This is the first of 2 'curtain raisers' that the NB's play this season. Sei Danket Gott!!!!
For years we have wanted this and now it happens. Get to the game early and you get a reward - seeing the Baby Blues strut their stuff!
And there should be a bit of talent on show as a number of Blues are coming back from injury. I'll be very interested to see the team sheets this week.
The sad part is that we are finally more likely to see a win than not. I dont know why Im so bullish about the NB's, but they seem to be made of sterner stuff than our firsts.
I might be tempted along to see the NBs, despite last week's fiasco. I can always leave early in the senior's game if they look like serving up another stinker.
What time is Kick Off?
This is from the Carlton Web Site:
Gates 3 and 7 open at 12.45pm with the VFL clash set to commence at 1.15pm, followed by Carlton and the Giants at 4.35pm.
Would be better if they had the seniors first as the curtain raiser the way they've been playing.
Would be better if they had the seniors first as the curtain raiser the way they've been playing.
More Carlton people would be interested, that is for sure!
Northern Blues vs. North Ballarat
Saturday, May 16
Etihad Stadium at 1.15pm
Northern Blues
B: Buckley Fields McGuinness
HB: Wilkinson Foster Russell
C: Boekhorst Walsh Gowers
HF: Smith Kreuzer Whiley
F: Viojo Jones Ellard
R: Warnock Holman Graham
Int: Johnston Perry Strachan Armitage Ballard* Cattapan Wilson Bransgrove Dirago
North Ballarat
B: Durdin Tippett Lockyer
HB: Mullett Boseley Warren
C: Rippon George Austin
HF: Black Curnow Scott
F: Kiel Stephenson A. Hooper
R: Preuss Sewell Dumont
Int: Staley Schache Peters Lanyon* Tsitas Youl Anderson Lyle Bacon
Northern Blues vs. Box Hill Hawks
Sunday, May 17
Preston City Oval at 12.00pm
Northern Blues
B: Walton J. Roberts Gleeson
HB: McDonald Coulson Johnston
C: Kur Cattapan Strachan
HF: Armitage Dirago McDonagh
F: Wilson Bolger Stevens
R: Aurrichio Murray Perry
Int: Asani Haynes Kinsella Yelland Langwell Soncin McCabe Aujla Tardio Dawson Wild
Box Hill Hawks
B: Codd-Miller Traynor Vizzarri
HB S. Gibson Fisher Howe
C Soccio Tobin Walker
HF Lawlor L. Langford Lewis
F R. Monkhorst P. McEvoy Dimasi
R Tatupu Williams Hardisty
Int Sheridan-Ferrie Jones Pell
Kidd Burt Bond
Donoghue Summers Franetic
Northern Blues vs. North Ballarat
Saturday, May 16
Etihad Stadium at 1.15pm
Northern Blues
B: Buckley Fields McGuinness
HB: Wilkinson Foster Russell
C: Boekhorst Walsh Gowers
HF: Smith Kreuzer Whiley
F: Viojo Jones Ellard
R: Warnock Holman Graham
Int: Johnston Perry Strachan Armitage Ballard* Cattapan Wilson Bransgrove Dirago
North Ballarat
B: Durdin Tippett Lockyer
HB: Mullett Boseley Warren
C: Rippon George Austin
HF: Black Curnow Scott
F: Kiel Stephenson A. Hooper
R: Preuss Sewell Dumont
Int: Staley Schache Peters Lanyon* Tsitas Youl Anderson Lyle Bacon
It is a pity that neither of the Ciarans came up. Hopefully next week. For that matter, having Hendo back would be a positive as well.
@ Crash
What's happening with Hendo Crash? I thought he might come back this week.
@ Crash
What's happening with Hendo Crash? I thought he might come back this week.
So did I. His hamstring must be a bit dodgier than we thought. Or we are being more careful than usual.
So did I. His hamstring must be a bit dodgier than we thought. Or we are being more careful than usual.
OK, cheers. There was no mention of him by the club.
Advantage Blues at the first change in a scrap heap of a game.
Jones, Strachan and Warnock have the goals while the Boekhorst and Buckley have been our prime movers. Matthew Kreuzer has spent more time in the ruck, but two late goals to the Roosters have kept them right in the game despite territorial dominance.
N.B. 3.2 Rosters 2.1 ( 1 quarter )
Another forward entry, another goal from the Roosters. 7 minutes remaining second term. NB 20 ROOS 42
Black volleys one home from the square, deficit out to 24 points. NB 32 ROOS 56.
Advantage Blues at the first change in a scrap heap of a game.
