This week the football returns to Ikon Park on a Saturday afternoon (1400 hours) for the big game against the Casey Scorpions (aka Melbourne 2nds).
Casey have had the wood on us in recent times, especially on their mud heap. Now we have a chance to show how to the play at a ground with real stands (no matter how dilapidated).
The line up for this week's game is very much up in the air at the moment. Carlton will definitely have to replace Gibbs and Armfield due to their injuries. Jamison is also uncertain after his concussion last week. So, whether he plays or not, another tall defender will certainly get on the plane and fly to Perth with the seniors.
Will we retain Fields in the seniors? Tutt? I am not certain that either will play in Perth, so there looks like there will be a significant number of changes.
I am not sure whether anyone noticed, but we have an interesting guy now on the list: Cameron Conlan. A couple of years back big Conlan was touted to be a top 10 pick before injuries stuffed him around. On the comeback trail, big Conlan is now playing with the development side and has been named in the best players in the last couple of weeks.
This is good news because Conlan is something we have in very short supply: a real ruckman. As an U18 he was known for his marking and mobility. I have no idea just how mobile he still is after his injuries, but he is definitely the tallest guy on the Northern Blues' list.
Hopefully we can keep this big boy around and he can develop - for us.
I am not sure whether anyone noticed, but we have an interesting guy now on the list: Cameron Conlan. A couple of years back big Conlan was touted to be a top 10 pick before injuries stuffed him around. On the comeback trail, big Conlan is now playing with the development side and has been named in the best players in the last couple of weeks.
This is good news because Conlan is something we have in very short supply: a real ruckman. As an U18 he was known for his marking and mobility. I have no idea just how mobile he still is after his injuries, but he is definitely the tallest guy on the Northern Blues' list.
Hopefully we can keep this big boy around and he can develop - for us.
This is hopefully one way we can recruit some more of your speculative prospects and get a few wins on the board.
Tom Wilson was another one in this vein wasnt he? Too undersized and not enough tricks but doing pretty well for us since he has been playing with the NB's.
Do we have direct access to him being in our development side Crash??
Do we have direct access to him being in our development side Crash??
Actually, it is open season on him. But we have the inside running because we see him while others don't and we can supervise his training.
In the past we have been pretty good at ignoring guys under our noses. Hopefully we have learnt to look at home as well as away.
Northern Blues vs. Casey Scorpions
Saturday, July 18
IKON Park at 2pm
Northern Blues
B: J. Roberts Jaksch Johnston
HB: Dick Foster Smith
C: Boekhorst Perry Viojo
HF: Byrne Jones Bransgrove
F: Wilson Watson Johnson
R: Aurrichio Whiley Ballard
Int: Mattingly* Murray Strachan Armitage Dirago Kilpatrick Walton Cattapan Soncin
Casey Scorpions
B: Panozza Fitzpatrick Terlich
HB: Grimes Hutchins White
C: Toumpas Riley Newton
HF: Bail King M.Jones
F: Harmes Spencer Kennedy-Harris
R: Jamar Tyson Michie
Int: Roos* Paredes Morris Rutherford O.McDonald McKenzie Hunt Byrnes Walmsley Scott Moncrieff Munro Gent
Our side looks a little light on this week. Too many injuries. Hopefully we can get a few guys back in the next few weeks. But we seem to be losing them much quicker than we can get them back.
On paper they look much stronger than we do. C'est la vie. We just have to deal with it. Wood is not named.
In the past we have been pretty good at ignoring guys under our noses. Hopefully we have learnt to look at home as well as away.
Has it ever come back to bite us though?
Ahmed Saad is probably one of the bigger names that we've 'missed' and i reckon we probably dodged a bullet there courtesy of a protein shake.
Lambert is another... possibly.
No Wood???
That's what she said!?!
I said a couple of weeks ago Wood looked like a man who needed a freshen up and I would say that's what the selection panel are doing.
That's what she said!?!
