NAB Challenge - Carlton v Hawthorn @ Aurora Stadium

[SPORNTON]

Certainly was improvement from a couple of young players.  Two stood out for me:

- Whiley - picked it when we got him - will be the best out of the lot we traded for in 2014.  Ball magnet and hounds it like a pig
- Graham - loves a goal and works into his positions beautifully.  Hating his kicking action for goal however, or to be more accurate, his routine.  I doubt he stumbles his way in like that during training, which suggests he needs a premeditated routine, because the one he sprayed was awful

Also thought Boekhurst really showed intent and creativity.  Polish will come as he makes a way to find more time with the pill.

[flyboy77]

And what were your thoughts on Kerridge Spornton?

[flyboy77]

Whiley at 188cm, 88kg a great size. looks to have bulked up considerably in the off season.

With Crippa and Kerridge (and Special K to boot) alongside, some real grunt in the inside space - and dare I say it - protection for Smurf!!

[SPORNTON]

And what were your thoughts on Kerridge Spornton?

Real intent, a running machine, and looks hard at it.  Can't judge skills yet as most are a bit rusty in the early round of the season.  More hopeful in him that I am in Wright, who just has recycled written all over him.

[SPORNTON]

Whiley at 188cm, 88kg a great size. looks to have bulked up considerably in the off season.

With Crippa and Kerridge (and Special K to boot) alongside, some real grunt in the inside space - and dare I say it - protection for Smurf!!

Kreuzer played a nice game didn't he? Dermott was a bit harsh on him but it's a good thing that Dermott is the only one who listens to a single thing Dermott says.

[PaulP]

They had one option to, and that was to trade him for pick 2 a couple of years back.  EVEN if we didn't require a rebuild we were stupid to not take it.  The fact that we did require a rebuild but were too arrogant to notice it back then and make the trade is the reason why we are paying the ultimate price now and are behind clubs like Melbourne and St Kilda.

Whilst i can appreciate that in your mind, your position on Gibbs comes from a rational, sustained analysis and keen observation over a period of time, and not as the result of personal bias or agenda, something is getting lost in translation, because your views come across as the latter rather than the former. I recall a book I read on Steve Jobs, where he was described as having a binary view of the world, and divided people into two groups, "heroes who could do no wrong", and "sh1theads who could do no good".

Gibbs may not be the greatest number 1, he may be occasionally laconic, he may never reach his potential, but as our list stands presently, he is in our best 22, and deserves a game. I would argue that he would be in the best 22 in any of other 17 teams.

I still say that is simply not possible to flim flam 3 successive, and largely independent regimes.

And really, referring to others on here as stupid or pigs doesn't help your cause either.

[SPORNTON]

Whilst i can appreciate that in your mind, your position on Gibbs comes from a rational, sustained analysis and keen observation over a period of time, and not as the result of personal bias or agenda, something is getting lost in translation, because your views come across as the latter rather than the former. I recall a book I read on Steve Jobs, where he was described as having a binary view of the world, and divided people into two groups, "heroes who could do no wrong", and "sh1theads who could do no good".

Gibbs may not be the greatest number 1, he may be occasionally laconic, he may never reach his potential, but as our list stands presently, he is in our best 22, and deserves a game. I would argue that he would be in the best 22 in any of other 17 teams.

I still say that is simply not possible to flim flam 3 successive, and largely independent regimes.

And really, referring to others on here as stupid or pigs doesn't help your cause either.

And Steve Jobs really struggled to get results, didn't he?

Now, to sort through the waffling.

Yes - Gibbs is in our best 22 (sadly)
No - He does not DESERVE a game, nor does anyone else.  It is a week to week thing that is earned. Unfortunately, Gibbs was deemed to have earned his spot for eternity when he was taken at pick 1, which is why he has never been dropped, whilst other who have performed better, have been.
No - he most certainly would not walk into 17 other clubs' best 22, which suggests your binary view on him as I doubt you have done any real analysis
No - calling people pigs and stupid does not detract from my opinion, and only stupid people would think it does  :

p.s. not everyone is a pig or stupid, the smart ones know that xx

[Pratty]

I reckon a good starting point may come form the following 25 players. Gorringe could be something and I'm keen to see how Jaksch and Smith go also along with Weitering and Cuningham.

