I firmly believe that we are only a couple of bits of the jigsaw away from being a very competitive unit. With the modified rules that have been introduced, we could be even closer that a lot of us have thought. Whilst a number of posters subscribe to the theory that Pago Pago has a one dimensional game plan, there has been a definite shift to a different style over the past 2 seasons. It must have dawned on him that Wayne Carey is pretty difficult to clone. There are only so many Jonno Brown types around and we just ain’t got one. DP has been steadily weeding out the gaspers and systematically introducing a bunch of Kouta types to create a team of runners who are capable with the pill going both ways.

It dawned on me after reading a recent post that teams aren’t broken up into the traditional categories anymore. Once upon a time you would pick a starting back 6, a starting forward 6, a centre square starting 4 plus 2 wingers and top it off with a bench of 4 utilities to cover the interchange. I reckon that has all gone out the window. More importantly I reckon Pago Pago is already ahead of the game in his thinking. He has been planning this for over 2 years now. It just so happens that the new rule changes, fit in perfectly with his thinking.

Consider the scenario where the groupings are broken up into specific fixed cores and the balance is made up of Carriers and Runners as a separate core group. Assuming that these are the core groups: Defensive, Forward, Ruck, Extractors and Runners. If this is the case then, rather than 6 fixed Defenders only 4 would make up the Defensive core. Before you go off ya trolley, I’m not suggesting we only station 4 boys down back. We probably need 8, but try and follow this. I’m saying 4 CORE Defenders, 4 CORE Forwards etc. The other spots would be filled by Carriers and Runners.

On that basis the breakups of the 22 could be: Defensive 4, Forward 4, Ruck 2, Extractors 4 and Carriers & Runners 8. Do we have the troops to cover this situation or will we have them soon, you’ll probably wonder. I reckon we are well on the way. After much difficulty, I finally came up with the ideal members IMHO of each core group.


Defensive Core 4: Thornton – Saddington – Livingston - Bower

Forward Core 4: Fevola – Whitnall – Fisher - Kennedy

Ruck Core 2: French - McLaren

Extractors Core 4: Koutoufides – Bentick – Blackwell - Murphy

Carriers & Runners Core 8: Stevens – Waite – Walker – Lappin – Simpson – Carrazzo - Betts - Russell


The remaining players I just couldn’t fit in, but some will no doubt make it whilst others are on last chances.

Davies - Teague – O’hAilpin - McGrath - Longmuir - Chambers - Hartlett - Deluca – Bryan – Prendergast – Scotland – Bannister – Houlihan – Wiggins – Raso – Sporn – Edwards - Smith - Batson - O’hAilpin - Pick 1 Rookie Draft - Pick X Rookie Draft.


This is all subject to injury and suspension of course. Anyway here goes….. I’m sure you’ll let me know what you think.

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2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

I appreciate the sentiments, but I'm not quite convinced we are as far along as you think.

5 of your preferred 22 have played 1 game between them (Bower, Kennedy, Blackwell, Murphy and Russell). I think that given Pagan's record, we won't play 5 rookies in our starting 22.

Another consideration is Carlos. Given his elevation to the senior list, I'd expect him to play some senior footy, at least 10 games and probably more. He's now got the physique to do it, it's time the club learnt what he has to offer.

I can't see the club playing more than 3-4 of those 6 players in the starting 22. They may be rotated, and they may all get game time, but I'd be really surprised to see 5 of them line up in the same team.

Hopefully most of them get a go in the Wiz cup though, although it looks like Kennedy won't be fit.

Spot on steve, but I'm not suggesting Round 1 2006. Plenty of these are not going to be ready till well into the season, but who knows.

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.....

Spot on BrizzyBlue, it seems the gods are finally starting to smile on us!

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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.

Isn't it amazing what full access to the draft does for the hopes of some footy fans?


Now think of fans from all other Clubs and realise that they feel this every year!

