Carlton vs Freo in Freo Practice Match

[PaulP]

No mention of Martin or Newnes?

Both will be regular starting 22.

Fish in season 4 now, Cuners 5. They're ready.

Ditto Setters and Kennedy.

The others have time.

None of those blokes except maybe Kennedy play the role Cripps plays, and I think that was the main point of shawny's post.

[DJC]

None of those blokes except maybe Kennedy play the role Cripps plays, and I think that was the main point of shawny's post.

Very few other blokes can play the role Cripps plays, and none of them play for Carlton.

However, we have improved and increased our midfield rotations to the point where Cripps has reasonable support if they are all fit ... and given midfield roles.  I'd still like to see one established midfielder added to the mix, particularly with Murphy in the twilight of his career.

[kruddler]

None of those blokes except maybe Kennedy play the role Cripps plays, and I think that was the main point of shawny's post.

Setters will.

[PaulP]

Setters will.

Setterfield Will ? Not unless he overcomes his dyslexia first.

At any rate, he seems more like an outside receiver / wingman to me, and the fact that he bears more than a passing resemblance to Ryan Houlihan (playing style and looks) can only be divine providence in my view.

The one who I think could be a real smoky as a top shelf on ball cameo player is McGovern. Despite my jibes that he loves Dave and donuts in equal measure, and despite my unfounded suspicions that he was instrumental in white anting Bolton, he is definitely a good footballer, a smart footballer, and with his size, skill and smarts he could be great in 5 or 10 minute bursts to give Cripps a rest.

As an aside, my secret wish is that Cripps edges closer and closer to Lethal as his career progresses, i.e an on baller who also kicks bags of goals. I don't think his kicking is as good as Lethal's, but he's big and strong, and a very good overhead mark. Go Crippa !!

[Gointocarlton]

Setterfield Will ? Not unless he overcomes his dyslexia first.

At any rate, he seems more like an outside receiver / wingman to me, and the fact that he bears more than a passing resemblance to Ryan Houlihan (playing style and looks) can only be divine providence in my view.

The one who I think could be a real smoky as a top shelf on ball cameo player is McGovern. Despite my jibes that he loves Dave and donuts in equal measure, and despite my unfounded suspicions that he was instrumental in white anting Bolton, he is definitely a good footballer, a smart footballer, and with his size, skill and smarts he could be great in 5 or 10 minute bursts to give Cripps a rest.

As an aside, my secret wish is that Cripps edges closer and closer to Lethal as his career progresses, i.e an on baller who also kicks bags of goals. I don't think his kicking is as good as Lethal's, but he's big and strong, and a very good overhead mark. Go Crippa !!

What about SOS helping Crippa in the guts (in bursts)?
- Good size
- Doesn't take a backward step
- Has worked on his tank.
- Isn't afraid to put his nose over it.

[PaulP]

What about SOS helping Crippa in the guts (in bursts)?
- Good size
- Doesn't take a backward step
- Has worked on his tank.
- Isn't afraid to put his nose over it.

He could be another option, for sure.

[DJC]

What about SOS helping Crippa in the guts (in bursts)?
- Good size
- Doesn't take a backward step
- Has worked on his tank.
- Isn't afraid to put his nose over it.

I would be very surprised if Jack doesn’t continue to spend time in the midfield.  I guess it will depend on what’s happening with the forward line but I expect that a few of our forwards will rotate through the midfield.

Blokes with midfield time include Cripps, Murphy, E Curnow, Walsh, Setterfield, Kennedy, Gibbons, Martin, Fisher, Betts, Cuningham, Dow, O’Brien, Docherty, J Silvagni, Newnes, Simpson, Petrevski-Seton and Polson, and potential midfielders include Stocker, Kemp, Ramsay, Philp, Honey and Cottrell.

While there’s some talent and potential in that lot, there’s not a lot of size, strength or mongrel.  We could be relying on youngsters to provide the midfield grunt to ease the load on Cripps.  Even if they develop quickly, I would like to see another established mid in the mix.

Paul’s suggestion of McGovern providing midfield cameos could work well but, as with Jack, it would depend on what’s happening in the forward line.

[Shakin77]

Does anyone have an idea of what our CBA involvements looked like?

[ElwoodBlues1]

Setterfield Will ? Not unless he overcomes his dyslexia first.

At any rate, he seems more like an outside receiver / wingman to me, and the fact that he bears more than a passing resemblance to Ryan Houlihan (playing style and looks) can only be divine providence in my view.

The one who I think could be a real smoky as a top shelf on ball cameo player is McGovern. Despite my jibes that he loves Dave and donuts in equal measure, and despite my unfounded suspicions that he was instrumental in white anting Bolton, he is definitely a good footballer, a smart footballer, and with his size, skill and smarts he could be great in 5 or 10 minute bursts to give Cripps a rest.

As an aside, my secret wish is that Cripps edges closer and closer to Lethal as his career progresses, i.e an on baller who also kicks bags of goals. I don't think his kicking is as good as Lethal's, but he's big and strong, and a very good overhead mark. Go Crippa !!

Paul, Take your point about his potential but he averages about 14 games a season over the last three and I doubt he could
stay on the park if we threw him in at the coalface.
I think Jack Silvagni along with Setterfield are the alternatives though I agree the latter seems more comfortable on the wing
and having the odd tagging role.
Kennedy who was recruited as a mid looks better forward and lacks a bit of class vs the top line mids of the good clubs.
Part of my thinking with Cripps needing more cover is I would like to see him spend a fraction more time forward where he can  gets some goals and win us some games.

[PaulP]

^^ Fair post EB. McGovern's durability is a concern. 13,12, 16 games the last 3 seasons - at least he's moving in the right direction. Would 5,10  minutes on ball every once in a while exact a heavy toll on his body ?