Carlton Supporters Club

All ready for 1700 tomorrow. I want so badly to beat the Drug Cheats!

...and we did :D

Just aged ten years.

So proud.

????????????

Finally.

Woo Hoo !

I reckon we may have killed a coach today...
But let's talk about us.

How good a combination was Kreuzer and Cripps today?
C Curnow great...Ed too.
Lamb significant. ;)
Thomas solid as he has been most of the year.
Lang a good start

I reckon we may have killed a coach today...
...................

I reckon we've done a pretty good job of finishing off our own coach in the first 8 weeks.

Thank goodness this is a written word forum coz I'm hoarse as ^-^

Not pretty but we did enough for 4q.
Loved the glimpses of our future. Our kids could have faded but they dug deep against the drug cheats. So proud. I hope our 68 champions had a hoot witnessing that gutsy performance.

As others said, we had a well matched team. Thankyou MC.
Well managed by coaching staff. Loved Bolts coaching from the bench.

Time for a celebratory tipple  ^-^

The Kreuzer, Cripps, E. Curnow triple threat in the middle won us the game.....Essendon and Worsfold are woeful, they lack leadership and fighting spirit.
Kudos to a couple of besieged players today...OShea played his best game, Lamb broke Goddard mentally, and Matty Wright who has been down had some big touches at important times....Thomas continues to find the footy and fill in for Docherty..

I'll shed a tear when Kreuzer walks off in his final game for our club.

What a warrior.

I reckon we've done a pretty good job of finishing off our own coach in the first 8 weeks.

I don't think so...he was under a bit pressure but he was never going anywhere this year.
Look.... this is the result he needed but the expectations will always be that he builds on this .
That's what AFL coaching is all about.
Not even Supercoaches are immune to losing seasons

I don't think so...he was under a bit pressure but he was never going anywhere this year.
.....................

There seems to be a few around who think otherwise.

I'll shed a tear when Kreuzer walks off in his final game for our club.

What a warrior.

Yes indeed.

Just want to mention SPS...there was a moment early in the game where he didn't go hard enough and actually backed away from the contact. I thought at the time it was a poor effort. Lyon got stuck in to him and rightly so I thought, but I watched him after that and he went head down into the contests I saw.
As long as he learns from that, and I'm sure the coaches will highlight it, it's going to be fine.

Saw the same moment and said to Mrs Hanwell that he needed to rectify that asap, happy to report that every contest after that he went in head first and won probably 80% of them.
Have a feeling that that game might be our plateau moment. That the youngens were very much leading the way to the contest, and we were able to dominate a desperate team, I reckon that game will be looked back on as the moment the lights were turned on.....

So nice to get a win against that mob. Thought our forward line did very well considering the service.

Hard to see from where I was but thought Dow and O’Brien had lots of important touches. Great to see. Daisy was just about best on. Kruezer, cc, ec  and Cripps immense.

SPS was better, not at the same level as last year but should get confidence from that as will a few others.

Plowman stunk it up. As barbs said that handball to the boundary line was special

#baggers

Jeffy, based on what I have seen and heard so far this season, Dow and LoB look like very likely types and good pick ups.

And I agree with you re our best, although I'm sure most of us will have similar lists.

You've gotta feel sorry for the Bumblers, but nah.

I'd hate to think what Stringer's salary is,  he certainly isn't earning it.   Lazy slob of a footballer.

Loved the glimpses from the kids today,  but the hard core on ball trio of K,  Crippa and Curnow senior were massive.

Why were the boys so upset at Bagauly at 3/4 time?

On days like these...some good threads are sometimes found on other sites ;D

https://discourse.bomberblitz.com/t/review-thread-v-fcfc-the-end-of-days/12968

On days like these...some good threads are sometimes found on other sites ;D

https://discourse.bomberblitz.com/t/review-thread-v-fcfc-the-end-of-days/12968

Classic. Sounds exactly like CSC, with different names.

I'd hate to think what Stringer's salary is,  he certainly isn't earning it.   Lazy slob of a footballer.

Loved the glimpses from the kids today,  but the hard core on ball trio of K,  Crippa and Curnow senior were massive.

Why were the boys so upset at Bagauly at 3/4 time?

I watched the video snippet of that. No idea what started it, but looked like Bolts, who was walking nearby, says Fo .
We'll probably never know.

Ed is in trouble though... Incidental but he'll get a week.  

McKay has something most big blokes don't have - pace and mobility - and he looks a pretty reliable shot for goal.   No more two's footy for him .

Darcy Lang has never played in a losing Carlton side ;) ;D

The win almost makes losing the first 7 rounds worth it, as it stings the Drug Cheats a whole lot more.

 :D

Just what we needed! A well crafted win imo.

I'd hate to think what Stringer's salary is,  he certainly isn't earning it.   Lazy slob of a footballer.

Loved the glimpses from the kids today,  but the hard core on ball trio of K,  Crippa and Curnow senior were massive.

Why were the boys so upset at Bagauly at 3/4 time?

Stringer is on 600K a season.......lacks interest and just wants cheap kicks/goals with not much effort...needs a strong coach like Clarkson
who can push him harder...

Big H didn’t disgrace himself as a backup ruckman and if we require 2 goals a game from a small forward then Darcy Lang did his job.

Well done blues. So annoyed I couldn't get to the game.

Seeing the effects of getting games into players. Like the look of two key forwards with 50 plus games each.  Bit of luck with injury and curnow and Mackay will play together for the rest of the season, and that is a forward line to build around

I thought our backline worked as well as I've seen. Daisy probably added the necessary experience and leadership. He's having a great patch that's for sure. I was critical of Daisy last year, but he's a different player this year. So I tilt my hat.

Kruez, Crippa, Ed, and Kerridge to a lesser extent, were consistent. The pressure from our smaller guys, although not flashy, was sustained and significant. Dow and O'Brein did well to stay in it for longer. Loved H confidence. Looks like he believes he belongs.

Why do we have so few posters on after a win but if we have a bad loss ???? ???? ????

Why do we have so few posters on after a win but if we have a bad loss ???? ???? ????

 ;D
I was just thinking that too.

Why do we have so few posters on after a win but if we have a bad loss ???? ???? ????

Venting is what folks enjoy most about a footy forum. Winning is definitely bad for business.

If you think this place heats up after a bad loss, check out out bumberblitz.... They want to feed Worsfold to the sharks.   Take the hate and vitriol of this site and multiply it by 100.

Amazing how it helps having a properly structured side. We win and nearly kick 100.

If you think this place heats up after a bad loss, check out out bumberblitz.... They want to feed Worsfold to the sharks.   Take the hate and vitriol of this site and multiply it by 100.

That is one of the pleasures of playing Essendon...lol.

Amazing how it helps having a properly structured side. We win and nearly kick 100.

Helps too when the opposition is rubbish and the opposition coach is clueless... ;)

A win is a win is a win. Yes, we did beat a mob on their knees but they did throw everything at us and did head us in the last qtr. Character and persistence. We made some grand mistakes and tried to help them goal at times, but the effort from our boys was first rate. Considering the lack of experienced blokes out there for us, we ground it out really well.

Good to see SPS wake up to himself during the game, now to build on that for next week.

Kreuz, Crippa and Ed were so solid and strong and led the way brilliantly... along with Daisy.

H is the real deal.

Lamb ruined Goddards day...  >:D

We need more from Plowman, seems to be in a rut.

Along with Charlie (and H) Dow and O'Brien are rippers.

You put Murphy, Docherty, Williamson, Marchbank and Pickett in that side... ah, to dream. But we must get more muscle in the guts to help out Crippa at this year's draft, especially someone with a few seasons experience also.

Helps too when the opposition is rubbish and the opposition coach is clueless... ;)

When they beat the crows in R1 we all thought they could go deep into September.

7 rounds on and they look like finishing bottom 4.

Footys a funny game. 

Why do we have so few posters on after a win but if we have a bad loss ???? ???? ????

It's the way it works :D
As Paul says
...losing is good for business.

A week after we win the flag the forum will be redundant :(

Amazing what some drive from half back adds to your game.   Simmo and Daisy were excellent, although Thomas did make some critical errors that ended in goals.   Looks like we have finally found the ideal role for him in his twilight years.

I didn't see Plow's first half but thought his second half was OK (confidence?).  Jones had a good day but he is either BOG or WOG with nothing in between. 

Yep they don't muck around over there at bomber blitz do they?

I don't know if I've ever read a more entertaining footy forum. E.g.

Sack Woosha NOW. FFS. Been crying for three weeks but there is nowhere to hide now. Then sack the people responsible for the extension. Then sack every single assistant coach. Then sack the fitness staff. In fact every single person in the football department can go.

Then let Myers, Baguley, Goddard know their services are no longer required effective immediately.
Put Heppell, Zaka and Hurley on notice.
Inform Langford, Clarke, Begley et al that they will be playing AFL effective immediately until the end of the season. At which time their futures will be determined. If they are not up to standard then they are gone.

This club is a joke and it starts with our coach. Fair Dinkum nut job.

Just treated myself to half an hour in Bomberblitz.

Been celebrating. ;D

Just got home.

What a bloody ripper.
 :D :D

Amazing how it helps having a properly structured side. We win and nearly kick 100.

Indeed. Many of us thought we'd picked a side to win. Unlike previous games.

What impressed me most was the ability to vary the intensity. Something we've lacked IMO. We lifted when the heat was on and stayed the course in between times. Perhaps ommitting players who are injured/out of form, and giving solid VFL players a run has paid off. Kerridge, Lamb, Lang, and even Mullet played their roles. Combined with great leadership in the centre and  solid bookend contributions by Daisy, Rowe, Wright n co, meant our youngsters had regular opportunities.

Also spent a very entertaining hour in bomberland....

Delusional in spades.

Vicious farkers too.......

Indeed. Many of us thought we'd picked a side to win. Unlike previous games.

That may become more obvious as the season progresses.
While development and managing the kids will remain a priority...if we believe we're in with a chance and have the players available to target a win  the selections may reflect that.

So good to see Harry continue to kick goals. Shaping up as the biggest highlight of 2018. 9 goals in 4 games is exceptional. Just hope he keeps it up. Always keeps a cool head. If he were playing in front of a dominant midfield he'd be scary.

Impressive.

LOB showing real class also. Started behind Dow post preseason but has gone past him now. Playing some really good footy. Thats not to say Paddy has been bad either.

Fisher's game against the dogs was excellent. We need him back up to that level every week though. He's running a bit hot and cold.

Cripps (19) amd Kreuzer (18) got a combined total of 37 contested possessions. Ed Curnow and Kreuzer got BOG on Triple M and the ABC respectively. Cripps got votes on both.

Wins a win, specially against that kent of a mob. I see that Bellchanbers had 55 HOs to Kreuzers 31. Didnt notice that at the game today. Pretty happy boy tonight.
Very good effort across the board. Plenty of talent to come back so can only get better. Still worried about SPS, soft as butter ATM, Hopefully he learns and gets better in this dept.

This gave me a laugh..lol.

Cripps (19) amd Kreuzer (18) got a combined total of 37 contested possessions. Ed Curnow and Kreuzer got BOG on Triple M and the ABC respectively. Cripps got votes on both.

How much did we miss Ed C and Cripps in the last half of last year!?!

Wins a win, specially against that kent of a mob. I see that Bellchanbers had 55 HOs to Kreuzers 31. Didnt notice that at the game today. Pretty happy boy tonight.
Very good effort across the board. Plenty of talent to come back so can only get better. Still worried about SPS, soft as butter ATM, Hopefully he learns and gets better in this dept.

We won the clearances though.

