Just finished watching the Port Adelaide replay - couldn't believe my eyes.....





We have Peter Griffin playing in the back pocket!

Time to think about Finals as we're a good chance of playing them. I was going to start this thread last week but thought I would give it one more game to see the improvement.

There's always one fairy tail team each year that rises from the depths and I reckon its us this time.

We've had enough talk of high draft picks which go with finishing well out of the finals. Winning makes premiership teams not high picks.

Last year we were clear bottom of the tackling ladder averaging 56.6 per game and after the first 4 games not much had changed.


Rd 1: 51
Rd 2: 62
Rd 3: 53
Rd 4: 57

Avg: 55.75

Something did change though after round 4. Our intensity has gone up and we have reaped the rewards.


Rd 5: 77
Rd 6: 67
Rd 7: 73
Rd 8: 70

Avg: 71.75

The last time Bryce Gibbs played some decent consistent football was that stellar season he had leading into signing that end of season mega-contract of his. Since that deal was struck, he has been lethargic & spasmodic in most games only giving us the occasional teaser of what he is really capable of. This has frustrated many a Blues fan as he is one of a small handful of players who we have expected more from every week.

Whilst I haven't had the pleasure of watching the last three games due to no coverage up here in Sydney, the one thing that everyone I speak to talks about is how well Bryce Gibbs is playing right now. We have always know that he is a very smart player who knows where to get where the ball is going to be plus he is extremely precise by foot whether it is kicking for goal or delivering to a team-mate.

The thing is, what has made him fire up all of a sudden ??

It is my strong belief (and I have nothing to back up this claim) that he has been told, in no uncertain terms, that unless he delivers to his optimal level every week, he will be dropped to the seconds until such time that he does start delivering. Further to that, if he ends up being in the seconds he will find himself in a new environment next year.

Gibbs is a player who prides himself on never playing seconds so that sort of threat would certainly be something he would want to avoid because he wouldn't like the embarrassment of being dropped. He has been quite comfortable at Carlton and if he was traded elsewhere, he would be under more intense scrutiny than ever before.

I'm sure Bolton would of spoken to all of the players individually and laid out what his expectations of them all was. With Gibbs, I reckon Bolton would not have minced his words and would of spelt out quite strongly that Gibbs had a higher level of demands being placed on him due to his seniority, contract status & overall ability.

Thankfully, he has responded and we are the beneficiaries. All he has to do now is 'maintain the rage' because those threats are there to stay.

Good coaching by Bolton, good response (for now) by Gibbs.

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2016-05...ed-the-way

Quote: Bolton said Kreuzer's ability to keep fighting was essential to his side notching up its fourth consecutive victory.

"I've always been one for (the idea that) big blokes, when they lead by the way they play, others follow," Bolton said.

"Others were following (Kreuzer)."

Clearance specialist Patrick Cripps was similarly influential. He collected 30 disposals and won eight clearances.

He too went down to the rooms after appearing to buckle his right knee late in the third quarter, but fought on.

Bolton was unaware about the nature of the injury but said Cripps thrived in adversity.

"Farm lad, finds a way. Rolls his sleeves up," he said.

The Blues play the bottom side, Coburg, this coming round. Coburg were competitive last year, but they have been pretty ordinary this year. But have they been ordinary enough not be able to beat our bunch? These last 2 losses were among the worst in the game's history. I can't see us getting that much better: not enough talent coming back while more injuries have occurred.

Saturday May 21
7:25 PM
Etihad Stadium

Surely we can't make it 5 in a row, against an undefeated team ?

I think the only thing left to do is burn it, the filth will never come out!

I hope the game goes well so people will start voting before I get home.

Remember:
[1] At least 3 players need to get a mention.
[2] No more than 10 votes for any one player.
[3] Give a rating of team performance. It can be anywhere from A+ to F.
[4] Votes must add up to 15.

I'll fill in the gap when I get back from Etihad. I am sure that the conversation will already be in full swing.

Completed, as requested. It was a great way to finish a game!