Lil_red_fire_engine

He would still be getting a game we just would not be writing threads about him as our expectations would be on the player himself and not what position someone chose to draft him.

The thing he lacks is football smarts. He has excellent skills and makes good decisions it is his ability to know where to go to get the ball that is the issue.

Agreed that potentially way to many changes and Valenti should have been retained. His form in 2 games has not set the world on fire but been serviceable. I could appreciate if it was to make way for first 18 players but only White and Wheatley are starting 18 out of that bunch. Hoping for a bench of PJ, Wheatley, Silvia, CJ.

6. Bate 5. Davey 4. Mclean 3. Green 2. Garland 1. Wonaeamirri

Excellent post Nasher. His defensive game yesterday was non-existent and needs serious work but his offensive game yesterday was excellent. Good speed, good efficiency, improved decision making. I wonder how those that criticise his decision making and disposal rate it against Jones/McDonald/Moloney/Bartram? All four do not appear to get the same focus but in my opinion are far worse in both facets than what Buckley showed yesterday.

Yes he could play as a tall forward role. He just would not be very good at it. If I were to play all three I would play him on the wing in the Richo mould. However I do not think we will play all three. If I was forced to choose 2 I would play Jamar and PJ and not play White...We know that wont happen though.

There are two ways to approach the remainder of the season: 1. Play a game style that you do not believe can win a premiership but will suit the current group of players and minimise the damage this year. 2. Play a game style you believe can win a premiership and learn who is capable of learning it. As much as I hate seeing us lose like we did today and as much as I may not agree with the game style I would continue with what I believed will bring a premiership in the future if I were Bailey.

6 - Jones (Good to see who are the true leaders of the club) 5 - Green (See Jones) 4 - Ossie (great effort from limited opportunities) 3 - Frawley (4 goals against him with little support or midfield pressure - very promising performance) 2 - Bruce (only because you have to give 6 players votes. Based on qty non quality of possession) 1 - Moloney (see Bruce)

Must agree with this statement. Martin is not unco at all but just looks ungainly in a Dustin Fletcher type way. He did not get beaten once that I saw and just seemed to get an arm in at the right time. His disposal looks a bit unpolished but he only missed one target and his decision making I thought was outstanding (I think the strong basketball background helps with this). I would attempt to fast track him at Melbourne this year to see how he goes. He could be the key position back we desperately need. Valenti looked great but I think will struggle with the faster pace of AFL. In saying that he deserves a chance to make it and should be given that opportunity. Buckley is the new Scott Chisholm for mine. Its great to be able to run but someone teach him when to use it and how to kick a ball. Maric was impressive with everything he did but what he did was not enough. Should be left at Sandy this year to develop his craft. Meesen I thought was very beige for mine. I was much more impressed with young Spencer who I thought had better tap work and use of the ball around the ground. Cheney looks a typical meat and potatoes defender and the rest went as you would expect.

I am a big fan of Rivers, he could become the best third tall in the comp but you do not build a team around him. He cannot play on the leagues best power forwards or lead up players. He is a great third man up but he has been injured and has limitations. To me he is not untradeable and the Adelaide deal would not need to be sweetened much past that for it to be looked at.

The only issue is the opposition team must call for the head count........I for some reason would think Carlton would have the sun in their eyes and not be able to see the bare bench and 4 additional bodies running around teh field.

So tomorrow has now been downgraded to the Cotchin Cup..........

Jack the same as he will have at Melbourne where we don't have stars like Lloyd, Hird, Fletcher or Lucas to win us games.

This is the first and best indication that Sheedy may be very high in the race for the Melbourne job. What a nice present it would be if he delivered Carlton a win today.....

He has produced above expectations in each season bar this one. Which player from that draft has performed better or is a better performed player than him over that period? People underestimate the extent abductor issues and no fitness basehave on a player particularly an inside midfielder. Has anyone seen Judd play recently? Agreed he should not be playing and doubt he would have played last night if not for the occasion. Doubt he will play next week or the rest of the season for that matter.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Was I at the same game tonight. James McDonald is the most over rated player in our side. Yes he tries hard, runs hard and he puts his body on the line. Time and time again though once he gets the ball we are in a worse position once he disposes of it than we were before hand in nearly all occasions. How many of his disposals tonight put us to advantage? He bombs to a contest, handballs to players under pressure and continually misses targets. His tackle count is always high because he is usually second to the contest. He would not get a game in any half decent side and we talk up his performances like he is a champion.

Jaded, just so I can attempt to comprehend your position can you please explain to me how you would match up Powers forward line as I previously listed it (I am aware Tredrea is unlikely to play). There is no match up for carroll unless he takes Millers place.

You can't delist everyone next year. We still need to have some 2nd tier players to back up injury. I would keep Brown and Bizzel for this purpose more so than the others who are likely to go. It is fair to say if he played more than a handful of games we would not be travelling well. He gives his all, works hard defensively and yes his decision making is poor but he finds the ball. Ebert is quick but plays tall, most of his goals are marks on the lead or above his head. You cant judge a player on height but how they play. Frawley is a good match up. CJ has been very disappointing and for mine Buckley showed more in the last qtr last week than CJ has shown in any match (practice matches not included). CJ just for mine is not up to it. Can you explain how you would match up Lade, Westhoff, Tredrea, Motlop and Ebert?

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Good points Scoop. I was initially suprised that Carroll was dropped but there is no match up. Did anyone not notice the height we gave away in our backline last week? Petrie and Hale towered over who ever they played on. I would state that Lade and Westhoff give just the same height issue and combined have shown better form/quality. Riley has tried to get the right match ups. In saying this though I would have played carroll in front of Miller (but we know they want to have a good look at him back) or Frawley (we know they want to fast track him). We are still playing youth in Buckley, Newton and Frawley. I think they may have seen enough of Cj and realised he is not up to it.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: You cannot be serious with this can you? One of the most selfish, self-preserving individual games of football I have seen in a long time....

Hi Jarka, I hope you were not referring to me once again as those who have been quiet on the topic as I for one have not been suprised by his output. I still think that if Newton had the same form and we had a chance to make the finals and Neitz was fit he would not have played at least for a couple more weeks. I also do not necessarily think that would have been the incorrect thing to do. I believe the club did/do have a long term plan for the kid to minimise the risk of him not living up to his potential. I believe he was played out of necessity and it is not suprising that he has performed as he is a quality player as you have seen. This was about developing the kid in the right way to ensure he becomes the best player he can be not about whether he can play. He was still developing at Sandy not being stagnated and he has now had his development fasttracked even more by playing Seniors. I have not stated at any point that he is mentally weak but potentially mentally immature and to this point in his first 2 games I am happy to be proven wrong.

If Newton does not get a game I can't wait for the explanation. I would expect the last three to miss.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: It was interesting in the Pies v Hawks game to watch an Irish kid who had not touched a footy 12 months ago kick 3 from 3 from set shots with a very deliberate very consistent Gaelic Footballesque kicking technique.. Is there something to learn from that?

BIG RED SIGNING IN: The most exciting thing was the Newton played like a natural key position forward. This is something we have not had aside from Neitz for a long time. Miller is not naturally gifted and Dunn is more a high flanker in my opinion. A very promising debut.