Wins a win, specially against that kent of a mob. I see that Bellchanbers had 55 HOs to Kreuzers 31. Didnt notice that at the game today. Pretty happy boy tonight.
Very good effort across the board. Plenty of talent to come back so can only get better. Still worried about SPS, soft as butter ATM, Hopefully he learns and gets better in this dept.

sPs better today, hopefully working into some form.

91 tackles also a good indication of the pressure we applied.

sPs better today, hopefully working into some form.

I thought he looked more involved in the past 2 games. It was also promising to see him kicking with more confidence. He was doing dinky little half kicks that went about 8m. His goal was a good example of improved kicking. He's young and it's yr2. Give him time to build the various parts of his game and he'll be a beauty.

Was at our first live game this year and was mostly impressed that they kept the Presssure up Consistently except the beginning of the second.

Thought SPS did a few I twrcepts etc in the 3rd and 4th that really highlighted his importance.

Loved the look of Dow and O’Briend.

Even tho Graham made some errors, he was everywhere, hard worker and is almost there AFL elite wise, just needs to tighten up.  Kerridge and lamb too.

CC is exciting.

Harry has the X factor

A big relief!
Go Blues

Couldn't get to the game..watched it live on fox.
Great to get the win. Reward for effort as they fought hard to keep the bummers at bay in the last. Even Robert Walls smiled once watching on. ;)

Was at our first live game this year and was mostly impressed that they kept the Presssure up Consistently except the beginning of the second.

Thought SPS did a few I twrcepts etc in the 3rd and 4th that really highlighted his importance.

Loved the look of Dow and O’Briend.

Even tho Graham made some errors, he was everywhere, hard worker and is almost there AFL elite wise, just needs to tighten up.  Kerridge and lamb too.

CC is exciting.

Harry has the X factor

Agree, Charlie is good and will be an exceptional talent but young Harry is also very much one to watch. I am very excited by him just quietly. Also liked what I saw in young Lachie O'Brien today too.

Guys, if you liked reading bomberblitz have a read of this.

It's quality.

https://themongrelpunt.com/afl/2018/5/12/carlton-v-essendon-the-good-bad-and-ugly

The thing I like most is the part about the bombers having a small midfield.

Also spent a very entertaining hour in bomberland....

Delusional in spades.

Vicious farkers too.......

I suspect most of that is down to poor moderators. We're lucky on CSC that we have good people keeping an eye on things.

Keep up the good work mods.

Agree, Charlie is good and will be an exceptional talent but young Harry is also very much one to watch. I am very excited by him just quietly. Also liked what I saw in young Lachie O'Brien today too.

I was sceptical about Harry as he had not done enough to get an AFL call up IMO.

But he has grabbed his chance and is showing us what we had all hoped to see.
 L O'B will be very good.

I was sceptical about Harry as he had not done enough to get an AFL call up IMO.

But he has grabbed his chance and is showing us what we had all hoped to see.
 L O'B will be very good.

He has all the tools but is still a fade in fade out player at the moment.

It's why they were taking their time selecting him.

Yesterday he kicked his first goal then disappeared for a bit, before getting involved again.

That's fine for a developing key position player.  He probably is still going to have a hard time competing with strong key position defenders.   Yesterday when we were locked in defensive fifty in the second/third quarters we kept looking for an outlet and he wasn't giving us one because he was outbodied a little too easily and we were feeling casboults absence.

He has the ability to be that get out kick and take a big pack mark at half back that the others just don't have right now.

We really should be concentrating on the positives from our side but it probably is a positive that we won the physical contest...

I've been having a think about it and I don't think I can recall a more physically weak performance from an Essendon side than we saw yesterday.

They were monstered by a group of young'uns...and a middle aged Jed Lamb ;D

You have to wonder how they really feel about Goddard given the lack of support he received.
It probably goes deeper than just the physicality...they're a club that looks like it's got a case of the dreaded..."internal strife"

From an Essendon point of view, I just wonder what influence it has on a playing group to recruit a guy on very, very good money who has a more than dubious moral character ( I’m sure the wives and girlfriends have immediately warmed to him!) and the only string to his bow is getting a cheap kick and trying to do the impossible. I’m glad we have a no di@khead policy, because they can be poison.

H, LOB and Paddy Dow get better every game. Lamb was relentless with BJ yesterday. Kruze the extra mid yesterday was huge. The teams tackling and intimidation of Essenscum was first rate from the opening bounce to the final siren. Cripps? Nuff said.

To me, it looks like Harry has pure confidence in himself - which is what we need!  We need the guy that struts around and then backs himself to kick out of 50m on the run and get it through!  We don't need more guys double guessing what they can do.

O'Brien and Dow really filled me with confidence too - they just seemed right.

How good was Matty Wright, little tough nut!  Yes he's not elite, but he's a good tough little player - he was telling Harry to stand on the mark when EFC went for that goal after the siren - he was directing traffic!  Fantastic to see someone given an opportunity and doing their best!

SPS is SO important to us.  He wasn't great early but perservered and really was instrumental in some plays.

God I love Kruezer - he deserves every bit we pay him - his second third fourth efforts, if they could all do what he does, we will be on track!

Watching the Fox reply, loved this bit of commentary on Crippa:
"Some players can smell the footy coming, Cripps can smell it coming from the factory". ;D

On days like these...some good threads are sometimes found on other sites ;D

https://discourse.bomberblitz.com/t/review-thread-v-fcfc-the-end-of-days/12968

I loved this little gem

“Still not as low as how I was feeling in 99.
I was homicidal”

I liked this one from their match thread

"I want to punch every one of our players in the genitals"

We really should be concentrating on the positives from our side but it probably is a positive that we won the physical contest...

I've been having a think about it and I don't think I can recall a more physically weak performance from an Essendon side than we saw yesterday.

They were monstered by a group of young'uns...and a middle aged Jed Lamb ;D

You have to wonder how they really feel about Goddard given the lack of support he received.
It probably goes deeper than just the physicality...they're a club that looks like it's got a case of the dreaded..."internal strife"

Ed C just obliterated Zach Merrett who ended up with less than 20 disposals. He was just all over him for most of the time. Just one example.

@ MickeyO

Spot on observation on Harry. We were saying at the game how he oozes confidence in himself and is not in the least overawed. A cool operator for sure and hopefully he continues to improve.

We really should be concentrating on the positives from our side but it probably is a positive that we won the physical contest...

I've been having a think about it and I don't think I can recall a more physically weak performance from an Essendon side than we saw yesterday.

They were monstered by a group of young'uns...and a middle aged Jed Lamb ;D

You have to wonder how they really feel about Goddard given the lack of support he received.
It probably goes deeper than just the physicality...they're a club that looks like it's got a case of the dreaded..."internal strife"

Bit of perspective...Essendon would have the softest mids in the comp...Parish, Merrett, Zaharakis, Heppell.......it was more like the Von Trapps menacing the Brady Bunch.....you take Cripps out of our midfield and we would have come back to the field in a real hurry.  Bombers are not the old Sheedy bombers anymore...not much fight or spite.......Goddard didnt bother to fight back vs Lamb at all, he is over it and I expect a media career at the end of season for him.
We won the game but still have plenty of problems, a lot of our players looked good vs feeble opposition IMO.....you look at BomberBlitz and the common theme was weak hearted effort from the EFC....

@ EB

I guess we enjoy the win but not get too carried away. We did manage to bully the Bummers in a way that won't be possible v most other teams. Good morale booster nevertheless.

@ EB

I guess we enjoy the win but not get too carried away. We did manage to bully the Bummers in a way that won't be possible v most other teams. Good morale booster nevertheless.

Not getting too high, not getting too low.

Bit of perspective...Essendon would have the softest mids in the comp...Parish, Merrett, Zaharakis, Heppell.......it was more like the Von Trapps menacing the Brady Bunch.....you take Cripps out of our midfield and we would have come back to the field in a real hurry.  Bombers are not the old Sheedy bombers anymore...not much fight or spite.......Goddard didnt bother to fight back vs Lamb at all, he is over it and I expect a media career at the end of season for him.
We won the game but still have plenty of problems, a lot of our players looked good vs feeble opposition IMO.....you look at BomberBlitz and the common theme was weak hearted effort from the EFC....

Generally agree EB. I'm a little conflicted in my feelings about this win. Sure it's a win, and 4 points is 4 points, and it's good on that front. And it might be the only win we get this season.

But the opposition is in all sorts IMO, so in some ways it feels like a Pyrrhic victory.

Pyrrhus of Epirus lost half of his forces in victory. We couldn't do that: they were already out for us.

But that this win causes so much distress for Essendon gives me more pleasure than it should. Schadenfreude, perhaps, but it does. I can't stand the Drug Cheats.

Bit of perspective...Essendon would have the softest mids in the comp...Parish, Merrett, Zaharakis, Heppell.......it was more like the Von Trapps menacing the Brady Bunch.....you take Cripps out of our midfield and we would have come back to the field in a real hurry.  Bombers are not the old Sheedy bombers anymore...not much fight or spite.......Goddard didnt bother to fight back vs Lamb at all, he is over it and I expect a media career at the end of season for him.
We won the game but still have plenty of problems, a lot of our players looked good vs feeble opposition IMO.....you look at BomberBlitz and the common theme was weak hearted effort from the EFC....

Thats taking away from the effort of blokes EB. Lamb harassed the flog Goddard for 4 qtrs and I mean Ballantyne style. So much so, Woosha started him on the bench, thats not a weak effort from BJ, thats a solid effort from our bloke (ie beating your man). Our blokes put together 4 qtrs of hard at the man footy I thought, it was very evident at the ground. I watched the replay today and looking at it closer, they were very good. Sure there were a few things to work on and we didnt scope 100 pts, but we did what we had to. Blokes concentrated for 4 qtrs, thats all you can ask. The task is to repeat it next week.

@ EB

I guess we enjoy the win but not get too carried away. We did manage to bully the Bummers in a way that won't be possible v most other teams. Good morale booster nevertheless.

I disagree Cookie, we must and we will bully other teams. Its all about confidence. Crippa does it week in week out no matter the opposition, the others are starting to follow. Again, we must, never say cant.

Bit of perspective...Essendon would have the softest mids in the comp...Parish, Merrett, Zaharakis, Heppell.......it was more like the Von Trapps menacing the Brady Bunch.....you take Cripps out of our midfield and we would have come back to the field in a real hurry.  Bombers are not the old Sheedy bombers anymore...not much fight or spite.......Goddard didnt bother to fight back vs Lamb at all, he is over it and I expect a media career at the end of season for him.
We won the game but still have plenty of problems, a lot of our players looked good vs feeble opposition IMO.....you look at BomberBlitz and the common theme was weak hearted effort from the EFC....

We don't win very often so they'll be no perspective happening...lol.

Bit of perspective...Essendon would have the softest mids in the comp...Parish, Merrett, Zaharakis, Heppell.......it was more like the Von Trapps menacing the Brady Bunch.....you take Cripps out of our midfield and we would have come back to the field in a real hurry.  Bombers are not the old Sheedy bombers anymore...not much fight or spite.......Goddard didnt bother to fight back vs Lamb at all, he is over it and I expect a media career at the end of season for him.
We won the game but still have plenty of problems, a lot of our players looked good vs feeble opposition IMO.....you look at BomberBlitz and the common theme was weak hearted effort from the EFC....

Agree to a point but out team has lots of development in front of them.
I can’t see their mids getting tougher but Dow, a fit and in form Kennedy, Pickett and one or two more at this years draft and trade period and we could have some serious mids.
SPS still worries me.
Concerned about an article saying we are looking at extending Murphy’s contract for another 2 years.

Lang, OBrien, Williamson and Docherty could all help add strength, speed and kicking skills over the next few years.

We definitely need to replace a few playing yesterday but we probably have 6-7 best 20 players out atm.

