Eddie Betts ($434,900, 80.2, 22) – The highest career goalkicker on the list with 215. Capable of the sublime (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNWtZFQahQ0) but went missing too often in 2011 for my liking – 9 times he scored under 70. I love the guy but I won’t be picking him.
Levi Casboult ($113,200) – Recruited in the 2010 Rookie Draft he’s yet to play a game for the Baggers but at 22 I reckon he’s ready to go this year. At 6’6’’ and with a strong mark he’d provide a super focal point for the team’s offence.
Jeff Garlett ($395,000, 72.9, 22) – With Buddy as a first cousin, footy’s in Jeff Garlett’s blood. At 22, he’s only missed three games over the last 2 regular seasons but his average has stagnated around 72. Scored over 100 only once last year (in R2 against the Suns – 101) but otherwise SC-wise he was very average.
Nick Heyne ($106,600) – A 21 year old with a good mark and a nice left foot, Nick played 3 games for the Saints in 2010 averaging 23.6. I want to see more of him before jumping on board.
Luke Mitchell ($113,200) – Picked at 42 in the 2010 draft, Luke is an athletic key forward who should provide another tall target up front (like Casboult he’s also 6’6’’). Marks strongly on the lead, makes good decisions and is dangerous around goal. Watch him in the preseason but at this stage looks a little green.
Jarrad Waite ($423,300, 78.1, 12) – His SC average peaked in 2008 with 98.3 in 21 games. Over the next 3 years he played 9, 15 and 12 games and averaged 95.8, 87.8, and 78 last year. On his day he’s great but too often he makes stupid decisions that get him suspended (remember the reverse donkey kick on that Richmond bloke last year?). As a DPP like he was last year you might give him a crack but at 29 and only playing Forward I’m passing.
Andrew Walker ($448,700, 82.8, 22) – Went 2nd in the 2003 draft behind Adam Cooney. After a couple of forgettable years in 2009 and 2010 he finally confronted Ratts and demanded to be played forward or traded. Ratts obliged with a positional change and last year he led the Blues’ goalkicking list with 56 taking some screamers along the way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERTcZV7uTFU). At 25, he looks to be cherry ripe again in 2012 after he came 2nd in the time trial around Princes Park on Jan 16 (behind Ed Curnow). The question is: how will he go if the Blues introduce Casboult or Mitchell to the frontline?
So there you have it, my full analysis of the Blue Baggers list. Were there any I missed that you think deserved a mention?
Hope it helps you snaffle a bargain or nail a premium on the way up in 2012.
My next task is to come up with the Blues best 22. Anyone else want to have a crack?
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, later Smurfs.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Jeepers, Curnow must be a good runner. That’s Walker’s specialty and he usually just pips Judd over that distance. I wouldn’t read too much into him coming second around the Princess Time Trial. In previous seasons he has usually finished first, so it doesn’t mean his fitness base has increased or anything like that. I was surprised not to see Rowe listed here, but Carlton will use a couple of monsters in the fwd line this year (Rowe and Waite – maybe Kruez). This could actually help Walker if it means he plays a slightly higher fwd role (though it does mean less goals to him).
Casboult is still recovering from the hangover he received on the Blues’ boozey boat cruise. I’d also be concerned about his marking ability if they have him handcuffed to another player out on the field …
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I had an idea for a poll Motts,
What about a fwd guns poll for 2/3/4 fwd spot, that funny 500-550k area.
Sylvia,Boomer,Martin,Beams,Chappy,ROK,Rioli
Some proven vets in there, some young up n’ comer guns, some injury concerns etc
Would be interesting to see what people are thinking, most teams would have at least 1 of those guys in it i would imagine.
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Will do. Give me til the end of the day.
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I think almost all teams would contain Martin. The forwards are too hard to pick this year IMO. Too many are just too inconsistent
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Yep … that’s also why I won’t have Beams even though he had a great end to the year – anyone that was dropped once (or twice if you believe some people) during the year and has a history of questionable off-field behaviour (which Buckley will not tolerate just as Mick didn’t – I see an “example” being set early on) is too much risk for the price for me. Martin is a lock as he will be for almost everyone (and even he was still a little inconsistent last year – but so was every Premium forward, apart from Fyfe who was remarkably consistent).
