This week's team selection and leadership group announcement made me feel as though finally we were experiencing a changing of the guard, a move forward for youth that many of us had been hoping for in our dark days at the bottom of the ladder. So, given its a slow work day, I've had a look at games played by Carlton players in 2003, 2005 and 2006 to work out if the feeling was right or wrong....

- In 2003, 44% of all games were played by those in the first 5 years of AFL football (measured from their first national draft). 31% of all games were played by those in the first 3 years of footy.
- In 2005, 46% of all games were played by those in the first 5 years of footy. 16% by those in the first 3 years.
- To this point in 2006, assuming we line up as named on the weekend, it's 40% (5 years) and 23% within 3 years.

Clearly, its not a full changing of the guard on these numbers. What has happened in some instances is that those given chances in 2003 have perhaps not kicked on, or been injured. Further, some players have gorn up and become a mainstay of our team eg Thornton, Houlihan.

One big upside though is how good our first year players look this year - or are we just so desperate for good news we are overrating them? Discuss!

On stats alone, Marc Murphy is potentially going to have the best debut season on record.

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“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.

I think the guard has changed but only out of exhausting all other avenues.
If we had another year where we had ten wins say would be be so keen to embrace youth and rebuild...or would we have kept topping up and recruiting more David Teagues and Digby Morrells..

I think Marc Murphy has shown the club what a good footballer really is and how you need his quality to be successful and that youth is the right way...I think players like Blackwell have been given a better run due to Murphys success and he has opened the clubs eyes to what rebuilding is all about..

This weeks team is one of the better we have selected for the year regardless of the result...youth across the board and seeing the big irishman in the team gives you a good feeling because he is such a goer...good on the club for taking the plunge with the younger blokes but hasnt it been a painful process getting to this point ....

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

At the start of the year i thought everyone was overrating Marc Murphy but after seeing him play this year i state, He is God

Still missing Waite, Hartlett and Fisher who are young. Can't wait til next year when we have them available plus the draft picks we get

Yes, good points. BTW I dont think its possible to overrate Murphy..

I found the 2005 data fascinating. A huge drop in sub 3 year players as s result of our trading-in policy of 2003/04 and our reluctance to really push the draft of 2004, at a time when we clearly needed to rebuild. None of this is new news, but one can only wonder how many other players we could have now of youth, speed and skill if we'd pushed it a little harder?

when you look at hte line up of the team this week you definently sense a changing of the guard.

I hate to say it but the teams seems fresher without Kouta in it.

The midfield looks dangerous and the forwardline will be fantastic when Waite and Fisher resume.

may be we have passed the half way mark of the rebuilding process?

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Revenge is a dish best served cold

&

I AM PROUD SPONSOR OF THE CAROLINE WILSON HATE CLUB

I am thinking maybe 3/5th's of the rebuilding process if you count 2003

if the rebuilding started in 2004 then 40% is on the money!

_________________
Revenge is a dish best served cold

&

I AM PROUD SPONSOR OF THE CAROLINE WILSON HATE CLUB

It's not as if they had a choice in finally playing the kids. Casual Carlton members are turning away in droves with drop in attendances & membership ....sick of seeing second rate players continually underperform.
Hopefully the supporters will return to the games now to actually see, with their own eyes, our future develop.

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There's so much I could say...

Good point.

if the kids are playing there is hope.

_________________
Revenge is a dish best served cold

&

I AM PROUD SPONSOR OF THE CAROLINE WILSON HATE CLUB

These guys should have been played a few weeks ago. Membership numbers close today I believe, so what our number is today, is the official figure (?).

Maybe would have boosted it up a bit.

ANyway, better late than never, think we will win well up there.

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Supporting the Blues No Matter What

I can't remember when we last beat Brisbane, or Sydney, or Port, or StKilda for that matter.

There have been changes. It's time for one more.