The AFL world is used to three types of Jarrad Waite – Awesome Jarrad, Angry Jarrad, and Absent Jarrad. Is it only a matter of time until Mick Malthouse creates Away Jarrad?
Throughout his career, the enigmatic Waite has been viewed by Carlton fans as the big hope, and has probably been given some lenience due to his pedigree.
The son of premiership player Vin Waite, Jarrad had the promise when he was recruited in the 2001 draft, and Blues fans were already hoping. He made his debut in 2003, winning Carlton’s best first year player and a rising star nomination that year.
They were the dark days for the Blues, as punishment from the salary cap scandals delivered the club its first wooden spoons.
Especially compared to bad boy Brendan Fevola, and the, um, less than athletic Lance Whitnall, Waite was always going to be the key in a Blues flag.
Unfortunately, Carlton fans got used to Absent Jarrod. Waite suffered injuries in 2009, 2011, and 2012. The fact he become the first player to be subbed off when he was knocked unconscious in the first round of 2011 pretty much sums that up.
This season has seen it all. We have had Absent Jarrod, for the first part of the season, until he returned against Melbourne.
We then saw Angry Jarrad, laying on some head-butt action against the hapless Dees, to gain himself a week of being Absent Jarrad again.
Then, a couple of weeks later, we saw Awesome Jarrad, as the big forward kicked seven goals against the Bombers to almost drag the Blues over the line.
On Friday night, we saw Angry Jarrad, giving away a pointless free kick just before three quarter time to give the Hawks the lead.
Malthouse has already shown his hand. He gave Waite an internal fine after his suspension this year. Last week, speedster Chris Yarran was dumped for bad body language. The chief is not afraid to dump anyone. How long will he tolerate the 30 year old forward?
The likes of Levi Casboult and Sam Rowe are breathing down Waite’s neck for the key forward position. Malthouse has options and isn’t afraid to drop key players.
For his own sake, Carlton needs to see Awesome Jarrod more often, before he is thrown to the magoos and becomes ABC Saturday Afternoon Jarrod for the remainder of his career.
Macca
Guest
It helps to know what you are talking about before you comment Steele - "No Spine" How many time have Henderson & Jamison been beaten this year? Waite has 18 goals from 6 games and you could take you pick of centremen. So Basically they are missing 1 key forward out of their "spine". Casboult is still a work in progress but in his last 3 games he has taken 24 marks and is averaging just under 12 possessions - considering the blues played Essendon & Hawthorn in the last 2 those stats are enough to show he could well be the answer. As for Kreuzer this year he is averaging career high Marks, over 4 tackles a game (second highest of his career behind 4.8 in 2010) and 22.1 hit outs (second highest behind 22.5 in 2012). In the last 3 weeks he has had 37, 35 & 32 hit outs and anyone watching the Hawthorn game would of seen he gave the midfield silver service. Yes he still has a way to go but he is still young, especially in ruck terms. And your statement " If they had depth they would have beaten at least one team above them" lacks in logic - having depth creates more consistent performances and a greater capacity to cover injuries both of which the blues have done this year. And if Yarran had of kicked straight against the tigers or Henderson hadn't of coughed the ball up against Essendon would the blues all of a sudden have depth?
Steele
Guest
Not too sure they can even make eighth spot let alone fourth. If they had depth they would have beaten atleast one team above them. Still no spine as I intimated. Waite has followed his familiar career path of injuries, suspensions and star performances, and Kreuzer still battles injuries and inconsistency. Rowe, Casboult and Hampson haven't shown enough to suggest they'll be the answer to your lack of good talls. No harm in admitting you can be wrong from time to time. I thought they'd be better myself and in all honesty I think you were a lot more bullish about them than you now say.
Macca
Guest
Steele - Not at all, firstly I argued the blues would finish most likely 5-8 amd with any luck possibly 4th which is still well on track. Secondly I predicted that they would probably be 7-7 after 14 rounds and are just 1 win off that. And third they have an average losing margin of less than 2 goals and have been within a goal with 5 minute to go in all their losses. And on the matter of depth this year they have been without Carrazzo for many weeks, Betts has missed 6, Waiite has missed 6, Scotland a couple, Yarran a couple, Gibbs I think 3 and Kreuzer for I think 3. Last year those losses would of made the blues uncompetitive, this year they have had little impact. On top of this Duigan and Laidler are unable to make the side they were expected to be permanent fixtures of, Curnow & Cachia have emerged as quality run with players, Tom Bell keeps getting plenty of it in the 2's and putting pressure on, Nick Graham looked very good in his first game back fom injury. Andrew McInnes has now played to good games in the 2's after missing the last 12 months with injury, Casboult is emerging as a quality ruckman/forward and Rowe has shown he has potential and Mitchell is coming along in the 2's. Add in Menzel and Buckley who ahve also debuted and are playing good footy in the 2's plus Warnock & Hampson providing ruck depth and I think my case has been shown to be correct.
Steele
Guest
Macca, at the halfway mark now, surely you will concede your blue baggers are not as good as you argued and are in fact lacking in depth? I look forward to your answer!
Macca
Guest
Chairman - Waite has kicked 9.1 in the last 2 weeks and 18.10 from his 6 games this year - not exactly "lousy". Casboult has managed 3.4 from his 5 games this year and has missed some very easy shots, Rowe has 5.6 from his 5 games. Waite also averages 8.3 marks (compared with Casboults 5.6 and Rowes 3.8) and 2.8 tackles (compared with 1.4 for the other 2) and 4 more disposal a game (13 to 9). The others have potential but the Blues need Waite. I like the look of Casboult and he has had a couple of good games but he did get his chance at the start of the year and managed just 4 marks in 2 games. This and Kreuzers injury gave Hampson the opportunity. I watched the Northern Blues on the weekend and Watson had 5 or 6 kicked on him against bottom of the ladder Frankston, he has been in the best a bit this year but either White or McInnes will be next in line to take Bootsma's spot as the third tall. Hampson had a day out in that game as well. The only game I think selection was really bad was the Saint Kilda game where Warnock, Kreuzer & Hampson played. As an aside I wouldn't be surprised to see Nick Graham play very soon, looked very good against Frankston and Mitchell got 4.
Chairman Kaga
Guest
What I do not understand about Carlton's selections this year is, how Hampson was still getting a game until recently and why Casboult and Rowe are not getting a game every week? Clearly both can pull down a contested mark and not fumble the ball like Hampson does. I think O'Hailpin must have tutored him on the art of "catching the ball". Why isn't Mat Watson getting a run. He looks to be what we need in defense alongside Henderson. Waite is doing okay, but he is a lousy kick for goal. At his age, just too unreliable.
Macca
Guest
Casboult, ROwe & Mitchell aren't breathing down Waites Neck just yet, the BLues need Waite and at least one more of them (on Friday they played Waite Rowe & Casboult) to stand up and at the moment Waite is streets ahead. Also Waites effectiveness will improve if one of the others can be forward threat.