Finally we have a backline

[1981]

establishing a settled backline really is the most important component in developing a great team, and it looks like we have one developing.

Bower's last 4-6 weeks have been stunning, and after conceding goals to Riewoldt early last night (which was pretty much due to the ball coming in at a rate of knots), he pretty much destroyed Roo after 1/4 time.

Jamison was too quick for the lumbering Kozi.

Joseph has been a revelation, has ruined lots of topline midfielders this year (Kerr etc) and last night ruined the dangerous Milne.

Austin looks a really good tall defender, and then there's Thornton, and I also like the nuggety Browne, and the equal nuggety and dashing Armfield.

We are ranked 4th I believe for defense this year, and last night our backline did really well on the Saints after 1/4 time.

There can be no doubt part of the reason we have emerged this year is due to the emerging backline.

 

[THE BRICKMAN]

in the last quarter when browne charged through the centre and got the clearance, amazing

 

[HBF]

Well said. Gone are the days that poor old Thornton is holding the backline together, now that he has some very good players down there to give him a hand. Given the quality of both Riewoldt and Kosi, I really think we have found our FB and CHB for the next 7 years.

Which means a few things, Thorton & Austin can play on the flanks, which also means that Waite and Setanta can play forward, which I think is where they are at there most dangerous.

Only good things for the Carlton Footy Club.

 

[blues4flag]

in the last quarter when browne charged through the centre and got the clearance, amazing

How good was Eddie in the clearances last night? Hit the ball at speed and really read it well of the ruckmen's hands. Makes you wonder why he doesn't spend more time in there when it isn't working him up forward.

Work on your bloody tank, Eddie!


The Waite injury really hurts us short term but in the long run we might be better for it. It means our young defenders have been thrown in the deep end - unlike Livingston and Thornton a few years back, this time we actually have the midfield pressure to give the boys a chop out.

Our defensive group has really come out of nowhere. Two years ago it looked like out biggest weakness, with poor talls and no smalls capable of stopping the more dangerous small forwards. We've now got Bower, Jamo and Austin to add to Waite and Thornton, as well as Joseph, Browne and Armfield very solid defensively.

 

[VINCANITY]

How good was Eddie in the clearances last night? Hit the ball at speed and really read it well of the ruckmen's hands. Makes you wonder why he doesn't spend more time in there when it isn't working him up forward.

I remember a game a few years ago (cant remember if we won or who it was against but i have a feeling it was collingwood or essendon), where we were within a goal or two towards the end of the match and eddie went into the midfeild and just won an astonishing amount of clearances and just picked the ball out of the ruckmans hands like a pro

 

[BluesMan]

We really stood up after 1/4 time. Bower has just blossemed this year. His run off the backline just shat all over volt. His rebounds for the 50 are amazing. He got so many 1-2s through the guts of the grounds coming of the CHB! Get excited.

 

[TerryWallet]

Did anyone see ANY of our backline abusing one of their fellow members last night?

Even when we were under the pump early?

NO

We have a new, young backline that will be positive, decisive, cohesive and support and encourage each other now. Let's stick to it.

Talls: Jamo Austin Bower and Waite when he returns.

Smalls: Joseph and Browne and whoever Ratts wants to run through there ie: Carazzo, Armfield, Scotty, Stevens.

 

[mediumsizered]

How good was Eddie in the clearances last night? Hit the ball at speed and really read it well of the ruckmen's hands. Makes you wonder why he doesn't spend more time in there when it isn't working him up forward.

Work on your bloody tank, Eddie!

If Eddie could get his fitness levels up he would be an outstanding midfielder. He is such a good reader of the play & also reads the ball so well off the packs. Just about everytime he has a run in the midfield he wins clearances. A couple of big pre-seasons from Eddie could see him become a permanent part of the midfield rotation.

 

[Blue Dimension]

Did anyone see ANY of our backline abusing one of their fellow members last night?

Even when we were under the pump early?

NO

We have a new, young backline that will be positive, decisive, cohesive and support and encourage each other now. Let's stick to it.

Talls: Jamo Austin Bower and Waite when he returns.

Smalls: Joseph and Browne and whoever Ratts wants to run through there ie: Carazzo, Armfield, Scotty, Stevens.

Think you'll find Waite won't be playing down back any longer, not with the defence we are building. He's required up forward or on the wing, Richo style.


Last night our backline was very young, but each played with so much maturity.

Joseph (19yrs) Jamison (23yrs) Browne (20yrs)
Austin (21yrs) Bower (22yrs) Armfield (22yrs)

Of course there was also Stevo sweeping off half back also.

But all together those 6 kids are an average age of 21 years. They'll only get better too.

 

[HBF]

If Eddie could get his fitness levels up he would be an outstanding midfielder. He is such a good reader of the play & also reads the ball so well off the packs. Just about everytime he has a run in the midfield he wins clearances. A couple of big pre-seasons from Eddie could see him become a permanent part of the midfield rotation.

Just adds to the rotation, which means we could use Judd down in the forward line when Eddie goes into the midfield. rather than Judd going to the bench.

However, Eddie did do well when he went into the midfield, and got some important touches for us.

 

[TerryWallet]

Think you'll find Waite won't be playing down back any longer, not with the defence we are building. He's required up forward or on the wing, Richo style.


Last night our backline was very young, but each played with so much maturity.

Joseph (19yrs) Jamison (23yrs) Browne (20yrs)
Austin (21yrs) Bower (22yrs) Armfield (22yrs)

Of course there was also Stevo sweeping off half back also.