I said a couple of weeks ago Wood looked like a man who needed a freshen up and I would say that's what the selection panel are doing.
Macca actually said yesterday that Wood "needed a rest". He indicated that would be in the NBs but obviously a change of plan.
It is probably to his benefit by not playing, but it is a disaster for the Baby Blues. This week's team is even more inexperienced than normal and seriously lacking big man power. Imagine depending on Jones in the ruck!
Has it ever come back to bite us though?
We have been able to find duds elsewhere using the 'grass is greener elsewhere' approach.
We have been able to find duds elsewhere using the 'grass is greener elsewhere' approach.
One of the problems with the Northern Blues is that there doesn't appear to be a path from there to us. Other clubs appear to mine their VFL affiliates. We send them elsewhere. We'd have a lot more better kids trying out with us if we could convince them there was a chance of a Carlton future.
One of the problems with the Northern Blues is that there doesn't appear to be a path from there to us. Other clubs appear to mine their VFL affiliates. We send them elsewhere. We'd have a lot more better kids trying out with us if we could convince them there was a chance of a Carlton future.
But doesn't the draft system make that hard to do?
But doesn't the draft system make that hard to do?
Yes, but other teams still manage it, especially as rookies or in the PSD. Very few gets drafted in the ND, but quite a few make a mark.
QUARTER TIME: Northern Blues 1.2.8, Casey Scorpions 3.4.22
GOALS: Murray.
DISPOSALS: Jaksch 7, Byrne 7, Dirago 7, Foster 6, Whiley 5
Looks like it has been in our defence for most of the quarter.
3/4 time
Casey ahead 11-13-79 to NB 5-3-33 at the moment
GOALS: Jones 2, Johnson, Murray, Dirago.
DISPOSALS: Dirago 18, Strachan 16, Whiley 15, Johnston 14, Jaksch 12.
Follow it here
https://twitter.com/nbluesfc
FULL TIME: Northern Blues 9.4.58, Casey Scorpions 15.15.105
On twitter it was described as a disappointing day, but considering what we could put on the field, I'm neither surprised nor disappointed. I'm happy to see us have a go and run the game out.
Watson managed only 1 goal, which probably shows where he is at.
Development Game
Northern Blues 1.4 2.5 4.8 7.10 (52)
Casey Scorpions 8.3 13.7 15.10 18.11 (119)
GOALS:
Northern Blues: Walton 2 Malone 2 McDonald Jordan Peet
BEST:
Northern Blues: Toman Gleeson Ercolano McDonald Jenkins Bolger
GOALS: Jaksch 2, Johnson 2, Jones 2, Watson, Dirago, Murray
DISPOSALS: Whiley 20, Strachan 19, Johnston 18, Dirago 18, Jones 17, Jaksch 15.
From this I would suggest that not many Carlton players had a good day; Jaksch and Jones being the exceptions. Whiley having 20 possessions is not amongst his best games, but he may get into the best players. Jones appears to have played a bit in the ruck and managed to get a few more possessions. The question with him would be how effective were they?
No mention of Blaine Boekhorst or Matthew Dick, so they were probably on the plane to Perth.
No mention of Byrne after quarter time (where he had been pretty good in the 1st quarter), nor of Foster, who also started well. No mention of Viojo Rainbow after half time (he had a good 2nd quarter) and not mention of Smith at all.
GOALS: Jaksch 2, Johnson 2, Jones 2, Watson, Dirago, Murray
DISPOSALS: Whiley 20, Strachan 19, Johnston 18, Dirago 18, Jones 17, Jaksch 15.
From this I would suggest that not many Carlton players had a good day; Jaksch and Jones being the exceptions. Whiley having 20 possessions is not amongst his best games, but he may get into the best players. Jones appears to have played a bit in the ruck and managed to get a few more possessions. The question with him would be how effective were they?
No mention of Blaine Boekhorst or Matthew Dick, so they were probably on the plane to Perth.
