Just watching this game on fox footy now and ryan houlahan played an absolute blinder he did everything right. did some very skillful and classy things and showed just what a great footy brain he had. at one stage he was discribed by the commentator as being electrifying and that is the thing that suprised me most as we all know he is a talent and skill but he look sharp and had a bit of pace and go in him this game. if he can get back to playing footy like this for us he will be a very vital player for us. thoughts?

also just watching this game makes me realise how muxh we miss the toughness of mckay, the run of bradley and an inform lance. also there is a kid running around for us called eccles who had a very good game and showed alot.

Before Pagan came along, that was the only game Houlihan could hang his hat on. For mine that was his only best on ground performance for some time.

Needs to step it up two notches in 2006 or he will find himself at another club at the end of next year.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24

He was playing in the forward half at that stage of his career ... where his key attributes - passing to team-mates on the lead and his finishing in front of goal - are best utilised.

A return to the wing or hff might be on the cards for 2006.

PS Had a chat to him at Flemington on Derby Day and he said he was gearing up for a big year. the 33 remains on the back of my Carlton jumper for another year!!!

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In WADA we trust

I was Houlas biggest fan once upon a time, untill I got it belted out of me by pee'd off supporters after our farewell to OO loss.

I still like players of his ilk they are graceful and superb with their disposal, He's definitely a flanker or forward, he knows how to nail a goal and, when not under immense pressure has beautiful skills.

I saw 3 of his bullants games and he was just effortlessly brilliant at that level. I'm thinking that he needs to find his place again and not get thrown about and put in the bullies. I spose he needs to prove that he can give it 100% every game though...cos i think that is his downfall he is too laid back and doesn't produce any desperation....which wouldn't sit well with Pagan.

Wasn't he injured last year....? OP or something?

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The problem will be made. for the solution to be sold, to your face before your eyes, tolerance is now the new danger

I hope so!!!

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C'mon Blueboys!

the main problem with houlihan is that he just plain is scared of body contact. yeah the dude has great skills (most of the time) has speed, and can do some great things, but every time it looks like he is going to cop some contact, i cringe because i know that the ball wont be in carlton hands after the contact. i have lost count of the amount of times i have seen him duck his head in marking contests and the amount of times, while chasing the loose ball, he has either tried to tap it on or just plain shirked the issue rather than take the hard ball, and subsequently, the hit.

lets hope 2006 is a big one and he proves me wrong.

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Back like a raging case of pubic lice

No the main problem with Houlihan is that we're not playing him to his strengths. Nice experiment to make him a defender, but its not going to work. Its getting worse each game. His kicks in space to the lead are beautiful, his kicks under pressure when surrounded by opposition forwards are anti-beautiful.

Time to move him forawrd of the centre, please. We waste the benefit of his skills and poise back. please denis pelase.

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Formerly: Ackland the Wonderkid / Army the Wonderkid / quivering mess / molsey / Tony Lynn Fan Club

Yep, I agree.

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The problem will be made. for the solution to be sold, to your face before your eyes, tolerance is now the new danger

Athorn, you are the Wonderkid!

Good post.

Yeah well said.

It's clear that he has more ability than most footballers but we're not getting the value for money which we should be getting with Him. I don't care about playing him in defence to teach him a "defensive side" or whatever the reason is, sometimes you just use players to their strengths and let them go, instead of trying to reinvent them and shackling them in the process.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

i may be a rigid thinker but play him up forward or at the very least on wing.Have a look at the drawn game against Port if your not convinced.

Houla is a forward flanker with natural ability to play the position.

I also see him as a forward floater in the Caracella mould; making space and filling a hole in the forward line....and kicking goals.

He is not and never will be a defender; none of the Houlihan brothers have been defensive players.

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

That's not right. He played a few blinders in 2000 when he got the rsisng star nomination and he was very good in the forward line 2001.

Houla wont go anywhere unless he decides to leave. He's got more talent in his little finger than most players on our list. I'm expecting a big one from him next year. Pagan has to learn to play his players in their best positions.

Now you guys are starting to get it.Good stuff guys ! You make the most of what ya got.Not forever lamenting what you aint got.Put it this way guys,if Houla had of been playing in those top Brissy sides off a HFFlank he would be tearing it up.A forward line of Lance,Fev,Fish and Houla swooping in to polish things off.Awsome!!!!!!!!!!

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All my dangerous friends

Leigh Matthews wouldn't have Houla because he's lazy & soft...that's why Cupido got the arse.

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There's so much I could say...

Agreed.

Houlihan would be shunned in Brisbane if they did the unthinkable and traded for him.

Ever wondered why it seemed like Caracella never fit in at Brisbane? Simple. He's soft and doesn't fit the style of football Matthews wants his team to play. Even the supporters didn't really accept him.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24

Mathews knew what he was getting when they got Caracella.

Regardless Houla is a top class player IMO. He just needs to settle in his best spot. Would like to see him on the ball at times next year, had a great game against Port this year there.

To all Houla haters just don't expect him to be tough and you will not be disappointed. That's not his role in the team. Sheesh we have such a crap list and all I read is negatives about our better players

Believe it or not, Bax, I'm a pro-Houlihan supporter and I think he is one of the more talented players on our list. Watched a replay of Carlton vs. Geelong yesterday on Fox Footy and he drilled Fevola on the lead that many times it was ridiculous.

I'm just very disappointed in his efforts this year. While he seen as a "soft" player, I expected far more from him this year.

2006 is definitely a make or break year for Ryan.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24

Good to hear Pheonix. Let's hope he has a big one next year.

I was at that Geelong game and those passes to Fev were priceless.

He's the better of the Houlihan clan. I think this year will be his year!!

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Karma

Loyal & Proud