Arrowverse: The Good, The Bad & Killing The Ugly

In 2012, we were introduced to a young man returning from five years of pain and torture to his home city, where he would become a bow and arrow-wielding vigilante trying to right the wrongs of his father. Almost seven years later, we see him as a hero within an ever-expanding universe full of things that have to be seen to be believed. From metahumans, to aliens and even doppelgangers from other existing Earths. No one (and I mean NO ONE) would have seen the Arrowverse becoming what it has today. Sure it has its reputation of being a collection of cheesy dramas now and then. Sure the conveying of messages have been placed at the front by the crew members. And yes, the quality of storytelling has fluctuated between each show. But the Arrowverse still stands as one of the most successful creations for today's TV. It has caught the attention of millions of people around the world and continues to regularly impress despite the limited resources. The Arrowverse is responsible for most of CW's current success. So much so that each series has just been renewed. I thought I'd take a look at each of Arrow, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow, Supergirl and The Flash, and determine their strengths and weaknesses. I see what they have and haven't done well, as well as look at where they can go better.

GOOD
The peaks of Arrow could be seen as the first two seasons, the back end of season five and the first few episodes of the current season. Most tend to favour these periods of the show as they all have one thing in common. Arrow has the power to present its seriousness through dark and intense content. It has not been afraid to make changes or cause damage to itself for the sake of a good story, whether it be torture, maiming or even killing characters off now and then. This series has proven itself to be more than just the heart of the Arrowverse. It's the guts and muscle as well. Arrow has long been able to deliver tension through menacing antagonists and unpredictable twists. And most of all, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) rarely loses his spotlight. The show has long focused on bringing forth ongoing pain and trouble in hopes of continuously reshaping his character and creating something new out of him. I respect Oliver now more than I have ever did before (though his attitude having been somewhat less tolerable during the earlier years, can be a big reason for this).

BAD
When a show is as grounded as what Arrow is, there doesn't seem to be that many stories to tell. I think this now more than ever before. The show has ran for seven seasons and has just been renewed for an eighth later this year and all I'm left to wonder is whether or not there is something new and interesting to share with viewers. We've had villains wanting to destroy Star City, villains wanting to take over Star City, villains wanting to destroy the world, villains wanting to torture Oliver Queen, villains wanting to kill Oliver Queen, etc. What more could possibly be done? And now that Oliver's identity as the Green Arrow has been disclosed (which has been a key element throughout much of the show), it makes me question whether one can really forward this series for another three or four seasons without having it look like any other common crime drama. It's not like The Flash or Supergirl, both of which have wide scopes for imagination and improvement. Arrow is a very restricted show, and it's not something one can really prolong without feeling dry and repetitive. Fact is it already has felt like that many times throughout the years.

SOLUTION
Given how much the show has changed now, it is hard to return to any sort of former glory. But at the moment, it doesn't seem like there is much that needs to be worked on as new showrunner Beth Schwartz is helping create new glory. Although, this doesn't exactly mean the series can't go one better. What I believe can further help out with Arrow this season is the nostalgia. To address old wounds, revisit old characters and make something new out of older material. I believe that Arrow is in the twilight stage of its running, so now is the perfect time to start really embracing the history of the series as a whole. To hit people with the feels and truly remind them of what had them attracted to the show to begin with. Try hard in bringing season one or two back to the surface in some way, and not just by mentioning names of old characters. I mean really celebrate what has been delivered and what has been achieved. Of course, do it in a way that still keeps in touch with the current narrative.

GOOD
This is fairly original material for DC. So spacious, so adventurous and so imaginative. A crazy journey through time and space and a chance for supporting characters from other series to stand out and truly show their worth. What makes DC's Legends Of Tomorrow so well respected, is both the freedom and mystery. The fact that the show can take any established piece of material and turn it into something new and twisted to keep eyes glued to the screen. Whether it be a retelling of history or a film brought to life, this series loves to add its own icing. Promos aside, there is little to no clue where people will be taken to next. DC's Legends Of Tomorrow has also brought out the best in some characters, including Sara Lance (Caity Lotz), Damien Darhk (Neal McDonough) and especially Mick Rory (Dominic Purcell). And although both the make-up and atmosphere have gradually changed over time, the series has managed to keep its 'getaway' status when certain viewers experience troubling times.

BAD
DC's Legends Of Tomorrow faces one of the bigger uphill battles. Not only does it chew up more of its budget, but pushes itself to focus on a larger line-up of fictional characters with fewer episodes. Right now, a dozen characters are sharing the spotlight with a villain still to be touched on and many more guest stars to pop up. As a result, character development has been fairly meek throughout the first half of season four, with one of the only characters having taken significant steps being Nora Darhk (Courtney Ford). Another problem (and currently the biggest one) this show is facing just so happens to be one the series intentionally brought onto itself. After a giant wave of positive feedback from the general audience regarding the handling of season three, the writing team allowed themselves to be consumed by the widespread acclaim. Much to the point where their main aim has now become all about fishing for cheap laughs at the expense of the story's flow. Some viewers have managed to see through the excessive focus on comedy, as they witness certain characters either having been dumbed-down or left behaving in unusual ways. The writing room look to be trying too hard in placing jokes here and there, leaving a lot to be desired when it comes to the show's enforced logic. I think they need to remember that DC's Legends Of Tommorow is not a sitcom. It's an action-packed, sci-fi adventure with many fan-favourite superheroes. It's best for them not to lose track of what they stand for.

