Archive for the ‘AFL’ Category

Argh! Carlton! Why?

I do my utmost to conduct myself as a friendly, approachable, well-mannered and well behaved member of society.

But what is it about a sporting contest that brings out the raging feral in me?

After last night’s bitterly disappointing five point loss to those Essendon pricks, I am still as angry as I was when the final siren sounded.

Now that I can see the situation a bit more clearly, the Blues have a massive complacency issue. They get to that 5-goals-up mark and play the “ah, she’ll be right” card. Or when they go into games as favorites, only to not pay their opponents any respect. This lack of respect results in Carlton playing with an arrogance and lack of intensity, almost as if reputation alone is enough to win a game of footy.

A decent team would put the foot on the throat and be relentless with their pursuit of a percentage boosting thrashing.

After all, there is no finish line in footy, sure the siren sounds on the day, but the team with the hunger to push harder, week after week eventually ends up with a premiership, which leads me into my next thought…

I believe the dark days of 2002-2007 still haunt Carlton. The senior players who are still around from that era accept mediocrity as par for the course.

The new influences, new players and a fresh talent pool need to set a new, uncompromising winning culture and precedence for the rest of the club to adhere to. One man can only do so much, but it’s time for Carlton’s so-called leadership group to step up to the plate, because Chris Judd is on borrowed time.

I love my club and want to see the success that the likes of Geelong and Brisbane experienced during their periods of dominance. Geelong’s hasn’t finished, they could still be lifting a cup come the conclusion of the 2013 premiership season.

Like any other Carlton supporter, I’m sick of waiting. 1995 was 18 years ago and the clock is ticking. In my opinion, 16 premiership cups mean sweet bugger all because only 3 of those cups have been won since the VFL moved into NSW in 1982. That was over 30 years ago and the past means nothing, only the future will bring the happiness and fulfillment of success. That living in the past mindset does Carlton no favours.

It is time to create a new culture to take this club forward. With Malthouse at the helm, a new board and president on the horizon, the gradual dilution / retirement of those players from the dark days combined with pure grit and determination will earn Carlton their next premiership.

Only then will the raging feral in me be satisfied.

Come on Carlton! We are the masters of our own destiny. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!

Another Home and Away Season…

… and another Fantasy triumph – oh yeah! 🙂

PREMIERS!

See you next year!

My Blue Heaven

My Blue Heaven - Carlton defeat West Coast by 37 points - Round 7, 2008

Now this is what I’m talking about 🙂

First we beat Wet Toast at Subiaco by 37 points, could the weekend get any better? Yes is the answer 🙂

I was lucky enough to attend the Carlton Football Club WA Supporters Breakfast the following morning after the match.

The breakfast provided us all with a general insight into how the club is progressing with some monumental steps forward in returning Carlton to the powerhouse of yesteryear. Not only that, we were treated to some sensational anecdotes and general Carlton banter… definitely Blue Heaven.

Pics below:

Carlton Football Club - WA Supporters Breakfast 03/05/2008

Tickets 🙂

Matt Clape

Matt Clape – an integral member of the almost invincible 1995 Premiership winning side.

Peter Busustow

Peter Bosustow – 1981, 1982 Premiership winning player. Goal and Mark of the year 1981. Also known for making peace between Mark ‘Chopper’ Read and Domenic Gatto (yeah, I’m an Underbelly tragic as well as a Carlton tragic).

David Ellard

David Ellard – Drafted from Swan Districts in the 2008 Rookie Draft (#34). Part of the victorious Carlton side in Episode VI – Return of the Juddi (Round 7, 2008).

Matt Lappin

Matty Lappin – cracked the 80kg mark after retirement from AFL footy in 2007, haha! Carlton appointed him as Development coach for season 2008, while he keeps kicking the pill for the Northern Bullants in the VFL.

Nick Stevens

Nick Stevens – Gun Carlton midfielder and Vice Captain. Instrumental in our victory vs West Coast.

Cam Cloke

Cam Cloke – Finding some terrific form in the 2008 season after 4 shoulder reconstructions in previous seasons. Solid contributions as a follower in tandem with Matty Kreuzer.

Carlton Football Club - WA Supporters Breakfast

Carlton Football Club – WA Supporters Breakfast (a small area of the audience.)

Carlton Signed Shirt

Got my old Carlton shirt signed by Nick Stevens and Cam Cloke.

The signed Nick Stevens Guernsey at the front of house ended up being auctioned off for well over $2500.

Overall, the WA Supporters Breakfast was very well presented and prepared. If you’re a Bluebagger living in Perth, like myself, head to the WA BLUES site and come down to some of the functions – the more blue, the merrier 🙂

Could the weekend get any better? Oh hell yeah, Franklin, Williams and Roughead did a mighty fine job of bringing Collingwood down to size after their Anzac Day victory over Essendon. In my humble opinion, Hawthorn have what it takes to win a flag in 2008, and good luck to them.

If last night and today are anything to go by, tomorrow will be another corker.

GO BLUES!

Together We Rise

Together We Rise – Carn the Blues!

It’s been another interesting summer. The acquisition of Judd thanks to Greg Swann, and Judd subsequently being appointed captain. I have utmost faith is his leadership capabilities, and even more so in his skills as a footballer.

Ratts has shown some promise with a new game plan, adding his first wins to his coaching record, I hold this man in high esteem, both as a leader, and as a tactician.

The list is another year older, this season will see Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy develop both mentally and physically into elite midfielders.

With some luck we will see the o’hAilpin Brothers run out together wearing the CFC monogram, doing both AFL fans and their Irish counterparts proud. The question is, will Shields follow in the footsteps of his Irish comrades? Maybe not until 2009…

Older team members in Carrazzo, Scotland, Simpson, Stevens, Waite, Houlihan, Thornton, Bentick and Bannister must be snapping at the bit to get themselves into the 8 this season, given the 7 year finals campaign drought.

Some new arrivals in Armfield, Pfeiffer and the acclaimed Kreuzer along with other club established youngsters in Hampson, Bower, Jamison, Austin, Jackson, Benjamin, Blackwell, Edwards, Anderson and Grigg will show the depth we have developed during the dark times of yesteryear.

The tables have turned and the bottom 4 is nothing more than a relic of the past. 2008 will see the start of the return of the league’s most powerful and successful club.

I can only hope that Brendan Fevola will respect himself this season, and show himself and all that he is one of, if not, the best Full Forward in the competition.

Onwards, and upwards.

We are the Navy Blues.

PS: Thanks Dick 🙂