AFL

[The Dave]

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<DIV ="article_line">Kennelly in great shape</DIV>
<DIV ="article_line">Sydney's Tadhg Kennelly believes he is in the best overall condition he's been in for years and hopes to translate it to on-field success this year for the Swans.</DIV>
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The 25-year-old spent three months at home in Ireland before returning to the Swans last week dedicated and excited about the season ahead.</DIV>
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<DIV ="article_line">"I had a good break and because of the break I am physically and mentally in probably the best nick in a few years," Kennelly said.

"I just can't wait for the season to get going. It was funny turning up to training here and just attacking it one hundred miles an hour and I feel great."

Last year, the defender had to deal with the painful loss of his father and a shoulder injury causing mental anguish that took its toll.

"It was very hard to turn up to games when there was so much going on in your head," he said.

"I was trying and trying to do things and there were times that I didn't want to be at the club and didn't want to be at training and I wanted to be home with my family back in Ireland, so it was hard to play games."

Knowing his charger was doing it tough, coach Paul Roos suggested he stay in Ireland until the players returned from their Christmas holidays to refresh, and complete his own training program.

"Normally I go home for eight weeks so it was only another three weeks extra," Kennelly explained.

"Playing in the International Rules Series meant I had a few weeks off in November, not October like most of the other boys, so I only had to train for a few weeks.

"I have always done a program at home, I live near a beach and the water just goes for miles so it is fantastic to run on and that is where I did most of my training.

"It was Roosy's idea; it wasn't really my request to stay at home till Christmas. Roosy said to go away and spend time with your family and refresh and get yourself right mentally.

"There has been a lot going on in the last couple of years coming into last season, so mentally I am in the best shape I have been in, I feel amazing."

Kennelly's new outlook will him do everything with gusto as he no longer takes anything for granted in life - preferring to live in the moment, and his football should benefit.

Now his time at the club is all about giving one hundred per cent, to the best of his ability, and not thinking about what may happen in the future.

"I suppose in the past, when I was here in the beginning, I didn't do things one hundred per cent like I should have, you always come to the game ready to go but there were things like letting go during recovery and stuff like that looking to the future. Now I am very much living in the now."
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[Chief]

Seems like there's an AFL player being arrested every second day for assault or DUI or public drunkenness lately. Think a lot of them aren't the sharpest tools in the box. The sooner Tiger comes home (with a few pound in his back pocket) the better he'll be for it.

[The Dave]

Rugby League has a far worse "rep" in Oz, than AFL or anything else TBH

[The Dave]

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<H2>Pagan bullish about Carlton's prospects</H2>
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<H2 =h2_standardC&#111;ntainer>They might be the wooden-spooners of the past two seasons, but Carlton coach Denis Pagan believes the Blues have the makings of an AFL premiership side.</H2>
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While reluctant to make any bold predictions about the 2007 season, he is confident that the wheel is turning and the high draft picks that came courtesy of the Blues' poor performances in the last five years have set the club up for a sustained climb.


"The fact of the matter is we were 16th last year, we're like the boy with the wheelbarrow, we've got the job in front of us," Pagan said.


"But one thing that we can say with a real surety is there's a skeleton there and it's just going to be subtle changes from here on in as our young blokes mature and develop.


"I suppose every coach is going to be setting up their list looking to your next premiership.


"Of the list of 43 we've got at the moment, including our rookies, there might be only four or five who perhaps you could say are going to struggle to be in Carlton's next premiership side, whenever that is."


After a tumultuous off-season, the decision by billionaire business Dick Pratt to take over as president last month gave the club a badly-needed boost in confidence.


Plus, the Blues have won their opening two pre-season games to continue the encouraging signs.


Of course, Carlton won the pre-season competition in 2005 - and then won only four more games for the year to finish bottom.


So no-one - least of all Pagan - is reading too much into what has happened on the field so far this year.


The Blues' most obvious area of strength is up forward.


Star full-forward Brendan Fevola is coming off a career-best season, is still only 26 and his pre-season form suggests he will continue that standard.


Lance Whitnall and Jarrad Waite can play at centre half-forward and have the versatility to fill a key defensive role.


Whitnall made his name in attack, but won Carlton's best and fairest award playing mostly at centre half-back last season.


Waite has played mainly in attack, but is being trialled as a rebounding centre half-back, where he is showing good signs.


The club has high hopes for emerging key forward Josh Kennedy, 19 years old and 195cm.


Brad Fisher is a good marking option, as is former skipper Anthony Koutoufides, while pacy Eddie Betts is a handy goalsneak.


In defence and midfield, there are more question marks.


On the plus side, Whitnall and Waite between them should take care of centre half-back.


Irishman Setanta O'hAilpin is being groomed as a key defender and his size, strength and athleticism are attributes suited to taking on the competition's power forwards.


But, having been converted from the sport of hurling, he is still learning the finer points of Australian football.


Bret Thornton, 23, held down full-back in difficult circumstances last season - promisingly enough to be strongly pursued by Hawthorn - but is still developing.


Ex-Sydney defender Jason Saddington is an uncertain prospect, after having most of last season written off by knee troubles, while up-and-coming 19-year-old Paul Bower is yet

[The Dave]

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<H2>Don't forget Carlton's defence: Stevens</H2>
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<H2 =h2_standardC&#111;ntainer>While Brendan Fevola's goal-scoring has captured most of the attention, it is the key defensive posts that might be looked back on as the success stories of Carlton's AFL pre-season.</H2>
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Coach Denis Pagan's decision to experiment with former key forward Jarrad Waite as a rebounding centre half-back is emerging as a major plus.


And the development of Irishman Setanta O'hAilpin, an athletic 199cm former hurler, as a full-back capable of taking on the game's giant forwards is showing equal promise.


Blues star midfielder Nick Stevens said it would be of enormous assistance to the team's structure if that pair could carry their pre-season form into the premiership season.


"It's good, we've been really happy with their form," Stevens said.


"The Irishman, he's playing some great footy and just learning with every game he plays.


"I think with those guys going well it sort of helps out Bret Thornton, who's probably carried the backline over the last few years and been really undermanned.


"It's great if we can keep them up and keep them fit, especially Waitey.


"He's probably had a few injuries the last few years and he's seeing the benefits of a great pre-season."


Fevola's 15 goals in three NAB Cup matches have been an undoubted plus, particularly the eight majors the reigning Coleman Medallist scored against the Kangaroos on Saturday night to lift the Blues into the pre-season grand final.


But Stevens said a key focus of the pre-season campaign had been to try out youngsters and trial experienced players in different positions.


He said making the NAB Cup grand final was a bonus.


"We've looked at playing some guys and trying different things and Waite playing down back is the example of that," Stevens said.


"It's just sort of fallen in that we've kept winning and had good form.


"So over the next two weeks we'll still prepare for round one and look forward to Richmond."


O'hAilpin and Waite face probably the biggest tests of their strong pre-season form in Saturday night's grand final against Brisbane at Telstra Dome.


The Lions are planning to introduce burly star forward Jonathan Brown for his first match of the pre-season, with fellow key forward Daniel Bradshaw also in line for his first game of 2007.


Stevens tipped Waite to get the job on Brown, although it could fall to O'hAilpin.


Meanwhile, Stevens dismissed the theory that winning the NAB Cup could work against a club.


The Blues followed their 2005 pre-season title with the wooden spoon, while last year's March champions Geelong had a horror season, missing the finals for the first time in three years.


But Stevens said there was just as much evidence pointing the other way.


"I won it a couple of times at Port Adelaide (in 2001 and 2002) and we finished top both years, so I think it's a pretty good indication," he said.


"Some of the sides that have won it have gone on to do good things."</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>

[Chief]

Begley is going well for the Lions too by all accounts. I saw a bit on a collingwood forum about Martin Clarke. At the end of a training session he was teaching a load of the other players how to do a stab pick-up at full speed. They were gobsmacked. It's hard enough to do it with an O'Neills never mind a sherrin! They are very excited about him. By next year there could be as many as 5 Irish lads playing first team in the AFL for 4 different clubs

[The Dave]

Haven't heard anything about Aisake (not a good sign)

[Chief]

Well he's being groomed as a ruckman so it'll take longer for him. The club reckon he's ahead of Setanta at the same point in his development though.

[The Dave]

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CARLTON capped an astonishing off-season by claiming the AFL NAB Cup title, beating Brisbane by 25 points at Telstra Dome in Melbourne on Saturday night.


