Sorry its been a while

Sorry its been a few weeks since my last post. I have been meaning to update this every week. been a bit busy though. We've had some good wins and bad losses since round two. Some players have been up and down with their consistency and others have been outstanding week in and week out.
This week we take on the Saints. Sure they don't have Big Nick but we can't rely on them not to play well just because he is out. The boys are looking pretty good and can beat the Saints I am sure. Our final 22 is still to be decided but at the moment our top 25 looks pretty good. I for one will be happy to see Waite back in the side as well as Thorton. But that leaves a few players I have missed. Hampson for one, I can't wait for the big man to be back. We are having a great go with our forward line this year. Betts, Yarran and Garlett are doing a great job and its nice to have players like Setanta, Kruezer, Gibbs, Judd, Murphy and others to be able to share the goal kicking. No longer are we relying on just one player to do it for us.
Regardless of the final 22 for Monday night, its going to be a huge game. I'm looking forward to going to The Port Office Hotel to watch it alongside fellow Blues supporters over a few drinks. Enjoy the weekend and Go the Blues.

Round 2 2010

It was a little bit disappointing to go down by 19 points at the end of game after the guys worked so hard to claw their way back into the game. Due to a few poor ball handling mistakes and some poor kicking, we lost the game for ourselves. But the boys did do some brilliant plays. Which must be accounted for when thinking of the match. This weekend we have Essendon. Even though the Bombers haven't won a game yet this season, they always dig deep when playing the Blues. We haven't beaten the Bombers since 2007 and with the rivalry that comes when these two teams play together, we will be looking for that much needed win against them. Especially after losing in such unfortunate circumstances last week.
One the bright side, we do have Juddy back next week and I'm looking forward to seeing him play his first premiership match for 2010. I haven't seen some of our boys looking so fit before. Jamo will be captaining this week and I'm sure he will do a great job. He has alot of support behind him which I'm sure he will appreciate. Regardless of who our captain is, our team works as a whole unit. Each player takes responsibility for his own actions.
It is disappointing to see the amount of silly actions that have led to suspensions already this year. While I'm sure the guys don't go out there week in and week out to knock someone out, some incidents could have been avoided. Meanwhile some that should've been reported have not. I am hoping this year that the umpires can get things right. For too long now things have been let go, rules have been misinterpreted from one umpire to the next. I know it isn't an easy job, but I'm pretty sure there's a way where they can all carry out their jobs with the same level of understanding and expectation. For us fans we seem to be able to do that just fine.
Until next week, GAME ON!!!

Round 1 2010

At long last season 2010 has begun. Carlton played Richmond last week and we defeated them by 56 points. It was great to see how well the team performed. In the off season I copped alot of flak seeing that we cut Fev's loose. It was time, but he is only one player out of 22 in a team. The game, the team, the club they are all bigger than one player regardless of how good they are. So he is in Brisbane. Good on him. So for all those that told me repeatedly how are you going to win when you can't kick goals cause you have no forward line. Just look at our stats. Yes it was only one game, and no we may not have a forward line. But we do have a forward line rotation. A joy only very few teams can probably lay claim to. We no longer have to be one dimensional in the forwards. We don't rely on one solid full forward. We have much more depth now because our forward roles can be rotated and switched around at any given moment amongst at least half a dozen players. And I for one, would much prefer be able to do that in a forward line than rely on one person. What if that person was to have an injury, what if their season was finished due to that injury? Who will you rely on then?
We won without Juddy too, which is a real bonus. But any true Carlton fan has enough faith in our boys to be able to do that. We have done it before, and we will do it again. With any luck, we'll do it again this week. The game on Thursday night is shaping up to be a real classic. Carlton up here in Brisbane against the Lions. The first premiership game for Fev's against Carlton. While alot of emphasis will be placed on that one factor, there are many other things to consider. Revenge and redemption for one from the semi-final loss last season. I have absolute faith that my boys will play the best they possibly can. Hopefully we'll walk away with the 4 points. The team is in great shape at the moment and due to our new look team, are playing better football then I can remember. While they've played great footy in the past, just having that freedom in the goals, there seems to be some sort of weight lifted off the boys and they are playing free, smooth, clean and disciplined footy. Great jobs guys, with all the dramas in the off season, you have lifted your heads, stood tall and proven that you are better than what others like to think. Congratulations to Brett Ratten and the coaching panel for all they do with the boys.
I must say this though, for Fev's, who I will always wish the best for. Very disappointing. To not acknowledge one of our clubs best players and now coach is disgusting. The chances the club, the team, everyone involved gave you made it possible for you to be where you are today. For 10 years we put up with your crap, we defended you at your lowest points and kept you playing. Maybe we should've dumped you a long time ago, but where would you be now if that had of happened. You get drunk and carry on like an 18 year old lout, you step out of line and insult your captain and you have the hide to call us feral. Well my friend maybe you should take a look in the mirror. For the sake of your family, your career and yourself, I hope you pull your neck in and get smarts about ya mate.
Game on tomorrow night, may my best team win!

