I take my hat off to Simon Wiggins, who really has risen above the quagmire in the last month. His sure marking and more confident kicking is a welcome sight for the sorry Blues. Mike & Dan had the chance to have a chat to Wiggo, which will go up on the cfc site in the next day or so. For me, the following answers were interesting:

4. You've played a number of roles on the field at Carlton. Where do you think your best position is?
My best position is on the Wing. I’ve developed my fitness and strength over the past few years, even over the past 6 months actually, and I’m a bit smarter now. I’ve been developing through time in the VFL, under Barry Mitchell down at the Bullants.

5. How difficult is it to make the transition between the Bullants and the Blues?
Some guys can come straight in to the team, others need to develop in the VFL. The transition, for me, was difficult – I think I played too many senior games early, where a development year in the seconds may have been more useful for me.

Love the Wiggler....

Ok, so he'll never be a Kouta but he will die trying...wish we had 38(42?) like that!

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“Every single element of the Club has to be the best in the league, meticulously and methodically, and only by doing this will we be elite and challenge for number 17.”
Greg Lee

I'm sure we know far more than Wiggo what developing he needs.

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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!

Hats off to Wiggo. I havent always posted nice things about the lad but his efforts since recall have been great. Not quite Chris Judd, but in the context of our current team, far from the worst!! Credit where it is due, well done Wiggo!

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"Who discovered we could get milk from cows, and what did he think he was doing at the time?" Billy Connolly

I think Carlton fans as one respect Wiggo for his committment to the club....can't be questioned and something for Wiggo to be very proud of.

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There's so much I could say...

I love Wiggo!!!

He is true blue...

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

developing nicely is young Wiggo

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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!

Thats the whole problem with our club at the moment ... we have 25 players like him. Too good for the Bullants, nowhere near good enough for the seniors. Poor decision-making, bad disposal, no set position.

Try, try, try - i want players that can play ... or at least have the talent to possibly make it. You're in dreamland if you think the likes of Wiggins will take us up the ladder. Might be seen as a harsh view ... but after seeing him in the system for a few years now, its fair.

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In WADA we trust

I think you missed my point........I'm saying that he WILL "die trying" as opposed to those who have been/are coasting........ I agree we need talent, and as much as I love the Wiggler we don't need 38 with his talent....we need 38 with his work ethic and committment.

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“Every single element of the Club has to be the best in the league, meticulously and methodically, and only by doing this will we be elite and challenge for number 17.”
Greg Lee

The kid is going alright.
Good pace and a good kick. He decision making has improved out of sight as well. Dished off some real good handballs in heavy traffic last week. His performances have probably been the only highlight in the last 2 or 3 weeks

OK, I'll put some more in but ytou have to promise to read it on the main site when it goes up:

6. You’ve been in & out of the Carlton team, Simon. What do you think you need to know to keep your spot at Carlton?
I just need to continue with what I’ve done over the past month, and get as much of the ball as I can.

7. One of the frustrating things for us fans with you, and I guess with the Blues at the moment, has been messing up the kicks.
That’s a fair assessment. I used to worry a lot about what the fans thought of my kicking. See, in the Under 18’s I used to be a good user of the ball, but I used to worry about my kicking. I’ve got some confidence again in my kicking now – you just have to learn to relax when you’re taking the kick.

8. Your girlfriend had success at the Commonwealth Games in the diving (Loudy Tourkey). How come we haven’t seen you diving for free kicks?
I’ve got no idea – I’ve never really played that way, and I don’t think I’d be that good at it.

Good questions.
Good answers.
Good little interview.

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There's so much I could say...

Great bloke.
Talking about confidence.. i hope he can build on it.

One of my favourite Carlton footballers because each and every time he goes out into the middle he gives it a red hot go.

You cant ask for more right now.

WIGGO FOR CAPTAIN!!!

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The most interesting thing about the interview is the insight it gives into confidence. Wiggo admits he probably played too many games early on and that he was scared of making bad decisions so, predictably that is exactly what he did. Few will argue that his last couple of weeks have been his best couple of weeks and his answers kind of showed how he has matured mentally to his game.

When we start seeing that same kind of maturity in all of the young players, that is when we start to see people realising their potential. Wiggo will only get better from here on!!

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"Who discovered we could get milk from cows, and what did he think he was doing at the time?" Billy Connolly

I am not sure how much tongue in cheek there was with the Captaincy suggestion Synbad,personally i think we could do a lot worse.

Of course the lad has bigger issues like cementing his spot but i have no doubt he will do it.

I remember the Bio on him before we recruited him in 2000,and it is still sums him up to a tee...Along the lines of Gutsy player who's leadership ability was rewarded with the Tassie under 18 Captaincy!

Might want to check you bait Danny!

I'd still trade him for a 2 piece feed but you can't deny his character. Really hope he continues to get the opportunities and find a spot in the best 22 other than team tryer. Good onya Chief.

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Patrick Smith - Just another reason to HATE Essendon*!

It's probably too early to tell, but it looks like Wiggins may be one of the few/first of his generation - those guys that made their debuts in the Brittain era (eg Livo, Prenda, Sporn, Davies) - to look like taking the next step up into a senior position.

He'll never be a star, but his hardness and courage and pace will be an important element of example-setting for the younger generation, compared to some of the soft underbellies running around in senior positions at the moment.

Long live the Wiggler!!

actually knackers wiggo was someone elses bait I was merely reminding them.

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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!

Really do like Wiggo. I'd happily take a gutsy wingman with some pace who may only get 15 or so touches a week, but puts his body on the line for the Navy Blue.