The Blues have gone from utter turmoil to morale-boosting triumph in a matter of weeks, winning their second pre-season premiership in three seasons, 2.12.7 (97) to 0.10.12 (72).


Carlton midfielder Nick Stevens won the Michael Tuck medal as best afield in the grand final after collecting 26 possessions, while full-forward Brendan Fevola kicked four goals.


It was the second time Stevens won the Michael Tuck Medal, having also received the honour in 2002 while playing for Port Adelaide. It was also his fourth pre-season premiership.


A pro-Carlton crowd of 46,094 watched the Blues break clear in the third term to set up the win.


The Lions kicked three unanswered goals in the last term to reduce the margin to 18 points, but Fevola's fourth goal sealed the win.


Coach Denis Pagan said his team had not set out to win the NAB Cup, but had gained plenty from the four games.


"We just wanted to provide as many opportunities and experiences as we could. Physically it's probably worth eight to 10 games to some of our young players," he said.


"There have been a lot of dark, gloomy times at Carlton but just to see that happen tonight ... it's a very positive result."


But Pagan was also confident there would be no repeat of 2005, when his side only won four games in the regular season after taking out the pre-season title.


"We're not getting in front of ourselves, I know our players have already met as a group (after the game) and what they want to do, we couldn't be more pleased with how they're going about it," he said.


Despite the defeat, Lions coach Leigh Matthews was also pleased with how his team had performed through the pre-season.


"It has been a productive pre-season campaign," he said. "There are a lot of players who feel better about themselves than they would have a month ago."


A summer of boardroom turmoil followed a poor 2006 season, in which Carlton claimed its third wooden spoon in five years.


But the arrival last month of billionaire businessman and life-long Blues fan Richard Pratt as president has provided a huge lift for the club.


Pagan described it as if a light had been turned on at the club.


The Blues surged through the NAB Cup competition, setting up Saturday night's final.


The big match was also notable for the return of Lions key forward Jonathan Brown, out since round 10 last year because of injury.


He was well below his best, but finished with two goals and 11 marks.


Simon Black and Cheynee Stiller were best for the Lions.


Carlton looked in trouble when they trailed by 14 points just before half-time, but a goal to Anthony Koutoufides meant they went into the main break trailing by only seven points.


That was the start of a seven-goal streak for the Blues as they took a commanding 30-point lead 18 minutes into the third quarter.


At the opening bounce of the third term, Brisbane ruckman Cameron Wood was reported and a 50m penalty was given to Blues rover Andrew Carrazzo.


The resulting supergoal to Carrazzo gave his side a two-point lead and suddenly the momentum was with the Blues.


Two minutes later, Brisbane's Tim Notting collided heavily with Carlton youngster Marc Murphy in a marking contest.


Notting left the field in agony, clutching his shoulder, and he did not return to the field.


Earlier, Carlton took a 10-point lead into quarter-time after a supergoal and a regular goal within a minute to Brad Fisher.


Lions defender Jared Brennan gave away a 50m penalty, giving Fisher the supergoal, and the Carlton forward then took a great mark over Brennan for the six-pointer.


After a quiet star

[Chief]

Carlton fans very happy with Setantas performance on what many consider to be the best player in the AFL (even though Brown was coming back from injury). He's all set up for a great season.

[CCHA]

What channels are showing AFL this season? I used get the Sat night one on TG4 when I was in.

[Chief]

I'd say it'll be TG4 again. This is just pre-season stuff at the mo. I think the season proper starts again next week or the week after.

[The Dave]

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<DIV =articleC&#111;ntent>Carlton coach Denis Pagan hailed the massive improvement of his young Irish defender Setanta O'hAilpin after watching him play a key role in the Blues' NAB Cup grand final win against Brisbane on Saturday night.


Fittingly on St Patrick’s Day, the 21-year-old Irishman played the game of his life as he shut down the Lions' champion forward Jonathan Brown in his much-anticipated comeback game.


Brown, the AFL's pre-eminent key forward, was playing his first game since a hip injury ended his 2006 season in round 10 but was kept goalless in the opening three terms by the much-improved O'hAilpin as the Blues lifted their second pre-season trophy in three years.


Afterwards Pagan described O'hAilpin's rapid development as "a great story" after he only took up Australian Rules Football four years ago.


"From where he has come from, it's just a great story," Pagan said after the Blues' 25-point win.


"Four years ago Setanta wouldn't have known what a Sherrin (football) looked like - he could have mistaken it for an Easter Egg - and here he is now, in front of 46,000 people, making a strong contribution against one of the best forwards in the competition."


Pagan said O'hAilpin, who has played just 12 games, had plenty of improvement in him.


"He is 102kg and 199cm but he is very, very quick," Pagan said.


"His closing speed is enormous and you just don’t get athletes like that."


Pagan said O'hAilpin was now a key part of a much-improved Blues' back six he hoped would be the foundation of a better year for the club this year.


But conscious of the fact the Blues' collected the wooden spoon in 2005 the last time they lifted the NAB Cup, Pagan was not getting carried away with Saturday night's success.


However he is confident his team, which is much younger collectively in 2007 than it was in 2005, would continue to improve.


"The growing maturity of our guys every time they run out is a plus," he said.


"There have been a lot of dark, gloomy times at Carlton in recent times but to see what happened tonight and see our supporters yell out and cheer, it was a very positive result."


"We are not getting in front of ourselves and I know our players have already met as a group and spoken about what they want to do but we couldn’t be more pleased with the way they are going about it on and off the field."</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>

[The Dave]

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<H2 =h2_standardC&#111;ntainer>Here’s how one Irish correspondent captured Carlton’s, and more specifically, Setanta O’hAilpin’s triumph in Saturday night’s NAB Cup Grand Final. </H2>
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SETANTA O’HAILPIN came out the winner in a St Patrick’s day battle of the Irish recruits as his club Carlton defeated Colm Begley’s Brisbane Lions in the NAB Cup Grand Final.


About 46,000 fans attended Melbourne’s Telstra Dome to see the Blues record a 97 points to 72 victory over the Lions and the Cork man delighted a strong Irish contingent in the crowd by draping himself with the tricolour for his team’s lap of honour.


“I just wanted to show people where I’m from. My heart will always be in Ireland,” said O’hAilpin.


“Without my club na Piarsaigh and Cork, I wouldn’t be playing for Carlton so I just wanted to show them and my country my appreciation.”


In a massive show of faith from Carlton coach Denis Pagan, O’hAilpin was handed the task of marking one of the best forwards in the game, Jonathan Brown.


Brown was returning from injury and there was much speculation during the week about who would mark him in his much-anticipated comeback.


O’hAilpin didn’t disappoint and held the star scoreless for the first three quarters.


“He’s one of the best players in the competition. Just playing on him will enhance my knowledge of the game,” said a modest O’hAilpin.


The 21-year-old’s performance prompted Pagan to single out the Irishman for praise in the post-match press conference.


“From where he has come from, it's just a great story,” said Pagan.


“Four years ago Setanta wouldn't have known what a Sherrin (football) looked like - he could have mistaken it for an Easter egg – and here he is now, in front of 46,000 people, making a strong contribution against one of the best forwards in the competition.”


Pagan said that he expects even more improvement from O'hAilpin in the coming season.


“He is 102kg and 199cm but he is very, very quick. His closing speed is enormous and you just don’t get athletes like that.”


O’hAilpin said he relished the chance to play in a final on St. Patrick’s Day and that lining up against compatriot Colm Begley made the occasion even more special.


“The fact that it’s St Patrick’s Day makes the victory even sweeter,” said O’hAilpin.


“It was great to get to play against Colm. It’s huge for GAA players to come out here and get to play against each other.


“It was just a privilege to see another Irish player out there.”


Despite being disappointed with the result Begley said he couldn’t begrudge O’hAilpin’s victory.


“I’m delighted for Setanta. He’s worked so hard out here to get to where he is and he’s fitting in so well with the team and in his role as full-back,” said Begley.


“This victory means a lot to Carlton and to their fans. I’m delighted that Setanta’s doing so well – it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”


The Laois man also enjoyed the St Patrick’s Day atmosphere.


“All the boys wished me a happy St Patrick’s Day this morning which was good.


“I wanted to wear some green tape on my arm but the AFL would have fined me so I had to do without,” said the Stradbally man.


