Rhino Richards

I have seen Valenti play..often. Godfrey like in that he is hard at it but lacks speed and IMO will be as much a fringe player that Godfrey was. I get the impression that some people will glaze over getting Grimes back fit with the "thrill" of elevating either a fringe player or an uknown off the rookie list. Grimes is scheduled at this point for 6 to 8 weeks off. Who said anything about pressuring or rushing the kid? Just looking at every opportunity to have him available and fit. Let wait and see what Grimes situation is in due course before talking of rookie elevations.

I am more concerned about a prolonged injury to a guy like Grimes who was selected with big wraps about his ability to make it. The choice is between a player like Valenti (a Godfrey replacement) and Aussie (shown little and is raw). I'd elevate neither and work hard to get Grimes back.

At the moment Jamar, PJ and Meesen have shown little capacity to grab that second ruck role. We have been crying out for a capable second ruck for Jeff White since the rule changed in 2005. WIth White closing on retirement there is a big opportunity for a ruckman to take over the reigns. The contenders so far have yet to show they can get their feet in the stirrups. Jamar has not filled the role in that time and after some promise in 2005 has plateaued. As for his contract, his services would be cheap and at worst he is cheap insurance for injury but yet to be a viable and reliable option. He could easily be 4th in line for a game and be low grade trade option at year end.

An outstanding and accurate summary of the flawed association b/w MFC and Sandy Phoenix. I think zebgrowler's misplaced arrogance is counterbalanced by fundamental ignorance.

Regularly through is career. But in the 2nd half 1987 Flower had a hand/finger injury and played with painkillers. In that great Western Oval R22 game and in the finals, Flower played up forward and was absolutely superb. Flower made his name as a wingman without peer. But the truth is he was good enough to play almost anywhere. And sometimes did for the good of the team. He had that famous State game against Glenndining where Flower tore him to pieces and was BOG at CHB!

I would have thought that after you have come second last with crippling injuries and then have a new Coaching panel, then realistically every position is up for grabs. There can be no player resting on fake laurels.

Second that sentiment. Thanks Peter for your contribution over the years.

Who are these muppets Haydo? Aside from the odd Sandy only supporter on this site. I havent heard it. I think most if not all would be singing off the same script you have? However there were posters who raved about Ferg and couldn't work out why he was still will Sandy? If only he had put on a few kgs!!

Gouga, I dont think Judd was ever going to join us from the start. Any alleged interest was a cover for the true intention...chasing the $$$ at Carlton. Save your anger.

I already did. What do you think my quote from post # 24 says? Duh!

Post # 24 of this thread You dont read too well champ do you? I dont believe they tanked four years as you have conspired in post #22. I dont think they were good enough to achieve that other than in 2007 due to their lack of competitiveness from the impact of the draft penalties amongst other issues. However I do believe they had due motive and situation to do so last year. The problem is the proof. Clearly Libba has you bluffed. But smarter people seem to want substantive evidence. I let you read back to find the other parts. Good luck.

Show me the proof to back your statement gorgeous! Four years of tanking you say!!! About as much substance as a 13th century English village witch burning parade. You and Libba make a fine pair!

Apologies but I just deal in the facts not populist conspiracy theories. :D

No. Carlton were worse. But they have Dick Pratt bankrolling the Club, they had arguably one of the most astute CEOs available in the business appointed. However Carlton are not out of the woods. Judd would have helped MFC but he is not pencillin to all our other problems.

Agree. This will be dismissed as the bitterness of one person's big mouth. I doubt Libba will ever be involved in the AFL again. Good thing too.

The AFL needs you urgently!

Its called playing by the AFL rules.

Carlton have been put in the position they are to large extent by the pernicious impact of the salary cap penalties they receive for rorting the salary cap breaches. The impact of this has decimated their list and denied them an access to the talent pool. However it goes without saying that internal Carlton issues since the salary cap exposure have also played a significant part The denial of draft picks effectively stuffs a club up for up to 10 years. The decisive impact of the salary cap breaches sent Carlton effectively to the wilderness on the field. And despite a series of No 1 picks in recent years, you look beyond that and their list is crap. They have huge holes that will take significant time to fill as talented players mature. Carlton have been a rather unskilled team of recent years and prior to 2007 I dont think there was any issue of tanking. They were just awful. I believe with the appointment of Swan and the mounting issue with Pagan at the start of this season effectively gave them the basis to throw the season and to chase Judd. Very difficult to prove. And just basing it on the bitter words of an ex assistant coach with an axe to grind is very dangerous and not substantive evidence. The AFL rules are as much to blame for this. So whats the penalty for Carlton....remove draft picks?

The Priority pick system recognises that there is a need to support and make competitive bottom dwelling sides. I think this is a good thing. However they create uncertainty towards the access to additional help. Hence a lottery between the bottom 3 or 4 clubs.

Richmnd would. Hell Wallet has said they wont be competitive til 2011!!! He was interested in win this year and know he couldn't go anywhere in 2007. Carlton did. By prolonging a farcical coaching arrangement with Pagan. If a team starts the year badly then they could easily say.....we could drop the next three games (possibly playing the top sides) and cash in on bottom 8 round games. What about this scenario Team A (qualifies for lottery already and sitting 16th on the ladder) vs Team B (needs another loss or two to qualify and is sitting 10th on the ladder with no chance of the finals) Who's going to win???? If you make rules that directly and automatically reward failure then teams will play towards achieving those rewards.

They tank themselves out of the finals and then win lottery tickets for the rest of the season. Nope does not work. You want to recognise the need to assist struggling clubs but you dont want to incentivise efforts to become one. That's the issue

Gary Lyon was a talented first year player who was well before his prime. Definite best 22 but you need to remember our most talented forward at that time was R. Flower.

Whether he was drunk and passed out or fell asleep what public menace was he doing as opposed to speeding, drink driving and fighting? What evidence do you have that he was involved in any of the issues Didak had to deal with? So he was in the same club as Didak. Big deal. And how did the Club sweep this or anything else under the mat? Given the media love blowing up these stories I dont see how a Club can do it. I find it hard to convict a player on grapevine hearsay when he has not broken any team rules before the most recent incident. You confuse "stories" gossip and innuendo with facts.

Easy remove the automatic reward and certainty of a priority pick for failure. Make it a lottery for the bottom 3 or 4 clubs.

Lets have him up forward with Davey, Yze, Newton, Maric, Neitz, Robbo etc.