What Gives You the Right?

[bunyip]

OK guys, by what right do you think you will improve next season. I think if you don't make the top 4 you can consider next season a failure.
Where will the improvement come from?
What are your strengths, and where do you need to improve?
You have the floor.

[BoredSaint]

you guys get kreuzer back..
and gibbs looks like hes set for a defensive role..
They're draft picks are pretty decent and should contribute to the side..
I reckon its top 6 or Brett Ratten is gone

[Justin Bieber]

Gotta get top 4 with that midfield. However, so much time building their midfield, they've let the rest of their side crumble a bit more.

Backs and Forwards needed a shake up to keep up with their midfield. I really think they need a better tall than Setanta or Lachie to handle the games best full backs. This is where they need to improve and they have tried to improve their backs in this draft.

[Cicjose]

i don't mind their forwards but surely one of Henderson or O'Halpin have to shoulder a lot of the goalkicking. I am a fan of the old school bomb to the goal square approach. I think this is a good indicator with developing sides to show where their weaknesses lie.

[ossie85]

Reckon the Blues would be a serious top 4 chance with a decent coach. And I say that seriously. Not being an expert by any means, but I wonder what Carlton's game plan is sometimes.

[Junktimer]

Defence- I think the additions of Watson, McCarthy and others has really strengthened a defence which was poor.

Watson should play round 1, along with mature ager duigan, so that will be a change in the backline from round 1.  McCarthy needs to build up a bit more.

Midfield- Don't need to say much about the midfield, I'm just happy we didn't get another midfielder this draft

Ruck- Though we lost Jacobs, Hampson and Warnock will play for us until Kreuz is back, at which time i dont know what will happen.

Forward- A good line, got the bigs in Hendo, Waite and new blood Luke Mitchell (198cm 96kg)

Small forwards are good.  A medium forward would have been nice (darling, karnezis)

overall you can't get everyone, but I was really happy with our draft.

In terms of next year, i think we need to make top 4 or ratten will get his marching orders.

By the way, cant see Setanta getting games this year

[Master Q]

If Hendo hits his Puberty (in his Footy life) he could easily become a very good forward, Luke Mitchell also looks very good. I still believe Murphs is Improving, and if he can play like an A Grade Midfielder consistently that would also make a difference.

[RiOtChEsS]

the backline is the key... teams will always find avenues to goal when u force turnovers so if our backline as a collective unit dont improve i dont think we do either

[ossie85]

Indeed Marcz. Every premiership team has a great defense. It is not necessarily the case for great forward lines

[Hawka]

hawks didnt have the best backline besides hodgey and croad our backline in 08 wasnt the best

[RiOtChEsS]

hawks didnt have the best backline besides hodgey and croad our backline in 08 wasnt the best

it was on the day hodge killed it dew leaked out and kicked some key goals... and for that year ur defence was the best in the league clarkos cluster confused ppl just like this year nobody strangled teams like ossies boys and they kicked easy goals... u can always tell how well ur team is going by how easy the goals they r kicking r this year every collingwood game they wouldve got 3-5 goals a game running into open an goal

[bunyip]

I agree marc. Collingwood  were masters of rebound goals. They were (are) the best at it. But what to do? how do you fight it?

[RiOtChEsS]

I agree marc. Collingwood  were masters of rebound goals. They were (are) the best at it. But what to do? how do you fight it?

the good thing about footy these days r the tactics and a % will copy the pies this year some will try and crack the code and evolve a new style that can beat it... id prefer we dont copy it as we r young and arent seriously contending yet but the dogs and saints etc probably should try and play that sort of defence as they have a narrow premiership window and the pies wont change what isnt broke

[8-6 Suited]

I disagree Marcz, we changed so much throughout last season. We played fast, we played slow. We rebounded with counter attacks from turn overs, and we flat out just scored.

Had to copy that sort of ability to alter the game plan.

[bunyip]

I thought Carlton looked strong last season when their small forwards were in form and ran to create space. They are very quick and good around goals. You look at the last few GF's and full forwards have not been key factors.
Maybe have a resting ruckman at ff. Or do you guys have someone in the pipeline. You've got Henderson and Waite. Is there anyone better? Waite is a gun I think and could play either ff or chf.