“Tadhg (Kennelly) rang us both this morning to wish us luck, which was great. It was also good to have a gam

[Chief]

[QUOTE=The Dave]

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<h2>Here’s how one Irish correspondent captured Carlton’s, and more specifically, Setanta O’hAilpin’s triumph in Saturday night’s NAB Cup Grand Final.</font> </h2>
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SETANTA O’HAILPIN came out the winner in a St Patrick’s day battle of the Irish recruits as his club Carlton defeated Colm Begley’s Brisbane Lions in the NAB Cup Grand Final.


About 46,000 fans attended Melbourne’s Telstra Dome to see the Blues record a 97 points to 72 victory over the Lions and the Cork man delighted a strong Irish contingent in the crowd by draping himself with the tricolour for his team’s lap of honour.


“I just wanted to show people where I’m from. My heart will always be in Ireland,” said O’hAilpin.


“Without my club na Piarsaigh and Cork, I wouldn’t be playing for Carlton so I just wanted to show them and my country my appreciation.”


In a massive show of faith from Carlton coach Denis Pagan, O’hAilpin was handed the task of marking one of the best forwards in the game, Jonathan Brown.


Brown was returning from injury and there was much speculation during the week about who would mark him in his much-anticipated comeback.


O’hAilpin didn’t disappoint and held the star scoreless for the first three quarters.


“He’s one of the best players in the competition. Just playing on him will enhance my knowledge of the game,” said a modest O’hAilpin.


The @@@@SPAN style="font-weight: bold;">21-year-old’s@@@@/SPAN> performance prompted Pagan to single out the Irishman for praise in the post-match press conference.


“From where he has come from, it's just a great story,” said Pagan.


“Four years ago Setanta wouldn't have known what a Sherrin (football) looked like - he could have mistaken it for an Easter egg – and here he is now, in front of 46,000 people, making a strong contribution against one of the best forwards in the competition.”


Pagan said that he expects even more improvement from O'hAilpin in the coming season.


“He is 102kg and 199cm but he is very, very quick. His closing speed is enormous and you just don’t get athletes like that.”


O’hAilpin said he relished the chance to play in a final on St. Patrick’s Day and that lining up against compatriot Colm Begley made the occasion even more special.


“The fact that it’s St Patrick’s Day makes the victory even sweeter,” said O’hAilpin.


“It was great to get to play against Colm. It’s huge for GAA players to come out here and get to play against each other.


“It was just a privilege to see another Irish player out there.”


Despite being disappointed with the result Begley said he couldn’t begrudge O’hAilpin’s victory.


“I’m delighted for Setanta. He’s worked so hard out here to get to where he is and he’s fitting in so well with the team and in his role as full-back,” said Begley.


“This victory means a lot to Carlton and to their fans. I’m delighted that Setanta’s doing so well – it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”


The Laois man also enjoyed the St Patrick’s Day atmosphere.


“All the boys wished me a happy St Patrick’s Day this morning which was good.


“I wanted to wear some green tape on my arm but the AFL would have fined me so I had to do without,” said the Stradbally man.


“Tadhg (Kennelly) rang us both this morning to wish us luck, which was great. It was also good to have a game today as it took my mind off home.


“Obviously with it being St Patrick’s Day you think about home a lot more and what you would

[The Dave]

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Very poor considering Paddys day was his 24th birthday.



Probably meant Aisake, but if you need a reason it was wrong just see what I've highlighted in redsmileys/sad.gif

[The Dave]

EINSTEIN ON THE WINGfor Carlton Football Club<!- End_Module_9078 ->
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<DIV =articleC&#111;ntent>*Wacker on the Wing was the name of the original one-eyed Carlton column by the late Frank Strachan. It ran in the old Carlton News (now The Melbourne Times) for over 25 years. Terry Maher ran it as Einstein on the Wing for about 12 years and has now taken it back to its spiritual home at carltonfc.com.au





G’day Digs and Bluebells,


The footy’s back in Old Carlton Town. And so are the Blueboys and most of our members who have been having a big kip since the 1995 Grand Final. Wake up you sleepyheads. The sky is blue and so are you.


You haven’t missed a thing since you’ve been gone (well, Collingwood lost a few grand finals but what’s new). It’s time to become a born-again Carlton supporter because we have a whole generation of 12-year-olds who have never seen or celebrated a Carlton premiership. These underprivileged children should be put out of their misery as soon as possible. I can die happy because I’ve seen eight since 1968. But there is always room for a few more…


We welcome all the new boys to the Blueboys. There’s something old, something new, something borrowed – and all of it Blue. We trust there is a messiah in there somewhere. Dick Pratt is El Presidente and he’s sporting a stylish blue jacket that he will wave to stir up the fans. Lance Whitnall is the skip who is full of brotherly love. Greg Swann, the chief exec who broke Eddie’s heart. Steven Icke is the footy manager who brings it all together. Then there’s us: the Digs and Bluebells who love the club and love the colors.


What else is new? Kouta has finger-knack (he should chop it off, we reckon) and five new blokes were selected on Sunday to wear the famous navy blue strip. You can tell them by they way they walk. But after a couple of months of training, they will develop a Geoff Southby-like swagger and start chasing passing cars and mouthing-off at other inanimate objects. It’s the Carlton way.


In Athens, there are two teams called Panathinaikos and Olympiakos who really hate each others’ guts. They play each other in soccer, basketball, dodgem cars and Russian roulette. The other day they played each other at women’s volleyball and in the pre-game touch-up, one fan was fatally stabbed. Women’s volleyball is nice but it is not a cause to die for. As a result, all Greek team sports, including football, have been suspended for 15 days.


If there are two teams in Melbourne that really don’t like each other – that’s players, ex-players, administrators, supporters, their colours, their suburbs, restaurants and everything else about them – than it has to be Carlton and Richmond.


That’s because they once dominated the old VFL in bygone days and loved nothing better than to beat the beejesus out of each other. Richmond won in 1967, Carlton 1968, Richmond in 1969, Carlton in 70, 72, 79, Richmond in 73 74 and 1980, Carlton in 81, 82, 87 and 95.


That Carlton smashed the paper tigers at the MCG “fulfillment centre” before a crowd of 60,000 on Sunday, was indeed, most enjoyable. As the great Ger Loughnane (obviously not theGalway manager seeing as the word "great" was usedsmileys/smile.gif)once said: “To some, Carlton beating Richmond is not that important in the great scheme of things. But to Carlton people, beating

[Chief]

He's doing very well. They love him now even though a lot of people were saying halfway through last season that he wouldn't make it. He's done well on the best forwards in the game like Brown, Hall, Lloyd and Richardson. Plus he marks Fevola in training so he has nothing to fear from anyone. Doesn't look like he'll be home anytime soon.

[The Dave]

he marks Fevola in training so he has nothing to fear from anyone.


Except a headbutt/headlocksmileys/wink.gifsmileys/razz.gif

[Chief]

Have you seen all the stuff about West Coast? They sound like great craic. Drinking, fighting, drugs etc. There would appear to be a high level of recreational drug use by players in the AFL if you believe what you read.

[The Dave]

Seems to be more an Austalian culture problem rather than being confined to one particular sport and dare I say it; aboroginals are comparable to our travelling community

[lahinch_lass]

Seems to be more an Austalian culture problem rather than being confined to one particular sport and dare I say it; aboroginals are comparable to our travelling community





And stereotyping like that is at least one reason why our Jim Wlliams is unlikely to return to Oz... He gets far better respect and treatment here than he would be likely to receive in OZ as over there he'd be seen as yet another uppity abbo.

[The Dave]

CARLTON'S five-game winning streak has come to an end with a 78-point loss to Geelong.





Geelong scored 24.18 (162)smileys/sad.gif to Carlton’s 12.12 (84).


After winning the pre-season cup and coming back after half-time to beat Richmond, Carlton was aiming for two straight wins in the regular season for the first time since the end of the 2004 season.


The Cats went in to half-time leading 10.8 (6smileys/cool.gif to Carlton’s 5.6 (36).


Geelong got away in the second term, with Brad Fisher providing the only highlights for Carlton with two goals.


Heath Scotland had 37 touches for Carlton, and Marc Murphy 30, while Eddie Betts booted three goals.


Ruckman Cameron Cloke was impressive around the ground early on and Bryce Gibbs also performed well.


GEELONG 4.6 10.8 19.13 24.18 (162)


CARLTON 3.2 5.6 7.9 12.12 (84)


Goals: Geelong: C Mooney 5 N Ablett 5 T Hawkins 3 G Ablett 2 T Varcoe 2 C Ling 2 B Ottens J Hunt J Selwood S Byrnes D Wojcinski. Carlton: E Betts 3 B Fisher 2 A Carrazzo 2 A Walker M Murphy L Whitnall C Ackland N Stevens.