I always think about the better teams and see what have we done to counteract their strengths..take Stkilda..ripe to win a GF..its their three pronged attack of Gehrig, Kosi and Reiwoldt that usually beats us up..
Its our defense where we dont have the jigsaw pieces and we have a few missing in the midfield....up forward we are ok and down the track after some developing years we will be more than ok....but we still wont beat teams who have quality marking forwards with the jigsaw pieces we have...we need Adam Hartlett, Bower and Livo to rapidly develop and one of them to assume the status that SOS had...the player that could take Barry Hall, or Gehrig or Plugger and beat them..stop them kicking their regulation six every time they play us.....its a crying shame that SOS isnt coaching our backman...at the moment...Hartlett and Bower are unknowns and Livo is on his last chance...maybe Aisake could be the key down back...but we are not going to ever be able to call ourselves a competitive team unless we can get someone of SOS's ilk down back...
Jason Saddington is very handy but isnt the big piece of the Jigsaw we need...

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"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

Hey Mol,

We can only live in hope. We just gotta be positive. BTW, what is that Avatar of yours? The betting is 6:4 Cane Toad and 7:2 Turkey. Do Tell.

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

BB, just so you know, I wasn't trying to have a go at you. I admire your positivity, its great for the board. Access to the draft is a great thing that Carlton fans have been deprived of for way too long, and finally we get our hands dirty just like everyone else.

As for the avatar, this particular one is a turkey. You know, Christmas spirit and all that stuff. Not a Cane Toad, but shall take that as a suggestion for 2006.

I have had a rethink due to various feedback and agree that looking to the future that a couple of changes need to be made. I have replaced Livo with Harts and Jordo with Bagpipes. I also created an Emergencies group as well. The revamped Core groups:


Defensive Core 4: Thornton – Saddington – Hartlett - Bower

Forward Core 4: Fevola – Whitnall – Fisher - Kennedy

Ruck Core 2: French - McLaren

Extractors Core 4: Koutoufides – Bentick – Blackwell - Murphy

Carriers & Runners Core 8: Stevens – Waite – Walker – Lappin – Simpson – Carrazzo - Betts - Scotland

Emergencies: Livingston – McGrath - Russell


The remaining players I just couldn’t fit in, but some will no doubt make it whilst others are on last chances.

Davies - Teague – O’hAilpin - Longmuir - Chambers - Deluca – Bryan – Prendergast – Bannister – Houlihan – Wiggins – Raso – Sporn – Edwards - Smith - Batson - O’hAilpin – Jackson – Flint.


Now the big task is to fit em all into possies. Here goes:


Backs:-----------Lappin------Thornton-------Hartlett

Half Backs:-----Bower------Saddington----McLaren

Centre:-----------Simpson---Stevens-------Walker

Half Forws:-----Waite------Whitnall--------Fisher

Forwards:-------Betts-------Fevola---------Koutoufides

Followers:------French------Bentick--------Murphy

Interchange:---Carrazzo-Scotland-Blackwell-Kennedy

Emergencies:--Livingston–McGrath-Russell

I reckon it looks pretty strong. Let me know what you think kiddies.

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

shocking backline for mine

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

midfield is very good, but i would have carazzo on before hartlett to provide more run, and also cause he has proven himself...

_________________
R A D I C A L B R O T H E R S

Inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm

"All in all is all we are..."

I would have Hartlett at CHB and Livo at FB with Lappin and Carrazzo as small backs. McGrath, Thornton, Saddington and Bower filling the hole depending on whos up forward for the other team.

I have a feeling that Kouta will play most of the year in the middle again

A poster on another forum suggests we are too tall down back. Simple, Carrots to the back pocket and Hartlett to the bench. Depends on who we are playing though. Gunna be tough to get into our side in 2006 and beyond. Ain't that a friggin change?

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

Give us yours Old Fruit!!

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

Hartlett/Bower Livo Russell

Saddo T-Bird Walker

_________________
This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

God bless him and nobody tries harder but Livo just ain't able to play FB. Hartlett or Bower will have to take that crucial posistion in the future.

Not that bad a backline though Danny. The future looks bright