A great post Wolfe and certaintly plenty of food for thought.

Here a few of my thoughts.

a. The biggest problem we have is depth. With this draft we can in time fill many of the gaps, but we need to build depth. From the modern game thread, one of the biggest themes was versatility of the team. Depth can be seen both in the list as ourely coverage and back ups, but also in the versatility of players. People bemoan our lack of game plans and Pagans inability to switch styles. This I think is born from our lack of depth and ability of players to play multiple positions. In drafting and creating the new Carlton team, we need to address this and ensure we create a deep and flexible squad.

b. Lack of elite primary players.
Our midfield is shocking and considering our best mid is pretty much Murphy, this needs urgent attention. Without wanting to get into the whole Gibbs issue, I completely agree this is an area of urgent attention. Without this engine being A grade, we will never be a real threat. Obviously our Rucks are stuffed as well, and this also needs to be addressed.

c. We have a lot of unknowns.
Depending on your whole Glass half full, half empty perspective, this is either scary or exciting as hell. Hartlett, Edwards Bower, O'Halphin will either create a back 6 that is awesome, or continue our recent back line of triers but no real class. I would like to see this backline shored up in this draft with another key back.

d. Forward Line needs to deliver.
While this line has always looked good on paper, it doesn't have the runs of the board. It is time for Waite, Betts and Fisher to stand up. We can't expect too much from JK, but hopefully we will continue to see him develop and take a few contested grabs.

e. Outlook
This year will still be a developing year, and I still expect us in the bottom 4-6. What I am looking for is development of the kids and a game plan that is not aimed at winning now, but rather one that will give premierships in the future. This and the next draft where we will have access to the best picks, are so importnat in addressing these issues. We have the ability to create a super side, let's make sure we do this!

I really wonder if our midfield is as bad as people make out. We matched WC at Subi for the best part of four quarters last season. Sure Judd wasn’t on the field that day, but WC minus Judd is still about as good as any midfield in the comp. Perhaps we need to bite the bullet, take Leuenberger now, and we can get our other elite midfielder next season when we finish bottom four.

However, if we don’t take LB then I don’t know that I’d take a ruck before pick 35. If we’re going to ignore the ruck for another year, we may as well ignore it properly and get the most out of 1, 17, 19 to fill as many holes as we can. Whether that’s Gibbs, a creative HBF, and a KP insurance player, or Hansen, a midfielder and a creative HBF, I don’t know that it really matters.

I think our mid field has potential, but we need to match that WCE effort, every week and then more importantly when finals come, have the players who can step up again to another level, ie Judd and Kirk. No arguments on the ruck though. I don't know much about Tippet and Renouf, but it would seem we need one of them early in our draft if we don't take LB.

Really good summation SA.....true its both exciting and precarious.

Just had an interesting discussion with Captain Clem on another thread re Carlton's Fab Four Midfielders.

Stevens (2007-2010) imo he wont be traded as a 28yo in 2008
Murphy (2007-2017)
Simpson (2007-2015)
Gibbs (2007- 2018)
Walker (2007- 2016)

Kouta (2007) hard ball clearance player. (Kouta)
Bentick (2007-2013) hard ball clearance player imo (Ratten)
Blackwell(2007-2014) hard ball clearance player imo (S.West)

Now for the rotations: Houla, Carrazzo (Taggers and rotations), Russell, waite, Wiggins and Jackson.

So, whilst I understand your summation of the midfield, I don't think it's shocking...imo it's thin, and doesn't have the support of a ruckman, let alone 2.

I tend to lean towards nightcrwaler re the midfield:



But, we must take at least a ruck rookie to develop, give Aisake all the development training required to fast track his ruck ability, and hopefully land a wildcard, such as Griffith at 35 or 51, if we don't take Lueuey, Renouf or Tippet in 2006.

We will need 3 ruckmen to fill our ruck brigade, and that will mean we need a real gun ruck in 2007 and snag a developed one in the trade/ PSD...and our midfield will conduct themselves better then they seem to be, with some kind of ruckman rather than no ruckmen as at present.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Cheers Bondiblue.

Shocking maybe a tad harsh! I just feel as if we don't take an elite mid this draft, then we are very thin. The kids are very young in Simpson & Murphy, and Walker. With Walker, although very happy his form in 2006, I am still a little worried about whether he will be elite in the midfield. 2007 we will start to see some answers. Stevens I do rate and think talk of trading him is crazy as with this coverage, he will come into his own.
In rating the midfield I am mainly thinking about what we need it to become to be an premiership winning one, and I think currently we are short.

Always good to have a discussion about where want to be, and what we need to get there.

Agree with comments on the the areas when you analyse the key areas

Midfield - we have 3 Key players in Murph / stevo / Simmo - one extra needed in potentially Gibbs and then a 1/2 dozen that can be rotated through - Walker could also be used in bursts in the Midfield big upside still as he is only 20.

Rucks - 2 Backup and one rookie Aisake unknown so very little back up and we will have to get a ruck through the draft ie Renouf / Tippert or even outside punt in Michael Griffiths

Backs - Seem to have a lot of options for Running backs but lack in KPP backs and will need to target again in the draft and ideally a Mcphee if he is still in dispute with Essendon*

Forwards - Least area of concern certainly think the talent is there and we have many options but with a forward line option of Fev / Kennedy / Kouta / Betts / Waite / Fisher to name a few it is delivery from the midfield which will see the forward line improve which brings us back to the Midfield.
Murphy showed how important a skilled Midfielder is to the forward line so still the most important area to fix up in this years draft .

Will be an interesting 2007 and agree so far with the current delistings at club just need to add 2 more and we should be slowly addressing some key areas of concerns ... not all areas and with people saying 2007 draft crop will be good for Rucks and KPP we should have all the team covered after 2007.
Again this is one of the youngest lists in the competition and with 50%+ under 24 should be setting up a good future.

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CFC TAC Squad everyone over 25 must be traded sounds like Loguns Run