Best: Geelong: G Ablett D Wojcinski M Scarlett B Ottens J Bartel S Byrnes N Ablett. Carlton: M Murphy A Walker H Scotland.

[Chief]

On the plus side, Kennelly had another outstanding game for Sydney, Begley did well for Brisbane and Martin Clarke played well for Collingwoods reserve team. Dunno how Setanta got on but going by the reports Carltons established senior players were diabolical. Not much he can do at full back with players pouring through at will.

[The Dave]

Carlton has staged a remarkable comeback to beat Essendon by three points in Saturday's round three AFL encounter at the MCG.





The Blues were 48 points down late in the second quarter after an early Essendon onslaught, yet rose to win 18.17 (125) to 17.20 (122).


The Carlton half of the 64,710-strong crowd erupted like it was a Grand Final win when the final siren sounded, while the shattered Bombers players sunk to the ground in despair.


The performance was Carlton's greatest turnaround in the club's history and one of the greatest in league history - there have only been 14 higher.


Full-forward Brendan Fevola booted eight goals in arguably one of the greatest performances of his career, including four majors in the third quarter when Carlton made their charge, to spearhead a stirring win.


Captain Lance Whitnall also began to play his part with some important touches in the third quarter after his shocking start to the season continued into the first half, when he spent much of that period on the bench.


Creative half-backs Ryan Houlihan and Heath Scotland were torched early during an Essendon avalanche, yet bounced back in the second half to be instrumental in the victory.


Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd kicked five goals, while his teammate Mark McVeigh took an early contender for mark of the year, with a huge grab over Bret Thornton.


Almost every play was crucial in a frantic final quarter, as players from both sides laid inspiring tackles and rose to the occasion.


Essendon can rue bad finishing in the first quarter, when the Bombers had Carlton at their mercy, for keeping their rivals in the game.


The Bombers dominated the first term as Scott Lucas ran riot in the forward line, yet he and Jason Winderlich missed several easy shots in a score line of 7.9.


Even that should have been enough, as Lloyd extended the Bombers' lead to 44 points in the opening minute of the second quarter.


Carlton looked gone later in the quarter, when Houlihan was penalised for a push in the back and then conceded a 50-metre penalty for backchatting the umpire, which gifted Andrew Lovett a goal.


Essendon's lead then stood at 47 points and another behind stretched it to 48.


But the Blues kicked the last three goals of the half and then slammed on seven goals in the third quarter, and hit the front for the first time at the 22-minute mark when Fevola unloaded from 45 metres.


Fevola then rose again in the final quarter, when he completed a superb mark while falling to the ground and then kicked truly at the 22-minute mark to put his side more than a goal up.


CARLTON 2.1 8.7 15.11 18.17 (125)


ESSENDON 7.9 12.13 13.16 17.20 (122)


Goals


Carlton: B Fevola 8 M Lappin 3 B Fisher 2 A Walker A Carrazzo E Betts R Houlihan N Stevens.


Essendon: M Lloyd 5 S Lucas 3 A Lovett 3 M McVeigh 3 A Monfries J Watson A Davey.


Best


Carlton: B Fevola H Scotland A Carrazzo R Houlihan M Murphy B Fisher E Betts.


Essendon: J Winderlich M Lloyd S Lucas M McVeigh J Hird D Peverill A Monfries.


Injuries


Carlton: C Cloke (concussion).
Essendon: N Lovett-Murray (groin soreness) replaced in the selected side by R Dyson.


AAP

[The Dave]

Mike &amp; Danfor Carlton Football Club<!- End_Module_9078 ->
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Only the hearts of the cold could not be moved by the heroics of the Blueboys over the weekend. From Scotland’s continual chopping off of leads and hard running, to Lappin’s last quarter spoils and smothers, to Cloke’s attempts to get off the ground concussed, and then to Russell’s last-minute last-gasp last-reach of the fingertip spoil in front of Hird, the Blues moved us all in that comeback win. But only one player can win Mike &amp; Dan’s Play of the Week, and that player this week wins the award not only from a terrific tackle on the dangerous Andrew Lovett with only minutes to go, but for his baulking, running and monstering of one of the games premier forwards, Matthew Lloyd. Setanta ‘Carlos’ o’hAilpin – we want to talk to you! And so we did…


'Carlos Candy' is what they fans are calling it. How'd you learn to baulk like that? Did you learn it from Bryce Gibbs or did he learn it from you?


I used to see players do it on TV when I watched games back in Ireland, Gibbsy did it as well on the weekend, it is a highlight of the game, you know the fans love things like that.


There’s also that last minute tackle on little Lovett. Is it hard tackling the little forward pockets when your arms are coming down from a height many centimetre’s above their head?


Yeah, I have been working on my tackling. He is really quick, I was just happy to get the free kick.


Tell us about the crowd – is it hard to concentrate with 65,000 screaming fans, or can you block it out?


The fans are great, it’s so loud out on the ground, I try to block it out a fair bit. I’m really trying to concentrate out on the ground.


How did you prepare to take on the competition's biggest goal-kicker? Did you watch videos of his games?


I watched a lot of videos; I spoke to T-bird you know, he has played on him before, I did extra work with the Coaches as well. He is one of the best of all time so you know there is a lot of homework to do on him.


It is hard enough trying to understand the umpiring decisions on the weekend as followers of the game all of our lives. Has anyone been able to explain them to you? By the way – we still can’t work many of them out!


Oh you win some you lose some, that’s footy so you can’t worry, just do what you think is right and things will go your way…most of the time … hahaha.


It was very frustrating watching the first half, with the push in the back rule applied to one players and not others. Have you got the hang of that one yet? Is it an advantage that you have being new to the game that some rules from the past don’t hurt you as much?


We have been explained the rules on that, we work them into our training, is it an advantage? I’m not sure.


You were quoted in an Irish newspaper saying Aisake plays in a better position than you do. It's hard to think of a position more important to us than Full Back....


Full Back is a very important position and if I can play my role for the team it’s a benefit to us. Aisake plays a bit in the ruck you know, you’re involved in more of the play, there is always action and I just love being involved in the play.


Speaking of Aisake, how is he coming along? Must be great to have your brother here too?


He is loving it, he is learning like me all the time, he has been suspe

[The Dave]

<DIV ="pollResult genericPoll">@@@@SPAN =NormalBold id=dnn_ctr105552_ViewPoll_ResultsQuesti&#111;n>Lads get voting for Carlos to make him the best player@@@@/SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV ="pollResult genericPoll">@@@@SPAN =NormalBold>Who was Carlton's best player through the NAB Cup series?@@@@/SPAN>
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[Clon]

Carlton v Brisbane is live this morning @ 1000 on Setanta Sports 2, Setanta should be playing.

[The Dave]

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<H2>Blues fall just short in shootout</H2>
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<DIV =articleC&#111;ntent>CARLTON has lost by 12 points to the Brisbane Lions in one of the most entertaining and high-scoring games in recent years.





A frantic first half provided 27 goals from the two teams, with five lead changes.


The Blues had the edge at the break – 14.8 (92) to the Lions' 13.1 (79).


The Blues should have had a bigger lead but for five consecutive behinds late in the first term.


Brisbane Lions came back hard in the third quarter, booting five goals and regaining the lead, before Carlton wrestled back the lead before the siren. The Blues booted the first goal of the match, with Kade Simpson slotting one through from outside 50.


Carlton piled on 14.8 in the first half, including nine goals in the second quarter, with captain Lance Whitnall roaring back into form with three goals in the first half.


Goalsneak Eddie Betts also kicked three first-half goals, while Ryan Houlihan and Heath Scotland were on top in the midfield before half-time, as the Blues benefited from a long and direct gameplan.


Oddly, given Brisbane's excellent kicking for goal for most of the match, it was only a string of missed set shots by the Lions late in the third quarter, two of them to Brown, that allowed Carlton to hold onto a one-point lead at the last change.


The Blues went in to the final change with a one-point lead but could manage only 1.5 in the last term as the Lions pulled away.


BRISBANE LIONS 6.1 13.1 18.4 21.10 (136)
CARLTON 5.6 14.8 17.11 18.16 (124)
Goals: Brisbane: C Johnson 3 J Brown 3 J Charman 3 L Power 2 T Notting 2 A McGrath 2 J Patfull 2 R Hadley J Roe C Stiller C Begleysmileys/biggrin.gif. Carlton: K Simpson 3 L Whitnall 3 E Betts 3 B Fevola 3 C Cloke 3 A Walker M Murphy M Lappin.


