Regardless of todays scoreboard result, the form of big Setanta has warmed the heart of this grizzled, cynical old supporter.

He looks more and more confident each week - more composed than some of our senior leaders.

I don't like making comparisons, but he's reminding me of a certain junior high jump champion from Lalor who took a little bit of time adapting to our game in the early 90's.

Good stuff Carlos - you're one of the many rays of light at the end of this deep, long tunnel.

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

While he had some poor disposal you have to give him a shitload of credit.

Took some amazing marks, athletically very good and has played less than 10 games

WELL PLAYED SETANTA

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

Doing brilliantly for this stage of his career, he is going to get much better.

Made a couple of mistakes, but also punched, smothered and harrased like a true defender throughout the day.

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|♥♥♥♥♥♥| http://www.blueseum.org |♥♥♥♥♥♥|

Silly matchup on McVeigh...Pagans coaching made it hard for Setanta but he battled on. Took some nice marks and needs to be matched up on a similar marking tall player..not a smart player like McVeigh who led him to the ball and beat him at ground level...

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

Only his sixth game.

Gizzled? I never would've imagined that.

Santy had a good one. Shame about that last kick, which is what most people will remember from the match.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

edit - sorry wrong thread...

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Splinters, maybe?

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

You and your crazy imagination.

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

Best thing to come out of the today's game. GO SETANTA!!!!

Oh, grizzled. Not that either.

Every game will benefit the man. He's got something, and let's hope he keeps on moving ahead.

But he did kick a nice goal from 50 last week in the last qrt..

Just loved his attack on the man, chasing and some great important smothers..

Fev was on MMM before after just coming out from the team meeting and Pagan was full of praise for Santy..

i think this game is very good for him personally, he should be able to learn a lot from today's game.

He had a great first quarter. Made one or two blues in the second which were all understandable for someone in their sixth game of senior footy. Has a lot of aspects we should be happy about. Should be utilised in defence for the rest of the season.

Again, I disagree.

Make him a utility, see if he can pinch hit in the ruck, how he goes on a wing as a tall marking option to feed the runners.

Throw him around Denis, he may help you solve other problems with his combonation of height and athleticism.

Why confuse the situation?

The kids only been playing the game for 2-3 years, is in his 6th senior game, and you want him to play a role that requires more creativity?

Let him learn off the opposition forwards - utilising his height and athleticism comes later.

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

I agree, he seems to be settling nicely on the backline at the moment. These things take time...

You don't think a six game veteran may benefit from the chance to settle into a role rather than be asked to play a different position every week (or quarter for that matter)?
Let him settle and build some confidence..

I don't think I'm asking too much of him, while good ruckwork is an art, it's not like we're putting any on show as it is, and it frees up a spot for another runner and some space to freshen legs up on the bench.

We've got Kennedy gathering dust because there's too many talls in the forward line and on the field and we've got ruckmen who combine in pairs to make one passable ruck.

We need more flexibility in the line up.

Ok let me put up an example:

French (or Bryan) rucks through the centre, Setanta defends and rucks at stoppages in the backline.

French comes off, Kennedy comes on, takes the centre bounce with his leap and pushes forward ala McKernan, leaving Setanta for the around the ground ruckwork at stoppages and he can drop back, man up on the ruckman or run loose on the wing as a link from defense depending on the set up.

French gets a nice 5 to 10 minute spell each quarter, Kennedy rucks maybe 3 or 4 bounces max in a normal game, Setanta handles some stoppages and learns about body work frequently, or at least how to counteract it.

I think it's workable, and doesn't put huge pressure on Setanta, especially if we synchronise rotations with the opposition rucks.

Is Kennedy a better option up forward than Fisher or Waite?

In my opinion he is - the other 2 are flankers, he is a genuine CHF who will present and has the size to break open packs

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch