I have to hand it to this Carlscum observer who in February 2009 gave this synopsis:
"I popped along to Gosch's Paddock this morning for the Tiges first intra-club hitout...along with about 1000 others that included Carlton's Brett Munro, Matthew Lappin and Brendan Fevola. Coaches from the Bulldogs and Collingwood also keen lookers on...
Most were probably there to get a glimpse of 'Benny' Cousins - and you can understand why. Seeing the Tigers is an absolute nightmare in the summer...they train all over the place, mostly Victoria Park during the pre-season, sometimes Sandringham...in a few years it'll be permanently at Craigieburn and the club had it's family day at Glen Waverley. The club rarely gives its supporters the right information re: training times and locations and it makes you appreciate just how lucky we are that we have our one home ground that has such history attached to it...not many clubs can say that.
Ok - let's get on to the main focus...Benny. I've gotta tell you - I was ready to come on here and say how 'ineffective a player I think he will be' for them in 2009. It seems that's not going to be the case. Cousins is the bit of midfield depth the Tigers need. He was so easy to spot today, not only because he is so cut - but because he has clean hands, his disposal is excellent and he runs to the right places. While his first 25 minutes was quiet - his second 25 were outstanding.
That last point is important - because the Tiges had a few out there who ran around like chickens with their head cut off and every football basic they should have learnt from their under-12 coach went out the window. Jake King, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Tom Hislop, Daniel Jackson and Angus Graham to mention a few...(not referring to any Coburg listed players out there today - they don't count).
Surprisingly - a couple of the young rookies impressed. Alroy Gilligan and Robin Nahas saw limited game time, but used it well as small forwards. Nahas will play senior footy this year I have little doubt.
The 'A' listers are easy to spot at Richmond. Deledio is a gun. He might not have had his kicking boot on today, but that's minor...he is not in Judd's league at the stoppages - but as a midfielder pushing forward to become a marking and goalkicking option, he's one of the best going around. Nathan Foley saw a lot of it and looks fit and fast. Chris Newman and Joel Bowden are still reliable across half-back, Kel Moore looks like he will continue to develop into a very good fullback and Shane Edwards is another classy mid who will make many look stupid this year, such is this kids excellent footwork.
Richo had a run around and looks good as well...played on a wing and pushed into half-forward. Coughlan tried hard, but will take time to get back to the pace of AFL footy, and Tyrone Vickery played in the ruck. Moves very well - but I don't reckon he's a ruckman. Vickery is a forward in my eyes and that's where I'd play him...a fit Simmonds, and the Tigers look alright down forward with Jack Riewoldt and Nathan Brown providing another avenue to goal.
Their forward line looks very good - their midfield looks good - and i'd suggest their backline is their biggest area of concern, only because of depth issues. While you can't take much away from an intra-club played on Gosch's paddock - those there would have learned a little about the Tigers today...if everything goes right for them this year - they just might find themselves in the box seat."
http://www.talkingcarlton.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=20031&start=455
see also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzjube4ylSk
"I popped along to Gosch's Paddock this morning for the Tiges first intra-club hitout...along with about 1000 others that included Carlton's Brett Munro, Matthew Lappin and Brendan Fevola. Coaches from the Bulldogs and Collingwood also keen lookers on...
Most were probably there to get a glimpse of 'Benny' Cousins - and you can understand why. Seeing the Tigers is an absolute nightmare in the summer...they train all over the place, mostly Victoria Park during the pre-season, sometimes Sandringham...in a few years it'll be permanently at Craigieburn and the club had it's family day at Glen Waverley. The club rarely gives its supporters the right information re: training times and locations and it makes you appreciate just how lucky we are that we have our one home ground that has such history attached to it...not many clubs can say that.
Ok - let's get on to the main focus...Benny. I've gotta tell you - I was ready to come on here and say how 'ineffective a player I think he will be' for them in 2009. It seems that's not going to be the case. Cousins is the bit of midfield depth the Tigers need. He was so easy to spot today, not only because he is so cut - but because he has clean hands, his disposal is excellent and he runs to the right places. While his first 25 minutes was quiet - his second 25 were outstanding.
That last point is important - because the Tiges had a few out there who ran around like chickens with their head cut off and every football basic they should have learnt from their under-12 coach went out the window. Jake King, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Tom Hislop, Daniel Jackson and Angus Graham to mention a few...(not referring to any Coburg listed players out there today - they don't count).
Surprisingly - a couple of the young rookies impressed. Alroy Gilligan and Robin Nahas saw limited game time, but used it well as small forwards. Nahas will play senior footy this year I have little doubt.
The 'A' listers are easy to spot at Richmond. Deledio is a gun. He might not have had his kicking boot on today, but that's minor...he is not in Judd's league at the stoppages - but as a midfielder pushing forward to become a marking and goalkicking option, he's one of the best going around. Nathan Foley saw a lot of it and looks fit and fast. Chris Newman and Joel Bowden are still reliable across half-back, Kel Moore looks like he will continue to develop into a very good fullback and Shane Edwards is another classy mid who will make many look stupid this year, such is this kids excellent footwork.
Richo had a run around and looks good as well...played on a wing and pushed into half-forward. Coughlan tried hard, but will take time to get back to the pace of AFL footy, and Tyrone Vickery played in the ruck. Moves very well - but I don't reckon he's a ruckman. Vickery is a forward in my eyes and that's where I'd play him...a fit Simmonds, and the Tigers look alright down forward with Jack Riewoldt and Nathan Brown providing another avenue to goal.
Their forward line looks very good - their midfield looks good - and i'd suggest their backline is their biggest area of concern, only because of depth issues. While you can't take much away from an intra-club played on Gosch's paddock - those there would have learned a little about the Tigers today...if everything goes right for them this year - they just might find themselves in the box seat."
http://www.talkingcarlton.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=20031&start=455
see also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzjube4ylSk