Best: Brisbane: J Brown S Black L Power C Stiller T Notting J Charman C Johnson. Carlton: R Houlihan H Scotland L Whitnall M Lappin K Simpson E Betts.Umpires: C Donlon M James M Head.</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>

[Chief]

Begley apparently burned off Setanta for the goal! I'd say he loved it.smileys/biggrin.gif Fair play to him. Amazing progress considering he only joined them a year ago.

[The Dave]

Brown (Lions forward)notched three goals but (Carlton coach, Denis) Pagan insisted that he was not critical of the performance of Carlton full-back Setanta O’hAilpin.


"I’m not disappointed with Setanta. When Setanta’s got 60 games under his belt, he’s going to be one of the best defenders in the game," Pagan said.


"He’s played 16 games. You can’t give him another 40 in one week - we’ve just got to bide our time and roll with the punches and just try and help him and support him all the way through because we know he’s going to be a good player for Carlton."

[Clon]

Isaw the first quarter, and much of the second quarter of the game, and it really was a good game to watch. the inexperience was oozing out of Carlton across the park. Setanta was marking Browne, and mostly did a good job on him in the first quarter, about 11 goals were scored in that quarter.


The real trouble for Carlton is not their backs, although they are green, but in the middle of the park Carlton were very good at winning ball but they continually went for the million dollar pass that was normally intercepted, instead of picking a guy in space 15-20 yards away, Brisbane were far more patient in their buildups.


Begley scored a good goal in the first quarter, running past Setanta, but I wouldn't blame Setanta too much for that one, Begley was runing on to the ball, Setanta going from a standing start. Begley looks to have a lot of pace and could do very well in AFL, he looks very wiry and light weight compared to the rest of the guys on the park, a good weights program should bring him on some more.


The Ausie tv coverage had a piece on Setanta before the game, picking him out as their best up and coming young player, and saying he was getting better with each game, certainly Setanta did a lot of small things sweeping up at the back well, and seems like a guy that needs to learn with games.


The best part of the coverage was when the Aussie commentary were talking about the Irish lads from Cork and Laois, the commentator couldn't say 'Laois', it came out as'Laos', as intheAsian country.

[Chief]

I was listen to the aussie commentators on internet radio and they would put the WWF lads to shame. Every 5 seconds one of them would roar tourettes style about nothing in particular ("He's fallen over!"). Plus every second sentence had to include the name of some sponsor or other. Give me Marty Morrissey any day of the week! (on the radio I meansmileys/biggrin.gif)

[The Dave]

By Simon WhiteExclusive to AFL BigPond Network<!- End_Module_9078 ->
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IT WAS a case of deja vu for Carlton at Carrara on Saturday night, with the Blues going down Kangaroos by 17 points, after having the better of the first half and more than their fair share of the play.


In a match which echoed last week's loss to Collingwood, Carlton led by 20 points at half-time on the back of four unanswered goals.


But with star forward Brendan Fevola appearing limited in his mobility after a first-half collision, the Blues battled for opportunities after the long break and fell to their fifth straight loss, 22.15 (147) to 20.10 (130).


Carlton, however, did fight it out to the end and put plenty of pressure on their hosts in the last quarter.


Lance Whitnall's third major, an impressive roost from 50m, reduced the deficit to 11 points with less than 10 minutes to play but, in a passage of play that reflected the second-half, Brent Harvey came up with an almost immediate answer at the other end, kicking his third goal of the game to seal the Roos' fifth straight win.


The game was ultimately decided in the first 40 minutes of the second half, in which the Roos booted nine goals to Carlton's two.


Thanks to a seven-goal third term, Dean Laidley's side was able to turn a half-time deficit of more than three goals into an 11-point three-quarter-time lead.


Shannon Grant and Brent Harvey kicked the first two goals of the last quarter and at that stage the Kangaroos looked like running away with it.


But Carlton soldiered on - the efficient Kade Simpson goaled twice in a minute, Anthony Koutoufides registered his first major of the season and Fevola added his fourth and fifth of the night to keep the Blues in the contest.


Andrew Carrazzo continued his purple patch of ball-gathering for Carlton with a team-high 28 possessions, while Simpson made the most of his 15 disposals, kicking 3.0 with his raking left foot.


Fevola, while clearly inconvenienced, still saw enough of the ball to kick 5.2, with youngster Luke Blackwell showing promise and Whitnall working hard and providing an impact at centre-half-forward.


The Kangaroos got five goals from Grant and an excellent contribution from Harvey, who ran hard for his 32 touches.


The final result didn't do justice to the way Carlton had played in an entertaining first half, as Denis Pagan's team got the early jump, weathered a Roos fightback and then kicked clear to take a handy advantage into half-time.


Brad Fisher and Fevola kicked two goals apiece as Carlton set up an 18-point break midway through the first quarter, before the Kangaroos, with Corey Jones prominent, hopped into life.


The Roos had chopped the deficit back to five points at quarter-time and, when Grant kicked their fourth consecutive goal five minutes into term two, the "home side" were in front by eight points.


From there, momentum see-sawed for the next 15 minutes, with Whitnall kicking a miracle "reverse banana" goal for the Blues from the left forward pocket and majors from Matthew Lappin and Simpson cancelling out a Kasey Green snap at the other end.


[b]Carlton eventually took command again in the last 10 minutes of the first half, Setanta O'hAilpin moving up the ground to offer another big forward target. The Irishman attacked the contest with relish and

[The Dave]

<DIV id=post_message_186977>'Aussie Rules' turning Gaelic, says Roos

After watching his Swans lose to Essendon by a single point at the SCG, Sydney coach Paul Roos couldn't help voicing his disgust at the direction Australian Rules Football is heading.

Roos didn't dispute that the Bombers were deserving winners after they emerged victorious in a nail-biting 11.8 (74) to 11.7 (73) triumph.

But the style of football Roos is certain rule makers would prefer to see is clearly not to his liking.

Specifically the new hands-in-the-back rule is Roos' biggest bone of contention, with spearhead Barry Hall in particular constantly penalised on Saturday night in genuine marking contests.

The umpires were helped from the ground by a significant security presence as hails of boos rained down from all around after a game littered with controversial moments.

Roos feels the game is being umpired as it has been intended by the AFL, it's just the style that he is struggling with, believing the game will soon resemble Gaelic football - a non-tackling sport.

He has most sympathy for the next generation of young footballers trying to make their way in the game.

"I probably get more frustrated when I go and see the kids games because I just feel the way I was allowed to play footy growing up has been taken away from the young kids of today," he said.

"As AFL coaches and players, we'll adjust because we've got time to do it and we'll train for it and adjust to the kick-in rule, the new holding the ball rule, the hitting the arms rule, the push in the back rule, the 50m rule - all the brilliant rules they've brought in.

"But for the kids it's very frustrating as a parent seeing the kids have to adjust.

"It's not something I had to put up with as a kid."

There were other moments that will be under the spotlight.

Adam McPhee clearly carried the ball out of bounds in the lead-up to Mark McVeigh's goal, Essendon's last which ultimately ensured the one-point victory.

"I think he chipped a bit of paint off the fence when he kicked it. But that's footy," Roos said.

Peter Everitt also punched through a Bombers shot on goal that fell well short after the siren for three quarter-time, which was counted as a point for Essendon.

But the loss of the traditional marking contest is what is really frustrating Roos.

"I think what you're seeing now is what the AFL want," Roos said.

"I think we've all just got to get used to it. It's going to be part and parcel of football in 2007.

"It's filtering down to kids at under-12 level, frustrated kids, frustrated parents, but that's the way the AFL wants the game to go.

"So we better get used to it or we'll be talking about it after every single game.

"I think what it's affecting is what we remember football as."

Asked about his understanding of the interpretations of the new rules, Roos replied only partly tongue-in-cheek that he is now using the DVD issued by the AFL as a coaster.

Source: http://www.NineMSN.com.au (http://www.ninemsn.com.au/)</DIV><!- / message -><!- sig ->

[Chief]

Gaelic football = a non-tackling sport, just like soccer, hurling, basketball etc. God the Australians are even more clueless about the world around them than the americans on occasion.

[The Dave]

Gaelic football = a non-tackling sport, just like soccer, hurling, basketball etc. God the Australians are even more clueless about the world around them than the americans on occasion.


