Your chance to put up or shut up ...

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Every week we see supporters complaining about selection issues. Why is Wiggins there? Why is McGrath and Teague there? Bring Livo back. Get rid of Livo. Where is Bryan? And so it goes on.

What I want to see is everybody nominating their side each week prior to the game, bearing in mind the injury list.

I don't think everyone realises how many we have played this year, how many have been injured and how we can't elevate rookies without a nominated LTI.

I'll tell you something, I can't nominate a side right now without putting someone in there that someone else considers a hack.

So nominate what side you would want to see at the Gabba on Saturday night out of the available players, not who you think will play. If you have De Luca in your team, then you can't come in here bagging Pagan for playing him after the game. It's not as easy as it looks.

My team for Saturday against Brisbane:

B: Walker Thornton Bannister
HB:Russell Whitnall Lappin
C: Simpson Scotland Carrazzo
HF:Kennedy De Luca Houlihan
F: Wiggins Fevola Betts
R: French Stevens Murphy
Int: *Bryan Blackwell McGrath Bentick

In: Bryan Kennedy
Out: McLaren Teague

I expect McLaren to play against his old team and in a way I'd like to see how he goes but he was so ordinary on Friday that I feel he deserves to be dropped again. Bryan on the other hand has not earned a recall but maybe a senior game will lift him. Plus he might catch the Lions out with some booming kicks inside our attacking 50. I won't be bagging Pagan for playing McLaren though as I can see merit in both.

Ordinarily I would leave Bannister out, probably send Bentick back to the VFL for a week again, probably give McGrath a rest too, and probably banish De Luca permanently. One quarter out of many does not give me hope. However we don't have the luxury of doing this, we have no depth.

Who else to play? Prendergast? Chambers? Saddington? Livingston? Hartlett if he passes his fitness test? Bower? I do want to see Bower in action but I think he has had a few injury concerns (is he even available) and we have so many young players in there at the moment.

Anyway, there you have it. My (reluctant) side for this week. You won't see me bagging Pagan for picking any of these players this week. We have no magic stockpile of ready made replacements hidden away for a rainy day.

When you look at our talls or so called ruck backups .... French, McLaren, DeLuca, Prendergast, Bryan ... and what they have done this year, you can kind of understand why De Luca keeps getting a run. He showed on Friday that he can be a forward target whereas none of the rest of them have those skills. Pagan obviously knows what he can do but the fact that he hasn't done it to date, makes the selection look dumb. It is DeLuca who must repay Pagan's faith.

 

[Kooley]

I'm happy for pagan to play absolutely anyone on our list except david teague.

 

[mediumsizered]

Every week we see supporters complaining about selection issues. Why is Wiggins there? Why is McGrath and Teague there? Bring Livo back. Get rid of Livo. Where is Bryan? And so it goes on.

What I want to see is everybody nominating their side each week prior to the game, bearing in mind the injury list.

I don't think everyone realises how many we have played this year, how many have been injured and how we can't elevate rookies without a nominated LTI.

I'll tell you something, I can't nominate a side right now without putting someone in there that someone else considers a hack.

So nominate what side you would want to see at the Gabba on Saturday night out of the available players, not who you think will play. If you have De Luca in your team, then you can't come in here bagging Pagan for playing him after the game. It's not as easy as it looks.

My team for Saturday against Brisbane:

B: Walker Thornton Bannister
HB:Russell Whitnall Lappin
C: Simpson Scotland Carrazzo
HF:Kennedy De Luca Houlihan
F: Wiggins Fevola Betts
R: French Stevens Murphy
Int: *Bryan Blackwell McGrath Bentick

In: Bryan Kennedy
Out: McLaren Teague

I expect McLaren to play against his old team and in a way I'd like to see how he goes but he was so ordinary on Friday that I feel he deserves to be dropped again. Bryan on the other hand has not earned a recall but maybe a senior game will lift him. Plus he might catch the Lions out with some booming kicks inside our attacking 50. I won't be bagging Pagan for playing McLaren though as I can see merit in both.