How will Gorringe go as a genuine CHF? Not so sure. Hoping he can. Kristian Jaskch has got to surely do more than Liam Jones.

Kerridge gives us another bona fida midfielder with size and grunt to match. he's only 22 yo so he'll come through with Cripps and co.

Thought Whiley was good, Graham too.

Actually the best I've seen Thomas look and play for some time. No doubt his movement was quicker and his pace was certainly a massive leap form the previous 3 years. Honestly think it looks promising for him, so Thomas and Kerridge give us two more solid mids.

Boekhorst off half-back/wing I reckon would be good and I think Docherty could push more wing/mid this year....I'm hoping any way along with young Dylan Buckley.

Not sure if Simpson off half-back all year will be the go. Wouldn't mind him getting dangerous off the forward flank at times. he's so smart and dangerous.

rated the effort of Lamb. he's a one-touch footballer and able to make something out of half a chance ala Andy walker so up forward they'll be required.

Thought Matt Wright was solid/ I've been a fan of his for years. Handy and very good foot skills along with adding maturity, grunt and an ability to play forward/mid.

I don't mind the effort that Andrew Philips privies. Again, another big unit who moves well and has grunt. I reckon at his size, with that leap and his grunt, you don't throw them on the scrap heap so quickly.

B: Tuohy, Jamison, Weitering
Hb: Docherty, Rowe, Simpson
C: Thomas, Cripps, Gibbs
Hf: Everitt, Kreuzer, Lamb
F: Wright, Casboult, Walker
Foll: Phillips, Kerridge
Rov: Murphy ©
I/c: Boekhorst, Buckley, E.Curnow, Graham
Emerg: Armfield, Whiley, White

[SPORNTON]

I reckon a good starting point may come form the following 25 players. Gorringe could be something and I'm keen to see how Jaksch and Smith go also along with Weitering and Cuningham.

How will Gorringe go as a genuine CHF? Not so sure. Hoping he can. Kristian Jaskch has got to surely do more than Liam Jones.

Kerridge gives us another bona fida midfielder with size and grunt to match. he's only 22 yo so he'll come through with Cripps and co.

Thought Whiley was good, Graham too.

Actually the best I've seen Thomas look and play for some time. No doubt his movement was quicker and his pace was certainly a massive leap form the previous 3 years. Honestly think it looks promising for him, so Thomas and Kerridge give us two more solid mids.

Boekhorst off half-back/wing I reckon would be good and I think Docherty could push more wing/mid this year....I'm hoping any way along with young Dylan Buckley.

Not sure if Simpson off half-back all year will be the go. Wouldn't mind him getting dangerous off the forward flank at times. he's so smart and dangerous.

rated the effort of Lamb. he's a one-touch footballer and able to make something out of half a chance ala Andy walker so up forward they'll be required.

Thought Matt Wright was solid/ I've been a fan of his for years. Handy and very good foot skills along with adding maturity, grunt and an ability to play forward/mid.

I don't mind the effort that Andrew Philips privies. Again, another big unit who moves well and has grunt. I reckon at his size, with that leap and his grunt, you don't throw them on the scrap heap so quickly.

B: Tuohy, Jamison, Weitering
Hb: Docherty, Rowe, Simpson
C: Thomas, Cripps, Gibbs
Hf: Everitt, Kreuzer, Lamb
F: Wright, Casboult, Walker
Foll: Phillips, Kerridge
Rov: Murphy ©
I/c: Boekhorst, Buckley, E.Curnow, Graham
Emerg: Armfield, Whiley, White

Albeit slightly different positions I had the following differences to your team:

OUT:  Wright, Lamb
IN: C. Curnow, Whiley

Can't rush all the kids in but Charlie looked ready last night.  Ferocious attack and I just want to see more. 

Would love to be proved wrong on Wright but he looks like a recycled player.

As for Lamb, mark this one in your record books - he is cuck.  We saw the same thing in him that Syd and GWS did and fell for it.  Scared as a little, well, I won't say it  ;D

[LordLucifer]

I was highly critical of the decision to take Boekhorst over Laverde but that anger has waned a little now. If they both turn out to have careers around the same level then the decision was a good one.

Based on the last few games of 2015 and some glimpses last night, Boekhorst may end up being a solid contributor for us across the wing and half-forward, he seems to improve just a little more each time I see him.