Surprised Daisy is not getting more love. I thought he was outstanding, as he has been most of this year. His kicking has improved out of sight so I guess that ankle has finally come good. Playing like a leader.

I suspect most of that is down to poor moderators. We're lucky on CSC that we have good people keeping an eye on things.

Keep up the good work mods.

Here here

Helps too when the opposition is rubbish and the opposition coach is clueless... ;)

Rob Walls has been a critic of Woosha for ages. And John Elliott, in early 2015 when there was much talk regarding Mick's tenure, endorsed Woosh as an excellent replacement.

Crazy times............

Good to see SPS wake up to himself during the game, now to build on that for next week. Reminds me too much of Chris Yarran - tons of skill and talent but lack of intensity and willingness to impose himself on the game. Yaz would apply himself periodically (presumably after a blast from coaches) but would soon relapse into his less intense habits. Hopefully SPS will mature; Yaz never did.

Lamb ruined Goddards day...  >:D  And he did it in one quarter before actually playing football and having a positive impact - if only he would play like that more often - Goddard played on the wing after 1/4 time; got a bit of it in the 2nd qtr against LOB but was shut down by Kerridge in the 2nd half.

We need more from Plowman, seems to be in a rut. I could do with him taking fewer kick ins. Even with the occasional clangers, Simmo is much better - wish we still had Tuohy though.

Best game I have seen from Wright when not playing in the forward pocket.

Great to see Graham get more than a single game rather than rotating back to the VFL after each game - now he should get at least one more - limited but willing worker.

Garlett needs to do more.

Big H seemed to contribute more as a back up ruckman that Levi usually does.

Special mention for the MC and coaches - good match ups and team balance - playing 7 defenders right from the opening bounce also worked perfectly

Surprised Daisy is not getting more love. I thought he was outstanding, as he has been most of this year. His kicking has improved out of sight so I guess that ankle has finally come good. Playing like a leader.

Post 29. Just for you JC

I thought our backline worked as well as I've seen. Daisy probably added the necessary experience and leadership. He's having a great patch that's for sure. I was critical of Daisy last year, but he's a different player this year. So I tilt my hat. 

Not getting too high, not getting too low.

Loved Bolts post match response to celebrations.
He'll go shake hands with all the coaches.
Woohoooo what a night out ;)

Loved Bolts post match response to celebrations.
He'll go shake hands with all the coaches.
Woohoooo what a night out ;)

As my daughter likes to say, a real fun sponge.  :D

I do like his post match pressers more as time goes on. He's a very good public face for the club, partly for the reason that he's so hard to dislike.

I disagree Cookie, we must and we will bully other teams. Its all about confidence. Crippa does it week in week out no matter the opposition, the others are starting to follow. Again, we must, never say cant.

Without taking anything away from that win GTC, I don't think you'd find another team of such pussycats as were the Bummers yesterday. They had little fight in them. Sure we can still try and bully teams but don't expect them to roll over that easy.

We don't win very often so they'll be no perspective happening...lol.

Good point ;D

Without taking anything away from that win GTC, I don't think you'd find another team of such pussycats as were the Bummers yesterday. They had little fight in them. Sure we can still try and bully teams but don't expect them to roll over that easy.

As I said before one of the softest, insipid Essendon sides I've seen.

uote]

I think you’ll find Lamb was only on him for the 1st quarter. Sookard had a reasonable 2nd quarter but then did nothing after that. He’s cooked and I think we realized that after 1/4 time.

As I said before one of the softest, insipid Essendon sides I've seen.

People forget many of them "built their reputations on the juice", now that they have "no juice they are just ordinary" players!

The Scum CheatsFC fans wander around shocked asking questions like, "What's wrong with them?" Morons! ::)

Everyone in the media went gaga over Essendons 3 new recruits. The problem was always going to be contested ball in the midfield after they lost Jobe and none of the recruits really fitted that role. Smith is ok but never going to be elite and he's too similar.

Stringer looks an expensive mistake. Saad ok but only a small HBF.

I look forward to seeing Lang playing a bit more. Looks like a real steal already though for pick 58.

People forget many of them "built their reputations on the juice", now that they have "no juice they are just ordinary" players!

The Scum CheatsFC fans wander around shocked asking questions like, "What's wrong with them?" Morons! ::)

There's that.... but I'm thinking more about the teams of 20-30-40 years ago....like the Roger Merrett years.
Plenty of snipers amongst them but hard teams to play against.

Doesn’t pay to make the media experts look silly... they are going to cop an absolute “House Bolton” style flaying on every footy show over the next week.

I saw a bit of Freo/St Kilda last night and they are both very ordinary football teams, at the very least we should be able to knock both of them off.
Silvagni, Weitering and Polson all playing well in the Magoos so we should start to see some more competitive sides as the year goes on.
I'd be happy enough with 5 or 6 wins this year given our run with injury.

Getting Marchbank back means we don't have to play O'Shea which would be a massive improvement.

Murphy in for Graham is another obvious improvement. Although Cripps won't be captain any more which will hurt.

Hopefully Silvagni gets back in a spot which gets him around the ball a bit more.

Willo for Mullet will be great too!

I probably won't be popular for saying this but Weitering for Rowe will also be an upgrade, and maybe we should start thinking about life after Levi and run with Charlie and Harry.
Now for a small forward or two.  :P
Polson maybe, he's a terrier who's looking for a chance.

Is there anything better than beating Essendon?

The excitement in our household was very high, apparently (I was out and had to watch later).

The intensity at the start was great and as others have stated we were able to increase it when needed.

While there is still plenty of room for improvement, it is fantastic to get a win on the board - just makes you feel a bit better.

How good was Kruez 2nd quarter, got a clearance into space, Kerridge (I think) couldn't quite get there, Goddard got the ball, but Kruez got im.  Love the big fella.

I don't really care about what other clubs' forum boards have although I had a quick squizz - the bombers are way worse than this forum - as are a couple of the facebook posts!

Go Blues.

Rowe & Weiterinng very different players, Rowe is the pillar , no coincidence Jones has rediscovered form since Rowe is back in the team

Rowe & Weiterinng very different players, Rowe is the pillar , no coincidence Jones has rediscovered form since Rowe is back in the team

Liam would be confident that Rowe has his back when he leaves his man/zone to intercept or spoil.

I saw a bit of Freo/St Kilda last night and they are both very ordinary football teams, at the very least we should be able to knock both of them off.
Silvagni, Weitering and Polson all playing well in the Magoos so we should start to see some more competitive sides as the year goes on.
I'd be happy enough with 5 or 6 wins this year given our run with injury.

Freo will be tough work IMO......Sandilands gives them 1st use and Fyfe is very hard to contain given his size and pace....

Stkilda have failed in their rebuild IMO and I expect Richardson to be under pressure to hold his job, very small kids and really lack leadership without Riewoldt....

Rowe & Weiterinng very different players, Rowe is the pillar , no coincidence Jones has rediscovered form since Rowe is back in the team

Agreed. Rowe has been great albeit not flashy since returning. Having a stronger body down back to work with Jones has really helped him find form.

On current form the player most likely to make way for Weitering is Plowman.

Rowe & Weiterinng very different players, Rowe is the pillar , no coincidence Jones has rediscovered form since Rowe is back in the team

I just think that long term Weitering will be the general of our back six and we might as well put the building blocks into place now.

Getting Marchbank back means we don't have to play O'Shea which would be a massive improvement.

Murphy in for Graham is another obvious improvement. Although Cripps won't be captain any more which will hurt.

Hopefully Silvagni gets back in a spot which gets him around the ball a bit more.

Marchbank needs a couple of games in the twos IMO before he plays seniors IMo, was really rusty last time I saw him play and needs the Weitering treatment in the NB's to get touch......I'm not sold on Jack as a midfielder......disposal is average and you are going to have to be very picky and choosy  who he plays on as he is so slow....

Kruddler was on about this earlier in the season and I've come around to agreeing with him.

Jones and Rowe were the right combination for Essendon.
Weitering only plays in the backline if the match-up is a better option.
 
The problem is Weitering is too good a player to be playing VFL.
He doesn't play the Rowe role...it has to be the Jones one.
While Jones performs we have to find another role for Weitering...rotation off the bench for Jones, wing....or as Barbs suggests maybe the Plowman one.

Eventually both Jones and Rowe will be gone and that's when Weitering steps in... but it might be a few years down the track.
The other option is Weitering becomes a "gold plated" trade option

Let's not forget Weitering has struggled at senior level this year.

Freo will be tough work IMO......Sandilands gives them 1st use and Fyfe is very hard to contain given his size and pace....

Stkilda have failed in their rebuild IMO and I expect Richardson to be under pressure to hold his job, very small kids and really lack leadership without Riewoldt....

From what I saw last night Freo have quite a few players with average skills who turn it over under little or no pressure, every team has a few gun players and Fyfe definitely fits that description.
St Kilda have misfired, it will be a long road back.
We should beat both of them.

Kruddler was on about this earlier in the season and I've come around to agreeing with him.

Jones and Rowe were the right combination for Essendon.
Weitering only plays in the backline if the match-up is a better option.
 
The problem is Weitering is too good a player to be playing VFL.
He doesn't play the Rowe role...it has to be the Jones one.
While Jones performs we have to find another role for Weitering...rotation off the bench for Jones, wing....or as Barbs suggests maybe the Plowman one.

Eventually both Jones and Rowe will be gone and that's when Weitering steps in... but it might be a few years down the track.
The other option is Weitering becomes a "gold plated" trade option

Let's not forget Weitering has struggled at senior level this year.

Only problem there is Weitering won't be able to get to as many contests and hence effect as many spoils as Jones does. It's a real head scratcher re what to do with Weitering, not many slow forwards around these days.

Kruddler was on about this earlier in the season and I've come around to agreeing with him.

Jones and Rowe were the right combination for Essendon.
Weitering only plays in the backline if the match-up is a better option.
 
The problem is Weitering is too good a player to be playing VFL.
He doesn't play the Rowe role...it has to be the Jones one.
While Jones performs we have to find another role for Weitering...rotation off the bench for Jones, wing....or as Barbs suggests maybe the Plowman one.

Eventually both Jones and Rowe will be gone and that's when Weitering steps in... but it might be a few years down the track.
The other option is Weitering becomes a "gold plated" trade option

Let's not forget Weitering has struggled at senior level this year.

An option would be for Jones to play Levi's role, something he was brilliant at in the VFL before his promotion. Running round on the ball, smashing bodies all over the place was something he looked suited to. We picked a much better structure yesterday so I'd hate to go back to previous structures.

Freo will be tough work IMO......Sandilands gives them 1st use and Fyfe is very hard to contain given his size and pace....

Stkilda have failed in their rebuild IMO and I expect Richardson to be under pressure to hold his job, very small kids and really lack leadership without Riewoldt....

As bad as both those teams might be, I still reckon beating both will be harder than it seems. The Saints game is R17, so exactly 2 months from today. Realistically it's way too much in the future to make any meaningful calls.

Playing Freo at Etihad may give us some sort of dubious advantage - the week before they play the Crows in Perth, who hopefully will give them a good going over to help us somewhat.

Only problem there is Weitering won't be able to get to as many contests and hence effect as many spoils as Jones does. It's a real head scratcher re what to do with Weitering, not many slow forwards around these days.

It's actually got me beat.
But we have his strengths covered.
He's a talent but it might be that his greatest value for us would be on the trade table.

An option would be for Jones to play Levi's role, something he was brilliant at in the VFL before his promotion. Running round on the ball, smashing bodies all over the place was something he looked suited to. We picked a much better structure yesterday so I'd hate to go back to previous structures.

Before we throw Weitering to the wolves I'd like to give that option a try.
I reckon Jones would be a better forward/ruck now having played back for a bit.

