Levi can be anything. A massive unit, with natural aggression and possibly the best pack mark we’ve had since Sticks. It’s just his kicking. I suppose that’s why has lasted until the rookie draft and he is only young still, but his kicking.
Things to improve His kicking. 2015 – Can he have a great 2014 and be the answer up forward that allows Henderson to stay back?
42 – Zac Touhy – Games 54 – Turns 25 in December
Wow, how quick has this come? 50 games and automatic selection and one of our best kicks. Remember the excitement when Setanta arrived? 200cm athletic with the tag line of “when does the fooking hittin start?” Who would have thought the best Irishman we’d get would be a half back flanker who looks like a dwarf from the Lord of the Rings movies.
Things to improve – Understanding and tighter his opponent. Both came on in leaps and bounds last season and I expect more natural improvement this year. 2015 – Could we be looking at an AA HBF going into 2015?
43 – Simon White – Games 26. Turns 26 in June Solid, mature, insurance. Does OK when he gets his chances but too short for key position and too slow for a HBF.
Things to improve Kicking and running. Doesn’t often link up in play and when he gets the ball it’s more of a kick to area rather that a chest. 2015 – Surprised if he’s still on the list.
44 – Andrew Carrazzo – Games 165. Turns 31 in December.
Injuries over the past two seasons have robbed Carrots and now father time may be catching up. His best footy would now be behind him and another injury plagued season could see the end. He can still get the ball but his run with roles have been taken by Curnow and while his disposal has improved it’s still not A grade.
Things to improve – Just get healthy. 2015 – Could be gone.
46 – David Ellard – Games 40. Turns 25.
A solid foot soldier, gives 100%, 100% of the time. Plays to his limitations but last seasons injuries took him away from the senior line up for too long and blooded a couple of juniors where normally Davey’s name would have been called.
Things to improve – If there was a man on the list who worked harder than Ellard to improve his game, I’d be surprised. 2015 – Enjoy 2014 it’s probably your last.
The buzz was loud about Nick last pre season, here was a boy who was a late pick drifting around the practice matches getting the ball at will and then using it. Injury hits and it took to late in the year to see how he went at AFL level. When he got his chance he did well. Showed a willingness to get in and tackled even though he was out sized and while his disposal was quite wayward he gave a glimpse to what we may have.
Things to improve – Speed and Fitness. Will Nick be a star? Probably not, but will he be a serviceable AFL player with a 150+ game career? Tick that box. 2015 – Two pre seasons and a few more game this year and expect Nick to get some long stints in the seniors.
33 – Andrejs Everitt – Games 79. Turns 25 in March.
I can honestly say I’m wasn’t the biggest fan of Everitt, though he was lazy and got into the league on the back of his brother. Now I wonder if I thought he was lazy because of my perception of Peter. I was duly impressed when I read that he goes to his own boot camp each off season and watching a couple of Swans games on Fox Footy I can see why we went after him.
Things to improve – Not so much improve but integrate. Carlton players need to know his game and vice versa. A Star recruit will have the game plan built around him when the middle rung recruit has to work his game into the teams. 2015 – Hopefully after a year becomes a quality member of the side that plays regular footy.
35 – Ed Curnow – Games 51. Turns 25 in November
What’s not to admire about Eds game? Turned himself for a ball player to a run with specialist and got some big scalps, hasn’t got that out and out speed to go with the quicker midfield guns on the burst but Cotchin types must hate seeing Ed line up next to them.
Things to improve – Made some strides last season but has to get better on the spread after a turnover and some of his kicks are poor. 2015 – More of the same, an automatic selection each and every game after cementing himself this year as the leagues’ best run with.
38 – Jeff Garlett – Games 98. Turns 25 in August.
With Eddie gone Jeffy is our number 1 small forward. Did well last season but there was still too many quite games. Showed what he is capable of when getting up the ground when he went from back pocket to hitting a player on the chest against Essendon for a goal. It will be interesting how he goes this season being the small target for opposition.
Things to improve – Fitness and presence. When Eddie was about the defence was nervous, Jeff is more of a flash through player. This season he needs to get front and centre a bit more. 2015 – Has the skill set to be the best small forward in the league, just has to have the confidence on the field.
