Blues Hope To Find Form Way Out West


Blues v Dockers

By Shane Thiele
June 1 2002

Welcome to what is now on record the latest preview in ODN's history........Why?, 1/ Because I'm a lazy, 2/ Because I'm slack, 3/ Because no-one pays me for the thankless task of writing about the bottom team and 4/ I had no idea what players I was going to be analysing this week.

Trying to predict the Carlton side to take the paddock the following week is an exercise frought with danger. Due to a cruel birth defect called absolutelynotalentitis, I have never played the game at any level higher than 'unfit hack'. I have no coaching background and have less credibility than the boot studder or trainer at any football club. It is probably because of this illustratious background that I am hesitant in matching wits with the likes of Brittain, Kernahan, Lyon & Williams when it comes to team selection. Sure I have my opinions and feel strongly about them but I have faith that former Brownlow medallists and All-Australian's have more idea than a 'never-was' sitting behind a P.C.
 
During the week changes were promised but who and how many were anyone's guess. The pressure from the media was still relentless but the focus shifted from the past to the future. The names of Devenport, McGuane and O'Reilly were replaced with Cranage, Fletcher and Mansfield. The past couldn't be changed and the next draft is still 5 months away. A wooden spoon was looming closer and the Blues needed to salvage what was left of the 2002 season. Within 24 hours this week the party line changed from "We'll recycle again"  to "This is completly unacceptable and kids are the future". Even 'Mr Conservative' Col Kinnear hinted of some new faces. You knew heads were going to roll.
 
Thursday night arrived and the refresh button was getting a fearful pasting on CFC.com. Finally at 5.10 (SA time) I found out that the names of Houlihan, Eccles, Gallagher and the injured Manton were all out of the 25. Justin Murphy was on the extended interchange bench and Thornton, Campbell, Fevola and Wiggins were all in the starting 18. Michael Mansfield and Simon Fletcher had surrvived but I knew as much. Both were servicable last week and had reappeared the following week after performances that were well below the standard shown against Adelaide. Their timing was impeccable.
 
Like a bad soap opera we had to wait until Saturday for the gripping finale. The seven man bench still needed culling and after Thursday's performance the final make-up of the side was still anyone's guess. The final three victims ranged from the predictable to the bewildering.
 
Sam Cranage, had a poor one last week and didn't have the runs on the board that a few others had despite a reasonable game the week before. - GONE.
 
Scott Freeborn, my most maligned player of last season. In my opinion having a better season than last but pays the price for a poor one last week. Could have sworn he was one of our better players the week before but obviously previous form has counted for zilch Suprising omission but I'll live with it. - GONE.
 
Adam Pickering, one of the few shining lights from the Adelaide game. Received votes from all three members of the ODN match-committee. It was proabably what sealed his fate. - GONE.
 
What is disappointing about the Pickering demotion is that we have no explanation as to why this has happened. There must be a reason - logical or not - and I'd love to hear it. I'm all for looking at the entire squad and rotating the rookies but at least wait until they start to struggle before thinking about demoting them. By all reports three of the inclusions were disappointing at VFL level last week yet have earned a recall. Franchina, Fevola & Prendergast were far from the Blues best but have all been promoted.
 
As much as I applaude the inclusions of Thornton & Campbell I have fears that the club may have over-reacted to some of the criticism directed their way and personally I would have preferred that such changes had happened gradually over the past few weeks than suddenly all at once. The omission of Gallagher from not only the 22, but the squad of 25 gives supporters the impression the club has completely ignored anything that has happened prior to Round 9. Sure the performance was unacceptable but no worse than a lot of what we had seen previously against the likes of Sydney, Essendon & The Western Bulldogs. 
 
Eccles, Houlihan and Gallagher have gone from the starting 18 one week to the 26th, 27 & 28th man the next. On the other hand when you consider that only 15 players from last week remain. Mansfield & Fletcher (at the very least) have been ranked as 14th & 15th. Granted it's a very simplisitc way of looking at a team but something to ponder none the less.
 
I haven't even mentioned the opposition tomorrow. An opposition that is so far undefeated at the "House of Pain" the "Cauldron of Doom" the "Field of Grief" the "Paddock of Domination" or whatever ridiculous symbolic term the media refer to what I once knew as Subiaco Oval. The talls of Pavlich, Longmuir, Croad & Brown will be favoured to get on top of what will be an undersized and inexperienced Blues outfit. Haselby, Bell & Co should give our struggling midfield hell and as much as I would love to make a case for them how can anyone bar Garrie Hutchinson (Can you believe he's picked us by 42 points?!) go into such a game with any confidence.
 
Sunday should be looked at as the first day of the rest of our season. Livingston, Wiggins, Prendergast, Davies, Campbell & Thornton can not be expected to dominate in such an unsettled and out of form line-up. They need the stars to flank them on either side to nuture them and convince them they are capable at this level. I of course sincerely hope that everyone at the club proves me wrong and reminds me of the fact that I'm just a mere public servant with too much spare time each week but barring a miracle I just can't see how or where we can win tomorrow.
 
As always I ask for patience from all Carlton supporters and give these guys time to find their feet. You wanted the kids, you got the kids. Short term pain, for long term gain. They'll thrill you one week and disappear the next. By all means expect some wins but don't be surprised if it's followed up by a 10 goal thrashing the next. It doesn't necessarily mean that they have no future. It is just human nature in the world of the youth policy.
 
Win, lose or draw I can't wait for tomorrow. If we get belted well so be it. Apart from bringing in Waite, O'Keefe & Beasy next week there is not much else the club can do. For once I do agree with Walls & Sheehan - It's time to be honest with the fans and show us that there is a plan and a realistic plan of direction. Most of us can cop 15th - the spoon is a touchy subject - but second to last is no skin off my nose if there is clearly light streaming from the tunnel that is 2003.
 
Carlton's history against Fremantle
 
Played 10, Won 8, Lost 2
 
Longest wining sequence -  5 wins (1999 -)
 
Highest Score for - 23.7 - 145 (1996)
 
Lowest Score for - 6.13 - 49 (1996)
 
Greatest winning margin - 75 points
 
Greatest losing margin - 53 points
 
Last time they met
 
Round 16 - Optus Oval - 2001, Attendence: 15,622
 
Carlton 19.17 - 131 d Adelaide 8.8 - 56
 
Key ball winners (All numbers possessions unless indicated)
 
Ratten - 30
Plunkett - 30
Hickmott - 29
Houlihan - 27
 
Black - 31
Carr - 25
Walker - 22

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PREVIEW

CARLTON
v
Fremantle

Round 10

2 June 2002

Subiaco Oval

 

 

SEASON 2002

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