Christmas - a time to celebrate life and all that is good in the world....or for most of us tragics another day that brings us closer to Season 2007 and the rebirth of the mighty Blues.

So one point I've been wondering about for next year, is:

a) will we continue employing a sweeper in the backline (a la Heath Scotland this year) and
b) if so, who will it be?

Firstly, I'd say the answer to the first question is yes. Especially with us looking to field a relatively inexperienced backline this year (with the inclusion of Bower, Harts, Flint, Edwards, Jamison and Austin all possibilities), I think we will need the steadying influence of a midfield-type-sweeper to clean up and help out when the occasion calls for it.

So if thats the case, the question then becomes who will play this role? Here are how I see the candidates:

- Scotland - would have to be the front-runner after mastering the role in 2006 and must have been extremely close to being selected in the AA-team. However, would his skills be more valuable in the midfield. I'm inclined to think yes.

- Stevens - played with some effectiveness there this year. Has come to light he was severely restricted by injury in 2006, training reports suggest he looks great now that he has recovered. Crucial member of the midfield in 2007.

- Houlihan - played with some success there in the past and has silky skills. Increased endurance work indicates to me that he will again play through the middle in 2007, possibly resting on either the half-forward line or half-back line.

- Lappin - the enigma? Where do you play this guy? Again, probably played some of his better footy in recent seasons as a loose defender and showed glimpses again this year when put back there. Does he have any role left as a forward option?

- Russell - I reckon a good chance, however, have some concerns. Does he have the experience to understand the situation and calmness under pressure to act in the role? Think he will play senior footy this year and think it will probably be in the backline, however, Denis may prefer him to improve his defensive skills by giving him an opponent rather than letting him play loose.

- Simpson - well suited to the role. Quick, agile, good foot skills and willing to take a risk and break the lines which would be invaluable. However, think this may be Simmo's year to make one wing his own.

CONCLUSION: I'm almost positive that we'll persist with having a "midfielder" acting as a sweeper in the backline. However, the answer as to who that will be is cloudy to me. I think the most likely option is that it will be a rotating midfielder - probably shared between Scotland, Houlihan and Lappin. Russell maybe to move into the position later in the season.

Thoughts/opinions?

Whomever we choose, I'll do all I can to get them in my dream team

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Congratulations CK95

AWWWWW STEVENS...

http://carltonfc.com.au/default.asp?pg= ... eid=307515

What the flower? A thread on football

IS has done it again

On the thread itself, IMO I think Scotland is wasted in this role. We need him to play more onball this year and develop the younger kids to play the sweeper role. Gibbs fits the bill perfectly as a first year player with polished skills, great ability to read the play and composure (Only seen him play once ). The role wouldn't be too demanding on his body from a crash and bash perspective.

Stevens will return on the ball next year. He looks like what he is paid this pre-season. My Carlton bet for the Brownlow if he keeps his fitness levels up and remain injury free.

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

Hehe yeah sorry, a thread about football. Thats kinda my thing on here - just see myself as a massive Carlton supporter who is somewhat knowledgeable about the game of football. Dont get involved in all of the board discussions - not because I dont think they are important, just because its not my area of expertise so I dont have anything constructive to add.

I thought this was about Delulio!

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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.

I thought it was about tom elliot and his new broom.

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This might sound extreme in the context of alleged sexual assault, drunken violence and a drug trafficking charge...

Matty Lappin!

i believe houlihan is best suited to this role as a sweeper but other players such as stevens, scotland and simpson i think are too good to waste in the backline i think all 3 should get a long stint in the midfield this year. same with walker, i'd like to see him pushed up into the midfield this year as well.

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Last edited by true_blue3 on Mon Sep 26, 1981 5:07 pm; edited 92 times in total

Ah... Ronnie.

I saw him the other day in Sydney Road. Looks exactly the same, if a little grey...

I've got high hopes that Jacko, who I reckon's got more to offer than the likes of Houla, will move up into the sweeper type role in the next few years.
I agree that Stevo, Scotto and Simmo should be around the midfield setting up forward attacks.

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There's so much I could say...

The cult hero's cult hero.

Loved him - I hope he's enjoying life after footy.

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

I've always wondered whether the first 'l' is silent?

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There's so much I could say...

He was great wasn't he, however you pronounced his name

If he still looks the same, bar a little greying, perhaps he is willing to pull the boots on again, and play a role in developing our crumbers.

Which would be Eddie Betts

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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.

I think Lappin is the man. He is the most creative out of the lot of them and given his age will need a consistent year to maintain his spot in the best 22 and on the list. Scotland is very effective also and a good back up. Simpson and Stevens with their silky skills need to be getting the ball in our 50 to Fev and the others. Hoops is a back up in this spot, however his defensive side on the bigger stronger half forwards is still lacking. Lappin although light is deceptively tall and strong and good both over head and at ground level.

I'd give JR a crack first up.

I'd like to think our frontline midfielders are where they belong. IN THE MIDFIELD.

Some people have high hopes.

I guess that counts Whitnall out. Not accountable at all, plays loose all the time, not a true CHB.

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"A good composer does not initiate. He steals."

- Igor Stravinsky

I'm a big believer in the role of a sweeper provided they're playing to a structure that doesn't require them to hold the ball up, or if they are then the team is skilled enough to continue creating options like PA of 2004. I'm an unabashed fan of Scotland, I think he's in our top 4 players at the moment and one of his greatest strengths is his two sidedness, which is an essential component of a sweeper's game. Kade is a great player but his left sidedness pushes him wide too often and off a bank flank this will cause goals once the oppostion finds an affective way to carrel him. Lappin is a star but he's coming off a shit year, I honestly just hope that matty can return to some of his 04/05 form so I haven't got a position pegged for him yet. JR is a really good kick, far better than most give him credit for, but his biggest weakness at the moment is his tendancy to rush when he's under pressure, I think guys like this are better served on the forward line or a wing initially as their mistakes aren't as obviously as costly and they can get a feel for the game in their own time. Walks could be one of the most damaging players in the AFL as he has the abilty to sweep but has the size to play KP, unfortunately his kicking isn't quite there yet but I think it's more a problem with him running at 100% when he drops the ball and it just seems to come out at a different angle every time. Hopefully when he realises he's in our top half dozen players he'll lose the rookie-rush and get a bit more of a relaxed Carey strut and the kicking will follow.