Some people are predicting a huge rise up the ladder in 2015, others are expecting more of the same as last year.
The club has a number of big unknowns that will directly determine the outcomes next season, best of all, no-one really knows the answer to them either :
1. Kreuzer - will he return to full fitness & playing standard plus will he be groomed as a key forward or played as a genuine ruckman again ??
2. Warnock - can he do more than just stand in the centre circle ??
3. Jones - where does he fit into the overall structure ??
4. Watson - how can he be fitted into the team ??
5. Casboult - can he ever kick straight and where will he fit into team ??
6. Buckley - does he stay in defence or is he going to be moved to the forward line ??
7. Jaksch - which end of the ground does he play at ??
8. Walker - will he return to the forward line permanently as that appears hi best slot ??
9. Cripps - is he ready to play regular senior footy ??
10. Thomas - is he really over this ankle injury ??
11. Henderson - where does he play, if forward, is it alongside Casboult, Jones & Jaksch ??
12. Menzel - is it time for him to really break out and kick 40-goals or more for the season ??
13. Rowe - can he replicate the good form he showed in defence last year or was it a once-off ??
14. Whiley - what impact will he have at a new club ??
15. Carrazzo & Curnow - can they be palyed in the team at the same time ??
I think our "progress" may well depend on the progress of the other bottom teams in particular GWS, playing them twice might not be the blessing everybody thinks it is!
Too many unknowns for us to make an impact. We'll have our moments where things click as it did for Melbourne when facing Collingwood in 2010 but I am just hoping for a turnaround rather than a rocket up the ladder. Same as going into this past season really.
These are my answers/opinions...
Some people are predicting a huge rise up the ladder in 2015, others are expecting more of the same as last year.
The club has a number of big unknowns that will directly determine the outcomes next season, best of all, no-one really knows the answer to them either :
1. Kreuzer - will he return to full fitness & playing standard plus will he be groomed as a key forward or played as a genuine ruckman again ?? - #1 ruckman that has a slow start to the season until match fit
2. Warnock - can he do more than just stand in the centre circle ?? - No
3. Jones - where does he fit into the overall structure ?? - CHF
4. Watson - how can he be fitted into the team ?? - If injuries occur to a KPP
5. Casboult - can he ever kick straight and where will he fit into team ?? - No. Roaming link up player/back up ruck.
6. Buckley - does he stay in defence or is he going to be moved to the forward line ?? - Back pocket.
7. Jaksch - which end of the ground does he play at ?? - 3rd tall defender primarily. Might get a few minutes forward during development.
8. Walker - will he return to the forward line permanently as that appears hi best slot ?? - Has to play forward.
9. Cripps - is he ready to play regular senior footy ?? - No yet but will get plenty of opportunities.
10. Thomas - is he really over this ankle injury ?? - No and will never get back to his best. Can still be a handy contributor
11. Henderson - where does he play, if forward, is it alongside Casboult, Jones & Jaksch ?? - FF
12. Menzel - is it time for him to really break out and kick 40-goals or more for the season ?? - Yes it's time to break out but with more midfield time and same/less goals.
13. Rowe - can he replicate the good form he showed in defence last year or was it a once-off ?? - Lock him in but expect a few games where he gets towelled up.
14. Whiley - what impact will he have at a new club ?? - Good VFL player, in and out of seniors.
15. Carrazzo & Curnow - can they be palyed in the team at the same time ?? - No. I have Carrazzo ahead if he's fit. I'm not much of a fan of Curnow, though.
Too many unknowns for us to make an impact. We'll have our moments where things click as it did for Melbourne when facing Collingwood in 2010 but I am just hoping for a turnaround rather than a rocket up the ladder. Same as going into this past season really.
There may be unknowns to us but not to the club. 9 of those questions I can guarantee the club knows the answer to.
the unknowns sounds like a band,increase fitness and strength ,change our game plan ,been saying it all last year watch how syd,hawks style . Times last last season we did not look fit enough compared to other teamsbut the most important CHANGE OUR GAME PLAN mm.
Put this in the time capsule until this time next year. Supposedly we have a dream fixture, improvement in the list and hence the expectation is high for us next year. Watch our mob fork it all up and be 0-4 or 0-5 at the start of 2015 and miss the 8 again.
the unknowns sounds like a band,
Micky Malthouse and the Unknowns! Straight out of the 60s!! :P
Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our Club and other AFL Clubs, it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones.