Waiting for 2010

So we finished 7th and had a very good year. Trade week has come and gone and we've traded Brendan Fevola to Brisbane. While I'm sad to see Fevs go, I think it will be a great opportunity for him. I wish Fevs all the best and hope that 2010 and the rest of his future is bright and successful.
With that said and done, 2010 is looking great. On a sad note, Nick Stevens is rumoured to be retiring due to a 2nd injury to his spine. Its so very sad to hear of a champion to be forced into retirement under any circumstances. Nick has been such a vital and wonderful part of our team for so long now, I will miss seeing him play. Nick has just recently wed and has some very exciting times ahead.
Thats how its looking at the moment. Not much to report due to it being off season. The national draft will be next month and I look forward to seeing what young talent we choose to sign up.
Heres looking to 2010... GO THE BLUES!!

Its been a while

After some unwanted technical problems I am back!!

Well Carlton have won 5 out of their past 6 matches and are sitting 7th on the ladder. With 3 games left to play I'm inclined to say that we will be in the finals in '09. Something I'm looking forward to more than you could really comprehend. I can almost taste the finals fever that is going to be hitting me hard and fast in the next few weeks.

Tomorrow we take on Port Adelaide. I can't wait to see the game. Port played pathetic game last week while we beat Geelong by 5 goals. At the moment I am trying to watch the Sydney Swans play Geelong. Geelong... a team I despise with a deep passion. Was so glad we beat, not flogged them last week. Hopefully Sydney will beat them tonight. They are currently down by 22 points, but in AFL that isn't much. The Swans just need a few quick goals and they will be in the front. So for now I will go, and report more after Carltons game tomorrow afternoon.

Carlton v Fremantle Round 14 July 5 2009

Talk about Super Sunday! The day started with Sydney v North Melbourne, an exciting game and was great to see the Swans get over the line. Followed by the clash of the undefeated, St Kilda v Geelong. A very tough game as expected, but thankfully St Kilda won. I didn't watch the whole game, just flicked at intervals while watching the Swans game. One hour after the Swans game, the one match I was waiting for. Carlton. I was pumped, after last weeks effort against Essendon, I just wanted to see my boys recover and get a good win.

Yeah well, didn't it start off great. I was waiting for the game to pick up where we left off last week, crap. The boys did what they could, but Fremantle came out firing. Knowing they needed to get the jump on Carlton, if they didn't, it would've been a white wash I believe. The first quarter came to an end, thankfully. The score 34 Fremantle 10 Carlton. Do ya think I was pissed?

Second quarter, not much better than the first but the boys did show more fight. Thankfully. Fremantle, too their credit (unfortunately) played an impressive style throughout the whole game. Their young ones are really coming along, and without Pavlich, they stood tall. The score line got closer which was good, Fremantle 61 - Carlton 50. Half time, and I thought right here we go boys time to get the skates on and show them how to play real football.

Surely we couldn't lose to Fremantle. It was crucial for us to get those 4 points to keep us in the eight, to get that smell of September action. I want to be in the finals so bad I can almost taste. My mouth is watering at the thought of us being in the top 8 and getting some finals action after such a long and dark period the club has been through.