Jones, Strachan and Warnock have the goals while the Boekhorst and Buckley have been our prime movers. Matthew Kreuzer has spent more time in the ruck, but two late goals to the Roosters have kept them right in the game despite territorial dominance.
N.B. 3.2 Rosters 2.1 ( 1 quarter )
Another forward entry, another goal from the Roosters. 7 minutes remaining second term. NB 20 ROOS 42
Black volleys one home from the square, deficit out to 24 points. NB 32 ROOS 56.
Thanks for the updates Valerio. Hope the boys can rally and get back.
They don't look any good, although they have scored 3 last goals...
THREE QUARTER TIME: Northern Blues 8.3.51, @NB_Roosters 11.8.74.
GOALS: Warnock 2, Jones, Strachan, Graham, Bransgrove, Whiley, Russell.
The way i see the game, there's few guys they really should pull their socks up, one is Jones, and few other senior players which I don't like to refer their names are completely stuff... :( Best on the ground for the Blues is Bradley Walsh.. the rest are better to looking into their souls before play for Carlton... but that the way i see the game..... :(
FULL TIME: Northern Blues 11.6.72-Roosters 14.10.94
What can I say? ... not much! :-X Only think I want to say it's that, >>> Who should score the goals? I think should be Liam Jones or Kuzer or senior players should make the difference... or the senior players running and ''feeding our forward like Blaine Boekhors or Clemence Smith... the one i see real put 100% were Walsh, Graham, Rainbow and few from the Bullant, the rest need to reflect their performance to the mirror...
Well no happy , but i remain blue color for a better performance... ...Until next time Go Blues!!!!!!! 8) ;D
Good to see Walsh making an impact.
Promote Walsh and get a genuine footballer onto the senior list....
And he'll get the vest, play 10 minutes and get dropped for his "development".
i saw whiley play in the ressies and iam really concerned about this selection, slow ,cannot break a tackle (another weak body) yeah i know his young bullcrap
how did Kruz perform?
how did Kruz perform?
A week to forget, wasn't that worse player, but he didn't took the game of fire, slow and played most on the ruck department...long way from the Kruz we used to know....
how did Kruz perform?
My gut was telling me that they are preparing him for a trade. ..
My gut was telling me that they are preparing him for a trade. ..
He's a free agent. The only reason anyone is going to trade for him is if they don't want to lose a compo pick for taking him on as a Free Agent.
He's going to be picked up for fairly cheap because we won't offer him a lot or many years.
Buckley - looked better in the first half on the wing but not so hot in defence in the second
Fields - lacks the speed to go with a leading forward but is better than Watson (low bar) in pretty much every way - intensity, aggression and kicking
Foster - maybe next year if he gets another one
Russell - can play a bit but not knocking down the door for senior selection
Boekhorst - first round draft pick - what were they thinking? Has some straight-line speed but only with ball in hand - can't chase to save himself and not a great kick
Walsh - a decent footballer but has the same speed map as most of the team - one-paced and not a particularly fast pace
Gowers - flashes some skills occasionally but unlikely to get anywhere near AFL standard this year
Smith - has very good disposal skills but is a waste of space as a defender because he lacks the speed (or desire) to stay with an opponent - needs a lot more speed, size or strength and I'm not sure where he is going to get it - has probably been selected for some senior games because his skills stand out against the guys he trains with
Kreuzer & Warnock - Cameron Wood is our senior ruckman
Whiley (Coyote) - best player for the NB but yet another one-paced (too slow) footballer
Graham - nowhere near as useful as Whiley around clearances because the coyote can block his opponent and then win the ball - Graham seems inept if an opponent bodies up on him - I guess there are reasons why he doesn't get selected - they include poor foot skills, lack of pace and I could go on
Viojo - unimpressive
Jones - Watson was selected ahead of him - at least Jones will chase and might catch someone
Holman - injured in the first 1/4 and did not return - made fewer mistakes than his mates and was therefore nowhere near as disappointing
Coach Webster - is doing a good job teaching the kids to play like the senior players so that they are ready to perform to the same standard if they get a chance in the senior team
Buckley - looked better in the first half on the wing but not so hot in defence in the second
Fields - lacks the speed to go with a leading forward but is better than Watson (low bar) in pretty much every way - intensity, aggression and kicking
Foster - maybe next year if he gets another one
Russell - can play a bit but not knocking down the door for senior selection
Boekhorst - first round draft pick - what were they thinking? Has some straight-line speed but only with ball in hand - can't chase to save himself and not a great kick
Walsh - a decent footballer but has the same speed map as most of the team - one-paced and not a particularly fast pace
Gowers - flashes some skills occasionally but unlikely to get anywhere near AFL standard this year
Smith - has very good disposal skills but is a waste of space as a defender because he lacks the speed (or desire) to stay with an opponent - needs a lot more speed, size or strength and I'm not sure where he is going to get it - has probably been selected for some senior games because his skills stand out against the guys he trains with
Kreuzer & Warnock - Cameron Wood is our senior ruckman
Whiley (Coyote) - best player for the NB but yet another one-paced (too slow) footballer
Graham - nowhere near as useful as Whiley around clearances because the coyote can block his opponent and then win the ball - Graham seems inept if an opponent bodies up on him - I guess there are reasons why he doesn't get selected - they include poor foot skills, lack of pace and I could go on
Viojo - unimpressive
Jones - Watson was selected ahead of him - at least Jones will chase and might catch someone
Holman - injured in the first 1/4 and did not return - made fewer mistakes than his mates and was therefore nowhere near as disappointing
Coach Webster - is doing a good job teaching the kids to play like the senior players so that they are ready to perform to the same standard if they get a chance in the senior team
Zing!
