Whatever happens Saturday...

[jerry_did]

Quite simply, it's great to be a Carlton supporter again.

We've endured a terrible few years and other clubs like to continually remind us of that.

What 2009 has done has not only shut these people up, but it has reminded them that you can't keep us down. There's a reason we are the greatest club in the history of the AFL, winning is in our blood and for the first time in 8 years the AFL community is sitting up and realising that those days are upon us again.

I thank everyone of the coaching staff, every player and all those responsible for getting things back on track off the ground. I never stopped being proud or passionate, but damn it's good that we now have a team & club who does the talking for us again.

Theres plenty more to come, this is only the beginning. No matter what happens this Saturday, this season has been a success and let it be known that Carlton are back and yes, we are coming.

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

Amen.

 

[Malifice]

Things are (finally) looking back on track.

We are still a bit away in terms of sustained exellence.

Some list management still needs to be done, and we are a few players short of a genuine threat, and our younger players (and coach) need another year or two to mature fully.

Im reminded of Geelong from a few years ago (two years before they won the flag) in terms of where we are at this year.

But its great to be talking about something other than draft order and picks at the pointy end of the year thats for sure!

Carn the Blueboys - lets take it all the way into September!

 

[JuddyBuddy]

No matter what happens this Saturday, this season has been a success

I wouldn't go that far. If we cop a flogging on Saturday night it's gonna be a very disappointing way to end the year. If we lose by a kick or two than I think I can cope and agree that the season has been a success. Really need to end on a positive note to fuel next year though.

 

[The Exorcist]

Reckon all the players, coaching staff etc deserve a HUGE rap this year for making finals

No matter what happens Saturday night, this year is

 

[Blueboys11]

I wouldn't go that far. If we cop a flogging on Saturday night it's gonna be a very disappointing way to end the year. If we lose by a kick or two than I think I can cope and agree that the season has been a success. Really need to end on a positive note to fuel next year though.

I agree... a 10 goal loss this week, and i would rate this season as a bare pass mark. nothing more, nothing less.

 

[celtic_pride]

I would go so far as to say that a loss on Saturday will make this season a 'failure' ...

Surely minimum expectations going into this season would be to make the finals and win at least one (final)

Being bundled out in the first week, and the whole playing group would have underachieved this season ...
I'd be furious if the players felt 'satisfied' with themselves if they get knocked out by the Brions on Saturday might.

Frankly being manhandled by the Crows last week has suggested to me that this group has still got a lot of development to go before seriously challenging for a flag (certainly not this year, and maybe not even next year either) but going out in the first week of finals would be very bitter.

 

[Big Red is back]

I would go so far as to say that a loss on Saturday will make this season a 'failure' ...

Surely minimum expectations going into this season would be to make the finals and win at least one (final)

Being bundled out in the first week, and the whole playing group would have underachieved this season ...
I'd be furious if the players felt 'satisfied' with themselves if they get knocked out by the Brions on Saturday might.

Frankly being manhandled by the Crows last week has suggested to me that this group has still got a lot of development to go before seriously challenging for a flag (certainly not this year, and maybe not even next year either) but going out in the first week of finals would be very bitter.

It is an interesting year.

Winning 13 games is very impressive and potentially exceeds expectations, especially given Jammo and Waite missed most of the year

However a loss to an undermanned Brisbane would be very dissappionting

 

[Blueboys11]

At the end of the day, with so many pitiful teams in the bottom 8 this year, making the finals aint really that big a deal... Essendon made it FFS, and they are a very ordinairy team!!

Ill change my original post, we must win this week to gain a pass mark!!

 

[DarkTint]

Amen times two.

Its bloody hard to win a premiership especially after what we've been through but i truly believe that we will be back where we belong on top sooner rather than later.

I agree also that we have really made the a.f.l (other teams and supporters) really stand up and notice that we're on the right track and coming fast.

I can really sense the fear from the collingwoods and essendon types that they really do KNOW WE'RE COMING.

GOOD LUCK GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dramoth]

The goals for this year was to win 13 games and make the finals.

we did that.

Win or lose this week and it still doesnt take away from the fact that the club met their expectations of where they wanted to finish this year.

At this point in the clubs rebuilding, we are still 12 months away from being a genuine top 4 club and 2 years away from being a threat for the flag. If we can knock off a couple of clubs in this finals series, it's just icing on the cake.

I am dead happy with the home and away season. It has shown progress in the club and despite what various numpties around the place are saying, Ratts has a very good future as a coach and has the full support of the players.

Go Blues!

 

[Sublime]

I would go so far as to say that a loss on Saturday will make this season a 'failure' ...

Surely minimum expectations going into this season would be to make the finals and win at least one (final)

Being bundled out in the first week, and the whole playing group would have underachieved this season ...
I'd be furious if the players felt 'satisfied' with themselves if they get knocked out by the Brions on Saturday might.

Frankly being manhandled by the Crows last week has suggested to me that this group has still got a lot of development to go before seriously challenging for a flag (certainly not this year, and maybe not even next year either) but going out in the first week of finals would be very bitter.

Failure? Improving by 3 wins and making finals for first time in forever is failure?

You're not supposed to be comparing us to your other team.

 

[bluesfan95]

Hopefully we can beat brisbane this week and then see what happens, but i have been very pleased with this years outcome.

 

[BlueSnake]

Amen.

I already consider this year to be pretty much a success for us, especially from where we've come from.

