Preview Why we are a Top 4 Team/possible Premiers for 2010...

[serenityNow]

Good read

My top 4 next year is........

1.Adelaide (well coached, forward + Back,Young guys look good)
2.Hawthorn (will set themselves for a big year)
3.StKilda (still a shot)
4.Geelong (will be there abouts)
5.Carlton (cant see us finishing above those sides)
6.Essendon (Hille back, young guys coming on)
7.Collingwood (Do rate them, just very even top 8 next year)
8.Western Bulldogs (Aker,Johnno getting older.small slide)
..............................
9, Brisbane (cant fit em in)
10.West Coast (look out in a couple of years)

Forget the rest.


Hope we finish in the top 4, Big ask when you see the sides above us and take into account the improvement expected in others (hawks,crows)

 

[bluejoker]

Really good post, lots of thought and time put into it.

I think the key is Defence.

We really need to improve in this area. Look at past premiers:

Hawks: Defence played most of year together, and they won the flag. Following year, injuries hurt this area and they miss the 8.

Cats: One of the best defences of past 20 years.

Saints: Premiers 09? Defence played most of year together, defensive midset of entire team when without the ball.

We really need to find a player of the Rutten or Bock mould, big solid defender to play on the Browns and Bradshaws. Problem is there is not one on our list - perhaps draft 09 may unearth one?

I think there are players for Carlton who will struggle with the above:

Houlihan - Talented but not defensive enough
Scotland - Been good for blues but not great defensively and skills can let him down

Then there are guys who need to get this into their game:
Judd, Murphy, Simpson, Stevens, Hampson to name a few, dont seem to push back hard enough when we don't have the ball. Judd gets a break from a tag and I guess its a gamble when he allows his man to run forward.

2010 Team: (think of it as back 6, midfielders, forward 6 - as these days positions are not so important)

Thornton Jamo Joseph
Russell Waite Bower
Stevens Gibbs Simpson
Walker Kruezer Yarran
Gartlett Fevola Betts

R: Warnock, Judd, Murphy

Int: Hadley, Carrazzo, Hampson, Robinson

Emergencies: (all these guys are capable of adding something, some are stiff to miss out but its showing our depth is improving)

Houilan, Grigg, Browne, Austin, Armfield, Anderson, Jacobs, Scotland

Notes:
Russell Needs to step up again to hold his spot
Warnock and Hampson need to be on their game cause Jacobs is very capable
Stevens needs to continue as he has been since returning to the team
Yarran, Gartlett, Walker, betts will add pace, x factor and pressure to our forward line as compliment Fev

I think our aim must be top 4 - and the premlim final. If we win the flag that would be amazing.

Improvement and consistency in preformances is what I want to see mostly. Beating Geelong and losing to Freo example of this.

Go Blues 2010 (I can't believe its 2010 already!)

 

[PeeKay]

Very good post. Well thought out and with a positive view. "The glass is half full and not half empty".
The only flaw I see is where you mention the opportunity to get Hall into the team.
We still have a policy to only draft/trade players who can at least play 100 games. In other words players not much older than 24/25 years old.
We NEVER want to go back to those days when we got "hacks" from other sides. We need to keep rebuilding with youth.
What we do need to fine tune your best team is a big strong CHF & CHB. It is pretty well been proven that the teams with strong CHF & CHB win premierships. We've got just about everything else we need; 14 to 15 midfield runners, a full forward, plenty of HFF's and HBF's but missing the big fellas down the spine.
You haven't mentioned Hartlett. I realise most supporters believe he is not up to AFL level but I don't. If he for once can get a full pre season under his belt he "just might" forfill our hopes. He is over 196cm and is tough and can kick a ball a mile.

 

[The Flying Doormat]

Our defensive plays must be improved, whether manning up or zones. If SOS is happy to be an assistant coach we should move Visy Park to wherever he wants and get him in the coaches box.
Would love to have one more big defender that could mix it with Franklin, Roughead, Riewoldt, Bradshaw, Brown etc. Even Tyrone Vickery stitched us up in the last quarter round 15 when we nearly coughed up another decent lead.

 

[BlueDiesel]

Great Great Post. I was really over bigfooty and its negativity but this was really uplifting although I dont agree with every word we have an absolutley massive upside perhaps more than any other club, look forward to reading more of your posts keep it up!!!

 

[Zolli8]

good post by the OP - thanks for a good read, agree with most of what you wrote

 

[davis_756]

So you believe that Fev at 29, Stevens at 30 will actually get better than last year?

Fev has only had 1 better year in his whole career (being 2008) and Stevens should have his place in the team taken over by someone who is actually consistent.

If Fev kicks 100 next year that may not necessarily be a good thing - You'd much rather have another tall forward (maybe kruezer) kick 50+ so you aren't so Fev focused.

2009 - 1167 i50's
2008 - 1128 i50's
2007 - 1117 i50's

They may not be going up much but the quality of ball that is going in has improved and will improve futher next year, by virtue of the increase in inside 50's fev will have 10-20 more chances to take a mark and kick a goal.