39 – Dale Thomas – Games 157. Turns 27 in June
BIG gamble, if we get Thomas circa 2011 then it’s party time at Carlton, who do you cover Murphy, Gibbs, Thomas, Judd.... If we get the injured version then dare I say Mick McGuane.
Things to improve – Foot injury! 2015 – After this year getting comfortable around his new team mates he will make a devastatingly talented mid field group.
40 – Michael Jamison – Games 111 – Turns 28 in June
The stud down back, but is only ever one extended arm away from shoulder surgery. Looks better when Henderson is down back as they work well together and struggled when he was the only big guy down there.
Things to improve – His body. Jammo does most things very well, spoils on the lead and body on body better hands in close. 2015 – This man will need a chop out he will be 29 and with his shoulders being so fragile he needs a couple to stand up sooner than later.
Apart from Graham who will naturally improve because of his age the others are all well aware of what they are capable of and what they can do. Everitt and Thomas improve the team by their inclusion and Curnow, Jeffy and Jammo can all be significant factors into how 2015 pans out.
21 – Josh Bootsma – Games 14. Turns 21 in February.
Boots gets a bum wrap, he is a skinny kid, mainly because I think he was still growing when he got to the club. I doubt if he still is 191, my guess is he’s pushing the 195cm mark. Combine that with his long arms and decent closing speed and we have a very good prospect for the third tall defender, in a couple of years. Sure he is light but the kid was only 20 last season and was asked to man up on resting rucks and premier full forwards.
Things to improve – Here is a kid that needs to be told he will have 10 games at Northern Blues level at CHB, it doesn’t matter how many time he gets pushed out of the way by bigger opponents, we are going to back you in cause we rate what we know you can become. 2015 – A bigger version of Boots, he is never going to be a huge man but he needs to learn this year how to play without being 95kgs.
23 – Lachie Henderson – Games 84. Turns 25 in December
All Bootsma needs to do is look beside him at the lockers and see how this boy became a man. It took time and strength, but think back to when we first got Henderson and how excited we were that we got ourselves a forward prospect, then think of how average he was when the season started, it took almost two seasons to Lachie to emerge and now he’s a future Captain for the club.
Things to improve – Demanding the ball, and leading, plus disposal. Sometimes you get laser passes from half back, other times the ball misses by 10 meters. 2015 – Settle down forward and the an AA CHF.
26 – Andrew McInnes – Games 16 – Turns 22 in March.
Cruelled by his knee at the end of 2012, which basically stuffed his pre season and then made Macca look a different player to what we saw on debut. General thinking is that a knee takes a full year to mend properly, add that to a pre season and hopefully we get Andy circa 2012 back. No nonsense defender who can stay at home and gives that release kick to a running defender while beating his man and being third man up.
Things to improve – Strength and Fitness. I’m basing this on 2012 but there were few holes to Andy’s game. 2015 – After a year of 20 + games and regaining form, he should be an automatic selection down back each game.
27 – Dennis Armfield – Games 105 – Turns 28 in December.
Right at the peak of his career now, we have a speed machine that when given a job can be brilliant. When left to his own devices ..... meh. A Strong, fast and aggressive foot soldier, yes please. He has his limitations and won’t be polling well come Brownlow time, but a good Dennis is important to the structure.
Things to Improve – Kicking at goal, his opponent will want to get away from him so on the rebound he could be left alone a bit which leads to uncontested marks inside 50. Simply has to kick them. 2015 – Still here and pushing for 150 games.
28 – Tom Bell – Games 16 – Turns 23.
Had a bit of a sook, from a couple of reports, when he wasn’t promoted and looked elsewhere at the end of 2012, but got his head back in the game by mid season and played a few games. Trimmed down a bit and looks in great nick, so hopefully he’s 100% committed and a first 22 inclusion round 1 as we need his size around the ball. Would like to see him used a bit up forward swapping with Judd.
Things to improve – Decision making, too often gets caught with the ball or tries to do it himself and ends up with the wrong kick forward. A bit selfish needs to be brought back into the team way of doing things. 2015 – An automatic selection every week after showing the coaches what his capable of this year.