Regards to the Secretary of State USA
Anything less than improvement in ladder position is unacceptable given
-the draw
-full pre-seasons for most players.
-a supposedly improved list.
It will be hard to justify the old "we have to be patient" if we don't progress.
Anything less than substantial improvement lods.
I think we are good enough to make the top 8.
I think we will need to be unlucky with injuries and/or close loses in key games to miss out.
That's my expectation anyway, am I aiming too high?
Considering we play all the 'lesser' teams, absolutely not! Anything less is failure IMO.
Like all teams injuries to key players or lack thereof can make a massive difference. How our new look forward line functions will be important. A fit and firing Kruezer improves us and makes for greater flexibility. Need Buckley for his speed. Hopefully a season of stability and consistency.
"Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know." - Donald Rumsfold
Is this what the Sheik is talking about? :)
Some people are predicting a huge rise up the ladder in 2015, others are expecting more of the same as last year.
The club has a number of big unknowns that will directly determine the outcomes next season, best of all, no-one really knows the answer to them either :
1. Kreuzer - will he return to full fitness & playing standard plus will he be groomed as a key forward or played as a genuine ruckman again ?? Must pull his finger out or come years end...sell sell sell
2. Warnock - can he do more than just stand in the centre circle ?? Nup. Wasted spot on the list. happy to be proven wrong. With the amount of changes to our list will know that he is on borrowed time. Hopefully it will be the catalyst to him breaking out to be the player we have all expected him to be......cant see it happening thou. :-[
3. Jones - where does he fit into the overall structure ?? FF. hendo better placed at HF imo. Cas roaming I50 gives opp teams more to worry about when they play us now.
4. Watson - how can he be fitted into the team ?? Cover for injuries or out of form players only.
5. Casboult - can he ever kick straight and where will he fit into team ?? Will improve. Has improved every year thus far and see no reason why that shouldnt continue. Will be dangerous floating around the fwd line and was a fantastic "out" for us around the wings when we were clearing from defence.
6. Buckley - does he stay in defence or is he going to be moved to the forward line ?? I'd say defense, hopefully doing Yarrans current role therefore allowing Yarran to be played on a wing!!
7. Jaksch - which end of the ground does he play at ?? I only assume defense. Could be swingman also. I await with interest.
8. Walker - will he return to the forward line permanently as that appears hi best slot ?? 50-50. With all the changes to our list, Walker is no longer a walk up start IMO. Could he be rotated through the midfield?????
9. Cripps - is he ready to play regular senior footy ?? So long as the kid improves, i'm not too fussed. Improvement and development is all I ask of this kid.
10. Thomas - is he really over this ankle injury ?? I'm hoping so. I always said that I was prepared to give him last year as a freebie. He'd wanna drastically improve this year to prove value for what we gave up for him. I'm expecting a massive improvement just quietly.
11. Henderson - where does he play, if forward, is it alongside Casboult, Jones & Jaksch ?? CHF. Jones FF. Caz floating. Jacksh HBF, Rowe HBF. Jamo FB
12. Menzel - is it time for him to really break out and kick 40-goals or more for the season ?? 30 goals plus. Time to step up to the plate. Not fighting for a spot ith Jeffy or Betts anymore. He is our small fwd now.
13. Rowe - can he replicate the good form he showed in defence last year or was it a once-off ?? Here's hoping. With Jacksh joining them down back, may make him even better!!
14. Whiley - what impact will he have at a new club ?? No Idea. Has pace they say...I like pace. Couldnt give an appraisal/fair expectation cos I dont know enough about him.
15. Carrazzo & Curnow - can they be palyed in the team at the same time ?? No. Nor can they be plAYed in the same team.!! lol. Love Carrotts and what he's given the team over the journey, but I think he's gone on 1 yr too long. Injuries will dictate how 2015 pan out for him. Curnow has passed him as our cheif negator IMO. Carrotts gets more of the ball and hurts more going fwd but as an out and out tagger....I'd have Curnow just in front.
Considering we play all the 'lesser' teams, absolutely not! Anything less is failure IMO.
This one x2. No excuses for injuries, players out of form, or the process taking longer to adapt to. We either see significant improved game or heads need to roll.
Just on Walker... I think playing forward is a must but if not, could he be our Isaac Smith? He's got a huge tank, reasonably quick and a good size. Would he be better on a wing?