No mention of Byrne after quarter time (where he had been pretty good in the 1st quarter), nor of Foster, who also started well. No mention of Viojo Rainbow after half time (he had a good 2nd quarter) and not mention of Smith at all.
Boek in Perth.
Byrne had his hammy iced in the second.
Boek in Perth.
Byrne had his hammy iced in the second.
Thanks, Cimm. The news about Byrne is truly disastrous, but would be the only explanation after the way he started the game.
Not good news any idea how bad hammy is with Byrne?
Not good news any idea how bad hammy is with Byrne?
No idea.
Not good either way.
The last one was a strain an went for 8 weeks.
Cheers CIMM , Bugger , he really was looking like a great player coming through, hope it might be just a bump in the road
Outsized and outclassed with a lot of development-types in. Didn't throw in the towel though we're being toweled up. Finally got to see big Aurrie kick! Awkward but others we butchering it as much. Gee he refuses to be intimidated by other big men. Jones had a bit of dig but it's so frustrating watching him. Perhaps hypnotism might help?
Some of the match comments suggest Jaksch did well when he went forward in the latter bit of the game.
Might be time to give him another run in the top side.
until the board sinks proper money and resources and smarts into the reserves these reports will continue forever...
Some of the match comments suggest Jaksch did well when he went forward in the latter bit of the game.
Might be time to give him another run in the top side.
They did say they hoped to turn him into a good key forward when he was recruited.
until the board sinks proper money and resources and smarts into the reserves these reports will continue forever...
yep
NORTHERN BLUES 1.2 4.3 5.3 9. 4. (58)
CASEY SCORPIONS 3.4 7.7 11.13 15. 15. (105)
GOALS
NORTHERN BLUES: Jaksch 2, Jones 2, Johnson 2, Watson, Dirago, Murray.
CASEY SCORPIONS: Hunt 4, Jamar 3, Spencer 2, Byrnes, Rutherford, King, Michie, Jones, Grimes.
BEST
NORTHERN BLUES: Jones, Roberts, Ballard, Johnston, Armitage, Whiley
CASEY SCORPIONS: Jamar, Grimes, McKenzie, Hunt, Hutchins, Panozza
Things are really going well for Northern Blues.
[1] After playing probably his best game for the Blues, Wilkinson retired and has gone to punt in the NFL. Considering how much talent there is on the Preston side of things, that has to hurt. Wilko was one of the 2 Vice Captains.
[2] Little Box Bransgrove, the Blue Captain damaged a hamstring against Casey and will struggle to play many games this season.
[3] 4 of the 6 named best players for the Blues were Preston boys, including one (Roberts) playing his first game. That does not bode well.
[4] We lose Ciaran Byrne to hamstring injury. That probably does his season, as he has struggled to get over hamstring issues all year.
[5] How ineffective can we be with the ball?
(http://i.imgur.com/dzdyWBZ.png)
34 % efficiency?
(http://i.imgur.com/GSVAiW5.png)
[6] Foster had 7 possessions in the 1t quarter and 8 for the whole game.
[7] Roberts was named our 2nd best player with 4 possessions.
On stats alone Jones is worth another crack. Or Watto. In for Everitt.
WTF is going on with Jimmy Toumpas??
Disturbing results, and the lack of depth is long term. We just dont have much development happening and the lack of output from senior listed players bodes an ill wind for the club. And thinking jones or watson should get a senior chance on the basis of an ok game is pie in the sky stuff. Both need to show significant improvement before being remotely considered.
Its the skill level that is most concerning. The game of league football is more dependent upon good skills now, and it will be the defining trend for the next evolution of the game. Fitness levels only have marginal returns now and likely interchange curbs will further limit this. The poor skills are the biggest indictment on our coaching staff across the club.
And thinking jones or watson should get a senior chance on the basis of an ok game is pie in the sky stuff. Both need to show significant improvement before being remotely considered.
