It’s the returns of Toonsville this season with Essendon playing the new Wile E Coyote (so close and yet so far) and The Eagles starring as the new Tasmanian Devil (you knowing lots of loud grunts, swirling winds and the ability to devour anything). Meanwhile Melbourne are asking who backed them to make the eight (and why) and the Roos are asking whose buying them (and why).
As for Saturday arvo football at the G! Well that’s what I call a comeback! I mean anyone can win a game of football (even the Tigers will eventually) but to give a side that kind of a start and still win shows that this team is starting to gather momentum. In fact their never-say-die attitude reminded me of the great North sides of the nineties who would always seem to come back and always win the close ones. They too were coached by Denis and while he may have his detractors, it seems Denis does have the knack to instil the come-from-behind self-belief in his teams.
It was a great feeling jumping on the train filled with red and black scarves and smiling at their pain. I’ve had a gut full of pain over the last few years so it was nice to let some other poor buggers endure the terrible trip. I wonder if they still think they can reach the finals? And as for the much heralded kids, well hey, here’s a tip, it’s handy to get kids who can run fast and it’s even handier to get kids who know how to get their hands on the football
So now we know. We know we have a team with talent, and with spirit. This is a team that backs itself, a team that can kick goals quickly. Must make mention of Bentick’s work in close and of course Fev. What a blinding display that was after those four early misses. Oh and Fev – no more handballing when twenty meters out!
Kudos too to T-Bird who shut Lucas up (tis a pity no one can shut Sheedy up) and to Setanta who gave Pretty Boy Lloyd the stare. The Boy shut his gob and ambled by as scared as a wee, wittle, puddy cat in the dog pound!
It was good to see Lappo kick a few and Fish is leaving them all gasping as he plucks the pill from the air like Nureyev grasping Fontaine as she falls from the air.
I thought Saturday’s game was one of the best coaching games I had seen from our box for some time. I guess talent allows more variables, more opportunity to turn things around, Young Gibbsey on Birdy-Hirdy, Stevo into the forward fifty, Tex also for a time – nice goal to Tex too. Sometimes I wonder if the football public will ever notice just how good this kid is. Speaking of which, just a comment on Sheahan’s rating Deledio ahead of Murph - one sound for you Mr. Sheahan pfft! Give me young Marc any day of the century.
So the young cubs and Denis & co had a nice warm-up for the real stuff. West Coast at Subiaco! Now that’s a challenge. So here are some tips for the lads to get them fired up and to help them turn the tables on the Weagles.
Firstly, I think every player should get a tattoo of a young girl on their arm. Maybe even of the same kid; confuse and rile them at the same time, watch their faces contort and their Weagley hearts go ‘pop!’.
Secondly I think they should all email Mr Braun and congratulate him on a well-thought out and considered speech. Ask him if he’s available as a speechwriter in case any of the boys win an award this year. Maybe email Wooooooshaaaaaaaa! too and enquire as to just what programmes he and the team at Weagleland are running because the programmes seem to be doing wonders for the culture of the club.
Lastly, as they go up to shake their opponent’s hand on Sunday, I think each of our players should gently ask what their opponent thinks of the AFL’s drug code. You know, ask them how they think it could be improved, what problems they might foresee with it, things like that.
As for the cheer squad, I think the banner this week should read something like this:
At the end of the year
His intentions made clear
Your Captain called Judd
Will do an Elmor Fudd
And cry,
‘Beedee beedee beedee that’s all folks!’
To the game itself. JR for The Juddmiester. Murph and Kerr to go head to ugly head and Fev to shatter Glass! Hunter hunted by Shnappo Lappo and Big Red to Ruck, rove and play loose man in defence!
I know it’s over there. I know they are the reigning premiers and the only undefeated side this year but… but we are the old dark Navies and we’re discovering our wings again; so for mine it’ll be the Bluebaggers by seven points. This time when we have the lead, we won’t surrender it like last year. This time we’ll hold firm and send the Weagles crashing!
Fev to bag 8 again, Fish for 4 and EB for 3. The rest will come from the midfield and Gibbsey may just kick 3 also.
Go Blues!
Please Note: the views expressed in the above article are solely the opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the Carlton Football Club or those employees of the Club. The Carlton Football Club would like to acknowledge the tireless work of those supporters who contribute to carltonfc.com.au.