Ordinarily I would leave Bannister out, probably send Bentick back to the VFL for a week again, probably give McGrath a rest too, and probably banish De Luca permanently. One quarter out of many does not give me hope. However we don't have the luxury of doing this, we have no depth.

Who else to play? Prendergast? Chambers? Saddington? Livingston? Hartlett if he passes his fitness test? Bower? I do want to see Bower in action but I think he has had a few injury concerns (is he even available) and we have so many young players in there at the moment.

Anyway, there you have it. My (reluctant) side for this week. You won't see me bagging Pagan for picking any of these players this week. We have no magic stockpile of ready made replacements hidden away for a rainy day.

When you look at our talls or so called ruck backups .... French, McLaren, DeLuca, Prendergast, Bryan ... and what they have done this year, you can kind of understand why De Luca keeps getting a run. He showed on Friday that he can be a forward target whereas none of the rest of them have those skills. Pagan obviously knows what he can do but the fact that he hasn't done it to date, makes the selection look dumb. It is DeLuca who must repay Pagan's faith.

I totally agree with your sentiment, ODN. Time for some of the serial complainers to put their coaching hat on and see what they can come up with in a constructive manner.

FWIW, I would only make the one change, Kennedy in for Teague and start Kennedy on the interchange bench. I would consider starting Murphy on the bench for the first 5 minutes or so, because you can expect Brisbane to try and test him out physically, so Bentick in the starting 18. Otherwise I think you have just about nailed the selection.

 

[Brad Pearce]

Imagine fisher, waite and maybe hartlett in that lineup. We have a pretty good side in my opinion

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Imagine fisher, waite and maybe hartlett in that lineup. We have a pretty good side in my opinion

Agreed.

Ultimately in the next year or two my side would look like this:

B: Walker Hartlett Thornton
HB:Russell Whitnall Bower
C: Simpson Scotland Carrazzo
HF:Waite Kennedy Houlihan
F: Fisher Fevola Betts
R: *Best available ruck Stevens Murphy
Int: Wiggins Blackwell Bentick *Best available backup ruck

Not too many changes there. Obviously the ruck is a huge problem as I don't believe we have a ruckman capable of taking us anywhere or a decent backup ruckman. Lappin will retire from the aforementioned side and I believe Wiggins may have turned the corner and his new found confidence and his proven toughness makes him very valuable.

I know we are looking towards Lachlan Hansen in the draft and he is versatile. Do we have average rucks and concentrate on our key position stocks? Assuming we put Hansen at CHB and can leave Bower on a flank, we would put Lance to CHF, what do we do with Waite and Kennedy long term? Injury free we will have many key position options and players like Bower and Hartlett may have to go elsewhere for their opportunities. Nice problem to have but we really need another star midfielder a ruckman and a key position/backup ruck?

Can Gumbleton do KPP and ruck work? What about Sellar?

 

[SA Blue]

My team for Saturday against Brisbane:

B: Walker Thornton Bannister
HB:Russell Whitnall Lappin
C: Simpson Scotland Carrazzo
HF:Kennedy De Luca Houlihan
F: Wiggins Fevola Betts
R: French Stevens Murphy
Int: *Bryan Blackwell McGrath Bentick

In: Bryan Kennedy
Out: McLaren Teague

I actually think that is pretty close to our best team at the moment and completely agree with the sentiment of put up or shut up. Supporters online are quick to get stuck into Pagan for just about any decision, and offer little analytical insight into their whines. It just tends to be broad generalisations and cliches. If someone wants to sack him and puts forward a good, well thought out pov, the fine, otherwise keep your mouth shut.

I would leave Bryan out, as I think we need to make sure people earn their spot through good performances and hard work. If Deluca is out their trying his guts out and training well and Bryan is playing a bit lazy, I know who I would choose regardless of how far Bryan could kick. Saying that, he probably only has this year left (not sure about contracts), so they might want to see if is any good.

I am genuinely excited about the future and think this period in our development is vital to our future success. If you look at the St Kilda example where they perhaps did not draft with a good view of the future and are now stuck with a brittle defence and one speed midfield. It is vital that we draft and create a team that can win a flag. This means a great defence (This wins flags) and speed and strength over the ground. Talent only takes you so far, if you don't have a great defence and a great team ethic, you won't win when it counts.

