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2007 Pre-Season

The Blues would begin Season 2007 with a bang by winning the 2007 NAB Cup against the Brisbane Lions, our fourth Pre-Season / Night Series Premiership.

NAB Pre-Season Cup Round 1

Carlton 1.3.2 29 1.6.7 52 1.8.12 69 1.10.14 83
Essendon 0.1.5 11 0.4.6 30 1.6.12 63 1.9.16 79
Venue: Telstra Dome (Twilight)
Date: Sat 24 February, 2007 Result: Win by 4 points
Umpires: G Bandy, T Keating, S McBurney & S Ryan Crowd: 28,568
Goalkickers: NINE POINT: E Betts 1
SIX POINT: B Fevola 5, J Kennedy 1, L Whitnall 1, M Lappin 1, N Stevens 1, R Houlihan 1
Reports: Nil Injuries: Nil














Game Review

While some sides treat the NAB Cup as a practice run and rest most of their stars, this clash between the two arch rivals was played with all the intensity of a regular game, with both sides determined to make up for poor 2006 seasons. Both went in with their best possible line ups, with very few regular players missing. The Bombers went in as favourites but the Blues would continue their tradition of upsetting their arch rivals by less than a kick.

The Blues started the better and were playing with greater skill, purpose and intensity than in 2006. Just before half time they held a 38 point lead but 2 late goals to the Bombers brought the margin back to 22 points. They struggled to maintain their intensity in the second half, while the Bombers lifted theirs but unlike so many occasions in 2006, managed to hold on to record a 4 point victory, thanks to vital last quarter goals from the experienced Nick Stevens and Matthew Lappin. A couple of errors deep in defence in the last quarter kept the Bombers closer than we would have liked (Alwyn Davey converted only one of the two), but the Blues would prevail.

2006 Coleman medalist Brendan Fevola picked up from where he left off, kicking 5 of his team's 11 goals, the only multiple goal scorer. Jarrad Waite made a promising start to a new role at centre half back, reading the play well and providing plenty of rebound, while keeping Lucas quiet. Setanta Ó hAilpín looked like he had a future at full back, keeping Lloyd to just 2 goals. Ryan Houlihan with 25 possessions and Andrew Carrazzo with 23 were the major ball winners.

Team

B: 1 Andrew Walker 17 Setanta Ó hAilpín 32 Bret Thornton
HB: 33 Ryan Houlihan 30 Jarrad Waite 4 Bryce Gibbs
C: 12 Matthew Lappin 24 Nick Stevens 29 Heath Scotland
HF: 6 Kade Simpson 8 Lance Whitnall 3 Marc Murphy
F: 14 Brad Fisher 25 Brendan Fevola 5 Josh Kennedy
Ruck: 11 Cain Ackland 2 Jordan Russell 19 Eddie Betts
Interchange:43 Anthony Koutoufides 9 Jason Saddington 44 Andrew Carrazzo
41 Ross Young 28 Cameron Cloke 38 Ryan Jackson
Coach: Denis Pagan


2007 NAB Pre-Season Cup Quarter Final

Carlton 1.3.1 28 1.5.6 45 1.8.9 66 1.9.12 75
Hawthorn 0.4.4 28 0.5.5 35 1.7.6 57 2.7.8 68
Venue: Aurora Stadium (York Park), Launceston (Twilight)
Date: Sat 3 March, 2007 Result: Win by 7 points
Umpires: M Ellis, M Head, S Jeffery & H Kennedy Crowd: 15,412
Goalkickers: NINE POINT: M Murphy 1
SIX POINT: B Fevola 2, C Ackland 2, A Carrazzo 2, J Kennedy 1, B Fisher 1 & E Betts 1
Reports: Nil Injuries: Nil














Game Review

After an even first quarter, the Blues gained the ascendency in the second term, taking a 10 point lead at half time. They remained slightly ahead (8 points) at the final change but a 'supergoal' from the Hawks early in the final quarter tied the scores up. The Blues responded with Andrew Carrazzo kicking an important pressure goal, his second for the game, to run out 7 point winners and advance to the semi finals.

Nick Stevens led the midfield with 29 disposals, while Marc Murphy had 23 classy possessions (15 contested), including a 'supergoal' from outside 50m.

It was the first time from their six meetings that Carlton had defeated Hawthorn in a "Night/Pre-Season" match (two of these defeats had been in the 'Night' grand finals of 1977 and 1986). It was also the third time that they had played in Tasmania in a "Night/Pre-Season" match for Carlton's second win, the only defeat was in 1998 but the first in Launceston and under lights- the other two games played at the North Hobart oval during the day.