Before we throw Weitering to the wolves I'd like to give that option a try.
I reckon Jones would be a better forward now having played back for a bit.

Like Levi, he's was a much better forward when he gets a run in the ruck.

Only problem there is Weitering won't be able to get to as many contests and hence effect as many spoils as Jones does. It's a real head scratcher re what to do with Weitering, not many slow forwards around these days.

Weitering will intercept mark all day but defending body on body is where I still have a question mark against him......I'd prefer Marchbank to replace OShea when Marchbank is fit......I reckon OShea is better at ground level than Weitering and while a worse kick might defend better one on one as well but Marchbank is a better allround player than both of them at this stage.
Rowe and Jones seem to compliment each other ok and while Rowe is no gifted footballer he seems to give us some solidarity down back which helps numpties like OShea and Mullet be better footballers...

For now at least I see Weiters as an alternative to Plowman or Marchbank. Leave Rowe and Jones where they are, imo that is working fine.

Agreed. Rowe has been great albeit not flashy since returning. Having a stronger body down back to work with Jones has really helped him find form.

On current form the player most likely to make way for Weitering is Plowman.

Rowe is definitely a long way in front of Weitering right now. Not even close that one.

Plowman is making a few blues but also does some good things - but never flashy. Which can be a good thing but for him it feels a bit like he's just passing the pressure onto someone else. He refuses to be the one to take the forward kick. He just stabs it sideways 20m.

Samo needs a rest. He almost makes an impact. A lot of "almost" moments for him. One attack on the ball in the 2nd quarter I thought was embarrassing for him. He took a couple of short steps when he had the opportunity to put his body through the line of the ball.

Our man from Port is the one who needs a VFL stint the most. You can't be 28 and still making those mistakes by foot.

Saw something really special in Paddy Dow in the last, deep in the forward pocket, burst from the pack, a Bumber hot on his heals, took a bounce, I said “wtf” have we got here, not sure what happened next, but that move was very “Spesh” :))

I thought the same thing, can't wait to watch him play in a couple of years from now

I reckon I came to the conclusion that you cant have Jones and Weitering in the same team as they are virtually the same type of player over a month ago. Even had the temerity to suggest that Weiters would be ideal trade bait, especially for a "big fish" and a receptive club.....
Haven't changed my view, and have to say that Jones is way ahead right now, and is back to his AA form of last year.
Weitering would land Sheil, land Gaff and WC's second round pick, and go a long way to dangle something viable for Tom Lynch....
Just saying

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I was rapt with BB telling SFB to FO. Good on you, BB... yep, have to apologise to appease some, but not this little black duck. Fan of passion.

Rowe is definitely a long way in front of Weitering right now. Not even close that one.

Plowman is making a few blues but also does some good things - but never flashy. Which can be a good thing but for him it feels a bit like he's just passing the pressure onto someone else. He refuses to be the one to take the forward kick. He just stabs it sideways 20m.

Samo needs a rest. He almost makes an impact. A lot of "almost" moments for him. One attack on the ball in the 2nd quarter I thought was embarrassing for him. He took a couple of short steps when he had the opportunity to put his body through the line of the ball.

Our man from Port is the one who needs a VFL stint the most. You can't be 28 and still making those mistakes by foot.

I think letting Weitering play as third tall defender for another year or two while he builds his body up would be a good path for him. Then when Rowe retires he can transition into a more physical role.

Our bigger problem is a shortage of defenders to man up the opposition small forwards and who are willing and capable of running the ball out of defence.

I won't be surprised if SPS makes way for Murphy when he's ready to return.

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I was rapt with BB telling SFB to FO. Good on you, BB... yep, have to apologise to appease some, but not this little black duck. Fan of passion.

x2....This is what I want from Bolton, not green shoots and cliches,  do what Clarkson, the Scotts would do and get stuck in to build that bond with your players....been critical of his lack of emotion etc but this was great stuff IMO....

Great and really unexpected result. Wish I could be as optimistic as a few on here about our fortunes moving forward from here but I'm a bit jaded from years of heartbreak.
OK to see the positives but realistically spuds like Mullett and O'Shea and Graham are going to let us down when the whips start cracking. One thing for sure is that for us to have any chance of winning both Kreuzer and Cripps have to be in our best players. We cannot win if either of these 2 have an off game. What  Kreuz coulda been without the injuries.
Ed Curnow could be winning the B&F but for Cripps. Unfortunately he will be getting a week off for touching the ump. Stupid.
Happy with the improvement shown in Dow and O'Brian but maybe due for a rest?

Thank-you Lods for the bomberblitz link. Have spent nearly as much time reading that forum as this forum. Just gold!

Great and really unexpected result. Wish I could be as optimistic as a few on here about our fortunes moving forward from here but I'm a bit jaded from years of heartbreak.
OK to see the positives but realistically spuds like Mullett and O'Shea and Graham are going to let us down when the whips start cracking. One thing for sure is that for us to have any chance of winning both Kreuzer and Cripps have to be in our best players. We cannot win if either of these 2 have an off game. What  Kreuz coulda been without the injuries.
Ed Curnow could be winning the B&F but for Cripps. Unfortunately he will be getting a week off for touching the ump. Stupid.
Happy with the improvement shown in Dow and O'Brian but maybe due for a rest?

Thank-you Lods for the bomberblitz link. Have spent nearly as much time reading that forum as this forum. Just gold!

Hey Rocky,
If we add a few off the injury list and players getting some form in the 2's the likes of O'Shea, Mullet and Graham wont be playing.
Pickett, Williamson, Marchbank, Kennedy, Murphy, Docherty and Weitering are all starting 20 when fit and inform.

We should land a top player this year at pick 1or 2 and a couple in the second round.

Just keep watching Cripps, Curnow, Harry, Fisher, Dow and O'Brien in the mean time.

Hopefully A Phillips continues his improvement and can replace Kruezer when the time comes.

Just going to have a look at the young blokes who are our future.  This is what we've paid Bolts and SOS to do.  Rebuild the team so we have a stable (and exciting) base for an extended run at it.

LO'B looks nice and composed to me, and he gets himself to the right spots, and holds onto his marks, even under pressure, which impresses me most considering his lack of size.  15 touches and 8 marks for both of the last 2 weeks.  Not laying a lot of tackles yet, but he's got a few more summers in the gym in front of him yet.  Early signs looking for good for him becoming the link man we need.  I think he'll be our Gaff, and we don't need to throw the kitchen sink to land Gaff.

Dow, starting to show why he was drafted, has the wheels to get out of congestion, and has a knack for pouncing on the the loose ball in tight.  Both of these blokes are getting their 10 -15 possies a week, which is all you can ask from a skinny young mid in their first year.  Next year it should be 15-20, the year after 20+ week in, week out.  That's when they'll come into their own.

Samo still stuck on his 10-15 touches, only got 10 this week, but did lay 8 tackles, and snatch a snap goal.  His best game so far was round 2, with 24 touches.  Second year blues for him is all i hope it is.  With the second year blues, you hear people say the player gets a little more attention, and more is expected of them, and i also think the excitement of the first year wears off a little as they come to grips with the brutality required to back up week after week.  He'll show in the next year or two if he's made of the right stuff for AFL. 

Big H not getting a lot of the footy, but he did roam up and down the ground a bit, and took at least 1 good pack mark in the back half.  The most impressive thing for me is his mobility.  He's got some wheels, and is not afraid to take blokes on.  When he's one on one going for a loose ball on the run, he makes the opposition defender look a bit silly.  Has a very good habit of kicking 2 goals a game, and i'll take that.  Could well become a Josh Jenkins or a Tom Lynch. 

Charlie.  What more can I say.  The kid can take a pack mark over the top, from the side, can hold his ground in front, and recovers quickly.  And can run all day and play spells in the middle.  What a gem.  Needs a little work with Sav, but he's coming from a far better spot than Cas was, so I expect he will tighten up his goal kicking. The other thing that is starting to stand out to me is that Charlie and Big H seem to have some sort of chemistry.  Just a few little hints here and there that these 2 boys know they've got the ability to run the forward line for the next decade. 

Crippa.  Rippa.  Starting to impose himself and use that big frame of his.  Becoming a bit of a bully, and I like it!  The work he did to improve his acceleration is a credit to him, and shows how hard he works on improving every little bit of his game.  Deadset gun.

Zac Attack has not been affected by the second year blues, and is going from strength to strength.  A little up and down still, with 3 games out of 8 over 20 possies, but only 15 this week.  This kid is a winner, as we all know.  Goes to show you don't have to be big to me a modern mid, but you do have to have something.  And he's very zippy, very clean, tenacious, and has a penetrating kick.  And some real spirit.

Darcy Lang showed what he'll bring to the team.  13 touches, 2 goals, 5 marks, 4 tackles.  Not a bad debut.  He'll get better, and I don't think will ever be a 30+ possies a week player, but should be a very handy 20+.  Still a young bloke, and only 45 games in to his career.  Has the ability to play a standout game now and then as shown in finals for Geelong.  We've missed him earlier in the year.

There are other youngsters who did not play due to injury and form, who I still have high hopes for.  Pickett, Kennedy, Weiters, Marchy, Cunningham, and Willo have all got the tools to add to that list.  With any luck they'll all get over their issues and show they belong too.

Go young Blues !

Hey Rocky,
If we add a few off the injury list and players getting some form in the 2's the likes of O'Shea, Mullet and Graham wont be playing.
Pickett, Williamson, Marchbank, Kennedy, Murphy, Docherty and Weitering are all starting 20 when fit and inform.

We should land a top player this year at pick 1or 2 and a couple in the second round.

Just keep watching Cripps, Curnow, Harry, Fisher, Dow and O'Brien in the mean time.

Hopefully A Phillips continues his improvement and can replace Kruezer when the time comes.

De koning will be 1st ruck before Phillips i reckon. Phillips a good 2nd banana only

De koning will be 1st ruck before Phillips i reckon. Phillips a good 2nd banana only

De Koning is at least 3 or 4 years away.

He'll put on bulk first, that will initially slow him down and he'll temporarily lose the ability to jump and mark like he does at the moment. Then over a couple of uninterrupted seasons he'll lose some of the new bulk but build strength while he learns sensible running patterns. FWIW, we are already seeing a less mobile version of McKay this season after effectively only one full pre-season.

Assuming Phillips stays fit he'll be primed to be 1st Ruck by the time Kreuzer retires, Phillips is already showing glimpses of what he can do, he just isn't reliable at the moment.

The smoky for us is Lobbe, has been and could be anything, a lot depends on the direction that game plan heads in for Lobbe to be influential.

De Koning is at least 3 or 4 years away.

He'll put on bulk first, that will initially slow him down and he'll temporarily lose the ability to jump and mark like he does at the moment. Then over a couple of uninterrupted seasons he'll lose some of the new bulk but build strength while he learns sensible running patterns. FWIW, we are already seeing a less mobile version of McKay this season after effectively only one full pre-season.

Assuming Phillips stays fit he'll be primed to be 1st Ruck by the time Kreuzer retires, Phillips is already showing glimpses of what he can do, he just isn't reliable at the moment.

The smoky for us is Lobbe, has been and could be anything, a lot depends on the direction that game plan heads in for Lobbe to be influential.

Don’t disagree on DK, Kruezer isn’t yet 30 and the way he is rucking he could go for another 3-4. I don’t see Phillips or lobbe as anything else than insurance.

Don’t disagree on DK, Kruezer isn’t yet 30 and the way he is rucking he could go for another 3-4. I don’t see Phillips or lobbe as anything else than insurance.

Surely you haven't forgotten Phillips effect on Nic Nat already, I realise he didn't do it for 4 Qtrs but that is a taste of what Phillips can do?

