Nathan Carroll is 26 and has only recently discovered that he too can be a star in the AFL.

Why Demons have begun to sing Carroll's praises

That is probably the second best article of this pre-season behind McLean's love declaration for the club.

Glad that he finally made the change from party boy to professional athlete. He certainly has the skill to make it worth while.

And my god he's massive!

Loved the article. I actually laughed out loud when I read that he will only eat Allen's lollies before a game. And I have to agree, Jaded - he looks MASSIVE.

A good defender, will be usefull this year but still dont rate him compared to some other full backs in the comp.

A good defender, will be usefull this year but still dont rate him compared to some other full backs in the comp.

Carrol only just really started playing last year so he is only just starting 2 develop (as said in the article) but i expect some big things things from this man mountain and i hope him and holland or the "odd couple" really come out firing!!

Remember Carrolls amazing last month of the 2005 season?

He came from nowhere and completely dominated ther backline, providing drive and collecting players along the way (especially Nathan Eagleton)

We were all praying he went on with it in 2006. and he did better than anyone imagined. Was one of the top 3 full backs in the comp and unlucky to miss AA selection

He is easily our best key back since Ingo, but I believe he will ened up even better than him

He is easily our best key back since Ingo

Rivers? Perhaps not a key back, perhaps too early to tell? I reckon Jared's already our most important defender, perhaps with the exception of wrecker. Interesting.

Rivers? Perhaps not a key back, perhaps too early to tell? I reckon Jared's already our most important defender, perhaps with the exception of wrecker. Interesting.

Rivers hasn't played as a key back.

Fair call comparing Carroll to Ingo imo.

Rivers hasn't played as a key back.

Depends on what you call a key back. I agree he's far less a KPP than Carroll, but he's been given jobs on the likes of Reiwoldt before.

Depends on what you call a key back. I agree he's far less a KPP than Carroll, but he's been given jobs on the likes of Reiwoldt before.

Sure, Rivers may have taken a Riewoldt etc before, but I wouldn't say he is a CHB/FB. Of course - as you said - it all depends on definition, and there's been some debate on these boards about whether Rivers is a CHB or not. Daniher generally starts Rivers as the 'third tall' unless we're in desperate trouble either during a game, or at the selection table. Thus the assertion that he's not a key defender...

Anyhow, I think we can all agree that whatever he is, he doesn't do a bad job of it. As you intimated, Whelan is hands down our best small defender.

As you intimated, Whelan is hands down our best small defender.

And has done for what seems like an eternity. I can't remember a time when I wrote down our best 22 and haven't started with "B: Whelan...."

Agreed on Rivers. I'd suggest he will certainly end up at some stage being a true CHB, but it'll only happen when he becomes the size of Carroll. His close checking is among the best in the AFL. If ND, or whoever is coaching us for the next ten years, wishes it he could be played like the next Fletcher, taking the second tall. I'd advocate that at this early stage, assuming we always have a Chopper in the team.

And has done for what seems like an eternity. I can't remember a time when I wrote down our best 22 and haven't started with "B: Whelan...."

Agreed on Rivers. I'd suggest he will certainly end up at some stage being a true CHB, but it'll only happen when he becomes the size of Carroll. His close checking is among the best in the AFL. If ND, or whoever is coaching us for the next ten years, wishes it he could be played like the next Fletcher, taking the second tall. I'd advocate that at this early stage, assuming we always have a Chopper in the team.

Do you know what will happen if Rivers becomes as big as Carrol, Carrol is MASSIVE and has adapted to his size and speed but if Rivers was to gain that much weight (20kgs) he would lose so much speed! If rivers does what 2 play at CHB then he'll will have to gain some weight but definitly not carrols size probally more of a holland size a tall and strong but not wide.

Yeah, I didn't mean as heavy as carroll, I meant big as Carroll. But in proportion obviously. Also, there's no reason to suggest that if he bulks up and fills out that he'll lose pace. There's plenty of enormous guys out there that still have a lot of pace. Besides, it's not his sheer running power that makes him a good player. Some extra strength and weight will ONLY improve him as a player, not hinder him.

I know what you mean. More strength is want is needed in Rivers game i just thought u meant get up around carrols weight which would slow him down a fair bit. Oh well im to tried today