Team

B: 1 Andrew Walker 17 Setanta Ó hAilpín 32 Bret Thornton
HB: 33 Ryan Houlihan 30 Jarrad Waite 29 Heath Scotland
C: 12 Matthew Lappin 24 Nick Stevens 2 Jordan Russell
HF: 14 Brad Fisher 8 Lance Whitnall 3 Marc Murphy
F: 19 Eddie Betts 25 Brendan Fevola 5 Josh Kennedy
Ruck: 11 Cain Ackland 44 Andrew Carrazzo 6 Kade Simpson
Interchange: 43 Anthony Koutoufides 9 Jason Saddington 4 Bryce Gibbs
7 Adam Bentick 28 Cameron Cloke 38 Ryan Jackson
Coach: Denis Pagan
In: Adam Bentick
Out: Ross Young



2007 NAB Pre-Season Cup Semi-Final

Carlton 1.0.4 13 1.3.7 34 1.7.9 60 1.13.13 100
Kangaroos 0.1.2 8 0.6.4 40 1.10.4 73 1.12.4 85
Venue: Gold Coast Stadium (Night)
Date: Sat 10 March, 2007 (Night) Result: Win by15 points
Umpires: R Chamberlain, S Grun, M Stevic, M Vozzo Crowd: 7,228
Goalkickers: NINE POINT: B Fevola 1
SIX POINT: B Fevola 7 M Murphy 2 E Betts 2 B Fisher N Stevens 1
Reports: Nil Injuries: Nil














Game Review

After an even one and a half quarters, the Kangaroos kicked 8 unanswered goals to take a 6 goal lead and seemed to have the game in control midway through the third quarter. But the Blues refused to give in and kicked the next 10 in a row to end up winning by 15 points and make their second Pre-season cup Grand Final in 3 years. The Roos were kept scoreless for all but the last minutes of the final quarter, such was the Blues domination.

Brendan Fevola kicked 8 goals including one supergoal- the third time that he had scored 8 goals in a pre-season game (the others were in 2004 against Sydney and the 2005 Night Grand Final against West Coast). Eddie Betts and Marc Murphy each kicked 2 classy goals. Ryan Houlihan with 29 possessions and Heath Scotland and Nick Stevens with 28 were the major ball winners. Setanta Ó hAilpín was again effective at full back, this time having the better of Nathan Thompson.

Team

B: 1 Andrew Walker 17 Setanta Ó hAilpín 32 Bret Thornton
HB: 33 Ryan Houlihan 30 Jarrad Waite 2 Jordan Russell
C: 4 Bryce Gibbs 24 Nick Stevens 6 Kade Simpson
HF: 14 Brad Fisher 23 Adam Hartlett 3 Marc Murphy
F: 19 Eddie Betts 25 Brendan Fevola 8 Lance Whitnall
Ruck: 11 Cain Ackland 29 Heath Scotland 44 Andrew Carrazzo
Interchange: 43 Anthony Koutoufides 12 Matthew Lappin 18 Paul Bower
7 Adam Bentick 28 Cameron Cloke 38 Ryan Jackson
Coach: Denis Pagan
In: Paul Bower, Adam Hartlett
Out: Jason Saddington, Josh Kennedy


2007 NAB Pre-Season Cup Grand Final

Carlton 1.2.1 22 1.4.3 36 2.9.3 75 2.12.7 97
Brisbane 0.2.2 14 0.6.7 43 0.7.11 53 0.10.12 72
Venue: Telstra Dome, Docklands (Night)
Date: Sat 17 March, 2007 Result: Win by 25 points
Umpires: Stevic, Vozzo, Ryan, Jeffery. Crowd: 46, 094
Goalkickers: NINE POINT: B Fisher 1, A Carrazzo 1
SIX POINT: B Fevola 4, B Fisher 3, H Scotland, A Koutoufides, J Russell, N Stevens & L Whitnall 1
Reports: Nil Injuries: Nil














Game Review

There was little in the game early, the Blues a little more efficient and the Lions gave away a 9 pointer from a 50 m penalty, which saw the Blues 8 points up at the first change, despite having fewer possessions and inside 50's. The Lions appeared to then take control and were 14 points up just before half time. But the Blues kicked 7 unanswered goals to take control of the match. The Lions fought back, to get within 12 points but the Blues had the answers and went on to score a 25 point victory, their second Pre-season Premiership in 3 years.