Phillips is too good to be playing extended periods in the magoos, and if that happens, he'll be seeking opportunities elsewhere, and rightly so.

I was of the thinking that SPS needs a run in the 2s but I switched tack - the guy just needs a good mentor within or without the Club....

Still very young and I'm sure the big city can be overwhelming for any kid from the bush....

Three obvious changes will stiffen us un immeasureably.

1. Marchbank for O'Shea
2. Byrne/Willo for Mullet (Willo my strong preference)
3. Murphy for Graham (though I reckon Graham might still get there)
4. Kennedy for ? (Ed this week)
5. (in 2019) Doc back in....

Then the fight for spots really heats up...

And yes, I have to agree, as soon as Weiters come in, the back 6 is way too tall/slow (and Rowe is greater than Weiters presently). At least Jacob has time on his side....

Phillips is too good to be playing extended periods in the magoos, and if that happens, he'll be seeking opportunities elsewhere, and rightly so.

IMHO, I think they all know where they are, that they could all happily play first ruck, and that between Lobbe, Phillips and Kreuzer, they are all an even chance to play in the absence of the others.

They are all AFL standard ruckmen, and Kreuzer is the pick of the bunch, but he breaks down too frequently.

I love Kreuz - he is very important to us atm but we definitely need a good back up for him. We have 2 good ones in Phillips and Lobbe and we must do everything possible to hang on to them imo. Phillips is probably the one who is more likely to want to go elsewhere so we need to find a way to keep him happy. A good salary plus a few senior games a year may do that for a year or two but others will surely come knocking?

I love Kreuz - he is very important to us atm but we definitely need a good back up for him. We have 2 good ones in Phillips and Lobbe and we must do everything possible to hang on to them imo. Phillips is probably the one who is more likely to want to go elsewhere so we need to find a way to keep him happy. A good salary plus a few senior games a year may do that for a year or two but others will surely come knocking?

We only need one back up as we develop De Konning, who looks a likely type. In the case of a run of injury to our rucks we just use Levi, Jones etc for a week or two.

Phillips needs to repay the faith a bit IMHO.  We have supported him through 2 seasons where he was relatively injured, and unable to play football, and is now coming good.  Its a bit rich to move on for more opportunity simply because hes good enough too.


In the past we were guilty of failing our players, which is why we found player retention difficult, and player attraction.  It means that money talks, and thats the only way to get players.

What I hope we are doing (led by Bolton) is investing in people as individuals and really giving them all the tools to reach their best version of themselves.  This means working with them to maximise their football learning, as well as teaching them life skills and perhaps helping them through opportunites for the future (setting up learning opportunities, business opportunites, investment opportunities, coaching opportunities etc).  This is a bit more conducive to building an environment that players won't just jump out of, and why its imperative that even if we arent travelling well on field, that we are doing all we can to get the most out of people both on and off it.

Obviously, we cant hang onto everyone all the time, and that will mean that we eventually have to cut our ties with people, but the manner in which players have parted ways with us in the past, and the manner in which we have parted ways with players in the past, have both indicated that we are over simplifying our management of people and looking at them as commodities.  to a degree this will always be true, but I think its this sort of thing that we can control and get right, that will lead to better performance at all levels of the football club.

Just want to mention SPS...there was a moment early in the game where he didn't go hard enough and actually backed away from the contact. I thought at the time it was a poor effort. Lyon got stuck in to him and rightly so I thought, but I watched him after that and he went head down into the contests I saw.
As long as he learns from that, and I'm sure the coaches will highlight it, it's going to be fine.

Have seen a few comments about this and heard Lyon get stuck in as well. I went back to the replay and watched it a few times and want to give him the benefit of the doubt here. I don't reckon he was worried about the contact, I think he was trying to tap the ball to the side and spin out of trouble. I think he was trying to avoid the contact, but only so he could gather the ball and run. The Indigenous guys think a bit different sometimes, think about doing things that most other players don't even consider, that's what makes them so great to watch.
Anyway not worried about SPS at all, reckon he has got the right stuff to make it.

Phillips is too good to be playing extended periods in the magoos, and if that happens, he'll be seeking opportunities elsewhere, and rightly so.

Agreed, I would be looking to move Kreuzer to a club that can challenge for the flag and get a win/win for both parties.

Agreed, I would be looking to move Kreuzer to a club that can challenge for the flag and get a win/win for both parties.

It's a tough call, but with every injury he gets it is closer to happening.

It probably depends on whether Kreuzer is prepared to accept a pay-cut to chase a flag, because given his history no team would take him on as their solo 1st ruck option! I would think GWS is the team that needs a Kreuzer type to free up their talls who are mostly better suited as KPFs, so it could well be a Kreuzer / Patton type deal.

Could you imagine what having Kreuzer fit and firing would do for the GWS midfield, the blocks and chop-outs he would provide for the likes of Green, Shiels, Ward, Tarranto or Whitfield! Kreuzer when fit is the physicality of Mumford with the mobility of Cameron.

Agreed, I would be looking to move Kreuzer to a club that can challenge for the flag and get a win/win for both parties.

This is very much a head v heart proposition for mine. Given his age, injury history etc., given that we now have two younger guys in Lobbe and Phillips who are arguably better as "pure" ruckmen, plus TDK, plus the obligatory part timers (Casboult etc.), my head understands that there is some merit to this idea.

But deep down, I feel Krooz is such a heart and soul player, and as Navy Blue as it is possible to be. And still playing good footy. I really couldn't bear to see him in any other colours. That would really drive a massive dagger right between the right and left ventricle.

If I was running the joint, I'm just not sure I would have the coglioni to do it.

De koning will be 1st ruck before Phillips i reckon. Phillips a good 2nd banana only

Phillips is only a first ruck as he can't doing anything forward. Means he's a back-up hence will find it tough to get back in bar injury.

Surely you haven't forgotten Phillips effect on Nic Nat already, I realise he didn't do it for 4 Qtrs but that is a taste of what Phillips can do?

He doesn't much around the ground or up forward. While Kreuzer's there he's only a back-up, certainly a solid back-up but a back-up nonetheless. Would they play him before Lobbe?

It's a tough call, but with every injury he gets it is closer to happening.

It probably depends on whether Kreuzer is prepared to accept a pay-cut to chase a flag, because given his history no team would take him on as their solo 1st ruck option! I would think GWS is the team that needs a Kreuzer type to free up their talls who are mostly better suited as KPFs, so it could well be a Kreuzer / Patton type deal.

Could you imagine what having Kreuzer fit and firing would do for the GWS midfield, the blocks and chop-outs he would provide for the likes of Green, Shiels, Ward, Tarranto or Whitfield! Kreuzer when fit is the physicality of Mumford with the mobility of Cameron.

Kreuzer for Shiel and steak  knives?

Hard to say no to that?

All that said, let's not forget Sandi is still going around (well) at 35.

Our form Big Harry played till he was 35/36 too?

We only need one back up as we develop De Konning, who looks a likely type. In the case of a run of injury to our rucks we just use Levi, Jones etc for a week or two.

With Kreuz's injury record I feel safer with two backups as first ruck tbh. Is not costing us that much. Don't want to make do and mend, unless of course we got an offer we couldn't refuse. De Konning is definitely a likely type but is  a few years away.

Phillips of course has also had his injury woes.

And I'm not really a fan of this habit Bolton has of occasionally targeting one player - first Mills at the Swans, then Ablett at GC, now Goddard. It's not a great look for the game, and it makes us look like we have no skilful way of winning, so we have to resort to this. I'm hoping it's just a temporary, growing pains arrangement.

And I'm not really a fan of this habit Bolton has of occasionally targeting one player - first Mills at the Swans, then Ablett at GC, now Goddard. It's not a great look for the game, and it makes us look like we have no skilful way of winning, so we have to resort to this. I'm hoping it's just a temporary, growing pains arrangement.

Today the media are all over Goddard's team-mates for not offering him any chop-outs or assistance, they are accusing the CheatsFC players of looking after themselves, playing for their own survival.

The Bumbers have years of pain coming their way, they have a stinky culture, grown out of shortcuts and privilege! You can see it on the faces of blokes like Hurley, they ponder why is it all so hard? Probably because they are playing unassisted for the first time in their career! ;)

How ironic for Carlton supporters to watch this happening, after nearly a decade of watching blokes like Tuohy and Henderson jog past as Marc Murphy was put to ground repeatedly by opponents like CheastFC, it was a pleasure to see the Bumbers disintegrate in this manor.

Today the media are all over Goddard's team-mates for not offering him any chop-outs or assistance, they are accusing the CheatsFC players of looking after themselves, playing for their own survival.

The Bumbers have years of pain coming their way, they have a stinky culture, grown out of shortcuts and privilege! You can see it on the faces of blokes like Hurley, they ponder why is it all so hard? Probably because they are playing unassisted for the first time in their career! ;)

How ironic for Carlton supporters to watch this happening, after nearly a decade of watching blokes like Tuohy and Henderson jog past as Marc Murphy was put to ground repeatedly by opponents like CheastFC, it was a pleasure to see the Bumbers disintegrate in this manor.

That's not the point I'm making. 4 quarters of tummy taps, shoulder charges etc. focused on one player is a pretty poor excuse for footy. If I was on the laws of the game committee, I'd really be pushing hard to clean up this aspect of the game.

Manner ?

That's not the point I'm making. 4 quarters of tummy taps, shoulder charges etc. focused on one player is a pretty poor excuse for footy. If I was on the laws of the game committee, I'd really be pushing hard to clean up this aspect of the game.

Manner ?

It's not temporary PaulP, it has always been part of football, sport, war, politics or just about any other organised conflict. You target the leaders!

My sons been a captain of footy teams on and off for years, and he's one of the smaller players on the field like Murphy. What enables him to contribute consistently are the actions of team-mates not the opposition. The opposition are always into him! Teams must always stand up for each other, the minute they don't they are no longer a team, and that is the ultimate test!

It's not temporary PaulP, it has always been part of football, sport, war, politics or just about any other organised conflict. You target the leaders!

My sons been a captain of footy teams on and off for years, and he's one of the smaller players on the field like Murphy. What enables him to contribute consistently are the actions of team-mates not the opposition. The opposition are always into him!

Things change and evolve. There are many things that were done in AFL/VFL footy before that are no longer possible.

And AFL footy isn't war - it's a multi billion dollar entertainment industry with highly trained sportspeople pretending to be gladiators for our collective entertainment.

The AFL is essentially a glorified mates competition - plenty of these guys go to school together, grow up in the same street, go to draft camp together, play on the same team before changing over, marry each other's sisters, rent houses together etc. You think they sit in the change rooms planning war ?

I'd like to see specific examples of the great recent teams (Hawks, Swans, Cats) repeatedly selecting one player to target for the whole game with this sort of carry on.

It's low brow - get it out of the game.

And I'm not really a fan of this habit Bolton has of occasionally targeting one player - first Mills at the Swans, then Ablett at GC, now Goddard. It's not a great look for the game, and it makes us look like we have no skilful way of winning, so we have to resort to this. I'm hoping it's just a temporary, growing pains arrangement.

You forgot Scicily Paul, personally, I don’t have a problem with this at all, always been a part of footy, gotta be strong in mind to play this game & if your teammates aren’t helping you out, then cop it sweet and try and get the pill ;)

Paul, I kind of agree and know where you're coming from.

I don't think Goddard was treated nearly as much as Mills was - that was over the top.  The first qtr, maybe, but the second he was much more free.  It almost seemed as if a few players kind of remembered and instruction and half heartedly followed through after qtr time.

While not saying it is right - they were doing some ordinary things as well.

If players such as Goddard, Sicily and maybe Oliver behave like they do when a little comes back to them, of course teams are going to take that advantage.  Bet that Gawn won't be targetted...

