Redleg

We are number 1 for playing down the same line, 18 for switching play and 18 for pressure. Several of us have pointed that out. These are among the main reasons for our form. Time to change.

If your tall and small forwards can kick bags and your mids can contribute a few, then it’s not amazing. ATM we don’t have that.

Not that I want Jacko to go and while I don’t believe the Sumich rumour, which could be Jacko’s manager trying to scare us, but just consider this if he did go. Would you take a player at 3, who helps you win a flag after 57 years without one and is then traded, for say 2 first round picks and a few players who might solve your ruck and forward issues for the next few years? If Jacko is traded, we are in the box seat. WC are on the improve and shouldn’t be on the bottom at season’s end, which should avert the fear of the PSD. I still think he will re sign with us, but now think it may be a longer deal, with better money for Jacko. This rumour could be the Manager’s attempt to get him the best deal, if he has told him he wants to commit to us. I just can’t see any way Freo, with its list and need to re sign players, could flash that offer around and actually manage it. Other players would want their share if he was getting that much. It is just way over the top. $7m over 7 years is way over the top. $10.5m is ridiculous. Then again.

This is another AFL joke of a decision. There is just no incentive at all in the NGA anymore. Main thing though is that Dogs got JUH.

If that was true and he could go home as the highest paid player in the game, I would think he was gone.

Look at the other sides in the 8 and take out a Tom Mac type and all have more options than us. All have more ruck options too. I think no injuries last year and then the flag, misled us as to our depth in a couple of positions and we might pay for it this year.

While I remain confident we can turn it around, a look at our current key forwards and rucks, when compared to our main opposition, is frightening. A relatively short, young ruckman and an out of form FF, are basically on their own. Yes we lost Max and Tom, but we seem to have left ourselves with no depth in these two areas.

Played a nice game last week.

Another quiet week on DL.

Do we start a countdown thread titled “Jacko re signs with Dees.”?

Couldn’t disagree more.

I just can’t believe that if Jacko wanted to go home he wouldn’t have told us last year, when he knew we wanted Cerra. He would have probably known his priority last October/November and surely he would have raised it with us as we might have agreed and done a deal if he was so determined to go home. It all leads me to think he will re sign, but maybe only for a few years and then reassess. However, 2 late first round picks and another 30 year old forward/ruckman is not nearly enough for Jacko.

Do I detect a change in attitude?

I reckon mine would be putrid by now, so I just keep the bottle displayed on the bar, as another reminder of a great bloke, a friend and the most skilful player I have ever seen.

Doesn’t have to be hate, could just be a strong dislike.

Well our 2 helped us win a flag. I can live with that. If you want to employ hindsight, you could look at Weid when McKay and Curnow were still available. Every draft will throw up the “what ifs”.

Gawn Turner Smith Howes Daw Rosman Tom Mac Melksham That is more than 2 isn’t it?

I think “hatred” is an overly emotive description here. But let me tell you what I think of Carlton, ( the club and fans ) not the players!

Think Caro is now busy with the Bartlett legal action.

We could have, he was taken after Weid.

No she didn’t and obviously won’t. She is also still harping on about the May and Melksham incident, like a dog with a bone.

No we aren’t!

Has played one game in last 4 and is obviously injured. Won’t be Majak. Unfortunately we have left ourselves very thin on ruck depth and it was always a risk. We will have to get inventive and probably use Weid and Tomlinson to help LJ in the ruck. You never know, it will make us less predictable.

Rolling along nicely.

Agree. We have been very predictable for a while, even kicking out from goal always to a pack on the left. It has hurt our quick ball movement and along with our fumbling, has caused heavy turnover scores against us. Max, Turner and M.Brown out with May, Tomlinson and Weid in. May does what he does down back and Tomlinson and Weid help LJ out in the ruck. The rest of the guys obviously need to lift. I would drop Chandler and get Bedford and Hunt back to inject some more pace. Maybe ANB has a rest for a week. Why not try Bedford and Hunt in the middle here and there or on a wing, as outside mids, to get some run from the clearance. Viney and Oliver get the ball to them and they take off. Something a bit different that catches the opposition off guard. Hopefully Rivers is back soon too and Bowey maybe gets a week off to refresh. He is still young and a week off wouldn’t hurt him. We don’t change the whole game plan, but rather get back to our manic pressure and just change it up a bit, which with Max out will happen anyway. Go Dees!