He was disappointing overall but his best game for the year was one in which he played in the midfield (Port Adelaide away). That night he speared them onto Fev's chest and during the Geelong game he did likewise.

We're not getting the most out of him off half-back and he should be used more up forward and with bursts in the midfield. It's time we started playing players to their strengths. Forget about teaching him accountability, hardness etc and just release the shackles!

I think that you're right in that 2006 is a very important season for Houlihan. For me he's a player capable of stepping up to being a really good AFL player but he needs to be played where he can hurt the opposition the most.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

I wonder if Pagan will realise this and heap a bit more responsibility on the younger blokes to fill the role at half back which will allow him to play half forward?

Which players could do the same job?

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

I'm not sure who should play there PJ (maybe McGrath and Carrazzo) but what I am sure of is that we do not get the most out of Houlihan by playing him in defence. I realise that the reason why he was playing there was probably to teach him some accountability and a defensive side to his game. But I believe you let players play their natural games in their best positions and do not reconstruct them into something that they are not. Of course there will be exceptions but one of the best kicks in the team has to be hurting the opposition and to do this he needs to play further up the ground.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

I'd have thought the obvious plaer to step into the role would be Jordan Russell as the half back flank and back pocket player role is one he played most weeks with the bullants. He looked good running off his opponent occasionally but was also really good defensively.

That move would mean Carrazzo could play midfield as a midfielder who can actually play both ways and Houlihan played in his rightful position as a half forward flanker.

That's not a bad suggestion, Atcho.

Kills three birds with one stone.

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

Whats Leigh Mathews got to do with it ? Just saying that Houla would kill it in a top sie off a HFFlank.Whether Mathews would take him or not,who cares.BUT,he would kill them off a f flank in there side.
Would agree he is similar to Caracella.But i think Houla is far more creative than Caracella.
Get things working properly in the GUTS and Houla would be dynamite in the front half.

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All my dangerous friends

He is one of the most skilled and creative on our list -there are only 3 players presently at carlton who can make a goal out of nothing -fev lappin and houlihan
Im hoping that he gets a go in the midfield rotation because whilst not a hard player obviously he has an innate ability to find space and time.He finished off last season badly I hope he will have a positive reaction to playing in the bullants at the end of last season and realise what made him a good player in other years.

Round 9, 2001 was on Foxtel on the weekend. The young semi-blonde Houlihan, playing mostly at half forward, was always dangerous and the ball just seemed to follow him. Wasn't effective as such, just dangerous as you'd hope your flankers would be.

It was an interesting game this one - Hulme was the standout leader for the Club whilst Kouta was beaten at CHF by Colbert (no shame in that) and Campo / Shannon Grant niggled at each other all game. Campo scored 2 key FP type goals in the third quarter as the Blues moved ahead. But it was Hulme with his brilliant solo effort to steal the ball on the wing against Blakey and Clayton that turned the game. THAT's leadership.

Oh and the other leader was Beaumont but I shouldn't say that too loudly...

I was surprised just how good Freeborn was. Injuries are cruel.

Also, a beautiful long pass by Hulme to a flying Fevola for a goal.

It was a super come from behind win.

GOOD at getting it, shocking at disposing of it.

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

Freeborn?

or Hulme?

Either!

But Freeborni n particular. Had the size to work as an on baller but he sliced his left. Could he even kick with his right?

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