Just on Walker... I think playing forward is a must but if not, could he be our Isaac Smith? He's got a huge tank, reasonably quick and a good size. Would he be better on a wing?
I think he would be great on a wing with Yarran on the other wing.
I say again, the first 5 or 6 games will shape the season. Unless we add some ruthless, c-word attitude over the summer, I can predict exactly what will most likely happen. We have:
9thmond
WC (there)
Cheats
Aints
Filth
Robbo
Cheats have Syd, Hawks then us. Im tipping they will get pantsed 1 and 2, what do you reckon will happen end 3 against us? I say we will run them into form as history says thats what we do.
9thmond rnd 1 - Remember that coaches show that was on GF eve? Hardwick and MM were seen in some sort of a run in hence there appears to be a lot of dislike there. They will be up and about for this one, if we aren't switched on, L.
WC over there second up is always tough, not switched on? L
Aints, should win but....
Robbos new mob rnd 6. Added a fair bit of mid field grunt with Beams and Robbo who will want to show his old mob he has what it takes. They won't be push overs this year.
So I am extremely sceptical and pessamistic about us again. I think they have done well in the trade period this year but I also think there is still a long way to go.
I can't see how we move up the ladder significantly shedding blokes like Waite and Robinson replacing them with Jones and Wiley.
That's before we factor in McLean and Garlett as well.
I can't see how we move up the ladder significantly shedding blokes like Waite and Robinson replacing them with Jones and Wiley.
That's before we factor in McLean and Garlett as well.
Waite teased with a couple of good games but really none of them had standout seasons.
None were top 10 in our B&F
Garlett played 9 games
Robbo 12
they contributed little to the season.
I can't see how we move up the ladder significantly shedding blokes like Waite and Robinson replacing them with Jones and Wiley.
That's before we factor in McLean and Garlett as well.
Waite teased with a couple of good games but really none of them had standout seasons.
None were top 10 in our B&F
Garlett played 9 games
Robbo 12
they contributed little to the season.
Agree Lods however if those three were at their best and played 22 games say, Waite and Jeffy kick even 40 goals each, perhaps we would have gone a little better. If my grandma had balls....
Also, even if we do improve, we need to start matching and beating top 4 sides. Something we have not done much of in recent times.
I can't see how we move up the ladder significantly shedding blokes like Waite and Robinson replacing them with Jones and Wiley.
That's before we factor in McLean and Garlett as well.
Waite teased with a couple of good games but really none of them had standout seasons.
None were top 10 in our B&F
Garlett played 9 games
Robbo 12
they contributed little to the season.
Agree Lods however if those three were at their best and played 22 games say, Waite and Jeffy kick even 40 goals each, perhaps we would have gone a little better. If my grandma had balls....
Totally agree..at their best, for 22 games, our season 2014 may (would)have been better
.....but the point is they weren't at their best, missed many games, and didn't impact on season 2014 to a significant extent.
So we can't say that our 2015 shouldn't be better than 2014 because we've lost those players.
Inclusions and natural improvement of existing players should more than cover the 2014 contributions of Waite, Robbo, Garlett and McLean
We should be in a better ladder position at the end of season 2015
I agree with everything Lods said. Passengers gone and time to move on. If the new crew can't cut it, delist them. Developing the young kids is our long term future. I just hope these new inclusions can pull their weight.
Just on Walker... I think playing forward is a must but if not, could he be our Isaac Smith? He's got a huge tank, reasonably quick and a good size. Would he be better on a wing?
Might have been a decent idea when he was younger but can a player like Walker all of a sudden adapt to playing on the ball? I'm not so sure. Forward or bust for him next year.
I can't see how we move up the ladder significantly shedding blokes like Waite and Robinson replacing them with Jones and Wiley.
That's before we factor in McLean and Garlett as well.
Waite teased with a couple of good games but really none of them had standout seasons.
None were top 10 in our B&F
Garlett played 9 games
Robbo 12
they contributed little to the season.
I think Waite got us over the line in a couple of games but he was also a hindrance to victory when he under performed.
Just on Walker... I think playing forward is a must but if not, could he be our Isaac Smith? He's got a huge tank, reasonably quick and a good size. Would he be better on a wing?
I think he would be great on a wing with Yarran on the other wing.
x2
Until poor kicking drives us nuts. Its been the knock on him his entire career... and probably what divides opinion on him.