It was interesting hearing Carey this morning on the footy show talking about Pagan. Basically saying he seemed like a very serious, boring man, but that he always got the best out of you. We have already heard this from a few of the young guns, AW especially. Hopefully Pagan can continue this trend and bring the best out of what is becoming a far better side.

 

[BlueBelle]

My team for Saturday against Brisbane:

B: Walker Thornton Bannister
HB:Russell Whitnall Lappin
C: Simpson Scotland Carrazzo
HF: Bryan Kennedy Houlihan
F: Wiggins Fevola Betts
R: French Stevens Murphy
Int: Blackwell Bentick De Luca McLaren

In: Bryan Kennedy
Out: Teague McGrath

Didn't want to drop Macca but I think he will benefit from a stint in the 2's. Having another tall option to throw into the ruck or the forward line wouldn't hurt either

 

[as0l0]

seems that the whiners are loud rather than numerous.

i agree with any team the Denis puts on the park. He sees more footy than me and he is a proven master of the game.

 

[blues4flag]

Livingston might be one I'd look at, to help combat Bradshaw/Brown.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Livingston might be one I'd look at, to help combat Bradshaw/Brown.

Livingston not fast enough to keep up with Bradshaw and not agile enough to spoil Brown.

Remember the days of Peter Dean? We need someone who will willingly jump in the hole in front of Big Jonno Brown. Maybe Teague if he gets selected will have to sacrifice and leave his man. He might as well take the risk, he is losing the one on ones anyway.

 

[Kooley]

Livingston not fast enough to keep up with Bradshaw and not agile enough to spoil Brown.

Remember the days of Peter Dean? We need someone who will willingly jump in the hole in front of Big Jonno Brown. Maybe Teague if he gets selected will have to sacrifice and leave his man. He might as well take the risk, he is losing the one on ones anyway.

no thanks odn. teague doesn't even do that with any effect anymore

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

no thanks odn. teague doesn't even do that with any effect anymore

I know but I suspect he might be in the side regardless. He came back into the side and although he hasn't done much, Carlton have gone close to winning both matches. Hard to make changes to a competitive side. If he is chosen we have to find a role for him.

 

[Kooley]

I know but I suspect he might be in the side regardless. He came back into the side and although he hasn't done much, Carlton have gone close to winning both matches. Hard to make changes to a competitive side. If he is chosen we have to find a role for him.

we came close to the biggest upset in history but we still dropped Livo who would have been more effective than teague.

surely it's time to give sentanta another go. his form down back in the vfl has been sound and frankly there is no future for teague at all in our side.

 

[whippety boy]

we came close to the biggest upset in history but we still dropped Livo who would have been more effective than teague.

surely it's time to give sentanta another go. his form down back in the vfl has been sound and frankly there is no future for teague at all in our side.

Good point Kooley

Teague needs to be banished to the bullants for the rest of the year. He serves no purpose at all in the Carlton line up anymore. It would be also good to see Carlos get another run.

 

[as0l0]

surely it's time to give sentanta another go. his form down back in the vfl has been sound and frankly there is no future for teague at all in our side.

good point. i'd like to see that happen.

 

[ShlomoGlickstein]

I'm happy for pagan to play absolutely anyone on our list except david teague.

I'd second that, and run with Setanta, Saddington or Bryan. I mean what could be worse?

 

[ryan2000]

For the next 4 games (AT LEAST) i would like to see:............

Out:-
Teauge, McGrath, DeLuca, Houlihan,

In:-
Kennedy, Sentanta, Hartlett (Should be fit by now) & Bryan


B: Hartlett Thornton Bannister
HB:Russell Whitnall Lappin
C: Simpson Scotland Carrazzo
HF: Bryan Kennedy Bryan
F: Wiggins Fevola Betts
R: French Stevens Murphy
Int: Blackwell Bentick McLaren Sentanta

 

[Kooley]

For the next 4 games (AT LEAST) i would like to see:............

