That's a bit harsh Mikkey. I'd like to think I'm looking at it from all angles and try and give players a chance. That's why I'm asking if he's injured.

I just believe that someone with his talent should be producing more by now. I am genually worried about his engine and agility. Look at his peers drafted at the same time. Wines, Vlaustin, Daniher, Mayes, McCrae, Stringer, Thurlow, Lonegan, Grundy, Kennedy etc. Most not as talented but they are at least starting to improve and produce consistent efforts and have good fitness levels for AFL football. On that scale Menzel is a long long way behind.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Hopefully Bolton can fix Menzel up!

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dane's trolling again

I think Menzel has looked fitter in previous years which lends itself to the theorh that he is carrying an injury or injuries..

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Circumstance has no value. It is how one relates to a situation that has value. All true meaning resides in the personal relationship to a phenomenon, what it means to you.

regarding MK we are in win win situation

I thought he played with more intent this week than in some time.

The draft picks might look attractive, but if Bolton sits down and gets them engaged in the program, I think both he and Yarran are far more valuable to us playing well.

If he can't turn them around, by all means trade them if the price is right (1st round picks for both).

Unless the AFL screw us over.

..it's possible that menzel's Lars is close to pinging..?, perhaps heavy work loads in regards to running and twisting/turning is causing pain flaring up..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

The alarming thing for me is that he's not shown any potential to develop into playing further up the ground at all.

Can live with the fitness for now, even the lack of interest in such a shit side. But paying a first round pick for a 30 goal a year forward with not too many more strings to his bow?

If we get a first round pick, I'd take it, no questions asked. I just don't think we will. I reckon you can fill Menzel's spot quite cheaply - someone like Rohan Bewick for example, wouldn't cost much and had similar output this year. If we're keen on Lamb, at least he's shown some potential of playing midfield, I suppose..

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

I watched him in the warm up and in the first quarter he was trying and seemed switched on. It wasn't about effort but in a game with little pressure and we were clearly winning the ball he had no disposals or tackles up until he got injured at the 25 minute mark. He really looked way off the pace.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

I'm told his knee is fine. If there was an issue you would think he would have surgery or rest it. I just don't see the logic of someone with any type of leg injury would be training and playing week in week out. Makes no sense.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

I really believe Thomas can fill the small forward role next year. Very smart around goals, good agility and is a much better mark than Menzel. He can also give some assistant through the midfield. Smith is the other one that can do it if he continues to get fit enough. Has all the tricks IMO. I also see the mids spending time up forward. Murphy, Gibbs Cripps can all be very dangerous inside 50.

I am sure Bolton will want a good spread of goalkickers like at Hawthorn. Menzel will need to be a lot fitter to play his game style.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Same issue though. Highest paid player at the club being a small crumbing forward in a side that isn't very good. Seems very counterproductive. I agree he can do the job, just seems a misuse of what little talent we have.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Agree but I just can't see him being a dominant mid anymore. Given the contract and time left we might as well get the most out of him and he can still fill a valuable role.

Having him up forward with Walker, Casboult, Jaksch, Everitt and Smith plus the mids may work very well if Bolton implements a similar style to Hawthorn.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

I agree. Also - it can't be denied that when fit, Thomas is a dedicated two way runner. If that's an attribute Bolton is seeking to cultivate, Thomas would be best served in the middle and leading the way on that front.

If Yarran goes this year, I'd have him off half back with a view to moving into the midfield later in the year.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

According to Thomas he was as fit and strong as he'd ever been heading into this season. The shoulder shouldn't impact on his running capacity.

He's the same draft as Murphy, no reason to think he'd not be up to spending time through the middle.

I'd be happy just for Thomas not to come back fat.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Absolutely.

Sure he shows signs of a good HF, but as a first rounder...a bit rich.

For a first rounder I'd do the swap too. I doubt we'd get that.

Our development of players leaves a lot to be desired.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I read somewhere Doc Larkins said Menzel hadn't trained all year. Cannot confirm but if true this means we perhaps should question the wisdom of the club

Which of the two Irish boys is the category A rookie and which is the Irish scholarship rookie?

I'm assuming the former is Sheahan. I take it we need to promote him?

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?