Fisher
There are some players, that for whatever reason, you just like. Fisher's always been one of those players for Mike and Dan, ever since we saw him kick 6 for the Bullants in his first year. And this year he's been doing just that - kicking goals. 21 goals from 10 matches so far, in a season that also includes a broken cheekbone inflicted by Brendan Fevola. But it's not just the stark statistical info that makes Fisher's season a highlight. It's the bravery he has displayed, the typically strong marks, the second efforts… Make no mistake, 2007 is Fisher's best season yet and a great omen for the future. Now all he has to do is avoid getting crunched by Fev…
Carrots
If you had asked Mike and Dan pre-season who our 2nd highest possession-winner would be after 12 rounds we would have said "We don't play these silly games, leave us to our beer" (we're grumpy when there's no footy on). But we doubt very much that anyone, maybe not even the man himself, would have said Andrew Carrazzo. But there he is - with 286 possessions, perhaps 150 of which he's racked up in the past 6 weeks. From a seemingly rather dour player who seemed most at home tagging or in the back-pocket, Carrazzo has suddenly blossomed into ball-magnet. And even his much-maligned kicking has improved, with a particularly sweetly stuck goal against Port living long in the Mike and Dan memory.
Walker's over-the-shoulder-snap
Andrew Walker's apprenticeship in the backline has resulted in the creation of a flexible, dangerous footballer. We all saw how good he can be when left to play his own game when he ripped West Coast apart on debut, but this year he's finally beginning to really worry the opposition. Playing as a defensive midfielder for much of the season, Walks is comfortable being dragged into the backline, happy to be a dangerous clearance player when in the centre, and with a suddenly deadly accurate boot, he's notched 8 goals when near the big sticks. But none of those goals were more spectacular than his over-the-shoulder snap against Port. It's not every day you see a goal snapped after a quick clearance and in a congested goal-square by a player running away from the goals and over his left shoulder. And there's a reason for that - it's bloody hard to do.
The Port Thumping
It was like the good old days. Back when Mike and Dan were younger men, we were privileged to witness the CFC in full flight on a regular basis. But it's been a long time between drinks, and when we went 10 goals up… we weren't sure quite what to do! But it was nice to see a young side that has been to hell and back enjoy their footy and put an opposition team to the sword. And what's more, we look forward to seeing it many times in the future…
The Essendon Comeback
Regardless of the state of the competition, the state of the respective teams, the state of the nation… Essendon v Carlton is guaranteed to be a cracker. And what a cracker it was in Round 3! A record comeback, with the Blues kicking 10.10 to the Dons 5.7 in the second-half to record a 3-point victory. This is the sort of game that makes the marketing nabobs at AFL house leap for joy, as it was the sort of game Rivalry Round is supposed to be all about. 2 traditional rivals, the biggest stage in footy, and a result in the balance until the closing moments. And of course, it didn't hurt that the Blues won in the end…
Gibbs
The AFL industry places too much pressure on young players. And even more on high draft-picks. There are many examples of players who couldn't handle the pressure, or, for whatever reason never fulfilled their potential. Something tells us Bryce Gibbs won't be one of them. He's been solid, rather than explosively spectacular. But there have been moments of magic. The goal with his first kick against the Tigers, followed up by the over-the-head handpass to Waite for a goal. The poise, the clean disposal, the competitive spirit… It's been a pleasure to watch the young man quietly work his way into AFL footy. And, whilst Ryan Houlihan sensibly denies it, the rumours are fierce - the Dalai Llama didn't just visit Princes Park for betterment of the people. He came to meet Bryce Gibbs.
Waite's game on Reiwoldt
Jarrad Waite can make the impossible seem simple, and the seemingly simple seem, frankly, impossible. He has a spark and a confidence that our team sometimes lacks. Now, yes, he's played some pretty special games up forward over the last month. But, being the men of substance (TM) that we are, it's the shut-down job he did on one of the games premier young forwards that stands out. Waite's ability to close, and time his spoils to perfection were outstanding that evening, as was his disinterest in letting Reiwoldt have any cheap possessions. Even when the Saints co-captain drifted up to the wings, Waite shadowed him. Not since Kouta's glory days have the Carlton faithful cried out for the ability to clone a player. It will be fascinating to see where he has the most impact in the second-half of 2007.
The Shootout
21 goals to 19. End-to-end football all day. Another result sealed only in the fading light of a Saturday afternoon. One of the fastest, most skillful, most potent teams in the competition… And the Doggies weren't bad either. Special mention to Jordan Bannister, a footballer who has gone about it the hard way, who shut down Brad Johnson in the second-half and more than contributed to a narrow victory.
O'hAilpin's goal celebrations
We love the big Irishman. But no matter how much we love him, it is clearly outstripped by his love of a goal. In our interview with Jordan Bannister after the win against the Dogs, we asked him if the boys were concerned if Setanta may just explode one day celebrating a goal. We were pleased to hear that the rest of his teammates love his intensity and feed off it. Because Setanta doesn't just celebrate the goal for himself (like certain showboating opposition players…) but for the team as a whole.
The Richard Pratt Revolution
The last time one man had this effect on the Club was the day Anthony Koutoufides decided he'd quite like to play in the 1999 Grand Final. And whilst that was a Herculean on-field effort, the task Mr. Richard Pratt has taken on more than matches it off-field. And, to continue my Grecian metaphor, for a lesser man, the task may have proven Sisyphean. But not our Dick. Clad only in a natty blue leisure suit, Pratt has gone about resurrecting the club by giving it the one thing it had truly lost in 'the dark times' - its swagger. Whether it's propping up the football department with the spare change in his car, stealing Greg Swann right out from Eddie McGuire's nose, or luring Steven Icke from Fremantle, Pratt has done whatever he thinks was necessary. But he hasn't done anything revolutionary - he's just gone about getting the right people in the right positions and letting them go about their business. Oh, and flying players and staff across the country in his private jet. He's done that too…
The Pubs
As of this article, the first details of the Carlton Football Club's acquisition of a stake in 9 Melbourne Hotels have been released. Another part of Mr. Pratt's revolution, this particular piece of financial jiggery-pokery is a result of the hard-work and selflessness of a united Carlton board, and an excellent example of the sound management the club is under. With the future of the 10 Victorian clubs under constant threat, it's nice to know that the club won't just be around for premierships 17 and 18, but premierships 25 and 26 as well.
Record Membership
As of writing, 35,087 members have signed up for Season 2007, a new record. This is a massive, massive achievement for the club and its supporters. But what has prompted this result? The pre-season premiership? The Richard Pratt revolution? The kids like Murphy and Gibbs? The style of footy? Who knows…? But suddenly, on membership numbers alone, we're back playing with the big boys.
It's been 12 interesting rounds for the CFC. We've had highs, and we've had lows... But as this list demonstrates, times are looking up for the Old Dark Navy Blues. We look forward to next 10 rounds and the chance to add to the highlights list for season 2007.