I too havenoticed how the whinge more than the poms

[The Dave]

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<H2>Carlton hangs on to sink Bulldogs</H2>


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<DIV ="articleC&#111;ntent"><?:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1smileys/razz.gif<ST1:CITY w:st="&#111;n">CARLTON has broken a six-game drought to claim its third win of the season, hanging on to beat the Western Bulldogs by 10 points at the MCG.
The Blues kicked eight goals in the third quarter and seven in the first, winning 21.12 (13smileys/cool.gif to 19.14 (12smileys/cool.gif and continuing to stamp themselves as one of the competition’s more potent sides.
But they had to withstand a fierce assault in the final term, the Western Bulldogs closing to within a point before Marc Murphy sealed the win.
The Blues trailed by 15 points at half-time in a match that began as a breakneck shootout and evolved into a more traditional contest.
They conceded the first goal of the third term to slip 22 points behind, but then kicked five goals in nine minutes, adding three more before three-quarter time to break open a 19-point lead.
But the questions posed in the last six weeks resurfaced in the fourth term, as the Bulldogs answered Jarrad Waite’s opener with three straight goals.
The Dogs then had the chance to erase the Blues’ lead completely, but Daniel Cross and Ryan Hargrave fluffed chances inside 50.

<ST1:CITY w:st="&#111;n"><ST1smileys/razz.gifCarlton</ST1smileys/razz.gif</ST1:CITY> had been expected to pose the Bulldogs problems with their tall forwards, but it was 184cm Matthew Lappin who proved the game-winner. Lappin kicked four goals in the third quarter and five for the match, with Brad Fisher popping up with three goals in support.
Andrew Carrazo was also superb for the victors, collecting 37 touches and a whopping 10 tackles. @@@@SPAN>@@@@/SPAN>
The opening quarter resembled a gun battle, with 14 goals on the board and 13 individual goalkickers by the first break.
Murphy and Lance Whitnall goaled for <ST1:CITY w:st="&#111;n"><ST1smileys/razz.gifCarlton</ST1smileys/razz.gif</ST1:CITY> inside the first three minutes, but the Bulldogs hit back through skipper Brad Johnson and Nathan Eagleton, the game’s only multiple goalkickers to half time.
The margin did not exceed two goals until the Bulldogs eased away after the break with consecutive goals to Daniel Giansiracusa and Ryan Griffen.
<ST1:CITY w:st="&#111;n"><ST1smileys/razz.gifCarlton</ST1:CITY> did well to hold their own in the second quarter as the 10th-placed Dogs tried to shift gear. Late goals to Fisher and Adam Bentick kept the margin tight, but Johnson’s third goal deep in time-on hurt the underdogs.
<P ="Ms&

[The Dave]

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<H2>Carlton beats Port Adelaide by 39 points</H2>
By Luke Holmesby
for carltonfc.com.au</DIV></DIV><!- End_Module_9078 -></DIV>
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CARLTON has beaten Port Adelaide by 39 points in their clash at Telstra Dome in Melbourne.


Carlton kicked 22.9 (141) to Port Adelaide’s 14.18 (102).


The Blues had control of it all day, with the Power looking sluggish right from the start.
Jarrad Waite and Brad Fisher dominated up forward, while Andrew Carrazzo and Marc Murphy were excellent out of the middle.


Andrew Walker thoroughly beat Brett Ebert in defence, as did Bryce Gibbs on Shaun Burgoyne.


Carlton blew the game open in the third term, with nine goals giving them a 59-point lead at the final break.


The Blues shook things up at the start, with Lance Whitnall in defence and Setanta O’hAilpin up forward.


The gamble that paid off when O’hAilpin slotted through a goal 17 minutes in to the first term.


But Jarrad Waite was the star for the Blues, kicking three of his team’s eight first-quarter goals.


Jordan Bannister made life tough for Chad Cornes in the first quarter, not allowing the Power star his usual freedom across half back.


Cornes lifted in the second term, with plenty of drive from the back half.


The scoring slowed down in the second term, with the first goal not coming until ten minutes in, when Brendan Fevola marked and kicked a booming goal from 65 metres out.


@@@@SPAN>@@@@/SPAN>@@@@SPAN>CARLTON 8.3 11.5 20.5 22.9 (141)
PORT ADELAIDE 4.3 5.8 9.12 14.18 (102)@@@@/SPAN>


@@@@SPAN>Goals: Carlton: J Waite 4 R Houlihan 3 B Fisher 3 B Fevola 2 L Whitnall 2 J Bannister 2 S O'hAilpin 2 M Murphy A Walker K Simpson A Carrazzo. Po@@@@/SPAN>@@@@SPAN>@@@@/SPAN>@@@@SPAN>rt Adelaide: J Westhoff 4 D Rodan 2 R Gray 2 S Burgoyne C Cornes P Burgoyne B Lade W Tredrea D Cassisi.@@@@/SPAN>


@@@@SPAN>Best: Carlton: A Walker M Murphy A Carrazzo J Waite B Gibbs H Scotland J Russell B Thornton. Port Adelaide: S Salopek J Westhoff D Rodan K Cornes D Pearce P Burgoyne.@@@@/SPAN>


@@@@SPAN>Umpires: D Goldspink C Hendrie D Woodcock.@@@@/SPAN>


@@@@SPAN>Official crowd: 29,678 at Telstra Dome.@@@@/SPAN></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>

[The Dave]

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<H2>Young players stepping up: Pagan</H2>
By Catherine Murphy
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@@@@SPAN lang=EN-US>CARLTON coach Denis Pagan says that the exciting brand of football on display during the Blues’ 39-point smashing of Port Adelaide is the result of several years of hard work at the club.<?:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><Osmileys/razz.gif></Osmileys/razz.gif>@@@@/SPAN>
@@@@SPAN lang=EN-US><Osmileys/razz.gif></Osmileys/razz.gif>“It was a good result for our club again and we’re really pleased about it. Everyone at <?:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1:CITY w:st="&#111;n"><ST1smileys/razz.gifLACE w:st="on">Carlton</ST1smileys/razz.gifLACE></ST1:CITY>’s put so much work in over the past three or four years and we’re still a long, long way off it but we can really see some positive signs now and we’ll just continue to take the game on and attack it the way we have,” Pagan said.@@@@/SPAN>
@@@@SPAN lang=EN-US>“We tried to develop a few of our young blokes (earlier in the season), and we probably went a bit over the top with it. We were probably too top heavy. We’ve certainly got a smaller running side now and it’s paying dividends.”@@@@/SPAN>
@@@@SPAN lang=EN-US>Incessant waves of attack throughout the four terms saw a dominant Blues’ side register 22 goals from 11 different goal scorers. Although full forward Brendan Fevola accrued only two goals and two behinds Pagan insists that the star’s input was vital.@@@@/SPAN>
@@@@SPAN lang=EN-US><Osmileys/razz.gif></Osmileys/razz.gif>“Brendan’s trying as hard as he can. If you watch him train, he’s training as hard as he possibly can and he’s going to have a big day soon. He played a significant part today.@@@@/SPAN>
@@@@SPAN lang=EN-US>“@@@@/SPAN>@@@@SPAN lang=EN-US>We kicked nine straight without a point, that hasn’t happened for a while but it’s happened against us though,” Pagan said.<Osmileys/razz.gif>
</Osmileys/razz.gif>@@@@/SPAN>
@@@@SPAN lang=EN-US>Pagan praised the performance of Setanta O’hAilpin who scored two goals from his new position in the ruck. Pagan said the possibility of two brothers playing for the Blues in the near future was also a possibility with Setanta’s younger brother Aisake showing good form in the VFL.@@@@/SPAN>
@@@@SPAN lang=EN-US><Osmileys/razz.gif></Osmileys/razz.gif>“I hope Aisake plays well tomorrow (with <ST1smileys/razz.gifLACE w:st="on">Northern Bullants</ST1smileys/razz.gifLACE>). We could have Setanta playing forward and Aisake in the ruck. He’s going well at VFL level and he’s really knocking on the door.

[Chief]

Martin Clarke is making his debut for Collingwood this morning. Last years Down minor captain is doing very well for his first game, they are beating the swans well at the moment. Some achievement for a lad who only went out there at the end of last summer. Has played a dozen actual games of aussie rules and in less than a year he has broken into the first team. Unbelievable progress.

[The Dave]

Martin Clarke is making his debut for Collingwood this morning. Last years Down minor captain is doing very well for his first game, they are beating the swans well at the moment. Some achievement for a lad who only went out there at the end of last summer. Has played a dozen actual games of aussie rules and in less than a year he has broken into the first team. Unbelievable progress.


