Carlton top 4 in 2009 - WTF?

[Dry Rot]

I was reading on another forum that many thought that the Carlton would make top 4 in 2009.

Now we know that historically a team from outside the 8 usually makes the top 4, but Carlton?

Aside from their gun draft picks, IMO the rest of their side isn't much chop.

[GVGjr]

They will need a couple of seasons more before they will become a top 4 side. I suspect that the top 8 is very realistic chance for them though.

[Dry Rot]

They will need a couple of seasons more before they will become a top 4 side. I suspect that the top 8 is very realistic chance for them though.

Agreed.

So who is your smokey bottom 8 side to make top 4 in 2009?

[angelopetraglia]

How is the arrogance of their recruiting tagline?

"They know we are coming."

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/Membership/tabid/4403/default.aspx

I thought they would have waited until they actually did something before the old non-humble ways of Carlton returned.

[GVGjr]

Agreed.

So who is your smokey bottom 8 side to make top 4 in 2009?

To early to call. I think the top 4 sides are a good step ahead of the others at the moment so there might not be a change.

[Bulldog4life]

How is the arrogance of their recruiting tagline?

"They know we are coming."

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/Membership/tabid/4403/default.aspx

I thought they would have waited until they actually did something before the old non-humble ways of Carlton returned.

I will really miss them being on or near the bottom of the ladder. Loved every minute of it.:D

[Bulldog Revolution]

It is early to think about that but here goes:

You'd have to think that Port were a good chance to turn it around given they still have quite a few guns, and if they have a better time with injury then they could get back going

I never expected the Eagles to be as bad as they were last season, but given they were I dont think that they can bounce back that quickly

Brisbane have serious upside but there's still quite a few question marks - defence and their midfields ability to use the footy, apart from the obvious guns.

Carlton also have a few potential holes, but doesn't everyone? It's hard not to see them being better. Judd was pretty incredible off a reduced pre-season last year - he might win them another 2-3 games all by himself in 09.

[bornadog]

Basically, who cares thread. Hate that club and don't even want to think about them

[Sockeye Salmon]

West Coast will be back.

They only finished 2nd last because they got off to a bad start and from then on it was Target Naitanui time.

[azabob]

West Coast will be back.

They only finished 2nd last because they got off to a bad start and from then on it was Target Naitanui time.

Totally agree, remember what happend last time they were at the bottom, they drafted some guy called Chris Judd and then by 2006 they were best team in the land. They are the one club which manages to go down for a year, draft extremely well and then return bigger and better than before.

[ledge]

I think the swans are on the way down.

[mighty_west]

I was reading on another forum that many thought that the Carlton would make top 4 in 2009.

Now we know that historically a team from outside the 8 usually makes the top 4, but Carlton?

Aside from their gun draft picks, IMO the rest of their side isn't much chop.

Yet we can't even beat them!!!!

They musn't be that bad, and i think they are a massive chance of knocking on the door of the top 4.

[LostDoggy]

I think the swans are on the way down.

I think they still have 1 year. They wont be competitive against the likes of us, Hawks and the Cats but id say they are a fair chance against the others.

[Scraggers]

Totally agree, remember what happend last time they were at the bottom, they drafted some guy called Chris Judd and then by 2006 they were best team in the land. They are the one club which manages to go down for a year, draft extremely well and then return bigger and better than before.

They do draft well ... but with the 5 picks (trades for Judd etc) in the top 27 drafts at the end of 2007, you would have thought 2008 would have been a bumper year for them ... as much as it pains me to say it ... Beware the Eagle in 2009 :eek:

[Go_Dogs]

West Coast will be back.

They only finished 2nd last because they got off to a bad start and from then on it was Target Naitanui time.

Port too.

[LostDoggy]

Any other team but b!@#& Carlton:mad:

[dog town]

Carlton will continue to improve. They dont have the depth to make top 4 though.

[LostDoggy]

Isn't every club making top four?? That is the usual statement this time of year.

[LostDoggy]

Yet we can't even beat them!!!!

They musn't be that bad, and i think they are a massive chance of knocking on the door of the top 4.


Good point. done us the last couple of years. Now that is tragic.