Fev would have almost hit 100 this year if he had kicked as straight as 08 so providing he doesn't have another overweight and injury prone start to the year that should be fixed and with more supply he should kick 100 without nessicarily getting any better, heck he could even drop off 5% and kick 100 next year.

 

[Deep Blue]

Good read. Would only like to add one thing: Ellard has been outstanding in the Bullants all year and should be given a real shot at it next year - he might just be the in-and-under player we need in the middle, at the very least as a back-up to Hadley. I know he's small, but he's hard at it, strong and pacy. Time to give him a go!

 

[gbatman]

I think Ellard has been great and should be retained as a back up. He needs to improve his kicking though. I think the club is waiting for him to build up. Following a similar developement path to Joseph. Stevens, Scotland etc. aren't going to be around for ever and if we de-list Ellard now, we will regret it in 2 or 3 years time.

 

[Blue since 72]

Ah yes. The Crows zone. Its brilliant.

They play 8 blokes behind the ball in defence. When the ball enters the opponents forward 50, the forwards have no space to lead into and the ball is cleared quite easily.

Five of the eight blokes then run the ball straight up the guts (accompanied by the other 7 midfielders/ followers) hand balling away merrily over a hapless midfield opposition.

This group of 12 'runners' rely on finding a leading forward with space. Not hard seeing as there are only three blokes in the Crows forward line and should have plenty of space. Or they just ignore the leading forwards and run it in and kick the goal themselves.

Should they miss and score a point, a 15 man zone is already set up to rebound the footy.

Eventually they get a goal from this and the ball goes back to the middle.

The process repeats ad museum.

Requires fitness to run (really run) all day and discipline.

I personally think its brilliant.

We wont be the only ones that this catches out. Hard to defeat with the wrong sort of team.

Great assessment of the Crows structure. Guess improved fitness from our younger runners and playing the Crows one on one could be a way to go, particularly if Waite and/or Kruezer are used forward.

I'd really like to see the effects of another preseason on Gibbs especially in terms of gut running ability, one of the best users of the ball by foot at club but can't yet run through the midfield like we need him to.
(As an aside what do think about using Gibbs in a Luke Hodge type role off a HBF, kicks it so well and could really hurt on the rebound).

Noticeable improvements in fitness and strength from our younger guys (Austin, Gibbs, Robbo, Garlett, Yazza) Jamo, Walker and Warnock actually playing a full season, the return of Waite although will take him time to feel comfortable with the knee and some good luck on the injury front and we can definitely push for top 4. Some improvement in mental toughness won't hurt either.

 

[TrentM]

In regards to Fevola, his back half of this year was career best. If he continues his workrate, remains injury free 2010 should be career best.

We cannot afford to have Scotland, Stevens and Houlihan in the same team. They can all play the same role and have similiar attributes(Outside players, with decent foot skills)

Waite is essential at CHF, although may take his time to regain full fitness, however, he is a better option than Hartlett, Cloke or O'hAilpin.

Walker will improve footskills.

Joseph will again be our tagger, Grigg and Hadley to play inside role.

Bower, Austin and Jamison for Fullback and Centre Half Back, Thorton to play Maxwell type role.

Russell, Armfield and Gibbs to provide run, carry and penetration out of Backline.

Garlett, Yarran, Robinson equal forward line pressure

Kreuzer is too damaging in ruck, will only become more influential, however, if one of Hampson, Warnock and Jacobs hit amazing form, Freuzer could move to CHF.

Carrazzo to play utility, can do whatever coach asks.


B: Armfield Jamison Thorton
HB: Gibbs Bower Russell
C: Simpson Stevens Grigg
HF: Walker Waite Murphy
F: Betts Fevola Robinson
R: Kreuzer Judd Joseph
INT: Carrazzo Hampson Yarran
Walker
EMG: Robinson Garlett Ellard

Browne, Jacobs, Hampson, Hadley, Scotland, Wiggins , Houlihan back up.

Could play tall with extra ruck and shift Waite to wing/back flank and Kreuzer to CHF.

Footskills and twoway running is essential for the CFCto make a move for the flag in the next few years.

 

[thylacine60]

In regards to Fevola, his back half of this year was career best. If he continues his workrate, remains injury free 2010 should be career best.

We cannot afford to have Scotland, Stevens and Houlihan in the same team. They can all play the same role and have similiar attributes(Outside players, with decent foot skills)

Waite is essential at CHF, although may take his time to regain full fitness, however, he is a better option than Hartlett, Cloke or O'hAilpin.

Walker will improve footskills.

Joseph will again be our tagger, Grigg and Hadley to play inside role.

Bower, Austin and Jamison for Fullback and Centre Half Back, Thorton to play Maxwell type role.

Russell, Armfield and Gibbs to provide run, carry and penetration out of Backline.

Garlett, Yarran, Robinson equal forward line pressure

Kreuzer is too damaging in ruck, will only become more influential, however, if one of Hampson, Warnock and Jacobs hit amazing form, Freuzer could move to CHF.

Carrazzo to play utility, can do whatever coach asks.