Scouts will come sniffing around then, and I for one am only too delighted

[Chief]

The scouts are always sniffing around.

[The Dave]

The scouts are always sniffing around. Gotta to be even more now that Setanta seems to be finally finding his feet, Begley too is scoring quite a lot,the lad from Collingwood too, and Aisake is supposedly performing well (for the Bullants I assume)

[Chief]

It'll only ever be a trickle of players that go to Australia but my worry is that they will go after the best players of each generation. Clarke had an outstanding debut today and they are raving about him. He's effectively been playing the game 6 months and he's in the first team playing in front of 64,000 today. I'd say there are a lot of Down GAA supporters wondering what might have been. Cork hurlers could afford to lose Setanta. Smaller, weaker counties can't afford to lose their best young player.

[The Dave]

It'll only ever be a trickle of players that go to Australia but my worry is that they will go after the best players of each generation. Clarke had an outstanding debut today and they are raving about him. He's effectively been playing the game 6 months and he's in the first team playing in front of 64,000 today. I'd say there are a lot of Down GAA supporters wondering what might have been. Cork hurlers could afford to lose Setanta. Smaller, weaker counties can't afford to lose their best young player.


Tough, GAA have no-one else to blame but themselves, if they want to stay amateur then fine, but don't come crying about losing players because of it

[Chief]

Thats a bit of a mean-spirited attitude. All the players that have gone to Australia have the goodwill of all GAA people behind them. It's still a shame that a county like Down have lost one of their best young players. Nobodys "crying" about losing players as it's only a very small number anyway. I take it you're another one of these folks who think the GAA don't pay players simply because they are mean?

[The Dave]

Thats a bit of a mean-spirited attitude. All the players that have gone to Australia have the goodwill of all GAA people behind them. It's still a shame that a county like Down have lost one of their best young players. Nobodys "crying" about losing players as it's only a very small number anyway. I take it you're another one of these folks who think the GAA don't pay players simply because they are mean?


What's mean spirited, I wish all the lads well, it's up to them as to what they want to do. I certainly don't appreciate the GAA trying to stop the scouts from enticing these lads down-under, why shoudln't they be offered the chance to make a career out of their talents??? Their career in Aussie Rules will last a maximum of 15 years and that's being generous

[The Dave]

The Ghost
for carltonfc.com.au<!- End_Module_9078 ->
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Farewell Kouta, I will never forget the games you played, the impact you have had on many games. Your broad shoulders carried this club through many a game and I still remember that curly-haired kid who played a great game in the ’95 final. You were my best that day Kouta. Farewell too, to Skinny, the body should have been shattered the first time you took the field, instead you absorbed everything thrown at you and still soared to take the speccie. You came to us as a stranger and leave a beloved player. Farewell also to you Denis. I doubt any coach ever got dealt a harsher hand than the way the cards fell for you. A bankrupt club, an aging list and little draft picks to speak of.

So the players begin their rest and we supporters pack away the frayed hearts and torn vocal cords for another year. It was not a great year. I never expected a lot this year but I did not foresee another season of fewer than five wins. Still the priority system probably means most times a club will finish on the mark rather than just above it.


My top ten highlights for season 2007.


1: Dick Pratt. Now in my entire history of following this great club I must admit I have never given two hoots about our administration and especially about our President. Whether Harris or Rice or Elliot or whoever, I just did not care. Then came the dark years when all of us looked to the head and saw the space where the head should be, the spurting bloody, the Monty Python Black Knight falling to his bloody knees crying ‘two out of three!’ Dick has given us back our head and every good thing that has happened this year follows on from there. From the day of his appointment every single Bluebagger stretched, lifted his head and began to look the opposition in the eyes again. The Bluebaggers had climbed out of the pit on Dick’s broad back and now we wait to scream so loud the universe will shake!


2: Gibbsey! I just loved watching him play each and every game. The fact no one mentions him in the NRS says more about the media than it does him. Some of his spoils, his timing and vision - the kid’s going to be a superstar. 22 games into his young body was a brilliant effort by him and by the club. Well-done lad!


3: Setanta! I am proud of my Irish heritage but that has always been separate to my love of football. Not any more! This bloke will just get better and better and no one celebrates a goal like Santy! (cannot wait for the game next year when Aisake and Setanta line up together.)


4: That comeback and walloping of Essendon. Ahh the boy and I sang the song and screamed our lungs out! Fev bangs through 8 and that bright invincible blue light glowed for that afternoon at the M.C.G. Days like that are important, we must remember who we are as a club, where we have come from, what we want to get back to. Besides beating Essendon is the next best thing to winning a final!


5: Simmo as captain. For some time I think we have known our leadership is weak. This from a club that has produced Clover, Chitty, Hands, Big Nick, Fitzy, Johnno and Sticks. S

[Chief]

Martin Clarke was excellent again today in Collingwoods win over the Swans. The rumour is when he is officially promoted to the senior list next season he will get Nathan Buckleys No. 5 jersey (Buckley being the greatest Collingwood player ever, now retiring). Unbelievable progress in his first year.

[The Dave]

Martin Clarke was excellent again today in Collingwoods win over the Swans. The rumour is when he is officially promoted to the senior list next season he will get Nathan Buckleys No. 5 jersey (Buckley being the greatest Collingwood player ever, now retiring). Unbelievable progress in his first year.


Would they not retire the no. 5 jersey???

[Chief]

The impression I get from the fans is that they want it to go to Clarke and I think Buckley has said something along the lines that he'd be delighted to see him get it. Pretty big honour. Did you see the belt he got last week? And he came back on a few minutes later. Tough bit of stuff.


@@@@SPAN style="text-decorati&#111;n: underline;">http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pl-lrr-76M@@@@/SPAN>

[The Dave]

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In a year when the AFL saw the stunning debut of Irishman Martin Clarke at Collingwood, the usual good form of Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney), the continued development of countrymen Colm Begley (Brisbane Lions) and the O’hAiplin brothers (Carlton), two more players from those families were also having fine seasons of Australian Football back home in Ireland.

The Irish league is relatively small with just the five clubs competing this season, but with a sprinkling of Aussies and the relatively small transition from Gaelic football, the league is one of the strongest outside <st1:country-regi&#111;n w:st="&#111;n">Australia</st1:country-regi&#111;n>.@@@@SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> @@@@/SPAN>Recently the Leeside Lions were crowned 2007 Premiers of the Australian Rules Football League of Ireland (ARFLI) following their victory over the reigning premiers, the South Dublin Swans. The final score in the Grand Final played in Durrow,<ST1smileys/razz.gif saw the Lions 9.13 (67) comfortably win over the Swans 2.7 (19), a deceptive margin given a very tight first half.
<Osmileys/razz.gif
The victorious Cork side lined out with four Australians in their playing squad compared with fourteen in the match day squad of the Swans. The league’s rule that 50% of the players on-field at any time must be non-Australian meant that the Swans’ Irish players and one German were tested physically as they had to play much of the game without a rest while the Lions were able to rotate players freely - including local star Teu ÓhAilpín (pictured front row,bottom right), the brother of Carlton's cult figure Setanta and promising younger brother Aisake.@@@@SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> @@@@/SPAN>Also on the winning side was Tadhg Kennelly’s cousin, Denis (pictured front row, two from left).
<Osmileys/razz.gif
The Lions signalled their intentions early with a goal after just four minutes from Teu ÓhAilpín (the family have yet another brother, Seán Óg, a champion hurler with <st1:City w:st="&#111;n"><ST1smileys/razz.gifCork</ST1smileys/razz.gifl</st1:City>). This was to be the only goal of a tight quarter, with both sides missing several other scoring chances. The early part of the second quarter was dominated by <ST1smileys/razz.gifSouth Dublin as they took the lead through goals from Luke O’Hea and team captain Dom Hoban. The Lions were to regain the lead four minutes later with a goal from Irish International Liam O’Connor. At half time the Cork side lead by just a single point.
<Osmileys/razz.gif
As is often the case in Australian Football, the third quarter was to decide the game. In their first attack the Lions goaled through Rich Bonsak. This was followed by two more goals by Teu Ó hAilpín and then a spectacular goal by Ian O’Sullivan. While their forwards were increasing their lead, the Lions’ backs marshalled by Marc Bajcic were ensuring it counted, repelling every Swans attack and restricting the <ST1<IMG src="smileys/razz.gif" bo

[Metalman]

I was reading an article at the weeknd about one of the coaches ordering his players to either take a course or get another job to fill their free time. Does anybody know where this article can be found or who the coach was? Thanks

[The Dave]

By Catherine Murphy
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network<!- End_Module_9078 ->
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CARLTON has refuted claims in newspaper reports that they have signed four Irish players however football operations manager Steven Icke has confirmed that the Blues have offered Cork defender Michael Shields the opportunity to join the club for a trial during pre-season.


