Australia versus England, Happy Gilmore versus Shooter McGavin, Pepsi versus Coke, Lakers versus Celtics. What do these rivals have in common? They simply don’t like each other.
Carlton and Collingwood are the AFL’s most traditional rivals. When these two face off against each other, you either bleed navy blue or black and white.
Collingwood fans despise Dale Thomas and Mick Malthouse, two significant members in the Magpies 2011 Premiership, after they’ve crossed to Carlton in recent years. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you are Collingwood, you don’t go to Carlton, and if you are Carlton, you don’t even think of going to Collingwood.
2014 has been poor for both Collingwood and Carlton. For Collingwood, a terrific start to the season has been destroyed by awful form, a young list, injuries and a lack of overall quality.
For Carlton, it has been quite the opposite. After losing their first four matches of the year, the blues have regained respect from the competition over the past two months. Their inexperienced players, such as Troy Menzel, Levi Casboult and Sam Rowe have all had great years for the Blues.
There are three players though, who have had mediocre seasons for the navy blues. These three players could all fit in nicely, and, do the unthinkable next year – don the black and white stripes.
Jeff Garlett
Garlett has had a shocking year. He has fallen out of favour with Mick Malthouse and has only managed nine senior games. He was recently involved in a late night brawl, where he was attacked in the CBD.
This has all but ruined his chances of being recalled to the seniors this year. Garlett is quick, he is a skilled small forward who can zip in and out and cause havoc for defenders. When he is on, he can be the match winner. This is exactly what Collingwood need. They have good small forwards but they don’t have the lightning pace of Garlett.
Mitch Robinson
Robinson has been suspended on three different occasions this year. His form has been OK – but his inconsistency to stay in the side has hurt the Blues. Robinson is a hard nut footballer who bumps, tackles, brawls and crashes through packs.
Collingwood have Luke Ball, Taylor Adams and Josh Thomas who play a similar role. But with Ball only having a little left in him, and the other two still developing, Robinson could shine in a star-studded midfield for the Pies.
The Pies need someone to get in there and win the contested ball, and he could bring a real edge to their midfield. Robinson was also involved in the same incident as Garlett, and lied to the club, putting his future with the Blues at risk.
Jarred Waite
Jarred Waite hasn’t had a bad season, but hasn’t had a good one. It’s been average. Waite is a good forward, but he can not fulfil the key forward role any longer. As a free agent, he could be on the move at seasons end. Enter Collingwood.
Collingwood have a key forward in Travis Cloke who will not win games off of his own boot. Collingwood have failed in recent years to find another forward who can play with Cloke. Quinten Lynch did not work, Jesse White has been inconsistent and Ben Reid has been dismantled by injury. Waite could provide a great target for the Pies going forward and could also push back to help out their young defence.
Whether you agree or not, these three players are not guaranteed to be playing at Carlton next year.
Do you think at least one of the three players will dare to cross over to the enemy and wear black and white next year?
If they do, prepare to be booed.
Luke
Guest
Last off-season much of Collingwood's list cull was for the evident rebuild, but they also wanted to fix the culture, which was a large part of they failures last season. For these reasons, none of these three will be remotely near the Westpac Centre any time soon. Waite is past his best and doesn't have anything to offer as a mentor. Players like this will be near-on impossible to find at Collingwood next year, expect Swan (a past his best Swan is better than most), and potentially Ball (he's the type of guy you want at you club even if he doesn't play). Apart from that all players will have plenty of good years left in them, priming them for the future. I'd imagine Waite wants 2 years and that will only damage Darcy Moore's progression assuming the Pies see him up forward. Also, I think many will be surprised with Jesse White next year. He's been unfairly knocked by many, he has been underwhelming, yes, but has been nowhere near their worst performer. His 2014 has shades of Leigh Brown's 2009 season, his first year at the club. We all know how that turned out. Jesse has it all, that's why the Swan's persisted for so long. Glimpses while playing ruck forward have been encouraging and anyone who saw him single-handedly drag the two's over the line in Geelong last week will be optimistic. As for Garlett and Robinson, I cannot fathom how, after all that went on last summer, Buckley would even entertain the idea of recruiting these two. Firstly, their abilities are akin to those Collingwood have recruited in the past. Average. I don't think the players they've got from other clubs have been massive disaster because quite simply, they've got what they paid for. They haven't given anything up for any of their recruits in recent times bar Adams, who is a gem, and quite possibly a future captain. He started slowly but his last month before his injury was incredibly exciting for such a young guy. Bringing Robinson in would only stunt the progress of Adam's and Josh Thomas, both of which are highly rated and arguably have a high ceiling than Robinson in terms of what they can achieve. Guys like Kennedy and Broomhead have just broken through and have been shining lights in an otherwise bleak month for the Pies, and Garlett would also stop them from progressing, whilst adding little benefit for the short term and absolutely nothing in the long term. Its all about development for Collingwood now, and it has been since the beginning of the year, even though certain media personalities such as Jon Ralph weren't able to pick that up when they let go of over 1300 games of experience in the off-season, and stated they were in a transitional period. Overall, the season has served its purpose of getting games into young guys. They will most likely finish with an 11-11 record, which with the 4th youngest list in the comp, and a plethora of injuries, makes the future look bright. A poor month should not deflect the focus of the long-term project, and should not cause knee jerk reactions linking them players from other clubs.