Out:-
Teauge, McGrath, DeLuca, Houlihan,

In:-
Kennedy, Sentanta, Hartlett (Should be fit by now) & Bryan


B: Hartlett Thornton Bannister
HB:Russell Whitnall Lappin
C: Simpson Scotland Carrazzo
HF: Bryan Kennedy Bryan
F: Wiggins Fevola Betts
R: French Stevens Murphy
Int: Blackwell Bentick McLaren Sentanta

you can't drop deluca after his performance on friday night

 

[ryan2000]

you can't drop deluca after his performance on friday night

HE had a great 10min.....................i admit. But he really did nothing to earn his way back into the team (was shocking for the Bullants in the leadup to this game) and i can't see him being part of the future. Would rather see Bryan come in who has been in good form latley and is long overdue for a return to senior selection. It'll also give us a good indication as to retaining/delisting him at the end of the year.

 

[pumped]

I also think it is time to give Setanta a run in the backline. His first ever game for Carlton was in the back line in a wiz cup game. Hasn't been tried there since for the 1's. Give him 2 or 3 weeks in defence and see how he goes.

 

[Kooley]

HE had a great 10min.....................i admit. But he really did nothing to earn his way back into the team (was shocking for the Bullants in the leadup to this game) and i can't see him being part of the future. Would rather see Bryan come in who has been in good form latley and is long overdue for a return to senior selection. It'll also give us a good indication as to retaining/delisting him at the end of the year.

don't get me wrong i'm not a big deluca fan but he was far from shocking in the bullant's game against nth ballarat. he actually played quite well and on that performance he deserved a game ahead of bryan.

 

[blues4flag]

For the next 4 games (AT LEAST) i would like to see:............

Out:-
Teauge, McGrath, DeLuca, Houlihan,

In:-
Kennedy, Sentanta, Hartlett (Should be fit by now) & Bryan


B: Hartlett Thornton Bannister
HB:Russell Whitnall Lappin
C: Simpson Scotland Carrazzo
HF: Bryan Kennedy Bryan
F: Wiggins Fevola Betts
R: French Stevens Murphy
Int: Blackwell Bentick McLaren Sentanta

Houlihan won't be dropped, too many people that are worse than him. And I HIGHLY doubt that Hartlett will debut this week, seeing as he's just back from injury and hasn't played a match yet. He'll play a couple matches in the VFL atleast, I would think, to improve his form and fitness, before being considered for AFL. And what are the chances of them dropping 3 medium sized players / one tall and bringing in four talls? Not gonna happen.

 

[mushda]

HE had a great 10min.....................i admit. But he really did nothing to earn his way back into the team (was shocking for the Bullants in the leadup to this game) and i can't see him being part of the future. Would rather see Bryan come in who has been in good form latley and is long overdue for a return to senior selection. It'll also give us a good indication as to retaining/delisting him at the end of the year.

C'mon he nearly won us the game, what's that saying if the one time he actually does something we drop him. From what everyone is saying about Bryan just being lazy I would have thought his form hasn't been any good. If he is in good form though I thought Mclaren was pretty awful so Bryan could get a spot at his expense.

 

[blueheart]

My line up would be:
B. Carrazzo Livingston Bannister
HB. Walker Whitnall Thornton
C. Russell Scotland Simpson
HF.Houlihan Kennedy Lappin
F. DeLuca Fevola Betts
FOLL. French Stevens Murphy
INTER. Blackwell Wiggins McLaren Bentick
IN: Kennedy Livingston
OUT: Teague McGrath
I think Livo should come back as tghe Lions will have a tall forward line with Brown & Bradshaw as targets. Livo is much more versatile than Teague IMO. We should just play him as much as possible for the rest of the year with him knowing he has 10 games or so to save his career!
Kennedy is a certain starter while McGrath who is really struggling to be demoted. Would like to see Walker play more time in the midfield along with Simpson to try and exploit Brisbane for pace

 

[BlueWorld]

I don't think they'd bring Livo straight back without playing him in the VFL & there was no VFL game this week. Heard Libba on radio talking about him & it sounds like they want him to have some time in the VFL to regain confidence etc. Though IMO would have been better to have kept in the team instead of Teague, with kangas really exploiting his lack of height.