"We haven't signed anyone," Icke says. "All we've done with Michael Shields is offer him the opportunity to come to Carlton and do a pre-season training camp.


"If he likes what he sees and we like what we see, we may be in a position to offer him a contract."


The Corkman, who played in his county's losing All-Ireland final bid against Kerry, wouldn't be short of company from home.


The club already has two Irish players from Cork in Setanta O'hAilpin and his younger brother Aisake, who is believed to be close to an upgrade to the senior list despite the fact a groin injury ended his season prematurely this year.


It was also reported that the club had signed three other teenagers from Galway, Laois and Armagh and were offering $1600 apiece on the condition they chose the Blues should they decide to try to make the grade in the AFL.


"I am meeting with some other players but I'm not going to state who they are.


"That's all wrong (regarding payments). No payments have been made. I'm here to talk to some people but there are no offers being made at this stage."


Icke, who arrived in Dublin late on Tuesday night, says he hasn't even met up with Shields yet.


"I haven't had any indication from Michael as to whether he'll accept our offer."


When asked if he is confident that the O'hAilpins will have Irish company next year, the football manager remains coy.


"They've made their (the O'hAilpins) spare bed up; I don't know whether that's an indication or not," he laughed.</DIV>
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[The Dave]

By Catherine Murphy
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CARLTON has confirmed 20-year-old Cork defender Michael Shields has agreed to a three-week trial with the Blues and will arrive in Melbourne at the end of the week.


Shields, who played in Cork’s losing All-Ireland Final side against champions Kerry, will stay with fellow Corkmen and Blues’ players Setanta and Aisake O’hAilpin during his stint in Melbourne.


Shields met with Carlton’s manager of Football Operations’ Steven Icke last week to discuss the possibility of a trial. Icke says he’s pleased with the Gaelic Footballer's decision to take up the Blues’ offer.


“We haven’t offered him a contract, contrary to many reports, but we are offering him the opportunity to come over and spend some time at the club and get a feel for what we do and see if he wants to play AFL football,” Icke says.


Icke says the club’s Irish contingent, the O’hAilpin brothers, are delighted they’ll be having company from home.


“I think they’re pretty excited. Aisake played [football] with Michael at home because they’re around about the same age. They’re pretty happy that they’re going to have another lad from home spend some time with them.”


Icke says that he’s excited about the prospect of adding another Irish player to the Blues’ list, but isn’t keen to talk about the possibility of signing him up too soon.


“That would be some sort of record to have three Cork guys playing on the same team, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves yet, he hasn’t been offered a contract at this stage.


"But we wouldn’t be bringing him half way around the world if we didn’t think there was some potential for him to be able to play at our level.


"But that’s only part of the equation. He’s got to feel comfortable over here, he’s got to like our environment and we’ve got to see how well he adapts to what we do.”


Despite reports that the club was due to sign three other un-named Irish players, Icke insists that Shields will be the only Gaelic Footballer to link up with the Blues this year.


“We spoke to a couple of players but there’s nothing to report on. Maybe there will be something down the track but nothing that’s going to impact what we do over the next few years.”</DIV>
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[The Dave]

Brought to you by Laine Clark,
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<DIV align=left>IRISH import Colm Begley failed to return from his homeland with any Gaelic football silverware - but he did arrive in Australia with something very valuable to the Brisbane Lions.

Begley spent his off-season break playing in Stradbally's failed bid to win the Laois County championship final.

And he flew home with the Lions' new Irish recruit Pearce Hanley.

The 18-year-old arrived in Brisbane on Friday with Begley, keen to follow in the footsteps of his travelling companion who has quickly earned a reputation in their homeland for his AFL exploits.

Known for his blistering speed and silky ball disposal for Gaelic football club Mayo, Hanley has been signed on an international rookie contract.

Hanley cited Begley and Sydney's Irish star Tadhg Kennelly as role models.

"I'm just looking to making the most of an opportunity to become a professional sportsman," a bleary eyed Hanley said.

Picking Begley's brain during the flight, Hanley received a crash course on AFL and said he was bracing himself for the speed of the game.

The 184cm, 81kg Hanley first caught Brisbane's attention when he received the Ron Barassi Medal as Ireland's best player in the third Under 17 International Rules Test at Fremantle in April, 2006.

But the Lions did not formally approach Hanley until Brisbane football manager Graeme Allan travelled to Ireland in July.

Hanley is expected to slot into half-back as he begins his AFL education.

He will meet the Lions players on Saturday and start pre-season training on Monday.

Big things are expected from Hanley after defender Begley's meteoric rise.

Begley, 21, has blown coach Leigh Matthews away due to his remarkable transformation from an amateur Gaelic footballer into an AFL professional in less than two years.

Despite only picking up an Australian football for the first time in 2006, Begley became a permanent fixture at Brisbane in 2007 and played 20 games to earn the Lions' Rookie of the Year award.

Begley may have helped kick-start Hanley's AFL education but a much richer source awaited the Irishman in Brisbane.

Hanley has temporarily moved in with Lions legend and assistant coach Craig Lambert and his family.
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[Chief]

When you think about it, it's really a no-brainer for the AFL clubs. All they have to do is familiarise the Irish lads with the ball, give them a good pre-season with an emphasis on weight-training and a few games in the reserves to get the hang of it. Clarke, Begley, Dyas and now Murphy with the Swans were already in the top 2-3% of their respective teams for aerobic ability as soon as they stepped off the plane. Michael Shields came 6th in Carltons time trial a couple of days after getting off the plane (and bear in mind he would have finished training with Cork over a month ago and he would have been up against 30+ professional athletes). Gaelic footballers are already extremely fit. The AFL clubs get the equivalent of a high pick in the national draft for next to nothing. I've a feeling that within the next couple of seasons they will start regulating it more though, i.e. limit the number of "International" players in each squad.

[The Dave]

Tadhg Kennelly has sensationally revealed that he plans to return home to Ireland next year to try to win an All-Ireland medal with Kerry.


The 26-year-old from Listowel has established himself as one of the top players in Aussie Rules over the past seven seasons but his current deal with the Sydney Swans, withwhom he won an AFL title in 2005, expires at the end of next year.


And Kennelly is not interested in extending his stay in Australia as he has his heart sent on lifting Sam Maguire.


“I’m definitely going home next year to try to win an All-Ireland medal,” he told the Irish Mail on Sunday.


”I will always miss Aussie Rules and I won’t cut my ties to Australia, but I want to win an All-Ireland with Kerry.”


gaa.ie

[Stringer9]

Tadhg Kennelly has sensationally revealed that he plans to return home to Ireland next year to try to win an All-Ireland medal with Kerry.


The 26-year-old from Listowel has established himself as one of the top players in Aussie Rules over the past seven seasons but his current deal with the Sydney Swans, withwhom he won an AFL title in 2005, expires at the end of next year.


And Kennelly is not interested in extending his stay in Australia as he has his heart sent on lifting Sam Maguire.


“I’m definitely going home next year to try to win an All-Ireland medal,” he told the Irish Mail on Sunday.


”I will always miss Aussie Rules and I won’t cut my ties to Australia, but I want to win an All-Ireland with Kerry.”


gaa.ie

Ah come on how many times have we heard that from him over the years, and if he does come back next year, there's no guarantee that he'd make the Kerry side.

[James Lynch]

AFL 2008 highlights start next Wednesday 26th March at 11.05pm on TG4 for those of you interested. It is repeated on Saturday morning at 10.20am.

[The Dave]

Marty Clarke apparently had a stormer as the Magpies mauled the Cats

[The Dave]

The Dub chairman of the AFL's oldest club (http://video.msn.com/mkt=en-au&amp;brand=ninemsn&amp;tab=m172&amp;from=39&amp;vid=4326677A-6041-4E6A-9A7D-96D6BC81F0A6&amp;playlist=videoByTag:mk:en-AU:vs:0:tag:AUsport_AUnrlfootyshow:ns:MSNVideo_Top _Catsmileys/razz.gifs:10:sd:-1:ind:1:ff:8A)