Will Ben Lennon remain at Tigerland in 2018?

Richmond have done a lot better in the draft in recent years, though missing Patrick Cripps, in particular, does sting a bit. However, we're not Robinson Crusoe in missing out on a good player here or there and our strike rate has improved. Despite the outcome I think Ben was still a reasonable selection at the time, based on what was known at the time - it's just such an inexact science. I also still think he's a pretty decent player, who could become an even better player, and I don't think he should have been dropped for that final against North in 2015. In some ways, that has come to define his career, and now the team is looking at a different type to fill the flanks and pockets on the forward line. If he left, I'd be disappointed, but wish him well, but anyway, there's still time for this season to take some twists and turns, and you just don't know - he may be the man for a job at an important time.

Matty, you just can't cut 29 players from your list in 2 years and replace them with 29 quality players. You pick up some hopefully quality young picks in the draft (let me know which draftees SOS has picked in the last 2 drafts that haven't shown potential) and to allow those young bodies to develop you need to bring in some hard bodied experienced players. You don't expect them to be superstars but as long as they serve their purpose while the young talent develops then they have done their job. Remember that Carlton said it would be 4 - 5 years before we see the fruits of the rebuild. We are just coming to the end of year 2. The Carlton supporters (except Trav) on this site recognize this and that is why we are all saying 2019 is the year that hopefully the Blues are up around the 8. You seem to be the impatient one. Have a look at the side I picked in my article and tell me which players you classify as rejects or list cloggers, remembering that there will be changes with new players brought in over the next 2 years. And I don't think Richmond and Melbourne fans are being patronizing. They are just intelligent football followers who recognize the position the Blues are in and what they are doing to become a competitive team again. You could learn from them.

So it would be hard not to call Ben Lennon a failed draft pick. Taken with pick 12 but unable to force his way in front of some rookies and a handful of 3rd rounders. Ben was pick 12 whilst Patrick Cripps (pick 13), Zak Jones ( pick 15), Lewis Taylor ( pick 28 ) and Zach Merret (pick 26) all look to be future stars of the competition.

Archie,we actually live in a real world, I'd still take the blues over the Dee's. https://youtu.be/GiHdpAVIHgo

Col,Melbourne and Richmond fans are patronising your great club now,nothing more. I think the Casboult deal is a good one,get a pick around the 20's then spend something less for the same sort of player makes sense. The rejects I'm harsh on,Carlton are going backwards with the reject stradegy.i might be harsh but at least I'm not a Richmond or Melbourne person wishing your club the best. I've said all along,grow the list don't keep adding list cloggers. Richmond,seriously,you know better than that,Melboune fans,we can only all have a chuckle. The heats going to be on Bolton next year and I've said from the go get that's going to be very unfair.

I don't think there's anything to read into Ben's lack of opportunities other than several other players have stepped up this year, and he has dropped down the pecking order. Several other players have also been dropped pretty quickly after a below average performance - good example, Anthony Miles, this week dropped after 2 really good performances and one not-so-good. It's just that tough when everyone is playing well. And someone had to make way for Jack's return. Among unlucky players this year, you could also include Sam Lloyd, Connor Menadue, Jayden Short, Jacob Townsend, Jake Batchelor, Oleg Markov, and even Shai Bolton and Tyson Stengle, whose time will come. And we've still yet to see Jack Graham. However, any of these players may be called upon at important times this year, when they can grab the opportunity and make themselves and integral part of the best 22 - which is really what Lambert, Butler and Castagna have done. And Ben is definitely in the mix.

Thank you Archie. I doubt that you would know too many westies and I would be pretty sure that the Land Rover has never ventured over the West Gate Bridge. Matty, the team I predicted was based on the current list, but if you know who Carlton are going to draft or trade onto the list in the next 2 years please let me know. I did in fact mention that the team would be subject to changes with 2 more years of drafting and trading and no, Levi did not make the team. The reason I chose 2019 is because that will be 4 years after the club started their list rebuild and would hopefully be the year we start to see the results of the rebuild. It also gives the young guys recruited the last 2 years 2 more pre-seasons to bulk up their teenage frames. As for Redpath, he wouldn't be the type I would be looking at but if he wants to play at the Blues instead of the Dogs I am sure due diligence and consideration would be given by the Carlton recruiting team. Much the same as the Bulldogs did with Travis Cloke.

I say old chap, next time you're bleating on about being victimised for your beliefs on this place, I'm going to point this unsolicited abuse of Col out to you that you positively encouraged with no provocation at all Don't expect to join the MCC in the future - we don't discriminate against westies, we just don't like wankers in the clubhouse

Ok,you did fail to take into account any drafting and trading though,which is strange. I'm sure you mentioned finals though,but happy to believe you if you claim you picked a team for a certain year for no particular reason. Anyway,seems Carlton are very into Jack Redpath from the dogs. Have offered him 3 years while the dogs one. The money side would see Redpath getting about the same as he would at the dogs but he'd need to sign a contact this year and next at the dogs,while at Carlton he'd have a safer option of garaunteed money. Could you see Redpath getting into your star studded team. Did your side of future champions have Casboult in it?

Too rapt up in his own opinion and sense of humour to give any credit.

Thanks AD, you beat me to it.

Very funny Matty,but if you did read that article you would know that the team I drew up was what I predicted the team might look like in the Round 1 game 2019. No mention of a finals side but as usual you don't like the facts to get in the way of your comments.

If you're referring to Col's article he wrote earlier this year, the side that he mentioned was a side for Round 1 2019. I'm really not sure where you're getting "finals" from.

Carlton have been sniffing around Lennon since his 2nd season. It would be very Richmondesque to delist Lennon(allowing him to get the the Blues) and then pay way overs for Casboult.

I think it could be a combination of off-field and on-field. Lennon is enjoying a patch of decent form in the VFL but so are Bolton and Stengle if Lennon is competing for the small forward spot. At 190cm I would have thought he should have been the first cab off the rank when Griffo got injured and when Todd Elton was found wanting.

Col,will you be able to fit Leenon into that breathtaking side you drew up for 2019 finals?

If the rumours are true that Richmond are offering Casboult a decent contract then I don't see Lennon staying at the Tigers. He may still end up at the Blues though if Richmond delist him or trade him for a very late pick.

Just think he could have gone to Carlton where they are crying out for forwards. He might have played another forty senior games by now. Enjoy country footy or retirement Lennon.

Mitch Golby was a similar player for the Lions - obviously did something to get in Leppa's bad books because he went from being a regular under Voss to completely ignored and delisted. Sometimes it happens, personality can come into these things. I think Lennon would find himself another suitor though if he left