Does it follow that if the physical is rubbed out, so is the verbal?  It appeared Bellchambers gave someone a mouthful after the first bounce was recalled.

Paul, I kind of agree and know where you're coming from.

I don't think Goddard was treated nearly as much as Mills was - that was over the top.  The first qtr, maybe, but the second he was much more free.  It almost seemed as if a few players kind of remembered and instruction and half heartedly followed through after qtr time.

While not saying it is right - they were doing some ordinary things as well.

If players such as Goddard, Sicily and maybe Oliver behave like they do when a little comes back to them, of course teams are going to take that advantage.  Bet that Gawn won't be targetted...

Does it follow that if the physical is rubbed out, so is the verbal?  It appeared Bellchambers gave someone a mouthful after the first bounce was recalled.

I'm certainly not suggesting the Bomber are angels - far from it. It's an area of the game that I think needs to be cleaned up as I said. As a Carlton fan, I pay most attention to our games, and so would have more of what we do in mind, rather than what the other teams are doing.

The physical is more black and white for mine, the verbal sledging is more a grey area. However I do think this also needs looking into, as even though the players tell us that they know where the boundaries lie, they seem to transgress those boundaries far too often.

You forgot Scicily Paul, personally, I don’t have a problem with this at all, always been a part of footy, gotta be strong in mind to play this game & if your teammates aren’t helping you out, then cop it sweet and try and get the pill ;)

Yes, you're right, I did forget La Sicilia. Like I said, can anyone provide examples of any successful team employing this specific tactic i.e verbally and physically targeting one and only one player from the opposition for an entire game, and doing this a number of times against different opposition ?

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/alastair-clarkson-believes-carltons-treatment-of-james-sicily-might-have-crossed-the-line/news-story/ff813a44c3a42b481033fe5c2443cb8d

“I think there is a line in the sand to be drawn on it and that probably crossed it a little bit last week. But having said that, we can’t be too critical because we have been involved in that sort of stuff ourselves, every club does it at some point in time to try and influence or negate or curb the influence of a player from the opposition. Carlton did it particularly well last week.’’

Clarkson said Sicily would learn from the game, but conceded he was a player who played “on the edge” and the Hawks had to educate him on how he managed that in the future.

Mills, Sicily, Goddard...What was the result of each of those games?
We won't change the tactic.
Change will have to come from the AFL

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/alastair-clarkson-believes-carltons-treatment-of-james-sicily-might-have-crossed-the-line/news-story/ff813a44c3a42b481033fe5c2443cb8d

Mills, Sicily, Goddard...What was the result of each of those games?
We won't change the tactic.
Change will have to come from the AFL

That much is certainly true.

Yes, you're right, I did forget La Sicilia. Like I said, can anyone provide examples of any successful team employing this specific tactic i.e verbally and physically targeting one and only one player from the opposition for an entire game, and doing this a number of times against different opposition ?

Like the Dawks getting into StevieJ or Ablett Jnr?

When Brisbane used to target Bickley or Goodes?

Like when Robbo targeted Fletcher?

When just about any team we come up against targets Murphy!

It's been that way forever it's not something new at all, teams always identify key individuals and target them in whatever way they see fit within the rules!

And AFL footy isn't war - it's a multi billion dollar entertainment industry with highly trained sportspeople pretending to be gladiators for our collective entertainment.

Money is the root of all evils, for greedy people money is worth going to war for in whatever circumstances they can orchestrate.

I'm sure we would all love some more idealistic approach, but it's nice the nice guys who win, go ask Cotchin!

Like the Dawks getting into StevieJ or Ablett Jnr?

When Brisbane used to target Bickley or Goodes?

Like when Robbo targeted Fletcher?

When just about any team we come up against targets Murphy!

It's been that way forever it's not something new at all, teams always identify key individuals and target them in whatever way they see fit within the rules!

I'll take your word for it, but I don't recall any of those instances, and I don't recall of any of those being a single player being smacked and crashed into for an entire game.

So if all's fair in love and multi billion dollar entertainment, I guess there won't be any complaints on here when this sort of garbage is meted out to any of our young stars and leaders ?

I'll take your word for it, but I don't recall any of those instances, and I don't recall of any of those being a single player being smacked and crashed into for an entire game.

So if all's fair in love and multi billion dollar entertainment, I guess there won't be any complaints on here when this sort of garbage is meted out to any of our young stars and leaders ?

i seem to remember Greg Williams running around with a bulls eye target on the back of his jumper :o

This is very much a head v heart proposition for mine. Given his age, injury history etc., given that we now have two younger guys in Lobbe and Phillips who are arguably better as "pure" ruckmen, plus TDK, plus the obligatory part timers (Casboult etc.), my head understands that there is some merit to this idea.

But deep down, I feel Krooz is such a heart and soul player, and as Navy Blue as it is possible to be. And still playing good footy. I really couldn't bear to see him in any other colours. That would really drive a massive dagger right between the right and left ventricle.

If I was running the joint, I'm just not sure I would have the coglioni to do it.

Krooz is not as Navy Blue as possible and if he didn't fail a fitness test at Collingwood he would be wearing Black and White.

So he stayed but I agree that he is does give 100% heart and soul and effort for the jumper everytime he runs out and you can't ask for much more than that.

I'll take your word for it, but I don't recall any of those instances, and I don't recall of any of those being a single player being smacked and crashed into for an entire game.

Of course back in the "good old days", there was less niggle and the very first hit was somewhat more substantial. Like Yeates on Brereton or Matthews on Bruns!

As Carlton supporters we should nopt forget The Hyphen's threats against Brereton, or Diesel's treatment of The Hyphen!

So if all's fair in love and multi billion dollar entertainment, I guess there won't be any complaints on here when this sort of garbage is meted out to any of our young stars and leaders ?

Of course we will complain, and they have already been targeted, like Marc Murphy's first game against the Lions.

But we will cheer when someone like Ablett Jnr gets worked over by a Robbo or Curnow! ;)

I'll take your word for it, but I don't recall any of those instances, and I don't recall of any of those being a single player being smacked and crashed into for an entire game.

So if all's fair in love and multi billion dollar entertainment, I guess there won't be any complaints on here when this sort of garbage is meted out to any of our young stars and leaders ?

I have a feeling that down the track there will be some restrictions put on players being targeted for entire games.
Actually, if the rules are applied 'to the letter' there are are dozens of times in a game when a free kick can be awarded for these tactics.

The thing is though ...I remember when Murphy was targeted earlier on, and we've seen what happened with Mills.... and Goddard on the weekend.
The 'shame' wasn't directed on the attacker....it was directed on the team-mates and their failure to support the player being targeted.
After the Mills incident the Swans made a bit of a commitment to one another that it wouldn't happen again and gained a bit of strength through that.
That's what I'd be looking for if it happened to our players.
That's one way you stop it.
If opposition teams get away with that tactic it highlights a weakness in your commitment to one another.

After the Mills incident the Swans made a bit of a commitment to one another that it wouldn't happen again and gained a bit of strength through that.
That's what I'd be looking for if it happened to our players.
That's one way you stop it.
If opposition teams get away with that tactic it highlights a weakness in your commitment to one another.

x2, this is exactly the way I see it.

It's one of the problems we have at the moment, because in the absence of Rowe and ACoS our kids have been targeted and nobody is standing up to the opposition. I think it's a much bigger reason for our poor start to the season than people admit! I was very happy to see Casboult taking a few of them on in Kreuzer's absence, that is what we needed from the big lug 5 years ago! Until recently without Rowe or ACoS, and with Kreuzer out, Cripps was getting hammered trying to defend everyone on his lonesome.

One of the things we really liked last season was the bit of aggro Williamson and Macreadie brought to the games, and it made others like Weitering and Charlie stand up! When ACoS came in we saw a natural increase in aggression and pressure around the opposition ball carriers.

I'll never forgive the likes of Tuohy and Henderson for the lack of care they showed towards team-mates. When they were themselves targeted they expected support, when team-mates were targeted they jogged quietly past!

I can't wait to see what The Big Loper can deliver in a year or two when he's fed up of being targeted. He'll be intimidating and impressive!

The 3 sports in which I take a keen interest, AFL, soccer and tennis, all have aspects which I consider to be blights on the game. There is no doubt in my mind that if these aspects were removed, the game would be better. 

I see this targeting issue as being much the same. Remove it, and the game becomes better.

This game will always have a strong element of physicality - it's a contact sport, so even with current rules, which some consider to be a little tiggy touchwood, there is plenty of tough stuff and bravery to keep the punters happy.

We must free ourselves of historical justifications and rationalizations. Just because something has existed  for some time, it doesn't make it good in the current context, and it doesn't mean a change isn't a change for the better. 

There is nothing tough about targeting a player, and most especially since most of the players targeted are the soft targets. Nobody would dare do that to Hodge, Jono Brown etc. It's always the babies (Mills), the sooks (Goddard), the brittle ones (Sicily) etc.

What I want to see in terms of controlling and limiting the influence of top players is what Ben Jacobs did to Dusty on the weekend.  Now that's class and a genuine victory IMO

i seem to remember Greg Williams running around with a bulls eye target on the back of his jumper :o

Yes, whilst Diesel is no angel, Sean Denham is a sh1thead. This is another example of the sort of crap I'm talking about.

Krooz is not as Navy Blue as possible and if he didn't fail a fitness test at Collingwood he would be wearing Black and White.

So he stayed but I agree that he is does give 100% heart and soul and effort for the jumper everytime he runs out and you can't ask for much more than that.

I think he simply wanted a longer term contract with less restrictions. In essence we were treading a little more cautiously than the Pies. In the end, I suspect the contracts were similar, but with us the value equalled (or roughly equalled) the Pies offer only if Krooz played x number of games. At least that's how I read it. He failed a fitness test at both the Dogs and Pies, so maybe we were justified in our stance, and maybe Krooz saw that in the end. I'm not sure whether any of this makes him True Blue, 75% Blue, 20% Blue etc. In the wash up, it may not even matter.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/collingwood-out-of-race-for-matthew-kreuzer-20150915-gjngh7.html

Has given 100% in every game I've seen him play (even when injured) and that's all that matters to me. :D
When he's done and dusted I'll remember him fondly ;)

Has given 100% in every game I've seen him play (even when injured) and that's all that matters to me. :D
When he's done and dusted I'll remember him fondly ;)

Agree. He's as Blue as it's possible to be in this era of money and commercialism imo.

Has given 100% in every game I've seen him play (even when injured) and that's all that matters to me. :D
When he's done and dusted I'll remember him fondly ;)

Same here, and I suspect for all CFC supporters.

The 3 sports in which I take a keen interest, AFL, soccer and tennis, all have aspects which I consider to be blights on the game. There is no doubt in my mind that if these aspects were removed, the game would be better. 

I see this targeting issue as being much the same. Remove it, and the game becomes better.

This game will always have a strong element of physicality - it's a contact sport, so even with current rules, which some consider to be a little tiggy touchwood, there is plenty of tough stuff and bravery to keep the punters happy.

We must free ourselves of historical justifications and rationalizations. Just because something has existed  for some time, it doesn't make it good in the current context, and it doesn't mean a change isn't a change for the better. 

There is nothing tough about targeting a player, and most especially since most of the players targeted are the soft targets. Nobody would dare do that to Hodge, Jono Brown etc. It's always the babies (Mills), the sooks (Goddard), the brittle ones (Sicily) etc.

What I want to see in terms of controlling and limiting the influence of top players is what Ben Jacobs did to Dusty on the weekend.  Now that's class and a genuine victory IMO

You didn't see north players roughing up dusty at every opportunity?

Nick Riewoldt copped the same treatment back in the day.