If we happen to win a final or two it would just be oh so much sweeter

 

[Brighton_Diggins]

This season is a B performance.
A B+ and so on if we can beat the lions.

Getting into the finals was the aim.
Tick that box.
expect more next year.
Anything from now is bonus town.

 

[jasonwilde]

I would go so far as to say that a loss on Saturday will make this season a 'failure' ...

Surely minimum expectations going into this season would be to make the finals and win at least one (final)

Being bundled out in the first week, and the whole playing group would have underachieved this season ...
I'd be furious if the players felt 'satisfied' with themselves if they get knocked out by the Brions on Saturday might.

Frankly being manhandled by the Crows last week has suggested to me that this group has still got a lot of development to go before seriously challenging for a flag (certainly not this year, and maybe not even next year either) but going out in the first week of finals would be very bitter.

Sorry for venturing in enemy territory but weren't you the one that was going to claim a 5 goal loss against Geelong as a good result a few weeks ago?

As much as I hate the Blues, it's kinnda good to see them in September. Hope to see them against the Pies soon (and lose of course). First year in final for a while. Next year they will go further. Positives all round (by that I mean I hope that we can get one GF off you one day soon. One down, five to go).

 

[The Cranium]

We had the potential but some poor execution this year. Some of the compitulations this year were disappointing as well.

Next year the football Department and then the players need to focus on game plans, changes to game plans during a match and consistency to go to the next level.

 

[celtic_pride]

You know if we fail to win a final this year, I hardly expect us to seriously challenge for a 'flag' next year, the more finals games the club players, and the more 'battle hardened' the young players on our list get with experience in September, will hold us in good stead in the next couple of years.

We have beaten Brisbane the last three times, and truth be told, there is no excuses why we shouldn't knock them off this week (last week's aberration not withstanding) most of the Lions players there (Except for their veteran stars) haven't played finals either, so they are in a similar boat.

Seems to me some fans here are soundling like they are expecting a 'loss' ...

 

[ESKIE]

The goals for this year was to win 13 games and make the finals.

we did that.

Win or lose this week and it still doesnt take away from the fact that the club met their expectations of where they wanted to finish this year.

At this point in the clubs rebuilding, we are still 12 months away from being a genuine top 4 club and 2 years away from being a threat for the flag. If we can knock off a couple of clubs in this finals series, it's just icing on the cake.

I am dead happy with the home and away season. It has shown progress in the club and despite what various numpties around the place are saying, Ratts has a very good future as a coach and has the full support of the players.

Go Blues!

Yep

I went to a function earlier in the year and Sticks made a speech , hesaid really 2010 was the year the club sees as a real step forward and if we play finals this year a huge bonus, and I agree with this, but now a great opportunity is there for the Blues, a finals berth... a win would be sensational, but look out next year, mind boggling I reckon.

 

[ESKIE]

[quote=celtic_pride;15600808]You know if we fail to win a final this year, I hardly expect us to seriously challenge for a 'flag' next year, the more finals games the club players, and the more 'battle hardened' the young players on our list get with experience in September, will hold us in good stead in the next couple of years.

We have beaten Brisbane the last three times, and truth be told, there is no excuses why we shouldn't knock them off this week (last week's aberration not withstanding) most of the Lions players there (Except for their veteran stars) haven't played finals either, so they are in a similar boat.

Seems to me some fans here are soundling like they are expecting a 'loss' ...[/quote]


I disagree with this, I think for 2010 onwards anything could happen.

Take last week out, we had won 7 onf the last 8...that;s good form, Blues to run away with it on Saturday night.

 

[Murph_The_Smurf]

I had a collingwood supporter today , rather than dig the boots , he actually wished the blues luck this w.e . fancy that ?

 

[serenityNow]

]Sorry for venturing in enemy territory but weren't you the one that was going to claim a 5 goal loss against Geelong as a good result a few weeks ago[/B]?

As much as I hate the Blues, it's kinnda good to see them in September. Hope to see them against the Pies soon (and lose of course). First year in final for a while. Next year they will go further. Positives all round (by that I mean I hope that we can get one GF off you one day soon. One down, five to go).

Yep JW, i remember that thread well too. Surprising how that would have been a good result yet........13 wins, a few hoodoo's ended, some great young blokes stepping up, and a first finals appearance since "01" is a failure.

 

[Zolli8]

This season is a B performance.
A B+ and so on if we can beat the lions.

Getting into the finals was the aim.
Tick that box.
expect more next year.
Anything from now is bonus town.

100% agree

 

[blueblood25]

Well said jerry_did.
have to keep reminding ourselves what our aim for this year was and that fact that we achieved it without some of our key players is a huge boost to our confidence and i am incredibly excited to see what it will bring next year.

i'm incredibly excited for saturday and i'm not expecting a loss, i'm not expecting a win either, just expecting a bloody good game.

proud to be a blue.

 

[Blues_Man]

The goals for this year was to win 13 games and make the finals.

we did that.

Win or lose this week and it still doesnt take away from the fact that the club met their expectations of where they wanted to finish this year.

At this point in the clubs rebuilding, we are still 12 months away from being a genuine top 4 club and 2 years away from being a threat for the flag. If we can knock off a couple of clubs in this finals series, it's just icing on the cake.

I am dead happy with the home and away season. It has shown progress in the club and despite what various numpties around the place are saying, Ratts has a very good future as a coach and has the full support of the players.

Go Blues!

Agreed ..win lose or draw Saturday night we have acheived what we aimed for at the start of the year.
Bright skys ahead for the Navy Blues