Tiarne Swersky
Roar Guru
I rate Jamie Elliot. But, as proven this year, Collingwood can not win games off of just those two. They need a second tall (maybe Waite) and more speed in the forward line. Garlett is talented and quick and could partner well with Elliot and Cloke. You have to remember Elliot is a lead up, marking option for the Pies, he is not a true crumber - Garlett could be the guy for the Pies possibly.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Eddie is probably sorry about Figjam too, but it wont help.
Darren
Guest
At this stage I think Robinson is the least likely to stay. His decision making lets him down - on and off the field. But agree with Macca it would be a trade not a delist. Couldn't see Buckley wanting him - he doesn't like rough diamonds. Waite will only go if he is not offered a second year. Can't see that being Collingwood as they are no more advanced than Carlton. If North have a strong finals campaign and Carlton stick to one year then he might move. Garlett won't be pushed out - he is too talented and still young. Other clubs might be tempted though. It's interesting you see him at Collingwood as I would rate Jamie Elliot much higher than Garlett - how about a swap?
Macca
Guest
The Way he is moving at the moment he looks like he could go at least another 2 years. Also if the blues move him on and Henderson gets hurt who is the replacement? Matthew Watson?
Macca
Guest
Where do you get one of those? Remember Waite has had an ordinary year and still has over 30 goals with 2 weeks to play.
Macca
Guest
The last thing the Blues need is another half back flanker, they have Touhy, Sheehan, Yarran and Simpson in the side at the moment, Buckley looked super before getting injured, Walker has played his best footy there, Thomas has played pretty well there in recent weeks and Everitt can play there.
Bad boy BRI
Guest
I'm not sure we want any of those "has beers". Let's go get a decent full forward!
Fabes
Guest
Is that all you have?
Tiarne Swersky
Roar Guru
Malceski, Yarran and Walker setting up from the half back line would be exciting to see for the Blues
Mic
Guest
I agree with you Macca on the two year deal for Waite. He is massively important to our structure and does not need to be our first tall option forward anymore. I have always seen him in the Dustin Fletcher mould, tall, gangly, agile, and hard to match up on. Like Fletcher, I think he can play into his mid thirties (2-3 years). Give him the two years and keep him and his family history in blue.
Macca
Guest
CAsboult is improving but I don't think we should put too much of the load on him just yet - 3 good talls plus Menzel is a good mix.
Macca
Guest
Do you have a stat on % of kicks into the forward line? Int the 2 games Waite and Hendeson played together since Waites return to form Henderson kicked 6 goals (6 & 0)to Waites 7 (4 & 3) and took 12 marks (7 & 5) to Waites 18 (11 & 7) and had 35 disposals (17 & 18) to 38 (19 & 19) - I don't think he is suffering too much.
Axle an the guru
Guest
I fully agree Tiarne. macca your mob should sack all three of them and make Malceski a good offer. I could see him as a blue bursting off the half back flank,putting it down the throat of Bell,Judd or Casbolt= GOAL.
Macca
Guest
Definitely not time to move on and WAite being inconsistent matters less when he is just the third tall. For mine theBLues forward line would have Casboult to be the deep long bomb opiton with Henderson and Waite being roaming forwards. Waites ability to take pack marks also adds a dimension that Henderson doesn't have. The 3 players compliment each other so it isn't a case of either or.
shezza
Guest
Im not sure what your line of work is but some us take pride in our work.
Tiarne Swersky
Roar Guru
I would have to agree with you Macca, Waite is vital to your structure, but, is he limiting the likes of Casboult and Henderson because your midfielders seem to like kicking it to him. Unfortunately Waite is not consistent enough for the Blues, and it may be time to move on and let Casboult take the reigns in the forward line.
Tiarne Swersky
Roar Guru
I agree with you Terry in that Garlett's best chance at reviving his career is most likely going to be in WA, his home. But, Jarryd Blair is too small. He is tough and can win contested ball, but his height is a real disadvantage if he wants to have more time on ball. Whether its Robinson or someone else, I believe the Pies will not improve until they find that tough edge to their midfield. However, Dayne Beams has tried to bring that into the middle this year. As for Waite, he is definitely a useful 2nd tall option and something that could possibly pair with Cloke nicely. Who knows, I guess we will have to wait and see how it plays out. Thanks for your comment!
Macca
Guest
Olivia - The Blues need Waite massivley next year. Without him their forward line looks OK with Casboult, Henderson and Menzel and we are far from dependent on him as we have been in the past but with him it looks particularly damaging - if the BLues have to offer Waite a 2 year contract then so be it - if we want to push up the ladder next year we can't let Waite go.
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
I hope the Pies get all three. I think a club which recruits any of them is opening the door to non-needed issues and potential grief, and there isn't a team I'd like to see facing such issues more than Collingwood. Waite and Garlett might upset me by turning in the occasional blinder here and there and help the despised Pies win the odd game but I take comfort in knowing history says that, mor often than not, they'll do something silly on or off field and get rubbed out, succumb yet again to injury or simply go missing. As for the third player mentioned, any team silly enough to recruit him deserves everything they are forced to endure afterwards. Go Pies ....... straight to the bottom of the ladder