B: Armfield Jamison Thorton
HB: Gibbs Bower Russell
C: Simpson Stevens Grigg
HF: Walker Waite Murphy
F: Betts Fevola Robinson
R: Kreuzer Judd Joseph
INT: Carrazzo Hampson Yarran
Walker
EMG: Robinson Garlett Ellard

Browne, Jacobs, Hampson, Hadley, Scotland, Wiggins , Houlihan back up.

Could play tall with extra ruck and shift Waite to wing/back flank and Kreuzer to CHF.

Footskills and twoway running is essential for the CFCto make a move for the flag in the next few years.

Nice post bar the bold. Is never going to happen. The bloke debuted in 2004. Forget time off for injuries, his kicking has peaked/plateaud. As much as I'd love him bursting off the HBF I see him better up forward where he really can kick a freaky goal - ironic as that seems.

 

[FRUMPY]

The biggest ins are always those who were injured the previous year: Waite, Walker, Jamison, Warnock, Grigg

These guys will make a massive difference. Waite to CHF, Warnock to play first ruck with Kruezer playing forward and Hampson bench. All three can rotate. Walker to be in midifled mix/hff and grigg to add depth and grunt to midfield mix.

However, with the return of injured players, we will get new injured players next year. It will come down to our depth to see how far we go and who gets injured.

B: Armfield, Jamo, Joseph
HB: Russell, Bower, Thornton
C: Simpson, Gibbs, Grigg
HF: Walker, Waite, Stevens
F: Betts, Fevola, Kruezer
R: Warnock, Judd, Murphy
Int: Carrazzo, Austin/Hampson, Yarran, Hadley

Hopefully the first round draft pick can play 10-12 games and add to the mix

 

[Blue Bawls]

Yes you could be pedantic about the phrase or you could comment on the actual substance.

I thought they had...

 

[Bell Ringer]

Nice post bar the bold. Is never going to happen. The bloke debuted in 2004. Forget time off for injuries, his kicking has peaked/plateaud. As much as I'd love him bursting off the HBF I see him better up forward where he really can kick a freaky goal - ironic as that seems.

Spot on. In all the years I've played and watched footy I can't recall anyone drastically improving their kicking after they've turned 17/18. Players learn to use the ball within their limitations (e.g. stop trying to drill passes like Diesel when it's obvious they can't, kick longer to contests rather than risk a short kick they might not be able to spot-up) rather than going from Walker's footskills to Rich's.

I also agree that Tex should play up forward to maximise the output of his natural flair and mimimise the effect his erratic kicking has on turnovers.

BTW I don't think his kicking is all that bad but it's no better than average for an AFL player.

 

[blue gunslinger]

Good read. Would only like to add one thing: Ellard has been outstanding in the Bullants all year and should be given a real shot at it next year - he might just be the in-and-under player we need in the middle, at the very least as a back-up to Hadley. I know he's small, but he's hard at it, strong and pacy. Time to give him a go!

agree 100%

I think Ellard has been great and should be retained as a back up. He needs to improve his kicking though. I think the club is waiting for him to build up. Following a similar developement path to Joseph. Stevens, Scotland etc. aren't going to be around for ever and if we de-list Ellard now, we will regret it in 2 or 3 years time.

You probably know this already but if you compare him when we drafted him to the way he arrived after summer he certainly worked his ass off between seasons and will do so again. One thing I think the club wants him to do is not to get to big too soon. Just like Fev you can lose speed and mobility which an onballer like Ellard must have esp as he is short and not blisteringly fast. You want a gazelle. Defined muscles that have strength and endurance. Lookin good for the teenage girls should not be a priority. As for his kicking he again improved this season and with more experience and work before next season I expect he will be a real good package next year. He just needs a shot!

 

[gbatman]

I do believe kicking can improve. Walker was a rubbish kick and is much improved. Players like Carrazzo, Jobe Watson, Kade Simpson, Marc Murphy, Russell, Garlett are all examples of players improving their kicking. Generally players are much better kicks in their second or third season than they are in their first also. While not a lot of players improve their kicking greatly some do.

If players are unfit they are bad kicks, as you can't kick and especially cant kick low penetrating kicks with tired legs. Also it requires a lot of practice in matches and training. Give Walker a chance...

 

[blue gunslinger]

Agree - Carrots has certainly improved this season and needed to!
Remember kicking involves 2 points
The correct decision of where and when to kick
The skill of putting leather on boot
Both facets can be improved and drop away due to poor concentartion, poor belief and injury.
Anybody who accepts kicking cannot be improved is taking the soft option.

 

[gbatman]

Well I just have a few things to say: Judd, Walker, Gibbs, Murphy, McLean.
Backed up with Simpson, Carrazzo, Grigg, Robinson, Yarran.

Now that's a midfield!

Seriously that might be the best midfield in the league next year.

 

[thylacine60]

Agree - Carrots has certainly improved this season and needed to!
Remember kicking involves 2 points
The correct decision of where and when to kick
The skill of putting leather on boot
Both facets can be improved and drop away due to poor concentartion, poor belief and injury.
Anybody who accepts kicking cannot be improved is taking the soft option.

****all improvement in 6 years?