What else do we need?

[The Starchild]

Well by now you'd know Carlton have secured McKernan for Porter, plus a juggling of draft picks. I think North have won from deal purely based on the draft picks swapped, good swap in my eyes for the players though as i've got confidence Corey can rediscover the fire to play good footy at Carlton, and plus we needed another tall forward.

Still much to be done though. I suspect that O'Sullivan and the rest think we have enough young talent in Livingstone, Prendergast, Pickering, Plunkett, Houllihan, Fevola, Whitnall, Merrington, Vance, Sporn, etc. to carry us into the future, so they're going for another success season instead of a rebuilding one. Is this good, or more specifically as Carlton fans is this what we want?

This is usually something I'd raise on my own board but it's moving servers for a few days and is offline till early next week I think. I think this is a major year in the history and development of the Carlton Footy Club and I can't help but think Essendon losing last week has led them to change their focus in this draft. I'd have preferred us to draft youth, but I can see what they're trying to do. If McKernan can discover his best form again then he's an awesome pickup, but it does seem a big risk.

 

[blues_brilliance]

Shane O' and Co might think we have enough youth but the question is: How much of it is quality? How often do all those young players get a senior game? I remember watching a game earlier this year and realising the only player younger than Lance Whitnall (100+ games) was Pickering in his first game. Every one else was 30, 28, 33 etc....I'm a bit of a fan of Corey's, and I'm trying to put a positive slant on it (after all, what can I do about it?) but it's just a continuation of Carlton going on with their retirement home discount philosopy.

We need a defender, a good young one (apparently we'll pick up Eccles from the Crows who I've seen at SANFL level and could be a suprise packet) - although we'll need someone taller than that. Now that we've picked up Corey, we'll need to make sure we've got young blood coming through the ruck. Forward line is alright although if we trade Fevola then we're one down (again). We basically need an entire backline. We also need, and I've said it for ages, a real philosophy to recognise the younger players....I still believe Carlton have a lingering hangover from 95. All the 'heroes' are 95 premiership players, everyone else is doubted or has undue pressure.