30 Jarrad Waite – Games 168. Turns 31 in February.
What injury will stop Jarrad from playing this year? Or what stupid suspension? These, unfortunately are the first things thought of when going into a fresh season and Waite is discussed. Waite is athletically gifted, tall and strong. When on song no one can stop him, but again how often does he start singing? 3-5 games per year then he’s either struggling with an injury or getting over one. If he can have an injury and suspension free year, and he’s due, then look out AFL.
Things to improve – Brain Snaps just don’t need them and the club showed its frustration last season when it fine Jarrad the maximum amount for a stupid suspension. 2015 – Hopefully still running around. We don’t have a ready made replacement unless Henderson comes forward full time.
Much improvement can come from this bunch. Bootsma, McInnes and Bell you expect to improve just through age but all three have a big upside and Henderson can become a Carlton great. Armfield and Waite are two who are so important to the side that these guys all have a big say in what happens this season.
11 – Robert Warnock – Games 70. Turns 27 in January.
Won the battle against Shaun Hampson for the second ruck spot now he has to stand up and be counted. It’s fine to tap the ball but our mids need a better ride when roving to Robby. His marking is soft and kicking for goal has fallen away ever since he got hit in the head against Geelong and missed the goal for the match.
Things to improve – Better hands and more strength in the marking contest, plus better vision. Too often last season Rob got the ball and threw it onto his boot when a better option was a little give to a player running by. 2015 – He is here now and with no young ruck putting pressure on him I doubt things will change too much. Hitting that peak age for a ruckman so hopefully Rob can stay away from the medical room and on the park.
12 – Mitch Robinson – Games 88. Turns 25.
I love Mitch Robinson. You can focus on his negatives and there are a couple or you can sit back on marvel at the courage this man shows, not every now and then, but all the time. Team mates would love to run out with him every week, knowing that they will get 100% effort, 100% of the time. I will always think of the game where Gibbs tackled an Essendon player after the quarter time siren and they cut up rough. Mitch stood between three (juiced up, I might add) Essendon players and Gibbs, protecting him, basically saying if you want him you’ll have to go through me. I love Mitch Robinson.
Things to improve – Decision making and knowing his limitations. Mitch is a blunt instrument who doesn’t have the fine finishing skills of some others, so maybe sometimes he needs to give the ball to others to finish his good work. 2015 – Should get his name on the locker through the year and then more of the same.
13 – Chris Yarran – Games 84. Turns 24 in December.
Yazz, beautifully balanced running machine with the ability to hit people lace out from 40 meters away or the invisible man. I still think Chris needs to get on the wing more, give him some freedom and space to use his pace. Running in to goal Yazz is not a selfish player he will choose the best option 90% of the time. We can go far if we have a Yarran that averages 15-20 touches and has 3+ forward 50 touches per game.
Things to Improve – Defensive side, being involved. I don’t know why he goes missing for so long, could it be he’s in the wrong spots to be used? What ever the reason Chris needs to get the ball more for us to be a better team. 2015 – Hopefully gets to 100 games mid season and then grabs to league by the scruff of the neck and says stop me if you can cause he has that ability. Matera had that for a few seasons and Yarran could have it too.
14 - Brock McLean = Games 141. Turns 28 in March.
Probably the most limited man on the list, but knows where to go and what to do. Gets his 20 possies and a few forward 50 touches per game. Marks well for his size and you know he will give everything when out on the field. Quick mind and slow feet.
Things to improve – What you see from Brock is what you’re going to get. I’d like to see more of a mentoring role from him around the club. Graham, Buckley, Temay, Cripps and Holman just get around Brock, so rather that improve himself he can improve others. 2015 – Still plugging away, would not want to see a major injury especially to his legs or feet cause he wouldn’t want to get slower.
15 – Sam Docherty – Games 13. Turns 21 in October.
Great get by the club, very good foot skills, above average AFL speed and a ready made replacement for Scotland.
Things to improve – Not seeing much at all of Sam, I’ll go the generic approach, fitness and strength. 2015 – A HBF in all games providing run and pin point accuracy
17- Sam Rowe – Games 10 – Turns 27 in November
If McLean is the most limited player on the list then Rowe is a very close second. Is a good size and can take a semi contested mark and will try to compete but is slow both by mind and foot. Stays on the list because he can ruck but really all he should be is insurance for forwards and rucks.
