Round 9 Sydney v Carlton - Pre Game Thread

[kruddler]

My prediction?

In: Graham  ;D

May be a forced inclusion with injuries to Gibbs and Judd.

Wasn't Barker the assistant coach who allegedly said Graham wasn't up to AFL standard?

I hope Graham gets picked.
I hope he plays well.
I want success for this club as much as the next bloke.
However, i think he'll be nothing more than an honest battler at best.

He reminds me of Adam Bentick. Arrived on the scene and got 30+ touches. Dominated the VFL, was nothing more than average at AFL level due to limited athletic ability and upside.

[PassIt2Carrots]

Bentick was as slow as a slug and had not much skill. Totally different to Graham. Also that comment about Barker and Graham was navy Andrew stuff, hardly something to base an opinion on.

[kruddler]

Bentick was as slow as a slug and had not much skill. Totally different to Graham.

So Graham is Chris Yarran? Fast, agile and an excellent user of the ball??

[PassIt2Carrots]

Graham is no slug, has far more creativity about him and can use the ball.

[kruddler]

Graham is no slug, has far more creativity about him and can use the ball.

Graham is slow (for AFL level) and can use the ball by hand, but is not a great kick.

Again, same as Bentick for me.

[PassIt2Carrots]

Of course he's Bentick to you. It suits your Mick agenda.

[Vivian]

May i say that poor Nick Graham has been scrutinised like few others here!

I'm certain he will get an opportunity this year to show if he is up to it. Having seen a little of him play he looks at best to be an good footballer with the potential to improve and get a few games at league level and make a modest contribution. And that is about it. Happy to be proven wrong though.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Bentick was more coalface ball winner and tagger unlike Graham who is more creative,skilled but lacks Benticks application at this stage...two different players IMO.
The criteria for promotion is form in the twos for most supporters and I think Graham has been in form and deserves a run of games in the seniors.

[crashlander]

It will be interesting to see how we go against Sydney now we have flicked Mick. I always had reservations about his appointment: alas my worst nightmares rather than my hopes came true.

Now we have a new coach, even if it is for half a season. We shall see if he can make us play with more desire.

It is often the case that a new coach stimulates a team to a win first up. I would not put my money on that happening this week, no matter how good Barker is. With Judd and Gibbs out we are not likely to get the ball out of the middle that often.

Graham should come in, but if the scuttlebutt is accurate Barker doesn't rate him. Where he starts will probably demonstrate just how accurate the scuttlebutt is.

I wonder if Barker will be as fixated with Jones as Malthouse appeared to be? In fact, I wonder if we'll be able to notice the difference in the game plan?

[ElwoodBlues1]

Most interest in this game will be in Stuart Dew IMO...gets a preview of the team he may be coaching and I reckon his head will be on camera more than Longmire in the Swans coaches box...