Thank the gods I'm not the only one who thinks that.
I have been reasonably impressed with Webster's output this season, so far. He is putting a bit of heart into a list that has little of it.
Last year I would have flicked him: his speeches were uninspiring and he wasn't getting much out of them. he, at least, appears to have improved and developed over the Summer.
Of course, there is a long way to go yet, and things can still go pear shaped. But I did find that a positive.
I also found very positive the fact that, after losing our way in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, we came back hard and really put in an effort. Pity our forward line was so dysfunctional. But that is another issue.
Our game plan: it really does stink. Like the seniors, we spend a quarter and a half bombing the ball forward under pressure to 1 guy against 3 or 4. When our tall target didn't mark the ball, it came out extremely easily and set up goals going the other way. It was ugly and it gave a glimpse of what was to come in the seniors. We really need to change this rapidly, and not just the kicking backwards until all our players are covered either.
2015 Peter Jackson VFL
Northern Blues 3.2 4.2 8.3 11.7 (73)
North Ballarat 2.1 6.8 11.8 14.10 (94)
GOALS:
Northern Blues: Wilson 2 Warnock 2 Bransgrove Jones Russell Strachan Viojo Graham Whiley
North Ballarat: Curnow 5 Black 2 Hooper 2 Lyle Kiel Staley Warren Preuss
BEST:
Northern Blues: Graham Walsh Wilkinson Fields Ballard Strachan
North Ballarat: Sewell Dumont Curnow Tippett Warren Durdin
I must admit I look at the best player list here and I wonder if these guys were at the same game sometimes. I would not have named Wilko: he was ordinary in defence. Ballard looked promising and should be looked at for Carlton if he keeps developing. His shock of blond hair stuck out, although he did run out of juice towards the end of the game. Fields did OK and looks more promising than many. I was pleased with Walsh: he appears to have a future.
I was very disappointed that Holman got injured so early.
I'll write later with a proper summary. Thanks to RR for his thoughts.
Zing!
Thank the gods I'm not the only one who thinks that.
All bodes well for the future then ::)
2015 Peter Jackson VFL
Northern Blues 3.2 4.2 8.3 11.7 (73)
North Ballarat 2.1 6.8 11.8 14.10 (94)
GOALS:
Northern Blues: Wilson 2 Warnock 2 Bransgrove Jones Russell Strachan Viojo Graham Whiley
North Ballarat: Curnow 5 Black 2 Hooper 2 Lyle Kiel Staley Warren Preuss
BEST:
Northern Blues: Graham Walsh Wilkinson Fields Ballard Strachan
North Ballarat: Sewell Dumont Curnow Tippett Warren Durdin
I must admit I look at the best player list here and I wonder if these guys were at the same game sometimes. I would not have named Wilko: he was ordinary in defence. Ballard looked promising and should be looked at for Carlton if he keeps developing. His shock of blond hair stuck out, although he did run out of juice towards the end of the game. Fields did OK and looks more promising than many. I was pleased with Walsh: he appears to have a future.
I was very disappointed that Holman got injured so early.
I'll write later with a proper summary. Thanks to RR for his thoughts.
Walsh, Holman and Fields are players of the future IMO and if we are serious about rebuilding these players need upgrading in the case of the two rookies and Holman needs a decent run at senior level when he is back and fit...
