The odd, while somewhat pleasing part when thinking long term, is that many times this year if we have been smashed it's our kids who have been our better performers and the ones who have been able to hold their heads high as they trudge off the ground.

Sure they might make some skill errors and so on, but they are in there at the coal face having a bloody red hot go!

I referring to this idea weeks ago. The thinking is that to repair player faults/develop other aspects of their game you need to play a footballer at a level that allows them to try the things you want them to work on, to have the time and space (as it were) to develop those aspects you are concerned with. Playing them in the AFL means they may just be playing for their survival (no time to develop) or might believe they have no need to work on things (they've already made it). Educationally it makes some valid points. Maslow's heirarchy fits this model. However accelerated learning models would argue against it.

Yeah but Camel, the senior players get the best taggers every weekâ„¢

In relation to his line of thinking with the 24-25 y.o. or players who have been at the club for 4-5 years and have not progressed the only player that can back up this statement is Simon Wiggins. He wants to give them another chance in the hope that they can string some games together in the hope that they turn the corner.

This is a very important point. If we can find 3-4 of these types of players that are already on the list, we'll be in a much better position in 2-3 years when the younger blokes develop like waite and Fish. If not, it'll be another couple of years for them to be the next 26+yo generation.

I think Wiggins is a good example, but sadly I reckon Prenda, teague, Sporn etc. won't make the cut. I still hold hope for Bannister and Livo, but only just.

Let's give them 1 last go and then cut deep to use the super draft this year. - the kids aint going anywhere.

I know what you mean Mojo.

My bet is that Sentanta is gonna be left out this week which completely pisses me off when guys like McGrath stay in the side.

Chambers

Sporn
Prenda
Teauge
Livo
McGrath
and to a lesser extent Houlihan (and some others) have been given more than a fair share of chances to proove their worth to the club, and they have given nothing in return.

Hopefully all of those players get delisted at seasons end to FINALLY create some opportunities for players who actually want to be part of our future.
I said the same thing about Wiggens last year......,but he has seriously looked at himself long and hard and decided he wants to give his all! His form in the past 5 games has proven that, ditto Bannister (whom i honestly think should have been playing in the seniors all along!)

Players like Houlihan/Prenda/Livo/Etc, etc, come into the side on the back of some good form in the VFL but never NEVER string a consistant flow of games together. It's like a revolving door for them. And they know this. They'll get dropped and be like "Ahhh, doesn't matter. I'll rack up 30 possesions for the Bullants and be right back in there!" Not F@%&#! good enough IMO!

Aggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! So Frustrating. I'm running out of teeth from grinding them so much thinking of our selected teams!

Anyways.....GO BLUES!

Walker to better he's skills this week.
Fevola to kick 5.
Blackwell or Kennedy (if they actually make it in the side) to earn a rising star nomination.
Fisher to kick 3 and take 10 marks.
Blues to win by 3 goals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come to think of it, We're going into this side with our most dominating Forward line since about round 5 or 6.

Fevola / Kennedy / Fisher

i reckon the can kick about 10 goals between them!

Nothing like a Bachelor of Football Education at Carlton - with a 5 year sub-major of forensic pine bench examination.

And what happens if Prender comes in and goes OK? Nothing spectacular but holds his spot......and Teague.....and Sporn.

Do you then retain them?
These guys have had 6 or 7 pre seasons behind them and they cant hold a place in the worst team over the past 5 years.

What will this week tell you about Prender that the last 8 pre seasons have"nt?

I'll tell Denis if he doesnt know. Prender is a great bloke with a good motor for his size. He doesnt have the balance to play Key position as he is pushed off the ball far too easy.
He cant successfully play ruck as he is too short and cant hold his feet at throw ins. He cant find the ball as a midfielder and his footskills are terrible.
If Denis doesnt know that now, he never will.

The Carlton Football Club doesnt owe Prender a game.

As for Jesse Smith, his lacks a yard of pace but goes hard at the pill.
His footskills are reasonable and he runs hard to involve himself and to create a link.
Can he play senior AFL? I dont know.

There's far more to find out about Jesse Smith than Prender.
Yet Prender gets the gig.

I like Kennedy. Just has something about him I really like. I dont really think if but when with him. Given a full pre season this year it would likely be now for him. But he is well behind where he would be without the shoulder op so its all a bit catch up for him.

But if he does not pull down a few marks early on then he will rot on the bench and that kills me. Must hurt him as well. Lets make him earn it and all that I am fed up of. Lets just let him slwoly develop in the 1s. 80 minutes a game. If he struggles then send him down back for an education as well.

Play Lance with him up forward for a bit and see how they work together.

Put him at FF for a quater or 2.

Develop him please.....