It was like old times at Visy Park on friday when a big crowd of eager Blues supporters braved the cold and drizzle to watch the latest installment of pre-season 2011. The Blue boys put on a good display by overcoming Adelaide, in particular Chris Yarran dazzled opponents all afternoon with some scintillating dashes off half back. As usual I have wandered far and wide around the internet jungle to bring you some of the colour and comment from our latest game.
There were lots of people taking photos on the day and we have quite a few albums which have been uploaded.
Nice slideshow of over 100 photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oaks101/sets/72157626193275782/show/
Official CFC photos of the day: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=292494&id=108959538333
Some pics from ACP Photography: http://www.flickr.com/photos/acphotography18/archives/date-posted/2011/03/04/
Gerald Bartels take of the day: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=377463&id=527572574
CFCTV interviewed ‘Dangles’ Armfield after the game.
Herald Sun Article: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/double-blow-for-crows/story-e6frf9jf-1226016034677
CFC Article written by Jason Phelan: http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4311/newsid/108790/default.aspx
Over at TalkingCarlton, the poster aboynamedsue had this to say:
The 3 players who brought a smile to my face yesterday were Yarran, Hammer & Duigan. Yarran looks a million bucks at the moment. His run out of defence and ball use was first class. Hammer carried the can in the ruck in the 2nd half after Warnock went off early in the 3rd term. I think Warnock might have suffered a minor injury and was kept off the ground for the rest of the 2nd half as a precaution (by the way, I thought Warnock was fairly dominant in the ruck in the 1st half – made one or two clangers with the ball, but he controlled the ruck contests well). We’ve been saying for a few years now that Hammer will be handful if/when the marks start sticking…well, he clunked a few beauties yesterday and his workrate was excellent. And Duigan….looked very determined to have an impact yesterday (obviously fighting for a spot in the Rd 1 team + I suspect he wanted to prove a point to the Crows…) and I think those that compare him to Andrew McKay are pretty close to the mark. Time will tell if he gets to the AA level that Macca did, be he certainly seems a similar type player to Macca. Pencil him in for Round 1 now.
At Carlton Supporters Club, the poster Baggers2011 observed:
Although we have to temper pre season games with the reality of just what it is – a pre-season game, I really saw positives in our effort against Adelaide.
Adelaide came to play and they were crisp, purposeful, smart and direct…early, and also early in the 3rd. During this time they were all over us. We looked like a gangly teenager trying to come to grips with his growing body. But mostly, we worked hard and maximized our opportunities.
When we consider that we were minus around 6 players in our best 22, I was cautiously optimistic in regards our application and response to being down. This time last year, Adelaide got over us and at times on Friday it looked like they would again. I thought the difference this year compared to last was a few defenders who made good decisions under pressure and delivered the pill with precision – an imperative in a top team.
Specifically – Laidler (what a deadly left foot), Diugan (continues to impress, though looked a little lost at times) and White – his attack on the aggot and opponent is great. Jamison seems to be learning (I bet one ex ColliWobbler, G. Brown is having an impact there!!) though he must stop giving away free kicks – this will be the make or break year for Jammo. And then there was Yarran…he’ll cop a negating forward for sure, but dream on opponents, this guy will grow and find a way to cut a swathe through many a defensive press.