So here we go, third quarter. The boys gelled together, possessions were up, the boys were more fierce and they wanted that win. Fremantle however, weren't going to just lay down and let us walk over them. They too wanted to fight, they wanted the win. They needed the win. They aren't a threat to make the finals, but still need the win to have the season look better in the way of points won. So we go at it. We get in and get dirty, we get the scores, we get a score against us. We finish the quarter with a scoreline of 86 - 68. No matter what we did, Freo had a reply. When we were in our 50, instead of getting the six pointers we needed, we got behinds.. one pointers. Fremantle had 5 attempts at scoring for 4 goals and 1 behind. A total of 25 points. Carlton had 8 attempts for 2 goals and 6 behinds, a total of 18 points. We could've, we should've been in front. The siren sounds and we go into the fourth quarter.

The best quarter of the game, the Blue boys took on Freo and matched their ferocity. It was down to the last 30 minutes of the game, the most important 30 minutes for us. We were either going to turn into contenders or slip away as pretenders. I prefer contenders, but anything can happen on any given day in the world of football. There were way too many highlights in this quarter to outline them, but each and every player got in there and fought with their hearts. We weren't going to let this game go, we were going to win this game no matter what. Fremantle only managed 4 attempts at scoring points. Which ended up in 2 goals and 2 behinds, a total of 14 points. I call that beautiful. Carlton, in turn had 12 attempts at scoring, which ended up in 9 goals, 7 behinds. For a total of 61 points. Yeah it would've been nicer to have a few more of those behinds as goals but hey, every point counts right? Final score, Fremantle 100, Carlton 115. Beautiful, sweet victory. We score the points for winning the game and are in 7th spot on the ladder. Next week we have Richmond, it will be another hard fought game, I hope. With a favourable outcome. Unless it turns into the demoralizing win we had back in round 1. The score from that match was Carlton 150 - Richmond 67. Regardless of what happens I get to watch my boys and Ben Cousins at the same time.. oh how I wish he had of come to Carlton.

However you look at it, the Blues were pathetic

Absolutely disgusted. That's the only way I can describe how I felt after watching Carlton's dismal effort in the second half of last nights game against Essendon. We lost and lost disgracefully. Carlton I believe, put too much pressure on themselves focusing on getting revenge on the Bombers from the loss back in round three by a few points. Too much focus on getting that top four spot back. While every team plays with the goal to reach the top 8 and being in the finals in September, Carlton need to just go out with one thing in mind. To play football. No stress worrying about things you can't control. You can't control the way the opposition plays, you can't control how slow or fast they can run. Concentrate on controlling our game play, our possessions with the ball, control our speed, our goals. Once you control our game and our team, you can control the scoreboard. That's it, just the basics.
I love my team dearly and would never turn my back on them. No matter the result of any game, or at the end of the season. They are my boys, my club, my passion. Lets just forget this week and prove we aren't just coming, but that we are here next week.
We boast one of the best lists of players in the AFL, but last night our players didn't band together. Sure there were moments of brilliance, but too few of them. With the players we have, Fevolva, Gibbs, Murphy, Carrazzo, Judd, Hampson to name just a few. We should have played a much, much better game than that. Our first half was great, we were even in front. The second half, left a lot to be desired. Something snapped, the plot was lost and it seemed they had forgotten what they were there for. Come on boys, I know you can bounce back next week and dominate the way you are capable of doing. Personally, I don't like the break in the middle of the season. The week off isn't necessary. While its nice to be able to take stock of the first half of the season, and get rid of those niggling aches and pains during that week off. Too many teams suffer from what I call, "Mid-season Syndrome". Basically, too often I see teams have the week off and come back and get thrashed. Teams that before the break we performing great and then lose momentum by having that week off. Its a critical stage of the season now, teams can't afford to lose, they can't afford to have a week of relaxation and then attempt to switch on again and expect to win while parts of their mind and body might be in cruise mode. Scrap the week off or if its insisted to keep it, scrap the split round and have one week where all teams have the same week off.
Now its time to even forget we had a game last night and concentrate on re-grouping, getting back to basics and come out next week to play Fremantle with one thing in mind. Playing football, playing to win.