Things to Improve – Awareness and positioning. At Sams age and limited preparation I doubt there is much chance of him getting quicker so he better learn to stand and deliver. 2015 – Very surprised if he is still on the list.
18 – Tom Temay – Games 0. Turns 20 in February.
Great endurance, but not much else. Hasn’t really set the world alight for the Northern Blues but after a full pre season and a year to get used to things things may change.
Things to improve – Strength and involvement in play. Needs to be that player who runs past every mark taken behind the centre and delivers up field. 2015 – A lot depends on what happens this season, could be a delist if things float along.
Improvement from this lot looks thin, with only Yarran and Docherty having a major upside. Robbo has pretty much show his full bag of tricks as has Warnock, Rowe and McLean. Temay?
1 – Andrew Walker – 165 games. Turning 28. Likely to play at half back and use his running to break lines. The difference between Malthouse and Ratten getting AW down back is that now he is not asked to hold down a key position.
Things to improve – Last season was very good, could tighten up a bit on his direct opponent but if we got the same return then you wouldn’t complain. End of contract year which does spur professional sportsmen on so I’m expecting a better return for 2014. 2015 – Hopefully still on the list as he’s a free agent couldn’t see Carlton doing anything but trying to resign him.
2 – Troy Menzel – 7 games. Turning 20 in September. With Betts gone there is a spot open on the forward line for a bigger body. Troy has some of Eddies goal sense, likes to tackle and is a natural forward. The only thing holding him back is fitness, and unfortunately we may have to wait another season or two for a true AFL fitness base. With that being said I’m hoping for 10-15 games and 30 goals.
Things to Improve – Fitness and Strength. Like all young boys coming into the game this will take time unless you play in red and black. 2015 – Expecting a full season and 40-50 goals.
3 – Marc Murphy – 165 games. Turning 27. Started to grow into the captaincy as the season drew to an end leading by the front in a couple of come from behind victories, which coincided with Judd being out, so a question must be asked if he hides in Judd’s shadow too much.
Things to improve – Protecting himself when going into a contest, grabbing the games by the short and curlys and telling the boys to follow. 2015 – Captain (Premiership Captain?)
4 – Bryce Gibbs – 155 games. Turns 25 in March. Looked much better when released into the midfield and with the inclusion of a couple of good ball users down back with Simpson and Walker plus the trade for Docherty hope Gibbs can stay there pushing forward and kicking around 20 goals this season.
Things to improve – Putting his stamp onto the game. Great thinking player, good size and keeps his feet, the tools are all there now for a dominant year and being in a contract and free agent year this could be a Gibbs year. 2015 – Hopefully still in Navy Blue, expect both Hawthorn and Collingwood to offer everything but the kitchen sink to him.
5 – Chris Judd – Games 259 – Turns 31 in September. Maybe a year (or two) at half forward for Judd and the occasional midfield blast, just to give him a chop out. Can we expect the Judd of old? No, but the occasional cameo of brilliance is expected.
Things to improve – Goal Kicking, especially if 2014 sees him forward a bit more. 2015 – Hopefully still playing?
6 – Kade Simpson – Games 200. Turning 30 Took a few games to become accustomed to his new role down back, but when Kade found his feet, WOW! For a man as slight as Simmo to throw his body into so many contests just shows his courage, not on a weekly basis, but a play by play basis.
Things to improve – Now he knows what’s going on a little tighter on his man. 2015 – More of the same, this man needs a shot at the premiership (Like 1AW and Waite) as they were all here through the really BAD times and time is running out.
7 – Dylan Buckley – Games 1. Turns 21 in March. This young man will come under scrutiny like no other this season, came to Carlton as a bargain father and son, great pace, Hard at it and good kick. While this is true there hasn’t been enough at VFL level to demand a game.
Things to improve – Strength and game sense. Dylan has some above average AFL skills, he just needs to impose himself at VFL and put his hand up or....... 2015 – Probably the biggest 50/50 and the ball is pretty much in Dylans court. He should take a leaf out of McLeans book, kept putting in performances for the Northern Blues even after his papers appeared stamped but when an opportunity came he grabbed it.
