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Thornton's performance

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wdgann

Team Captain
Sep 18, 2007
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sydney
AFL Club
Carlton
Thornton's performance against Hawthorn was poor. In the forward line he rarely made space and if he did, he had trouble holding marks. In the forward line, he is at best a 1.5 goal kicker per game

He doesn't really fit into a defensive role. Not big enough for CBH or FB and too slow for a flanker

I think it is time to relegate him
 

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wdgann said:
Thornton's performance against Hawthorn was poor. In the forward line he rarely made space and if he did, he had trouble holding marks. In the forward line, he is at best a 1.5 goal kicker per game

He doesn't really fit into a defensive role. Not big enough for CBH or FB and too slow for a flanker

I think it is time to relegate him
Click to expand...
That may have something to do with the fact that Bret is a natural backman. The guy has one or two Home & Away career goals to his name, so I would be over joyed if he managed to kick a goal per game as a defender.
 
wdgann said:
Thornton's performance against Hawthorn was poor. In the forward line he rarely made space and if he did, he had trouble holding marks. In the forward line, he is at best a 1.5 goal kicker per game

He doesn't really fit into a defensive role. Not big enough for CBH or FB and too slow for a flanker

I think it is time to relegate him
Click to expand...

You're kidding right. There are so many variables here, I don't know where to begin. I'll keep it short, as I really can't be bothered explaining this in detail.

1. Thornton is a backman, not a forward

2. Very little pressure in the midfield in the past few seasons has meant the ball has been coming in with very little pressure on the ball carrier.

3. Has lead a very very inexperienced defence for a couple of seasons now.
 
wdgann said:
Thornton's performance against Hawthorn was poor. In the forward line he rarely made space and if he did, he had trouble holding marks. In the forward line, he is at best a 1.5 goal kicker per game

He doesn't really fit into a defensive role. Not big enough for CBH or FB and too slow for a flanker

I think it is time to relegate him
Click to expand...

Some people have short memories! who's been our only defender the last five years?? under sized and punching out of his weight?

The Hawks didn't chase him so hard cos he's average!! From round 14-22 in 2006 was ranked as the best defender in the comp! Its a bit hard to keep that up when the ball comes into the 50 around 70 times a game every game like last year!!
 
Never seen him the forward before, so considering.

Goes alright, always trust him with the ball which says a fair bit.

Need to reconsider post.
 
Thornton has never really set the world alight.
I've always found him to crack under pressure a bit.
Last year in the second game against port he coughed up the
ball twice at crucial moments in the game.
As a defender you need a super cool head.
It's no good to be able to kick whilst in space but then struggle
when the heat is on.
He was ok in the forward line in the NAB game against port
but it all seemed a bit 'flash in the pan'.
He seems to have the ability to play but I often question
his decision making and his mental toughness.
The blues will go places in the next 2-3 years and now's the time
for players like Thornton to really make their position rock solid.
At the moment, he's along way from that.
 
WeAreHatedAgain said:
I've never seen a guy bounce the ball as soon as he gets it

KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS and distribute it quickly
Click to expand...

I Do...

CBradley2.jpg
 
wdgann said:
Thornton's performance against Hawthorn was poor. In the forward line he rarely made space and if he did, he had trouble holding marks. In the forward line, he is at best a 1.5 goal kicker per game

He doesn't really fit into a defensive role. Not big enough for CBH or FB and too slow for a flanker

I think it is time to relegate him
Click to expand...

That gives us about 35 goals from our 3rd tall forward....reckon i'd take that.
 

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Let's all face the hard facts people:

1) Thornton doesn't want to be at Carlton.

2) Thornton is overpaid for what he does.

3) Thornton was recruited as a half back flanker, who can push into the midfield - from East Burwood, he is not a natural KPP.
 
Thornton's first season was 2002 (The first of many shi* years for Carlton). Thornton has played over 100 games at the Blues mainly because of our pathetic list. He wouldn't have played 50 at any other club.

Ask yourself this question, how many games would Thornton have played for Carlton if he played between 1995 and 2001? He probably would have been lucky to survive on the list past 1999.
 
lopezz said:
Some people have short memories! who's been our only defender the last five years?? under sized and punching out of his weight?

The Hawks didn't chase him so hard cos he's average!! From round 14-22 in 2006 was ranked as the best defender in the comp! Its a bit hard to keep that up when the ball comes into the 50 around 70 times a game every game like last year!!
Click to expand...

Very true that he was our only consistent defender during that period BUT it's his form last year that is pretty uninspiring to most. He just didn't look sharp or focussed at all last year. Needs to to lift this year or maybe he's saying that he just doesn't want to be at Carlton.
 
I think Thornton could have a very good year now that he's not forced to be the no 1 defender. It's been said a number of times in this thread already - he was never quite up to the job but will be a very handy 3rd tall
 
you are all missing the key point. if he is the 3rd tall in defence, he is not much use because he is not big enough. he is also not fast or skillful enough to be a dashing half back.

Therefore, can someone please explain what good he is (besides switching play and short passing deep in defence which anyone can do)
 
Some of you guys have got to be joking. Along with Houlihan and Scotland he's been a rock in our backline because he can be trusted to reliably deliver the ball to a teammate nearly EVERY time he has the thing.

As noted above, he has been asked to play on bigger, stronger opponents since he came into the side, and has done an admirable job. He would get a game in the backline at any other club.

The fact that Ratts has chosen to experiment with him across half forward is a testament to the guy's skill and versatility, not a reflection of any lack of capability in the backline.

And saying he wouldn't have found a spot in our 95 backline - that's like saying Stevens or Carrazzo or Simmo is crap coz they wouldn't have had a spot in our midfield back then...
 

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Bret has been exemplary since coming off the rookie list. He was forced to be our key backman at a tender age and hold up a defence that was pummelled by opposition ball. He is a natural defender, who probably is best suited to the third tall. He has good foot skills, is cool under pressure and can take a strong relieving mark. To rate him severely after an improvised stint in the forward line is harsh.

Agreed I was not keen on him eying the Hawks, but he has catagorically stated he is over that.
 
Threads like this remind me why clubs don't always listen to members.

Because if they did, they'd be ****ed.
 

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