Those 3 games equated to less than 'half of one' in terms of actual game time, most of which was spent running on and off the ground. Perhaps the transitition would have been smoother had the coach shown faith in his ability and allowed him to remain on the ground long enough to collect a few possies.

With regards to rookie promotion, a month ago, with Blackwell, Russell and Carazzo playing Bullants we would have been elevating 'just because we could'. Now these boys have have established themselves ahead of the Sporns, Davies and McGraths. With Murphy out, we need a midfielder and it makes more sense to work on the kids than those who's futures appear fixed.

Which rookie? Smith for mine, only because he has busted his ass for two years and we MUST make a call at the seasons end. BUT, if it's not going to be 2 mins here, 3 mins there... don't bother!

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Patrick Smith - Just another reason to HATE Essendon*!

Is that catch, or spank?

There is no "pattern"
Players develop at different times. If they are dominating the VFL or looking comfortable at that level, give them an opportunity.
If not, work with them in the VFL.

Fish at pick 72 looked a class above VFL the first time he stepped out.
Yet Tim Walsh looked totally out of his depth.
It should be judged on an individual basis.

To suggest it worked for player A, so it must work for player B, is nonsense.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Then there is those who just raise up to what's before them.....
If you are getting rid of rookies at year's end and you have the chance to give them a try , why not?

Rookies often don't look like stars, that's why they weren't drafted...but some can just play at whatever level they're put into...not stars BUT very useful

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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 think the days of Michael Tuck , Gary ODonnell etc playing game after game in the ressies are over and we have moved on from the earning your stripes era.....or at least some clubs and coaches have ...we appear to be stuck in the past. We seem paralysed with fear to do anything.....forget about promoting rookies get a coach and MC with some gonads first... who are actually in touch with the modern game..its so frustrating watching this procrastinating football dept go about their business...Mitchell excepted.

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

Bit of a catch 22. If you're not getting your hands on the ball you'll get taken off and someone else given a chance and then you'll be sent back to the VFL because you didn't get enough match practice.

Well no rookies this week with Sporn getting his millionth chance.
Jackson & Smith should be given some senior gametime development but alas, there's parts of Carlton still listening to skyhooks & livin' in the 70's.

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There's so much I could say...

Maybe this might have something to do with why the Lions are playing it's rookies.....

Brisbane Lions Injury List

Lenny Clark (thigh) test
Jed Adcock (quadricep) test
Nigel Lappin (ankle) 3-4 weeks
Jonathan Brown (hip) 3-4 weeks
Beau McDonald (hamstring) 3-5 weeks
Chris Johnson (groin) 5-7 weeks
Ashley McGrath (hamstring) 6 weeks
Mitch Clark (groin) indefinite
Chris Scott (hip) indefinite
Richard Hadley (knee) season
Anthony Corrie (knee) season
Justin Leppitsch (calf) season
Joel Macdonald (knee) season
Pat Garner (knee) season

At one stage they had 50% of their list injured hence the promotion of the rookies.

Also the fact that the team already has

Blackers
Setanta
Jordan
Josh

Maybe 4 newbies are enough at the moment. After this week there are 8 games left. Plenty to give the rookies a go if need be.

The current rookies are going along nicely in the VFL so let them play 4 quarters and get their confidence up before they move on up.

Regards Cazzesman

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Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

Budzy wrote


Whilst this move robs the chance of another kid, as you mention, on the otherhand, if he can show some form and get into the best players in the last 8 games, he may be tradable to Adelaide for a second round pick! 3rd? 4th?....something at least.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Correct me if I'm wrong but the senior gametime the young blokes are getting atm has created a bit of a buzz amongst us blues fans. It would've been even more of a buzz for fans to see a new 'rookie' given a go this week at OUR HOME GAME. Can't see the inclusion of Sporny dragging fans back to our home game. Deflating decision.

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There's so much I could say...

According to Fev on 3AW tonight, Jesse Smith & Craig Flint have been attending senior team meetings, and are a good chance of being promoted.

uncle wrote


And I would bet that they will make an impact too when they are elevated, as would Jackson.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

according to our MC, sporn will make a bigger impact

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Last edited by true_blue3 on Mon Sep 26, 1981 5:07 pm; edited 92 times in total

Just to answer a question which was posted twice in this thread and to which none of us have the answer at this time. No we don't know if the club can afford to promote a rookie and we may be waiting on the AFL to provide the written assurance on finances ($1.5m) we have asked for before we can think about doing it.

However it has been good to see the coach come out during the week and talk about the possibility of promoting a youngster or two.


Cazzes also na\makes a good point about the fact that you can't have too may kids in the team and if you classify kids as thosewho have played less than 30 games of AFL then Carrazzo, Bentick and IIRC Betts can be added to his list.

Just by the way I'm a bit peaved that Sheedy and the Bombers seemed to have stolen the title Baby Bombers in the press and promotionally when we really should be seeing the President, Coach, MC, and players talking about watching the Baby Blues. We had a couple of good artiucles but didn't seem to follow it up and make it our own and now the Bombers seem to have stolen the march.

I want to read about:- The Birth of the New Blues. A Blue Beginning. Youthful Blues look to the future. Blues blessed with youth. Bluer Skies ahead. Bad weather over for Blues. Blues cup is brimming. Blues building a base, etc.

Agree Amo, Sheedy & his bombers have been given an easy ride. Compare to our disastrous 2002 and the vultures that circled over our carcass - it was relentless.

Hopefully it will be a good game for the Bullies on Sunday and Smith/Flint will put their hands up - hopefully we will see them at there best. If Smith can shine like he has done in the past then I will look forward to seeing him play for the good old navy blues the following week.

Each game that goes by Carlton misses an opportunity to see what Batson and Smith can do at the highest level. They may not deserve a game in the seniors but I do believe we must give them an opportunity to prove themselves.....at the highest level.

Like Tony Shaw did at Collingwood in his final year. He played the kids and the football department were able to get a closer look at their young players. This provided the basis of making key decisions to their playing list. It was the best thing that happened to that club.

It would be nice to see Batson and Smith get an opportunity before a decision is made on their future.

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Delulio is a member of TISM

Interesting to note that Dennis mentioned Chris Bryan in the after match press conference and that the MC had given him some things to work on and he was hoping he had a good game in the Bullants.

He also mentioned Flint Smith and Jackson and said that we had enough LTI's now to promote them all and all they had to do was continue to put their hands up in the Bullants.. Sounds like everyone on the list is going to be given a chance.

Also said Fisher could be back next week.

*BUMP*

WIth Saddo, J-Lo & Davies all out for the season, plus Murphy, would anybody object to us promoting 3 rookies......

Jackson ?
Flint ?
Batson ?

Jackson could fill the void that Murphy left and has proven himself more than worthy of a Senior call up!

Flint's been busting his balls all year and seems to be a favourite amongst Bullants supporters. Plus, it would give the commentators a hard-on just thinking about all the on-liners that could use when callin the game!

Batson could prove worthy enough of being promoted from rookie to listed player, or he could prove that he's not gonna make it and help us to realise that he must be delisted. But French & Mclaren are really struggeling to have an impact in the ruck, we might as well try the kid?

I know there is the Financial situation with promoting a rookie (although i'm not entirley sure what it is).

The fans are calling out for us to promote a rookie.............DOOOOO IT!

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"
- Aristotle

I'd like to see Flint stay in the ants and given some time at fullback. Could be the answer.

My money's on Jackson. They'll probably announce it at training tomorrow if they plan on selecting him for this week.

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There's so much I could say...