8 – Matthew Kreuzer – Games 105. Turns 25 When can we get an injury free Kruez? Remembering back to his first year, his forward play was good and his set shots on goal were almost perfect, fast forward to now and we have a walking injury. The only people getting better when Matty’s around are the doctors who constantly have to work on him.
Things to improve – Time on ground, marking and kicking for goal. If MK’s going to play that forward/ruck role then he needs to be a 20-30 goal kicker and the majority of that will come from marks and set shots. 2015 – Starting to hit his “golden patch” age when ruckmen really blossom. He’s a loyal man so I don’t expect him to go anywhere.
9 – Kane Lucas – Games 35. Turns 23. Hoping that Kane has a huge pre season for Carlton’s sake as well as his own. Has talent and does some things well, started to show a bit more mid season but faded away and ended in the Northern Blues, which is not good enough for someone with Lucas’ skillset. Everyone is not going to be a Robbo when it comes to attack on the ball and player, but when it’s your turn to go then you have to compete and this is where Kane lets himself and the team down. Campo would be a good comparison to Kane, outside runner who likes space and likes the goals but when it was his time to do the hard stuff Campo went.
Things to improve – Hardness over the ball, hands to be that one touch player and strength. Looking at a few photos he looks to be the same body shape, but that doesn’t mean too much, it’s his core strength that will help him stand up. 2015 – Another year like 2013 and the number 9 jumper may be up for our first rounder to take next season. Kane needs to be playing in 20+ games this year, if not then see ya.
10 – Matthew Watson - Games 16. Turns 22 Matty needs to play seniors, when he can string a few games together then he plays well. He has good size and we all know he can kick like a mule on his left, but a bit slow on the lead and doesn’t have that good of a reach. I actually think he could become a CHF the two games he played there in patches he did well, lead to the right spots, marked strongly and can kick from outside 50.
Things to improve – Speed. Probably the hardest skill to get better at but it can be done, and I’m not talking about sustained speed, what I’m saying is his first five steps to cover a lead or if playing forward getting a step on his opponent. 2015 – Hopefully we will see Matt get to 50 games. This will mean he’s played a big chunk in 2014. For Carlton to get better as a team we need another big body controlling one end of the ground and Watson must become that player.
For the first 10 we still have some potential improvement, not from the juniors like Buckley, Lucas, Menzel and Watson but even some from Murph, Gibbs and Kruezer. If all of them step up then this season could be anything. We know what we’ll get from Walker and Simpson, hopefully more of the same and Juddy, well just a dash of brilliance every now and then.
This is the pointy end of our list, if these 10 play well then top 4 is not out of the question.
We've won the Ashes, Christmas is almost upon us and when we all wake up from our News Years stupor the AFL season will be upon us.
Which three games are the ones you will be waiting for with baited breath and why?
1. Round 3 v Essendon - We owe these pricks, the juice should of worn off by now and our added run will make them look even slower. No forwards and hopefully their "gun recruit" will be nursing a hamstring by then in Chapman. We need to make these guys finish bottom 6 to make their draft penalties hurt even more.
2. Round 7 v Collingwood - I'm sick of listening to the uneducated and unwashed Collingwood supporters bleating on about us wanting to be Collingwood. The truth is that all these players, officials and coaches wanted to leave Collingwood and come to the best club in Carlton.
3. Round 13 v Hawthorn - No more excuses, their midfield is older, no Franklin and a suspect backline, we will see if Lake reverts back to his old ways now he is comfortable. If we are serious about being a serious finals team we must beat these guys. Finally got them on the MCG this is the year.
So far we have some beauties in the new avatar department. Iaj has gone with a classic, Krud with the bad man himself, MBB has kept the Arnie theme and BBB well can't say I'm a fan.
Hi Guys and Welcome to the brand spanking new CSC. Many thanks to Spanner for getting this site up so quickly, we as always are very grateful for all your work.
Post here to say you're here and if you've changed your user name if you wish.
Enjoy guys, this is different to our last site so the scroller is being fixed but we have a static scroller on the right hand side for now.
