Cartlon “Tanked” The Last 3 Games - Libba

Extraordinary claims from former Carlton assistant coach Tony Liberatore that Carlton Football Club “tanked” their last 3 games of the 2007 AFL Season. Little Libba claims that the Blues picked players that did not deserve to get a game in the senior side and forced players to have operations then and there rather than wait until the end of the Season. On the back of the Paul Roos match fixing dramas in the last few weeks these claims will rock AFL circles. A lot has been made of the “tanking” issue over the last 12 months and the AFL keep wiping their hands with it and tell the footballling public that it just doesn’t occur. Well everyone knows that it does and now maybe the AFL may consider doing something about the rules to make sure it doesn’t continue to happen. It is the first time that an “insider” has come out and said anything like this, and I am sure Libba will get his fair share of flack about it but I have no doubt that this sort of thing goes on at the end of the year and if the AFL can’t see that then they are kidding themselves!!! Read more

Judd Makes His Return

The moment had finally arrived and didn’t the Carlton fans flock to MC Labour Park to witness the superstar make his long awaited debut in the navy blue albeit in a practice game. And wouldn’t you know it he has a perfect record a skipper: 1 from 1. There was a touch over 10,000 people there to watch and you would have thought it was a game for 4 points !!!. Heck even radio station SEN was broadcasting from the ground.

Just a lazy 20 touches for Judd in his first hit out as the blues won by 9 points over the Western Bulldogs while Aker was best for the Doggies. From the highlights that I saw the roar that went up after Judd got his first touch was unbelievable. In his press conference after the game he said his body was fine and he is looking forward to Round 1. Stock standard answers really what more would you expect I guess.

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Chris Judd Named Captain

Well I didn’t think it was going to be any different but Carlton have officially name Chris Judd as Captain for the 2008 Season with Nick Stevens as Vice Captain.

“Chris has demonstrated tremendous leadership qualities throughout the pre-season period, and the Board concurred with the Match Committee’s view that he, together with Nick Stevens as Vice-Captain, was best placed to lead our young playing group into the future.

It was a decision that they had to make, quality player, quality person and will be the prefect face of the Carlton Football Club going forward. The others in that leadership group are Andrew Carrazzo, Brendan Fevola, Heath Scotland and Kade Simpson. Let’s hope Judd can get on the park soon.

Would You Pay $395 for These?

Not being a huge personalized number plate fan I just can not fatham forking out $395 for a set of number plates! Being a Bombers supporter not even “Hirdy 5″ would lure me into spending that amount of money on a set of number plates. But that is what the parents of a passionate Carlton supporter have done, they have paid $395 for the number plates that read “Juddy 5″. And I guess they will be the envy of all the passionate Carlton Fans out there.

She is certainly a dedicated Blues fan I will give her that, having not missed a game in Melbourne since she was a 5 years old, given that she is now 25, I reckon they are the best gift she has ever had.

Speaking of Chris Judd he must have the most talked about groins in AFL / VFL History, there is not a press conference at Carlton that goes by without there being a question about Chris Judd’s groins. How are they going? When will they be ready?. There have been quite a few rumours floating around that he is still 6-8 weeks off but the Blues are adamant that he will be right come Round 1 against Richmond. As Blues coach Brett Ratten says “He’s in a program that’s trying to get him to round one right on time and he is right on track for us so there are no hiccups.”

Let’s hope that “Program” gets him up for Round 1……

AFL Football in South Africa

There are some great stories coming out of South Africa at the moment and some that are just inspiring for all concerned. We have heard a lot from clubs over this pre season about the need for players to not only improve as footballers but evolve as people and it is just about impossible for players involved in the experiences in South Africa to not walk away realising how fortunate they are and how priveledged they should be for being in the position they find themselves in as AFL Footballers. For example the entire Carlton group walked through an AIDS clinic, Sparrow Village, the biggest home for people battling AIDS in the world. If that doesn’t change your view on life then nothing will.