Let's face it, teams do it and they do it all the time but people don't notice.   At the game jed going Goddard wasn't evident, and they whacked Devon Smith frequently too, and all the bombers players were getting stuck into some of our boys too.

4 weeks ago it was weitering copped this treatment.

It happens.

I'm pleased that for once it wasnt one of our blokes getting ridden.  We've been the roadkill for far too long.

Not saying I like it, but in the AFL there are predators and prey.   Time for us to do the hunting.

The 3 sports in which I take a keen interest, AFL, soccer and tennis, all have aspects which I consider to be blights on the game. There is no doubt in my mind that if these aspects were removed, the game would be better. 

I see this targeting issue as being much the same. Remove it, and the game becomes better.

This game will always have a strong element of physicality - it's a contact sport, so even with current rules, which some consider to be a little tiggy touchwood, there is plenty of tough stuff and bravery to keep the punters happy.

We must free ourselves of historical justifications and rationalizations. Just because something has existed  for some time, it doesn't make it good in the current context, and it doesn't mean a change isn't a change for the better. 

There is nothing tough about targeting a player, and most especially since most of the players targeted are the soft targets. Nobody would dare do that to Hodge, Jono Brown etc. It's always the babies (Mills), the sooks (Goddard), the brittle ones (Sicily) etc.

What I want to see in terms of controlling and limiting the influence of top players is what Ben Jacobs did to Dusty on the weekend.  Now that's class and a genuine victory IMO

Clearly, you need to get out more....

i'll leave it there.

You didn't see north players roughing up dusty at every opportunity?

Nick Riewoldt copped the same treatment back in the day.

Let's face it, teams do it and they do it all the time but people don't notice.   At the game jed going Goddard wasn't evident, and they whacked Devon Smith frequently too, and all the bombers players were getting stuck into some of our boys too.

4 weeks ago it was weitering copped this treatment.

It happens.

I don't really care which team does it, it's cr@p and it needs to go.

Clearly, you need to get out more....

i'll leave it there.

I definitely need to get out more, but not for the reasons you imply.

I vaguely recall Jono Brown claiming that in one game, he received some ridiculous number of punches to the back (180?). He complained to the umps that if they didn't act, he would take matters into his own hands.

Like I said, garbage behaviour.

I vaguely recall Jono Brown claiming that in one game, he received some ridiculous number of punches to the back (180?). He complained to the umps that if they didn't act, he would take matters into his own hands.

Like I said, garbage behaviour.

I think if the aggressor gets too carried away then the victim gets some leeway cut to sort matters out....I remember Steve Johnson sorted out Steven Baker with a Elbow to the face after Baker had whacked him all day including his injured hand. Baker ended up with a fracture eye socket from memory and was none to well......think Baker got plenty of weeks and Johnson a few but clearly the victim got the sympathy vote at the tribunal. I think its also up to the victims team mates to help him out and take care of dirty aggressors...
Ryan Crowley was a victim of his own fame in this area, once the prince of tagging/annoying/manhandling all the star onballers he had a quick rise to fame but the footy fraternity led by players like Ablett, Boomer Harvey cried foul and Crowley ended up with no love from the umps at all and at times was treated unfairly. He was being hit by opposing teams on and off the ball and ended up felled behind play on a few occasions...Ross Lyon pleaded his case but to no avail and Crowleys career was over....

Ben Jacobs, Jed Lamb will all go the same way either taken out by opposing teams or taken out by the AFL who want a clean game...I'd expect Lamb to receive some treatment this week and I dont expect the umpires to help him out much unless its blatant free to him.....

I think if the aggressor gets too carried away then the victim gets some leeway cut to sort matters out....I remember Steve Johnson sorted out Steven Baker with a Elbow to the face after Baker had whacked him all day including his injured hand. Baker ended up with a fracture eye socket from memory and was none to well......think Baker got plenty of weeks and Johnson a few but clearly the victim got the sympathy vote at the tribunal. I think its also up to the victims team mates to help him out and take care of dirty aggressors...
Ryan Crowley was a victim of his own fame in this area, once the prince of tagging/annoying/manhandling all the star onballers he had a quick rise to fame but the footy fraternity led by players like Ablett, Boomer Harvey cried foul and Crowley ended up with no love from the umps at all and at times was treated unfairly. He was being hit by opposing teams on and off the ball and ended up felled behind play on a few occasions...Ross Lyon pleaded his case but to no avail and Crowleys career was over....

Ben Jacobs, Jed Lamb will all go the same way either taken out by opposing teams or taken out by the AFL who want a clean game...I'd expect Lamb to receive some treatment this week and I dont expect the umpires to help him out much unless its blatant free to him.....

So Lamb will eventually be sacrificed? (Ahem - I'll let myself out)..........

I think if the aggressor gets too carried away then the victim gets some leeway cut to sort matters out....I remember Steve Johnson sorted out Steven Baker with a Elbow to the face after Baker had whacked him all day including his injured hand. Baker ended up with a fracture eye socket from memory and was none to well......think Baker got plenty of weeks and Johnson a few but clearly the victim got the sympathy vote at the tribunal. I think its also up to the victims team mates to help him out and take care of dirty aggressors...
Ryan Crowley was a victim of his own fame in this area, once the prince of tagging/annoying/manhandling all the star onballers he had a quick rise to fame but the footy fraternity led by players like Ablett, Boomer Harvey cried foul and Crowley ended up with no love from the umps at all and at times was treated unfairly. He was being hit by opposing teams on and off the ball and ended up felled behind play on a few occasions...Ross Lyon pleaded his case but to no avail and Crowleys career was over....

Ben Jacobs, Jed Lamb will all go the same way either taken out by opposing teams or taken out by the AFL who want a clean game...I'd expect Lamb to receive some treatment this week and I dont expect the umpires to help him out much unless its blatant free to him.....

EB, if I've read your post correctly, what you're saying is that there is no need for a formal, legislated intervention on this matter because the "market forces" end up sorting it out ?

But if that's the case, and clearly the umps, AFL, players and some supporters think this sort of stuff is not on, then why not just knock it on the head to begin with ? If the powers that be thought it was acceptable, then the aggressors in such matters would not be left to fend for themselves on game day - no ?

Seriously, are we joking here?

Lamb is nothing more than a gnat. If a Siciliy or Goddard and/or that stupid (and very clearly Gpoddard at least is) to get sucked in - great.

I smell nanny state.

If Dusty cops some real attention - again, so what. He gets away with his high fend off multiple times every week....

Bigger fish to fry me thinks.

Goddard wants players like Lamb to lay down and be his patsy.

Not so long ago Lamb was a patsy, we all complained about him, now that he's turned and become a bit more aggressive after years of being a victim the old Bullies re all complaining. It's archetypal bully behaviour, the bullies are now complaining about being unfairly treated when they don't get their way!

But this is the AFLs fault, they created this situation because they don't officiate the game the same way for all players, the AFL favourites get a golden run like Dusty and his throat fend offs!

I nearly vomited last season when Dimma came out and complained about Dusty being unfairly targeted, a week or so after the media ran footage of Dusty pressing his thumb into someone's oesophagus.

I don't really care which team does it, it's cr@p and it needs to go.

I disagree though.

I believe you are blanket banning something that is already covered in the rules of the game, and jumping up and down about not much.

It is covered in the rules the game.

I guess the problem is to what extent do you enforce those rules.

15.4.5
Prohibited Contact and Payment of Free Kick
A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player where they
are satisfied that the Player has made Prohibited Contact with an
opposition Player.

A Player makes Prohibited Contact with an opposition Player 
if the Player:
(a) makes contact or attempts to make contact with any part 
of their body with an opposition Player in a manner likely to 
cause injury;
(i) above the shoulders (including the top of the shoulders); or
(ii) below the knees.

(b)pushes an opposition Player in the back, unless such contact
is incidental to a Marking contest and the Player is legitimately
Marking, attempting to Mark or spoil the football;

(c) holds an opposition Player who is not in possession 
of the football;

(d) unduly pushes, bumps, blocks, holds an opposition Player or
deliberately interferes with the arms of an opposition Player, 
who is in the act of Marking or attempting to Mark the football;

(e) pushes, bumps, holds or blocks an opposition Player when the
football is further than 5 metres away from the opposition
Player or is out of play;

(f) Charges an opposition Player;

(g)trips or attempts to trip an opposition Player, whether by the use
of hand, arm, foot or leg;

(h) kicks or attempts to kick an opposition Player, unless contact is
accidentally made whilst the Player is Kicking the football;

(i) strikes or attempts to strike an opposition Player, whether by
hand, fist, arm, knee or head;

(j) holds or throws an opposition Player after that Player has
disposed of the football;

(k)engages in rough conduct against an opposition Player which in
the circumstances is unreasonable;

(l) Kicks or attempts to Kick the football in a manner likely to cause
injury; or

(m) bumps or makes forceful contact to an opposition Player from
front-on when that Player has their head down over the football.

It is covered in the rules the game.

I guess the problem is to what extent do you enforce those rules.

15.4.5
Prohibited Contact and Payment of Free Kick
A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player where they
are satisfied that the Player has made Prohibited Contact with an
opposition Player.

A Player makes Prohibited Contact with an opposition Player 
if the Player:

(c) holds an opposition Player who is not in possession 
of the football;

Enforcement of this would stop those stupid situations were three or four players maul each other or form the stack of bodies. There is the ball carrier and the tackler, the next player who joins in should be penalised for holding the man.

Something which has crept into the game which I don't like is shepherding the man on the mark or guarding the kick in after a point.
People say that it leaves a team a player short but I think that it's fundamentally unfair and that the player standing the mark should be given a fair opportunity to tackle should his opponent elect to try and run around him.

It is covered in the rules the game.

I guess the problem is to what extent do you enforce those rules.

15.4.5
Prohibited Contact and Payment of Free Kick
A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player where they
are satisfied that the Player has made Prohibited Contact with an
opposition Player.

A Player makes Prohibited Contact with an opposition Player 
if the Player:
................................

(c) holds an opposition Player who is not in possession 
of the football;
.......................................

(i) strikes or attempts to strike an opposition Player, whether by
hand, fist, arm, knee or head;

..........................................................

15.4.5 (c) happens at every stoppage in every AFL game.

15.4.5 (i) - well, what constitutes "striking" ? The free dictionary that came with my computer makes it pretty clear to me.

Something which has crept into the game which I don't like is shepherding the man on the mark or guarding the kick in after a point.
People say that it leaves a team a player short but I think that it's fundamentally unfair and that the player standing the mark should be given a fair opportunity to tackle should his opponent elect to try and run around him.

Yeah, absolutely...the kicker is a protected species...the bloke on the mark is his direct opponent & should be allowed to stand the mark, & respond to play on attempts without being immediately impeded.

Just listening to Ragsy on SEN who was saying that the in the back rule is virtually being ignored atm by umpires when a player is tackled with even three or four other players following the tackler into the tackled player's back. He was also bemoaning the clustering of players around the contested ball and the resulting general congestion, saying that in his day players just did not have the running capacity to do that and so such congestion was not a problem. Food for thought.

Just listening to Ragsy on SEN who was saying that the in the back rule is virtually being ignored atm by umpires when a player is tackled with even three or four other players following the tackler into the tackled player's back. He was also bemoaning the clustering of players around the contested ball and the resulting general congestion, saying that in his day players just did not have the running capacity to do that and so such congestion was not a problem. Food for thought.

Leigh Matthews has for a few years advocated rules to cap the maximum number of players at a stoppage. Without getting into the nut and bolts / details, in principle I agree 100%.

Leigh Matthews has for a few years advocated rules to cap the maximum number of players at a stoppage. Without getting into the nut and bolts / details, in principle I agree 100%.

I think Ragsy was talking about congestion in general play as well as at stoppages Paul.

I think Ragsy was talking about congestion in general play as well as at stoppages Paul.

