Looking at our team and the future structure of the side I wondered exactly where will Carlos play and what is his best position?

He has the height to play a key post and the athletic ability to play an onball role so where is his future long term? He has the desire and committment necessary to make it but being introduced to a new game later in life he perhaps does not have the natural feel for reading the play that come with many years of playing it.

Is he a tall ruck roving player in a mould similiar to Jim Stynes ? Is he a key position defender where his height and athleticism will enable him to punch the ball away and use his pace to keep up with the opposition forwards? Or is he a key position forward deep in attack? Or is he going to be a utility able to pinch hit in the ruck or a key post but never quite demanding or cementing a post?

When thinking about those questions I tried to imagine who Carlos would push out of a spot. Is he a better ruck prospect than Bryan or Batson? IMO not at this stage. Is he a better CHF than Digby or Lance? Even his most ardent supporter would not promote him into that position ahead of them. Certainly we have no height in defence and anyone with size would help. Could he play ruck? He may be a very good ruck option however with both Barnaby and Bryan in the side he would be struggling to displace them unless we use one of them in another position. Would he be a better back up ruck/ruck roving option than Prender? Now that is an interesting dilemma as Prender has his good games as a pinch hitting ruckrover but IMO seem best suited to a run with role however I don't think he has played much in the ruck in the VFL. IMO this may be the best option for Carlos in the longer term. Would he learn more playing AFL rather than VFL? Probably not while the seniors are struggling although with nothing to lose I think it may be worth giving him 3 or 4 games in the seniors if his form warrants.

He has played one senior game and like most young players looked like he may need another 2-3 years to cement a spot. Given the push to turn over players can we afford to have a development player on the list for that period of time? I really hope he comes on gangbusters but I just don't know where he fits into the team in the future.

Your thoughts?

If we get a LTI. he will come straight in.
Id play him on the wing this year until he picks up the pace of the game.. then its off to the forward line.

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I think it depends on how we recruit for next year.

I list my ideal team as :

Teague Michael Livo
Russell Thornton Carrots
Houlihan Murphy Simpson
Waite Kosi Walker
Betts Fevola Fisher
French Stevens Ellis

Bryan , Hartlett , Blackwell , Scotland

Big call as it is very early still i guess Carlos could interchange through CHF / HFF if Kosi is off limits.

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*(grow - fun - gah)

Yeah but whatabout your whataboutism.

Val Perovic in the making. .. Start as a winger forge a career as a backman.

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Synbad, I think there's a rule saying that after there's only 6 weeks to go then no more rookie elevatiuons (LTI)...I could be wrong

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We'd do a lot worse than simply having him float around half back filling the hole - which seems to be an entrenched part of the current game plan. He's faster and more athletic than Whits wandering around down there.

He might also show a bit of agro once he settled in and start tackling hard and rubbing dirt in faces. He might actually show a bit of passion. Perhaps what he lacks in skill and development could be made up for with his gut busting desire to wear the jumper.

I reckon I could find a spot for him. If Carlton can't get someone on the LTI list before the time lapses then we're playing like amatuers.

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This might sound extreme in the context of alleged sexual assault, drunken violence and a drug trafficking charge...

Good question and one talked about at length with some strangers in the VFL on Saturday. You see, Setanta played a proxy CHF / FP on the weekend, roaming up ground to get kicks but never really in the forward 30, left for Digby on his own. Yes, it was wet, so they have set up a bit differently, but he was definitely playing up ground.

As we've contracted Fev for 3 years, why would we play Setanta FF? How much can a man learn at FF? I thought it was good to see him moved up ground but in previous weeks he was definitely at FF>

I have seen / read about him playing ruck only on a few occasions, and only for a quarter or so.

He has not been tried in defence all 2005, which given our relative lack of height is a bit of a worry.

You'd have thought that Pagan had a clear plan for his development, one that they seem to have for Aisake (ruck / FB). Is it to play a CHF type role like Spalding?

If I was DeLuca I'd be very careful when walking from the club rooms to the car park All sorts of accidents can happen in car parks...if ya know what I mean

Just Jokin' of course

You just turned a light on for me there Molsey. The Duke is exactly the type of player we have been missing for so many years. Acts as a reliable target for the ball coming out of defence, crunches packs, kicks the odd goal and generally provides heavy ground cover for the rest of the team.

That role would suit the Pagan game plan too. Position Waite behind Carlos and Fev deep and we may be able to get an easier avenue towards goal.

Then we'll just need some midfield depth...........

I have only seen Carlos play twice this year but I agree with others here about a similarity with Earl Spalding. Same sort of build and attitude. Not highly skilled but effective. Bang and crash style and bring others into the game that way. I would like to see him played at CHF and lead up at the ball. Run through blokes who zone off and resting ruckmen filling a hole. Leave the space for Waite and Fevola behind him.
If that fails then a move to CHB is on the cards.
Carlos has the attitude and the desire to make the best of himself. He is 22 with the football experience of a 16 year old.
This is the sort of bloke who will with his attack on the ball and enthusiasm will help the team a lot next year.

I don't think that that is the case billc3.
IIRC, Carrazzo was elevated off the rookie list with 4 games remaining. Bentick with 5 games remaining. Could someone verify this?

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C'mon Blueboys!

You can make changes to your list up until round 18. Can promote a rookie and put a player on the LTI list up until then.

I think the guy in our team currently who'd be under pressure to Carlos long term would be Prendergast. Exactly what role does Pendergast play these days?

Run with, Ruck, Midfield, bit of defence etc etc. At least Carlos would be big enough to actually contest the ruck.

With Chris Bryan coming on as he has I think Prendergast and De Luca will be under pressure from Carlos.

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