Nick Stevens earned his second Michael Tuck Medal for best afield in a pre-season grand final (the earlier one with his former club Port Adelaide in 2002) and fourth pre-season premiership (two each with Carlton and Port Adelaide) in a game high 26 possession performance. Marc Murphy was also prominent with 22 and both players also had the most tackles- 6. Setanta Ó hAilpín, with a little help from Carlton's promising new defensive unit (see below), was again able to shut down Lions' powerhouse Jonathan Brown. Up forward, Brad Fisher and Brendan Fevola each kicked 4 goals. Fevola has now scored 85 goals from his 22 'Night/preseason games' since his 12 goal debut against Collingwood in the Millennium match on New Years Eve 1999- the most of any Carlton player.

2007 NAB Pre-Season Cup Premiership Team

B: 1 Andrew Walker 17 Setanta Ó hAilpín 32 Bret Thornton
HB: 33 Ryan Houlihan 30 Jarrad Waite 29 Heath Scotland
C: 4 Bryce Gibbs 24 Nick Stevens 6 Kade Simpson
HF: 14 Brad Fisher 8 Lance Whitnall (c) 3 Marc Murphy
F: 19 Eddie Betts 25 Brendan Fevola 5 Josh Kennedy
Ruck: 11 Cain Ackland 2 Jordan Russell 7 Adam Bentick
Interchange: 43 Anthony Koutoufides 12 Matthew Lappin 34 Simon Wiggins
23 Adam Hartlett 28 Cameron Cloke 44 Andrew Carrazzo
Coach: Denis Pagan
In: Simon Wiggins, Josh Kennedy
Out: Ryan Jackson, Paul Bower


The big question now was whether the Blues could continue that form into the season proper, rather than see a repeat of what happened after its 2005 Pre-Season Premiership.

Carlton achieved several 'firsts' during this 2007 Pre-Season campaign:

It was the first time that they had defeated either Hawthorn or Brisbane in a Pre-season match, won a Pre-Season game in Queensland and the first time that they had won consecutive Pre-Season matches interstate, which were also against sides that either played or were going to play some of their 'home' matches at the venues that these matches were played.

To put Carlton’s win in perspective they defeated sides that had finished in the 2006 season in 11th and 13th to 15th positions on the League Ladder.

During the 2007 Pre-Season all except one match was won by the side that finished lower on the League Ladder after the 2006 Season, the exception was the Geelong and Port Adelaide game in Darwin that had the scores level at full time and extra time was played where Port blow two changes to win this game in the tropical downpour.

For some images of this great evening, click here.

Multimedia



Mike and Dan Article

Apples and Oranges: The Blues of 2007

So Carlton has again won a Pre-Season Premiership, but the 2005 precedent means that this means nothing, right? Or does it? Well, last week’s press spent a fair amount of time rehashing the stunning 2005 Pre-Season Premiership by rubbishing our equally stunning failure to convert the win into anything other than Marc Murphy (Incidentally, that’s a conversion I’m happy to take). But this week, in the aftermath of our 4th Pre-Season Flag the press has cottoned on to what most Carlton diehards have been focusing on for a while now – the emergence of our younger brigade and the beginning of our much-anticipated Carlton revival.
Now no one is talking as though we are formally back in the game...yet. All we are saying is that we’ve improved, we’re improving, and that you should jump on board as the top kids picked over the last few years take the game on and learn to win. Yes, we all know that we beat 4 Bottom 8 teams of 2006 in coming to the Flag but if you always beat Bottom 8 teams…Guess What? You are likely to make it to the finals! That’s the challenge.

The Blues of 2007 are a far different story than that of 2005, and there’s a few key reasons for that. Let’s have a look at who is in and who was out from a simple 2 year time comparison between Pre-Season Premiership teams:


In:

Out:

Adam Bentick

Adrian Deluca

Adam Hartlett

Barnaby French

Brad Fisher

Callum Chambers

Bryce Gibbs

Cory McGrath

Cain Ackland

David Teague

Cameron Cloke

Digby Morrell

Eddie Betts

Ian Prendergast

Jarrad Waite

Jordon Bannister

Jordan Russell

Justin Davies

Josh Kennedy

Luke Livingston

Marc Murphy

Scott Camporeale

Setanta o'hAilpin

Trent Sporn


Only 12 of the Blues who took the field on Saturday night also took the field 2 years ago. That’s half the team in just on 24 months – quite a turnover. There are some current senior players who were absentees from 2005, but if you can recall Fish was still in ‘ACL-Land’, Waite was injured and Cloke and Ackland were donning the ugly colours (Cloke can’t even say that) of others. The other 8 inclusions are all recent draftees and rookies to the Blues. Of the ‘Outs’ only 2 remain at Carlton, Bannister and Teague.

