reading of the play and his marking. His biggest deficiencies are his pace, and more particularly his speed of ball movement. Last year he was dropped because he wasn't following the game plan, which was directly related to his speed of ball movement. 2009 was T-Bird's best year, but not only did his form drop away last year, the game also progressed. His ball movement has become a massive liability in the backline. With the introduction of Laidler and Duigan, and Yarran's move to half back, Thornton doesn't fit into our backline other than as a back up for multiple injuries.

That leaves the forwardline. for me, our best forward 6 is:
HF: Houlihan, Henderson, Walker
F: Betts, Waite, Garlett

To this, there will also be rotations of midfielders and ruckmen.
How will Thornton displace one of these players? Other than his marking/reading of the play, what else does he bring to the team?

Although I support anyone who pulls on the navy blue jumper, and think T-Bird is a great servant of the club, I don't think he is close to our best 22 in 2011.
 
steveo898 said:
i really hope to see him in our forward line this year. he can take a mark, read the play well and has a good kick.
the fact is we dont have the luxury of being so critical on our tall forwards, we just dont have alot of options to pick from.
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When you say has a good kick what does that mean? He has consistently bad decision making and 50/50 disposal at best.

Malifice said:
My thoughts exactly ODN.

I'd love to see him played in the brad fisher type role as a third tall forward this year.
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Lets hope that we are aiming a bit higher than the standard set by Fisher now that he has departed.
 
AndSmithMustScore said:
Don't stunt Hendo's development by asking him to hold down the FUF position yet.

Too young and still has more to learn about the caper.

Let someone a bit more experienced warm the seat for the young guys until they are ready to step into the role.
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What the **** does FUF mean?
 

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