Fair enough, Matthews was talking about stoppages as it would be very hard to legislate against in general play

Yeah, absolutely...the kicker is a protected species...the bloke on the mark is his direct opponent & should be allowed to stand the mark, & respond to play on attempts without being immediately impeded.

There's an easy fix. THE MAN ON THE MARK MUST STAY ON THE MARK. He can jump up and down but must not be allowed to move laterally at all. He is protected by a 5m no go zone for opposition players. As soon as the player with the ball moves off his line, umpire calls play on and away we go.

Something which has crept into the game which I don't like is shepherding the man on the mark or guarding the kick in after a point.
People say that it leaves a team a player short but I think that it's fundamentally unfair and that the player standing the mark should be given a fair opportunity to tackle should his opponent elect to try and run around him.

This is actually against the rules, and play is pulled back.  You cannot shepherd the man on the mark until play on has been called by the umpire.

Wow, we are worried about Lamb niggling, while CheatsFC sledge Lamb about the murder of his father when he was just a little tacker!

How low are CheatsFC prepared to go, add that to the Murphy sledges and we are looking squeaky clean!

  Essendon’s Mark Baguley sledged Carlton’s Jed Lamb on Saturday about his father, who was murdered when Lamb was six years of age.

That sledge ignited the melee between the two at three-quarter-time, which saw Lamb receive a $1500 fine from the MRO for striking his Essendon opponent.

The Herald Sun believe Lamb notified Carlton officials about Baguley’s insensitive sledge, and told the club he repeatedly told Baguley not to speak about his father.

Baguley has reported told Essendon club officials he wasn’t aware of Lamb’s father’s passing, and tried to apologise at three quarter time.

“I’m aware of an issue from Saturday’s game,” Carlton CEO Cain Little told the Herald Sun on Tuesday.

Lamb is one of eight children, and spoke to the Herald Sun about his father’s passing at length at the impact it had on his life when he was first drafted

Which yet again proves my point that players are either unable or unwilling to follow the supposed gentlemen's agreements in place.

Lets not get two separate issues confused here;

We know where that CheatsFC got it's sick culture!

(http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/03abed28f32ff28a3f896a19ba27499f)

It is covered in the rules the game.
(b)pushes an opposition Player in the back, unless such contact
is incidental to a Marking contest and the Player is legitimately
Marking, attempting to Mark or spoil the football;

Geez this stuff has come back into the game a lot.
In general play, and not in a marking contest it seem's like you can push anyone under the ball or past the ball these days

The Sheedy virus... making death threats to WCE players when the bumber's player was taken out in the marking contest by a team mate.

Look up  flog in the Dictionary and there's a picture of hum.  Ignore him, he's irrelevant.

Went to a sportsman's night a few years back now where a very famous CFC personality - club legend in fact - was speaking. Not all present were Blues supporters. Someone asked him about Sheedy and his response was somewhat colourful - no love lost there at all. In fact one of his favourite memories of his time in the game was dumping Sheedy on his a-rse.  :))

And people wonder why I hate them so much! :o

Went to a sportsman's night a few years back now where a very famous CFC personality - club legend in fact - was speaking. Not all present were Blues supporters. Someone asked him about Sheedy and his response was somewhat colourful - no love lost there at all. In fact one of his favourite memories of his time in the game was dumping Sheedy on his a-rse.  :))

Sounds like Robert Walls. Those two have never got on.

Sounds like Robert Walls. Those two have never got on.

 :)
It was a very good night.

Could that fine for Lamb be overturned? Aren’t there some things off limit?

IMO Mark Harvey is disabling things behind the scenes at the Scum..

Wants to be the next coach.

The Sheedy virus... making death threats to WCE players when the bumber's player was taken out in the marking contest by a team mate.

Look up  flog in the Dictionary and there's a picture of hum.  Ignore him, he's irrelevant.

I thought it was a picture of Goddard? :o

Apparently it was during the same incident that Charlie made the umpire contact, so umpires must have overheard Baguley, the umpires were right on the spot!

Kruddler was on about this earlier in the season and I've come around to agreeing with him.

Jones and Rowe were the right combination for Essendon.
Weitering only plays in the backline if the match-up is a better option.
 
The problem is Weitering is too good a player to be playing VFL.
He doesn't play the Rowe role...it has to be the Jones one.
While Jones performs we have to find another role for Weitering...rotation off the bench for Jones, wing....or as Barbs suggests maybe the Plowman one.

Eventually both Jones and Rowe will be gone and that's when Weitering steps in... but it might be a few years down the track.
The other option is Weitering becomes a "gold plated" trade option

Let's not forget Weitering has struggled at senior level this year.

Was on about it before Round 1. Its taken until Round 8 for people to start to agree with me.

I've stated repeatedly that i have nothing against Weitering, although some seem to not believe that, and it is simply about what is best for the team on any given day.

I've also said Weitering can and will dominate at VFL level.

For the record, i don't want to trade Weitering. If he is nothing but #1 backup, he is still the best #1 backup in the league. You will always need depth.
If he can somehow fix his weaknesses, or have a different role created for him, then so be it.

But simply playing him because he is a former #1 pick with talent CAN actually hurt your chances of winning, and i think we've seen that a few times this year.

People need to check their emotions at the door when evaluating this type of thing, which i know is easier for some.

Was on about it before Round 1. Its taken until Round 8 for people to start to agree with me.

Don't worry ...it wont last long ;D

Phillips is only a first ruck as he can't doing anything forward. Means he's a back-up hence will find it tough to get back in bar injury.

Pretty sure he won us a game against the bombers a couple years ago by taking a big mark inside 50 and converting late in the last quarter.

He also took mark of the week against Melbourne after a big pack mark over Levi and Jones (and Dees).

He is underrated.

Don't worry ...it wont last long ;D

Probably not.

But people will try and 'prove me wrong' next time Weitering plays and does well. At the same time missing the point of the initial comments.  ::)

Lets not get two separate issues confused here;

We know where that CheatsFC got it's sick culture!

(http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/03abed28f32ff28a3f896a19ba27499f)

Sheedy was/is a hypocrite, didnt mind his own players taking out opposition players and actively played certain players for that reason only...

Probably not.

But people will try and 'prove me wrong' next time Weitering plays and does well. At the same time missing the point of the initial comments.  ::)

At the moment Jones and Rowe are working very well together and in fact complementing one another
It's a good balance
Your point is valid while that combination continues to perform well and Weitering must give way to team balance on occasions.
...until he becomes a better option.

I guess some of us came unstuck earlier in the year because we saw Weitering appearing to overcome his second year blues late last year and return to some form.
I was certainly looking forward to him having a good season, but for the first couple of games of the year he was back in the doldrums.

But...and here is the important point...If he stays a Blue, we have to hope and expect that as the years go by Weitering will develop into the dominant player we hoped he would be.
At that point it wont be about team balance...his name will be permanently penciled in.

At the moment Jones and Rowe are working very well together and in fact complementing one another
It's a good balance
Your point is valid while that combination continues to perform well and Weitering must give way to team balance on occasions.
...until he becomes a better option.

I guess some of us came unstuck earlier in the year because we saw Weitering appearing to overcome his second year blues late last year and return to some form.
I was certainly looking forward to him having a good season, but for the first couple of games of the year he was back in the doldrums.

But...and here is the important point...If he stays a Blue, we have to hope and expect that as the years go by Weitering will develop into the dominant player we hoped he would be.
At that point it wont be about team balance...his name will be permanently penciled in.

I expect him to get games this year....and for that to continue in the following years. I have no issue with that.

Jones and Rowe, will not be able to play up to the high standard they are setting now forever. Sooner or later they will start to falter. Be that age, injury or simply confidence.

All i ask is that we pick a side that gives us the best chance of winning, or perhaps better stated alternatively as, a side that doesn't guarantee we will lose.
I'm open to perhaps not picking the BEST side if it means some kids get some games, but not at the expense of wins. Wins = confidence, and we need that more than simply games into kids.

Its not a difficult concept to comprehend, yet i'm gobsmacked at how many are struggling with it.

Rowe (when injured with his knee) was obviously not going to be played ahead of Weitering. - You pick Weitering
Weitering (when completed devoid of all confidence) was not going to outperform Rowe when fit. - You pick Rowe
Rowe (when down on confidence) vs Weitering (with confidence) is where things start to get difficult. - ? ? ?

https://wwos.nine.com.au/2018/05/15/15/13/essendon-afl-sledge-incenses-blue-report

Fair's fair
If he did say it it's a low act.
But if he didn't mention it it's unfair to condemn him.

Only Lamb and Baguley know the truth.

Why would Lamb make that up and report it to club officials? Baguley is lying

Why would Lamb make that up and report it to club officials? Baguley is lying

By now the other 17 clubs know that if Lamb is selected, he's there to antagonise someone. A cursory internet search will reveal what happened to his dad - it's even made it onto Wikipedia. It they wanted some ammo to unsettle his niggling tactics, they didn't have far to look.

With all the time clubs supposedly put into researching the opposition, I'm also a little sceptical.

And out of the family members to sledge, it seems a little coincidental that Baguley selected his dad. From my knowledge of this sort of nonsense, they usually target female members.

Why would Lamb make that up and report it to club officials? Baguley is lying

Yep, definitely not something someone makes up!

Yep, definitely not something someone makes up!

Let's be clear

Did Baguley say something about Lamb's father and the nature of his death or was he just doing a general family sledge?

What I get is that Lamb told Baguley his father had died and to lay off.
Was there anything more.
Was there a direct reference to the way his father had died... if so it was a low blow.


https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/baguley-sledge-directed-at-lamb-20180515-p4zff3.html

Baguley is understood to have made multiple inappropriate references to Lamb's family but in a manner that would suggest the Essendon defender was ignorant of the fact Lamb's father had been murdered. Lamb's father was killed in an axe attack by a family friend when the player was only six years old.

Baguley was accused of making crude and inappropriate comments about Lamb's family, but it's understood the comments indicated he had no idea Lamb's father had died.

Lamb immediately told Baguley his father had died when he was young and told Baguley to stop or there would be ramifications.

I expect him to get games this year....and for that to continue in the following years. I have no issue with that.

Jones and Rowe, will not be able to play up to the high standard they are setting now forever. Sooner or later they will start to falter. Be that age, injury or simply confidence.

All i ask is that we pick a side that gives us the best chance of winning, or perhaps better stated alternatively as, a side that doesn't guarantee we will lose.
I'm open to perhaps not picking the BEST side if it means some kids get some games, but not at the expense of wins. Wins = confidence, and we need that more than simply games into kids.

Its not a difficult concept to comprehend, yet i'm gobsmacked at how many are struggling with it.

Rowe (when injured with his knee) was obviously not going to be played ahead of Weitering. - You pick Weitering
Weitering (when completed devoid of all confidence) was not going to outperform Rowe when fit. - You pick Rowe
Rowe (when down on confidence) vs Weitering (with confidence) is where things start to get difficult. - ? ? ?

Yep fair is fair.

Where things start to get difficult you look at a few factors.   How everyone's travelling in other key roles (no Casboult or McKay as an example gives Rowe a leg up as a back-up ruckman)  and what match ups are palatable.

We might run into a side which actually asks us to play taller.

Why would Lamb make that up and report it to club officials? Baguley is lying

Agree 100%

And out of the family members to sledge, it seems a little coincidental that Baguley selected his dad. From my knowledge of this sort of nonsense, they usually target female members.

Agreed, Baguley knew exactly what happened to his father.

Agreed, Baguley knew exactly what happened to his father.

Baguley has changed his excuse two or three times already, he's a bullcrap artist!

Baguley has changed his excuse two or three times already, he's a bullcrap artist!

x2....Guilty as charged....