In fact, looking through these two lists and one thing that is very noticeable is the relative ages of the groups. On respective game days, the ‘Ins’ are a massive 3 years younger than their ‘Out’ counterparts were in 2005.




Out:

DOB

Age as at 12/03/2005

In:

DOB

Age as at 17/3/2007

Luke Livingston

11/04/1982

22.9

Setanta o'hAilpin

18/03/1983

24.0

Jordon Bannister

31/10/1982

22.4

Jarrad Waite

4/02/1983

24.1

David Teague

5/05/1981

23.9

Cameron Cloke

20/02/1984

23.1

Trent Sporn

23/09/1982

22.5

Adam Hartlett

22/04/1986

20.9

Callum Chambers

19/11/1979

25.3

Jordan Russell

6/11/1986

20.4

Scott Camporeale

11/08/1975

29.6

Marc Murphy

19/07/1987

19.7

Digby Morrell

10/10/1979

25.4

Josh Kennedy

25/08/1987

19.6

Barnaby French

25/11/1975

29.3

Cain Ackland

16/03/1982

25.0

Cory McGrath

4/02/1979

26.1

Brad Fisher

9/04/1984

23.0

Justin Davies

7/07/1983

21.7

Eddie Betts

26/11/1986

20.3

Adrian Deluca

15/05/1982

22.8

Adam Bentick

13/06/1985

21.8

Ian Prendergast

2/09/1980

24.5

Bryce Gibbs

15/03/1989

18.0



Average

24.7



Average

21.7


Most noticeably above the Blues hit the Grand Final with 3 teenagers and a further 3 fellows just shy of their 21st birthday. Of course, the 12 players who have played in both Pre-Season Premiership teams (Koutoufides, Whitnall, Carrazzo, Thornton, Stevens, Houlihan, Walker, Fevola, Lappin, Scotland, Wiggins and Simpson), have aged 2 years in that time. But even the simple among us can see that if half your team are 3 years younger on average and the other half are 2 years older….funny, I’m having flashbacks to Grade 5 Maths classes so perhaps we should just leave that.

The second point you may notice is the relative height of the new Blues. Now back in 2005 we had two pretty tall ruckmen take the field for us, with Barnaby French and Adrian Deluca manning the ball-ups. These days we have 2 smaller ruckman in Cloke and Ackland taking the ruck. Before adjusting for the ruck, the heights of the 2 groups are almost identical – basically ½ a centimeter to the ‘New’ guys. But if you adjust for the 2 ruckmen, the new Blues are almost 3 centimetres taller. As you’ve probably picked up, the Blues are building a taller and faster outfit, with all 2007 Draftees (National Draft) 188cm and above – and pretty fast for their heights. So in addition to the list above you have a handful of youngsters chomping at the bit to add to that comparison, plus the yet-to-be-seen Jake Edwards who will make an impact – don’t doubt that for a second.

We’ve already touched on the third point – pace. This is a bit harder for us to measure from the outer but the press is agog with the pace of our new defence, with Setanta and Waite being supreme athletes in the back half and up-field Betts and Russell joining the reaction pace of Murphy and Gibbs. Again, add some of our younger Blues that we’re yet to see including Edwards, Benjamin and Anderson and you realise that the story you’ve seen is only the opening chapters of a Big Blue Book that surely has a happy conclusion.

Finally, and there’s no other way to put it, but the ‘Ins’ are better than what we had in 2005. Consider the inclusion of class inherent in being able to select 2 #1 draft picks plus a further 2 top 10 picks (Kennedy and Russell) and what that means for the talent levels of any team.

In a world first linking of a football article to the artistic talents of Guy Sebastian, the Blues are ‘taller, stronger, faster’ and better than a few years ago. Now, the challenge has to be to convert the hope on our list and from the weekend’s performance into the real season. To paraphrase Denis Pagan - we’ve come a long way and there is a long way to go, but the journey itself is filled with a gush of new blood that promises much for the future of the Carlton Football Club.


Mike & Dan have sourced the information for this article from the Blueseum, particularly the 2005 Pre-Season and the 2007 Pre-Season links.


Season 2007 | Pre-Season or Night Series Games | Nine Point Goals
Contributors to this page: Jarusa , Bombasheldon , molsey , BlueWorld , WillowBlue and true_blue24 .
Page last modified on Saturday 04 of February, 2023 02:27:07 AEDT by Jarusa.

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