The Hard Road To The Premiership

[cookie2]

I think BB will look at all options for him tbh and use him in multiple roles, at least as a lead up forward and in the midfield. I'm confident no stone will be left unturned in trying to maximise his benefit to us. The first half of this coming year will be interesting to see the game plan unfold and the search for the right players to fill the roles.

[Jean-Claude]

@ Thryleon

Agree regarding Gibbs, his ideal position has turned out to be a half forward flanker who moves into the midfield not the pure dominant midfielder we thought we were getting. But with Murph I never saw him as a natural winger, his size and shape don't really match the modern day prototype winger ala Smith, Hill or Ebert. Plus not sure if he has the tank of a Smith to cover a wing all day.

However I also think C Curnow could explode like some others have said and be that partner to Cripps in a couple years. I read somewhere where SOS was talking about each premiership team having one draft that really set them up. You can bank on Weitering but if Curnow was to explode then we could be close to a draft like that, not forgetting McKay, Cunningham and Silvagni. Maybe it's a new year hangover but I feel like there just could be something with this group of kids together.

[LordLucifer]

Maybe it's a new year hangover but I feel like there just could be something with this group of kids together.

We all have this opinion because if we are totally honest, we have to pin our hopes on something right now.

I too believe we have drafted well this year but time will tell how well, however, the players we get this year via the draft (should pick-up at least three midfield guns) will go a long way towards how quickly we become a powerhouse again.

[flyboy77]

Another dumb ass ignorant 'expert' view. WTF would this joker know...

http://www.sportsfan.com.au/it-can-still...lly_130216

[crashlander]

Another dumb ass ignorant 'expert' view. WTF would this joker know...

http://www.sportsfan.com.au/it-can-still...lly_130216

Too much Guinness, I think. Or maybe Jamesons.
I can understand why he thinks we'll be crap, but we had so little contribution from so many last year through injury and disinterest, that it won't take much at all to make us a LOT better. I am not expecting miracles, but we will win more games in 2016 than in 2015 (unless injuries curse us again - not impossible, but with a new medical team and fitness people not as likely as it has been).

[PaulP]

Another dumb ass ignorant 'expert' view. WTF would this joker know...

http://www.sportsfan.com.au/it-can-still...lly_130216

SOS and Bolts may actually want this for obvious reasons.

Apart from the last few sentences (win-loss predictions don't mean much IMO), I think he makes some logical, and possibly obvious points. New coach, several new players, new NB's coach, new fitness / medical staff, leaders that are doing their best but not really geared for it, new this, new that, lots of youth etc.

[DJC]

I suspect that this line in Saturday's Age Kreuzer article is closer to the mark than Kennelly's idiosyncratic view:

In the year of their "reset", Carlton has been buoyed by the fine off-season form of Matthew Kreuzer, a key piece in the Blues' bid to prove to the football world they won't be as bad as many have tipped.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/af...z4034Ro0DY

The "club in a hurry" mantra wasn't adopted for nothing; we've improved our list, and we've got a coaching panel that understands modern footy and can get their message across to the players.

We'll finish in the middle six this season 

[cookie2]

I don't mind if we are seen as an underdog and out of the spotlight of high expectations. Better to come out of nowhere and shock a few people!

[DJC]

I don't mind if we are seen as an underdog and out of the spotlight of high expectations. Better to come out of nowhere and shock a few people!

Much better if we exceed expectations than fail to meet them.

[townsendcalling]

Another dumb ass ignorant 'expert' view. WTF would this joker know...

http://www.sportsfan.com.au/it-can-still...lly_130216

The youth argument is interesting. We picked up the same number of youngsters as other teams, the GWS boys have been in the system for s while, we get back Thomas, Gibbs and primed Kruezer who are ready to rip.  New faces, yes overloaded with 18 y o, no because we have recruited players to fill the breech while our current and future crop of youngsters develop.