Either of them would be better than Everitt. You may just see your pie in the sky this weekend.
Either of them would be better than Everitt. You may just see your pie in the sky this weekend.
Everitt can at least play a few positions, essential in today's game. It appears his commitment is more the issue. And while jones has been having a go in the ruck, this is due to the desperate lack of depth, rather than any latent potential as a ruckman. And watson? Delist at seasons end. He was a wasted draft pick, of a player that has not progressed at all. A player such as he may have managed good footy 20 years ago, but his lack of mobility and run prevents that now. A booming kick is fine, but you have to get the footy first.
He wont play another senior game unless we are utterly devestated by injuries.
BTW i would love a pie. They don't do them in this part of the world. I miss them.
Everitt can at least play a few positions, essential in today's game. It appears his commitment is more the issue.
Yep and pretty sure you've been going on about commitment and culture for quite some time but I guess Everitt gets a pass? :D
And while jones has been having a go in the ruck, this is due to the desperate lack of depth, rather than any latent potential as a ruckman.
I would suggest we play him forward, not in the ruck.
And watson? Delist at seasons end. He was a wasted draft pick, of a player that has not progressed at all. A player such as he may have managed good footy 20 years ago, but his lack of mobility and run prevents that now. A booming kick is fine, but you have to get the footy first.
He wont play another senior game unless we are utterly devestated by injuries.
Has shown he can play. Will more than likely get another shot.
BTW i would love a pie. They don't do them in this part of the world. I miss them.
You've had plenty of pie on face lately surely that has made up for it? :P
Yep and pretty sure you've been going on about commitment and culture for quite some time but I guess Everitt gets a pass? :D
I would suggest we play him forward, not in the ruck.
Has shown he can play. Will more than likely get another shot.
You've had plenty of pie on face lately surely that has made up for it? :P
It looks like commitment with everitt, but he also has a laconic style. Some of it also may be due to the poor structure of our play. We drift about alot, and with henderson going back for a bit last week, a roaming half forward winger type can get lost. But he is often good for a goal or two a game and needs a match up, so he stays.
Agree that Jones is a forward, not a ruck. He is still young, and while i think he is unlikely to become a regular senior player, he is worth developing. Good coaching too may help in improving his running patterns and body work so he can find better position.
And to poor old matty watson. If we are playing to win, then no way. If we are trying to see where players are at then surely we know what we need to know about watson. He has been on our list for almost 5 seasons now. If we have not worked out that he is slow, lacks mobility, can only play deep forward and is poor below his knees then things are really crook at Carlton. If his flukey effort in the last round last year is the evidence he can play that you claim, then why is he still only scratching a goal or two in the seconds?
He will get a game if were are bereft of any other options to get 22 on the park.
I would suggest we play him forward, not in the ruck.
Not sure how much time he spent in the ruck.
He had only 4 hitouts for the game.
...the same amount of hitouts that Whiley had! :o
It looks like commitment with everitt, but he also has a laconic style. Some of it also may be due to the poor structure of our play. We drift about alot, and with henderson going back for a bit last week, a roaming half forward winger type can get lost. But he is often good for a goal or two a game and needs a match up, so he stays.
Yeah nah. Commitment and culture is paramount remember? He was pathetic. Not a defensive bone in his body. On your selection criteria he is out.
And to poor old matty watson. If we are playing to win, then no way. If we are trying to see where players are at then surely we know what we need to know about watson. He has been on our list for almost 5 seasons now. If we have not worked out that he is slow, lacks mobility, can only play deep forward and is poor below his knees then things are really crook at Carlton. If his flukey effort in the last round last year is the evidence he can play that you claim, then why is he still only scratching a goal or two in the seconds?
He will get a game if were are bereft of any other options to get 22 on the park.
He kicked six around a month back and has been scoring 1-2 goals a game since then. Hasn't been hopeless. Certainly worth another crack ahead of the pi55weak Everitt.