The media outlets generally have nothing to talk about during the pre seasons of AFL Football other the the off field antics of the players and it is great to see these good stories circulate the world. I guess the public at large find great interest in “Player’s behaving badly” news stories and they are the ones that generally fin their way around the world as I saw on Daves’ Football Blog the other day. It is always interesting to see what makes headlines in other parts of the World. Even Mick Malthouse made the news with his outbursts at the AFL over the new interchange rules.

Below is a great news report from South Africa that was aired on Channel 10 in Perth that I first saw on World Footy News. There is some great vision and show what an impact the players are having in the communities in South Africa.

By seeing the enjoyment that AFL Football brings to the faces of these children is quite astounding and is something I am sure will live with these young AFL Players for ever and hopefully will inspire a few new fresh faces in AFL ranks in the near future.

It will be certainly interesting to see how Carlton, Fremantle and Collingwood develop as teams in 2008 and beyond.

West Coast Eagles - Life after Judd and Cousins

The West Coast Eagles Football Club will undoubtedly want to erase the year 2007 from the books, not from a on field perspective but certainly from an off field one. We all know of the turmoil surrounding the Eagles in 07 so there is no need to go through it all again. I will though mention that the Eagles are doing their best to try and turn the culture around over there by instilling a new leadership group, but it doesn’t seem to be having much of an impact if you take into account the recent incident with their number one draft pick Chris Masten.

Let’s go thorough the arrivals and departures for the Eagles:

ADDITIONS:

Exchange period – received: Josh J. Kennedy (Carlton)
Rookie elevation: Chad Jones, Jamie McNamara
Scholarship elevation: Ryan Davis (rookie)
NAB AFL Draft: Brad Ebert (Port Adelaide Magpies), Chris Masten (East Fremantle), Tony Notte (Swan Districts), Scott Selwood (Bendigo Pioneers)

DELETIONS:

Retired: Rowan Jones, Josh Wooden
Exchange period – traded: Chris Judd (Carlton), Mitch Morton (Richmond)
Delisted: Daniel Chick, Ashley Sampi, Ben Sharp (rookie), Llane Spaanderman (rookie), Ashley Thornton (rookie), Beau Wilkes (rookie)

The West Coast Eagles had a very good year on field considering all the other dramas they had. Finishing 3rd and losing to Collingwood by 19 points in the Second Semi Final. A disappointing exit considering that game was at Subiaco. The have certainly got some quality losses to cover and any team that loses player of the calibre of Jud and Cousins you would think would struggle. The big question is can the others step up to the plate and take the reigns? The likes of Kerr, Embley, Priddis, Fletcher and Stenglein are the players that will need to create havoc in the middle.

Best Ruckman in the AFL

With the best Ruckman in the business in Dean Cox and being the 3rd best team in terms of hit outs these players will no doubt get their hand on the pill first on a lot of occasions. Priddis has already shown he is a quality player that can find the ball with ease (leading disposal getter) I reckon he just needs to be more damaging when he gets it. Kerr is a GUN, his ability to stand his ground when being tackled and get the ball to a team mate is brilliant and he will have to be the take the Number 1 midfield role you would think. The Eagles have at least 10-11 players they could rotate through there, and when you look at the stats from 2007 there were 11 players that averaged more than 20 possessions a game! With Mark Seaby having a great pre season the midfield of the Eagles is looking dangerous even with out Cousins and Judd. Read more

No finals for Carlton and Chris Judd in 2008

The third team on my hit list is Carlton, last position in 2007, new coach in 2008, gun recruits. What does the 2008 season hold for the Blues, lets take a look.

Big Expectations

Reading the AFL Footy Forums that are around there is a lot of expectation on the Carlton Football Club this year because of the recruitment of one C Judd. Does this automatically make them finals contenders? Improvers yes but I still think they are a couple of years off being finals contenders. Yes they have a couple of prized draft picks in recent years, but they are going to take a few years to develop and will not make an immediate impact you wouldn’t think.

Let’s first take a look at the additions and departures

ADDITIONS

Richard Hadley (Brisbane Lions), Chris Judd (West Coast)
Rookie elevation: Ryan Jackson, Aisake O’hAilpin
NAB AFL Draft: Dennis Armfield (Swan Districts), Steven Browne (West Perth), Matthew Kreuzer (Northern Knights)
Read more