But all together those 6 kids are an average age of 21 years. They'll only get better too.

Yeah totally agree BD.

Be pleased to be able to play Waite where we want to on any given day.

He is an option down back if needed, but not a necessity.

 

[HBF]

Think you'll find Waite won't be playing down back any longer, not with the defence we are building. He's required up forward or on the wing, Richo style.


Last night our backline was very young, but each played with so much maturity.

Joseph (19yrs) Jamison (23yrs) Browne (20yrs)
Austin (21yrs) Bower (22yrs) Armfield (22yrs)

Of course there was also Stevo sweeping off half back also.

But all together those 6 kids are an average age of 21 years. They'll only get better too.

Whilst you make a very good point, it should be worth noting that Thornton is only 25yrs, and only turns 26 in November.

We really do have a backline that could stay together for sometime yet, and could be the cornerstone of our premiership tilt over the coming years.

 

[TerryWallet]

Has anyone got a report on how the kid we drafted after Robinson is going? Long left footed hbf'er from Adelaide.

He's another option next year hopefully.

 

[blues_gibbzy]

Has anyone got a report on how the kid we drafted after Robinson is going? Long left footed hbf'er from Adelaide.

He's another option next year hopefully.

O'keefe, needs more time in the Magoos and a pre season.

 

[TerryWallet]

Thx Gibbsy. Yeah i know he'll take time.

But can he play? How does he go?

 

[blues_gibbzy]

Thx Gibbsy. Yeah i know he'll take time.

But can he play? How does he go?

Good long kick, kicks 65m drop punts well 60m anyhow, 189-190cm around that mark shows his talent at times but not enough for a senior call up. Will be playing seniors in a few years time. Was under 18s AA I belive.

 

[OniAu]

waite injury could be a blessing in disguise. If it gives the likes of Austin more game time, then its going to speed things up a bit. Hopefully chuck waite forward where he should be next season.

I really like the look of bower and jamison, bower got beaten early in the game but still tried all night, riewoldt didnt have as big an impact after the first quarter.

Jamison,Bower,Austin and throw in Joesph,Browne and Armfield are going to be pretty solid for years to come.

Good to see Joseph smash milne and give him barely nothing all night

 

[qldbluesman_43]

Just a question. If Walker gets back up to what we all know he can deliver will he be moved into the backline, as a half back flanker again. That is where he has played most of his football correct? Or do you think with these other guys standing up more and more he could be another that moves into our forward line/ midfield/ Chapman role to really strengthen that.

 

[Blue Dimension]

Whilst you make a very good point, it should be worth noting that Thornton is only 25yrs, and only turns 26 in November.

We really do have a backline that could stay together for sometime yet, and could be the cornerstone of our premiership tilt over the coming years.

Yep wasn't discounting Thornton by any means HBF. Was talking about last night.

T-Bird will be an important part of our team for a long time yet.

Just a question. If Walker gets back up to what we all know he can deliver will he be moved into the backline, as a half back flanker again. That is where he has played most of his football correct? Or do you think with these other guys standing up more and more he could be another that moves into our forward line/ midfield/ Chapman role to really strengthen that.

Walks should play in the forward line - Didak style. Can play tall/small and take a grab. Speed is top quality, he's strong and keeps the pressure on. Can't wait to see him back in our 22 again and up forward with Kreuz and Fev. Will only make us stronger.

 

[Dogmat]

Just a question. If Walker gets back up to what we all know he can deliver will he be moved into the backline, as a half back flanker again. That is where he has played most of his football correct? Or do you think with these other guys standing up more and more he could be another that moves into our forward line/ midfield/ Chapman role to really strengthen that.

I was going to comment on Walker ...

I think the great thing about our backline since Adelaide is the speed which it has been rebounding the footy ... gives our forwards a real chance to be one out rather than have opposition defenders push back in numbers

I lke Waite forward too ... so I think Walker would be a great addition off the half back line to help the Bower, Scotland, AJ types runs the ball out even quicker

I really rate Walker's ability to win a contest in the air and ground and his athleticism in the elite bracket in the AFL

agree with previous posts ... the Waite injury blessing in disguise ... weren't going to win a premiership this year and Bower and Austin will get more time in the deep end and from what I see the are reacting positively to it

dare I say it ... looks like we might start establishing some real depth to rival Geelong, St.Kilda and to leser extents the Dogs

 

[gbatman]

We have a very good backline that is only going to keep getting better. It's our center clearances that suck. It's a credit to our defence that we can win games with poor center work.

 

[BlueFeaver]

I don't think there is need for Walker to play back any more, I would like to see him either in the centre in an extraction type role to help Judd or as a lead up HFF who would play similar to Ryan O'Keefe.

IMO the Backline would consist of:

B: Armfield Jamo Joseph
HB: Thornton Austin Bower


Forward:
HF: Waite Kreuzer Walker
F: Betts Fev Yarran

 

[Beloved]

Forward:
HF: Waite Kreuzer Walker
F: Betts Fev Yarran

Don't rate Garlett?

 

[Beloved]

Our effort on Friday night was accented by the fact that Jarrod Waite and Bret Thornton were both out of the team.

Paul Bower will take a whole lot of experience out of that game. You couldjust see as the game continued that Bower learned from his mistakes and made sure that he didn't allow Riewoldt the lead to create the one-on-one contest and got in front. With that said, I also applaud our second men into the contests who did well to get in a punch.

 

[thylacine60]

Don't rate Garlett?

Good question.