Buckley - looked better in the first half on the wing but not so hot in defence in the second
Fields - lacks the speed to go with a leading forward but is better than Watson (low bar) in pretty much every way - intensity, aggression and kicking
Foster - maybe next year if he gets another one
Russell - can play a bit but not knocking down the door for senior selection
Boekhorst - first round draft pick - what were they thinking? Has some straight-line speed but only with ball in hand - can't chase to save himself and not a great kick
Walsh - a decent footballer but has the same speed map as most of the team - one-paced and not a particularly fast pace
Gowers - flashes some skills occasionally but unlikely to get anywhere near AFL standard this year
Smith - has very good disposal skills but is a waste of space as a defender because he lacks the speed (or desire) to stay with an opponent - needs a lot more speed, size or strength and I'm not sure where he is going to get it - has probably been selected for some senior games because his skills stand out against the guys he trains with
Kreuzer & Warnock - Cameron Wood is our senior ruckman
Whiley (Coyote) - best player for the NB but yet another one-paced (too slow) footballer
Graham - nowhere near as useful as Whiley around clearances because the coyote can block his opponent and then win the ball - Graham seems inept if an opponent bodies up on him - I guess there are reasons why he doesn't get selected - they include poor foot skills, lack of pace and I could go on
Viojo - unimpressive
Jones - Watson was selected ahead of him - at least Jones will chase and might catch someone
Holman - injured in the first 1/4 and did not return - made fewer mistakes than his mates and was therefore nowhere near as disappointing
Coach Webster - is doing a good job teaching the kids to play like the senior players so that they are ready to perform to the same standard if they get a chance in the senior team
Thanks again to RR for his invaluable opinions.
OK: my take on the game.
[1] My biggest irritation was a lack of a football record. I really needed something to record my thoughts. That the records were not available until close to 3/4 time was inexcusable. I did have my comments passed on to the hierarchy, so hopefully this mistake won't be repeated.
[2] It was quite an even performance from the ND players. Nobody really dominated the play for us. Even our biggest possession getter only had 21 possessions (Walsh).
[3] Our game style is simply inadequate. To see one marking forward going up against 4 players and the loose man being created across half back was terminal. They moved the ball out with far too much ease, especially in the 2nd and early 3rd quarters.
Once we got the ball going from the middle instead of from half back we looked a lot better.
[4] Our team lacked forward presence. Jones didn't look disastrous, but he simply did not hold enough marks. Until he does, he is going to be a liability. Kreuzer flew for a few, but didn't have a lot of effect either.
[5] I was pleased to see the spirit in the guys. We did not give up and really gave a good account of ourselves from about half way through the 3rd quarter. Last year we would have dropped our bundle and collapsed to a significant loss. Now if the seniors can learn from that....
Players:
Brad Walsh: coming along nicely. He was very effective and looked like he knew what he was doing. He looks like a guy with a future.
Dylan Buckley: Good early but died out of the game. had 13 disposals. He really needs to make his mark soon.
Tom Fields: the lad might lack a little pace, but he has a beautiful kick and he gives it a go. He has a lot more desire than many are showing at the moment and his ability to get lots of the ball is a real positive.
Liam Jones: so near, and yet so far. He ended up being a total non contributor because he couldn't hold his marks. He got close a lot and under pressure too, but he just couldn't buy a mark.
Nick Holman: off early, which cost us at least 20 possessions and allowed their mids freedom.
Jayden Foster: spent time at CHB and looked like he knew what he was doing. He might not get a senior game this year, but he has promise.
Nick Graham: Got the ball a fair bit and plays more positively than he does in the seniors, but he is slow and he gets moved off the ball too easily. I'd say he won't make it at this point, but I'd give him a go up forward in the seniors. He can kick a goal.
Matthew Kreuzer: a long way off what we need. His ruck work was ordinary and he didn't take many marks.
Billy Gowers: the lad looked promising. He has a future.
Mark Whiley: unlikely to make it on what I've seen so far. He gets moved off the ball too easily and gets a lot of holding the ball decisions against him. He lacks real pace. For all that, he was OK and he gave a go.
Fraser Russell: looking better but not a high probability to make the grade.
Dillon Viojo Rainbow: Disappointing. I don't see him making it was a mid or defender: he isn't hard enough. He could make it as a small forward: his kicking is deadly when given a moment or 2 to steady. He isn't as fast as he thinks he is and his kicking under pressure is no better than anyone else's. However, he is smart and knocks the ball on cleverly. He is willing to take a risk and his ability to kick a difficult goal is encouraging.
Robert Warnock: ordinary in the middle of the game, but really stepped up. His ability to get taps almost got us back into the game. He also kicked 2 goals, but was really exposes when having to chase.