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Are teams locked in before round 1 ?
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No – Split Round this year first up … so only GWS and Sydney players will be locked in IN THE FIRST WEEK of Round 1, then it is as normal.
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Thanks for that Damen S . Yeah ,Hope they still have the captains loop hole this year .
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They will have (they kind of have to unless they stop doing “partial lockouts” and changed their entire Captain/Vice Captain modus operandi … hmmn – Goodes or Mumford Vice Captain prior to lockout I think …
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ROK
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Motts , whats the requirement ( ave) to get a gig in one of the sc leagues ?
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Yet to work it out mate.
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Scully for captain!!! Haha goodes, rok or mummy would have to be just about everyones captain if they have them
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LOL – you DO realise that now you’ve made that joke, you’ve jinxed us all and Scully will probably smash out a 200 odd !
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where,s that piss head Omen ? is he still on his 4 months bender …
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Sorry Motts, but I didn’t think Carlton had any forwards.
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Haha scully has as much of a chance at making 200 as Carlton have at winning the flag
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LOL – now it’s even MORE likely he pulls the double ton in some “Twilight Zone” moment – please stop before he hits the 255 mark !!
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If he makes over 200 I’ll bet my house on Carlton
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Love Jeffy Garlett reckOn he could be due for a breakout yr
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Nick Heyne – opinion?
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Well he knows where the goals are but won’t get a lot of possies, definitely. Wait and see. he was ok at sandy. Pretty sure I’ve met him, nice enough but that won’t win you games in sc! think Carlton will go ok without him maybe look at him 2013/14
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Just heard Luke Mitchell did his shoulder in a minor way yesterday and wi be out for 5 to 6 weeks.
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Three Blues have had their pre-season preparations halted after being struck down by injuries.
Defender Nick Duigan (pictured), who starred in his debut season with the Blues, has undergone minor surgery to remove loose cartilage from his knee.
Young forward Luke Mitchell, who has suffered three shoulder injuries in 18 months, will be sidelined for at least three months after undergoing a right shoulder reconstruction on Tuesday afternoon.
And mature-aged recruit Sam Rowe has also succumbed to a shoulder injury, hurting his AC joint during a training drill on Monday morning.
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Better schedule Juddy for another shoulder reco with the extra baggage to carry.
Sounds like its a 2013 plan for the powder Blues!
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Care to put any cash on us finishing ahead of the Eagles this year, Deano?
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Quality bet. Tough call
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Buying for Richo, Jo and I at 23 will do me fine.
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Done.
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Carlton are looking to add some more midfield power to their arsenal with a possible switch for Andrew Walker this year. Walker is one of the fittest players at Carlton and his endurance could be used in the midfield.
Meanwhile, Jarrad Waite has stepped up his training regime and joined in for the first time with the main session yesterday. Forward coach, John Barker says that Waite should be ready for Round 1 against Richmond.
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I read that article too – and of course Walker was initially recruited as a midfielder (although he has played his best football in other positions).
But I must admit I get a bit tired of reading those articles in the pre-season every season (not yours – the newspapers’) about how Gibbs, Rioli, Le Cras, Robbie Gray, Dangerfield, Monfries, McGlynn and Brendan Fevola are all going to be moved into the midfield for the upcoming season. It’s in every second article (the others are about how the preseason has been the “hardest ever”, how the new coach is a great bloke and they’re getting used to the new game plan, how the new recruits are surprising the seniors with their skills and maturity and will play early and who is looking the best at training and blah, blah, blah). How often do they turn out to be anything more than “puff pieces” by journalists with nothing else to write about ?
I hope Walker moves to a higher Fwd position with your influx of tall men, but if he gets too much midfield time, that will probably be at the expense of Gibbs’ midfield time – which would be annoying as Gibbs could be a great POD this year … I’m expecting big things from him (even THOUGH all the “puff pieces” are mentioning how well he is doing at the moment).
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