[Sedat]

Carlton will continue to improve. They dont have the depth to make top 4 though.
Agreed. Strong and deep midfield, proven goalkicker and match winner up forward, ruck stocks not great but have improved with Warnock's arrival, but the big query is down back - they will leak some goals again in '09.

[azabob]

Agreed. Strong and deep midfield, proven goalkicker and match winner up forward, ruck stocks not great but have improved with Warnock's arrival, but the big query is down back - they will leak some goals again in '09.

I'm not sold about Warnock, if he was any good he would have been getting more game time at Freo. Again another guy over 200cm who was in the right place at the right time.

[Sedat]

I'm not sold about Warnock, if he was any good he would have been getting more game time at Freo. Again another guy over 200cm who was in the right place at the right time.
He's added depth to their ruck division, which was probably in even worse shape than ours last year. Whether or not he delivers on his potential, that is another question, but they won't be relying on someone with Cameron Cloke's limitations (not to mention 3 shoulder recos) to bear the brunt of their ruck stocks in 2009.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Agreed. Strong and deep midfield, proven goalkicker and match winner up forward, ruck stocks not great but have improved with Warnock's arrival, but the big query is down back - they will leak some goals again in '09.

Whilst Fevola is certainly a star up forward, what other options do they have? I still personally think they need to find another two quality forwards who can consistently trouble backlines and contribute to the scoreboard. Betts is OK as a small forward pocket, but they need more from their medium types.

Their backline is still really average, too - as you said. They should improve, and perhaps play Finals, but they still have a long way to go. Their list is promissing but they have some big holes in the back half and until that's addressed, it's hard to see them being any real threat. They have been developing a couple of options (Bower? Jamison?) but I'm not so sure they're going to be good enough.

I predict they'll finish 8th-12th.

[LostDoggy]

I cannot stand Carlton. Unfortunately they'll make the top 8 next year but I think the top 4 is a bit of a stretch. Geelong, Hawks and the Dogs are clearly the best 3 teams in the comp (although many people have the dogs out the 8) and I think Brisbane will be the 4th best team next year.

[ledge]

I am going to go out on a limb here and predict Richmond to finish 9th.

[Dry Rot]

Anyone watch last night's game? Are Carlton the real deal?

[GVGjr]

Anyone watch last night's game? Are Carlton the real deal?

I didn't see a lot of it but they are very good. They should be disappointed if they don't make the top 6.

[comrade]

Anyone watch last night's game? Are Carlton the real deal?

I don't really rate Brisbane that highly and I didn't see much of the game but Carlton seem to struggle to contain key forwards when teams go the hail mary.

Beating Carlton is all about restricting possession and ball movement, similar to us. If you can win the ball and put their defence (which is questionable) under relentless pressure, they'll eventually crumble. They've got a nice mix up forward but I still think they'll struggle against the lock down teams.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

It's only Round 2 and they've played nobody.

They generally start seasons OK but I predict another fall away.

[ledge]

It's only Round 2 and they've played nobody.

They generally start seasons OK but I predict another fall away.

On that point and watching Freo and Nth have we played anyone of any high standard yet?
Admittedly Nth keep you honest and always try but are they finals material?

[AndrewP6]

God I hope they don't go top 4....hate them with a passion...oh if only Sir Judd goes lame again...

[The Bulldogs Bite]

On that point and watching Freo and Nth have we played anyone of any high standard yet?
Admittedly Nth keep you honest and always try but are they finals material?

I think I predicted North to slide.

But in any case a win over them is always good - particularly when considering they've been our bogey side for the last four years.

To be fair, we proved ourselves last year and so our "good form" is more honest. Carlton's on the other hand is a bit of guess work - they look OK but I am far from convinced, as was the case this time last year for us.

[Sockeye Salmon]

I think I predicted North to slide.

But in any case a win over them is always good - particularly when considering they've been our bogey side for the last four years.

To be fair, we proved ourselves last year and so our "good form" is more honest. Carlton's on the other hand is a bit of guess work - they look OK but I am far from convinced, as was the case this time last year for us.

I predict North to slide every year.

Last year I told a North supporter at work, "the problem with North is the players are the only one's who haven't realised how shit they are".