Boekhorst: very disappointing. He did not show the run or the disposal he showed in the WAFL. Nor is his body able to stand up against physically more robust types.
Smith: almost took mark of the year. Not as good as he was in the seniors in the first half last week, but he really lacks a motor. At the moment he also appears to lack desire. His disposal gets bagged, and he does under-kick sometimes and get picked off sometimes, but his skill in general in better than most of his team mates.
Can anyone tell me what's happened to the Irishman, Byrne??
Can anyone tell me what's happened to the Irishman, Byrne??
Hammy,
Due back soon.
Thanks again to RR for his invaluable opinions.
OK: my take on the game.
[1] My biggest irritation was a lack of a football record. I really needed something to record my thoughts. That the records were not available until close to 3/4 time was inexcusable. I did have my comments passed on to the hierarchy, so hopefully this mistake won't be repeated.
[2] It was quite an even performance from the ND players. Nobody really dominated the play for us. Even our biggest possession getter only had 21 possessions (Walsh).
[3] Our game style is simply inadequate. To see one marking forward going up against 4 players and the loose man being created across half back was terminal. They moved the ball out with far too much ease, especially in the 2nd and early 3rd quarters.
Once we got the ball going from the middle instead of from half back we looked a lot better.
[4] Our team lacked forward presence. Jones didn't look disastrous, but he simply did not hold enough marks. Until he does, he is going to be a liability. Kreuzer flew for a few, but didn't have a lot of effect either.
[5] I was pleased to see the spirit in the guys. We did not give up and really gave a good account of ourselves from about half way through the 3rd quarter. Last year we would have dropped our bundle and collapsed to a significant loss. Now if the seniors can learn from that....
Players:
Brad Walsh: coming along nicely. He was very effective and looked like he knew what he was doing. He looks like a guy with a future.
Dylan Buckley: Good early but died out of the game. had 13 disposals. He really needs to make his mark soon.
Tom Fields: the lad might lack a little pace, but he has a beautiful kick and he gives it a go. He has a lot more desire than many are showing at the moment and his ability to get lots of the ball is a real positive.
Liam Jones: so near, and yet so far. He ended up being a total non contributor because he couldn't hold his marks. He got close a lot and under pressure too, but he just couldn't buy a mark.
Nick Holman: off early, which cost us at least 20 possessions and allowed their mids freedom.
Jayden Foster: spent time at CHB and looked like he knew what he was doing. He might not get a senior game this year, but he has promise.
Nick Graham: Got the ball a fair bit and plays more positively than he does in the seniors, but he is slow and he gets moved off the ball too easily. I'd say he won't make it at this point, but I'd give him a go up forward in the seniors. He can kick a goal.
Matthew Kreuzer: a long way off what we need. His ruck work was ordinary and he didn't take many marks.
Billy Gowers: the lad looked promising. He has a future.
Mark Whiley: unlikely to make it on what I've seen so far. He gets moved off the ball too easily and gets a lot of holding the ball decisions against him. He lacks real pace. For all that, he was OK and he gave a go.
Fraser Russell: looking better but not a high probability to make the grade.
Dillon Viojo Rainbow: Disappointing. I don't see him making it was a mid or defender: he isn't hard enough. He could make it as a small forward: his kicking is deadly when given a moment or 2 to steady. He isn't as fast as he thinks he is and his kicking under pressure is no better than anyone else's. However, he is smart and knocks the ball on cleverly. He is willing to take a risk and his ability to kick a difficult goal is encouraging.
Robert Warnock: ordinary in the middle of the game, but really stepped up. His ability to get taps almost got us back into the game. He also kicked 2 goals, but was really exposes when having to chase.
Boekhorst: very disappointing. He did not show the run or the disposal he showed in the WAFL. Nor is his body able to stand up against physically more robust types.
Smith: almost took mark of the year. Not as good as he was in the seniors in the first half last week, but he really lacks a motor. At the moment he also appears to lack desire. His disposal gets bagged, and he does under-kick sometimes and get picked off sometimes, but his skill in general in better than most of his team mates.
So we're screwed.
Hammy,
Due back soon.
Thanks Cimm. At least he has pace and I don't know, shows something. Maybe I'm clutching.
Can anyone tell me what's happened to the Irishman, Byrne??
Bot Ciarans are recovering from injury at the moment, but both are a decent chance of being available for next week. Byrne's hamstring has proven more stubborn than expected: he was expected to miss only a week or so. Sheehan hasn't played this year at all yet because of injury, but he has been close for the last few weeks.
Both of them would be very positive additions to our side.