O'hAilpin and O'hAilpin
If Bret Thornton leaves then Carlton will be looking for a tall defender or two. Whitnall, Bower, Fisher, Saddington and others will be played there. There will also be one, and in the near future there could be two, big backmen called O'hAilpin.
Setanta O'hAilpin is ready now. At 199cm and 96kg he can play on most key position forwards. Big and athletic, he has also become a reliable mark of the football. While a somewhat awkward-looking kicking style, it gets results and in VFL games he has even been entrusted with the kick-in duties.
Setanta is a couple years older than his brother, but Aisake is actually a bit taller and is listed at 201cm. He did play a lot of games in the VFL reserves but he has impressed, and his height and mobility combination can't be taught. When he played in the VFL side he was not out of his depth, and AFL could be as close as 2007 for him.
Setanta had a goal with his first kick in AFL football but there is a greater need for tall defenders at Carlton and that is what Setanta is more suited to anyway. He followed up that 1 game in 2005 with 11 in 2006. It is probably 22 games next season. Setanta drew first blood on Barry Hall as the two contested for a mark, he came away unscathed and also came away with the ball, Setanta is a big prospect who won't be intimidated.
Aisake played 18 games in the VFL Reserves in 2005 as he learned the game. In 2006 he played 11 in the Reserves and 6 in the VFL Seniors. The days of VFL Reserves games are over for him and the AFL is very close.
Carlton have considered developing one or both of them as ruckmen. This has worked in the past, with Jim Stynes, and Carlton would like to have a success like that. Setanta could be a future All-Australian fullback in the future if they keep him down back. So maybe they should keep Setanta in the backline, but they can also try Aisake in the ruck for the VFL. Aisake has an inch of height on his brother, so he is tall enough to ruck, and there should be an opportunity in VFL games for him to play there as the Blues, and therefore the Bullants too, don't have a lot of ruckmen. If Aisake can't be turned into a ruckmen he can still follow his brother and be an athletic tall defender.
Carlton have done many things wrong over the last five years, but their trip to Ireland to sign the O'hAilpin boys is a success. It may seem odd that their best and biggest fullback prospect could be someone who only three years ago was named the Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year, but that could be true.
Setanta O'hAilpin is ready now. At 199cm and 96kg he can play on most key position forwards. Big and athletic, he has also become a reliable mark of the football. While a somewhat awkward-looking kicking style, it gets results and in VFL games he has even been entrusted with the kick-in duties.
Setanta is a couple years older than his brother, but Aisake is actually a bit taller and is listed at 201cm. He did play a lot of games in the VFL reserves but he has impressed, and his height and mobility combination can't be taught. When he played in the VFL side he was not out of his depth, and AFL could be as close as 2007 for him.
Setanta had a goal with his first kick in AFL football but there is a greater need for tall defenders at Carlton and that is what Setanta is more suited to anyway. He followed up that 1 game in 2005 with 11 in 2006. It is probably 22 games next season. Setanta drew first blood on Barry Hall as the two contested for a mark, he came away unscathed and also came away with the ball, Setanta is a big prospect who won't be intimidated.
Aisake played 18 games in the VFL Reserves in 2005 as he learned the game. In 2006 he played 11 in the Reserves and 6 in the VFL Seniors. The days of VFL Reserves games are over for him and the AFL is very close.
Carlton have considered developing one or both of them as ruckmen. This has worked in the past, with Jim Stynes, and Carlton would like to have a success like that. Setanta could be a future All-Australian fullback in the future if they keep him down back. So maybe they should keep Setanta in the backline, but they can also try Aisake in the ruck for the VFL. Aisake has an inch of height on his brother, so he is tall enough to ruck, and there should be an opportunity in VFL games for him to play there as the Blues, and therefore the Bullants too, don't have a lot of ruckmen. If Aisake can't be turned into a ruckmen he can still follow his brother and be an athletic tall defender.
Carlton have done many things wrong over the last five years, but their trip to Ireland to sign the O'hAilpin boys is a success. It may seem odd that their best and biggest fullback prospect could be someone who only three years ago was named the Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year, but that could be true.