Still want to see him played up forward where he can use his x-factor, smarts and now experience to impact games. He isn't a rookie kid anymore.
I don't rue the back of Waite. Loyalty is a factor. Garlett was an unusual talent but I fear he was playing up too much and that is why we let him go.
For years we lacked Clunking height but last year we did not have the capacity to get the ball in scruffage and move it to advantage.
I am happy for Mick's influence I hope the recruiting now is for hard nut, in under, might skilled, ball getters, because that is where we lost it in 2014
Until poor kicking drives us nuts. Its been the knock on him his entire career... and probably what divides opinion on him.
Still want to see him played up forward where he can use his x-factor, smarts and now experience to impact games. He isn't a rookie kid anymore.
First I assume we are talking about Walker here. In 2011 his goal kicking was excellent. Developed a nice routine and was a dead eye dick in front of goal, just under 60 goals if I recall correctly. Personally I reckon if his knee holds up, with his size and tank play him in the midfield.
Agree that Walker has to play half forward and wing to help out the midfield. Every Carlton supporter had the dream of him being a midfield beast ala Kouta since the day he was drafted but he just isn't clean or quick enough with his decision making.
Walker kicked 50+ goals, I simply don't see where else he can provide that kind of value....
Unless we don't believe he is capable of that anymore... In which case, why sign him for 4 or whatever years.
Walker kicked 50+ goals, I simply don't see where else he can provide that kind of value....
Unless we don't believe he is capable of that anymore... In which case, why sign him for 4 or whatever years.
x2..we struggle to kick goals yet he is played down back where he leaks goals at times...Ratten got it right when he played him forward.
AW is an attacking player and always needs to be around the middle or in the forward 50, we have used him to plug holes over the years and wasted
his offensive abilities IMO.
You play Walker and Menzel together down forward and we will have a nice balance of left and right foot on the flanks plus 3 x taller players in Jones/Henderson and Casboult as your KP/resting ruck
and its an attack with plenty of firepower...add a quality crumbing small forward pocket specialist and its job done..
I agree that AW more than ever should play in the forward line; especially now that Jarrad's gone....he's still relatively quick and mobile, and is an accurate kick for goal.
And we'll never forget him taking IMO, the Mark of the Year, that the ''judges'' obviously never saw.....a travesty.
I agree that AW more than ever should play in the forward line; especially now that Jarrad's gone....he's still relatively quick and mobile, and is an accurate kick for goal.
And we'll never forget him taking IMO, the Mark of the Year, that the ''judges'' obviously never saw.....a travesty.
Walkers only danger to himself and other players is that he tries to take Mark of the Year on every marking attempt. I am surprised he hasn't seriously injured himself and others more often. Not every marking attempt needs to be an absolute screamer. ;)
I agree that AW more than ever should play in the forward line; especially now that Jarrad's gone....he's still relatively quick and mobile, and is an accurate kick for goal.
And we'll never forget him taking IMO, the Mark of the Year, that the ''judges'' obviously never saw.....a travesty.
Seems the rest of the footy world regarded AWs mark as Mark of the Year... Bartlett (and probably Eddie) was the only one who disagreed. You see AWs mark in lots of AFL promos but you never see the winner of that year's MotY in their promos!
Agree, get AW up forward. With the arrival of Sheehan and his deadly accuracy and penetration by foot out of the back half... AW has been freed up.
Our biggest unknown is Malthouse...can he deliver finals action this season and will he stay in the job if he doesnt ...
Our biggest unknown is Malthouse...can he deliver finals action this season and will he stay in the job if he doesnt ...
2015 is a massive year for us and MM. We have just got to see things move strongly in the right direction and a convincing run in the finals is what I'm looking for. Don't know what the board is expecting?
Our biggest unknown is Malthouse...can he deliver finals action this season and will he stay in the job if he doesnt ...
Also depends on how long the club thinks it'll take a new coach to turn it around, how far away the team is from a flag and how much time Mick has left in the game.
If we look 3 years away, and believe Mick has 2 in him... We may look elsewhere - especially if the club thinks the two year ramp up Mick needed to get going to be typical of a new coach.
Wonder if we'll look back on this as we do Schuemy and wonder if it would have been better for Mick to stay in retirement rather than trying to prove a point just to end up struggling against the new kids on the block.
Also wonder if We see improvement whether the club will buy the romance like it did with Pagan when he had his somewhat successful year and almost snuck into finals resulting in a lengthy contract extension.