SOLUTION
The key behind a successful story in DC's Legends Of Tomorrow, primarily lies with the main characters. The Legends themselves. It's important for them to feel genuine and act like they usually do most times we see them, all while mixing them up with other characters and building up new relationships. The writing team also need to use their budget sparingly, and allow for the Legends to use their powers and abilities on a consistent basis (unless the story makes sense for them being unable to). A good and well-developed villain can help as well, as it seems only one season (that being season two with the 'Legion of Doom') has allowed room for the antagonists to not only progress to a more advanced state, but make use of the developed personalities and have them rub against each other to provide some glorious entertainment. Anything as forgettable as Vandal Savage (Casper Crump) or as underwhelming as Mallus is a small step in the wrong direction. Simply being 'silly' can attract viewers but it will only last so long before people catch on to the one-dimensional and somewhat illogical storytelling.

GOOD
Supergirl could just about be the most powerful and most relatable show of the four here. It has strengths that are very easy to notice. One of them is how it connects with audiences through emotions. Despite Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) herself being close to indestructible, we a shown a side of her that hurts like every other human or sentient being. We are shown a sister in Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh) share her heart's greatest desires in the most tender and sympathetic of ways. We've had a couple of actors and actresses reflect on real life experiences in the show. Supergirl has long been about pain and how to overcome it. Another strength is how the series correlates with human matters in reality, from discrimination and recognition to justice and the American laws. And despite the separate lives the characters have and the different things they do, the joy and teamwork whenever the family is together remains on show. Supergirl targets the heart more than anything else, and is successful in many of its attempts.

BAD
Much like DC's Legends Of Tomorrow, Supergirl has something blocking the flow of the story. But rather than artificial comedy, it would be the one thing this series has been known for since the very first season; political viewpoints. The fact remains that Supergirl is a show that expresses a lot of politics. It always has and it will for the rest of its running, so complaining about it won't do us any favours. However there is a point of understanding here. The crew behind the scenes have for some time stuck with delivering their collective morality. While it can generate a positive aura in terms of messages, it has gone on to bring forth some obvious plot inconsistencies. That and it has also left an unaddressed imbalance. By that, I mean it has somewhat portrayed certain categories of people as inferior. Supergirl tries too hard to take the moral high ground and it unknowingly leaves a selective few too feel uncomfortable about the way they look at things. All television programs have their own audiences and not everybody will like the same one. But with this series, the idea really sticks out.

SOLUTION
Other than the obvious need to tone down the political views, Supergirl has one other major problem to deal with. That surrounds the character of James Olsen (Mechad Brooks). For most of the show's time on air, the writing team has not only struggled to find a solid spot for James, but have also had difficulty in giving life to him. Fans of Supergirl are starting to grow tired of him due to the lack of depth and flavour he carries, and I sort of notice it too. With his role as the Guardian now exposed and minimalised to the point of nearly being non-existent, James has been left as the idle chief editor of CatCo Worldwide Media and merely an extension of Lena (Katie McGrath) and her slow-progressing storyline. Not to mention the very few sparks between the two in their relationship. I have a great amount of respect for Mechad, but from where I sit I sense a strong disconnection between both him and his character. He isn't getting the right treatment. I personally think some changes need to be made so that James can become more interesting. Either that or he is written off.

GOOD
There is a reason why this series is the most popular of the four, and it's not just because The Flash (Grant Gustin) himself is the biggest DC hero used. The atmosphere just is incredibly inviting. The Flash knows how to hang onto younger audiences with its slightly less confusing use of language and terminology (although the science of it can now and then leave us puzzled). The characters each have their own separate personalities and they often rub against one another to create some very entertaining moments throughout each season (it's why they get a lot of attention during the crossovers). All of them are fairly multi-dimensional and have been given the appropriate time and space to flourish. The score has become the most recognisable and the visual effects while not overly amazing, are enough to keep a lot of us intrigued. The story is mostly imaginative and it doesn't lose track of its identity. And The Flash family is not too dark, too divided, nor has it changed too much. It's like a second family or the one you wish you had.

BAD
Unlike the other three Arrowverse series, The Flash comes across as more predictable and more risk-free. Most of the time, it doesn't like to pass its own borders. The show I feel basically swims in its own popularity and is all about the same structure as well as our favourite characters making an impression on the viewers. I also sense there isn't much breathing space with The Flash. Everything seems to be taking place in S.T.A.R. Labs or very close to it, whereas the other shows surprise you a little more with their openness (the fact that you just don't know where you are going to be brought to next). On top of all this comes the excessive family drama. Nearly every episode is flooded with low-energy problems (parenthood, trust issues, secrets and lies, etc.), which seems ironic for a show such as this one. Barry Allen has also more recently been turned into the side dish in his own show, with his future daughter Nora becoming the main course. And the 'many different versions of Wells' idea is sort of drying up. Stick with Sherloque or don't have any version of Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh).

SOLUTION
The quality of storytelling looks to be on the decline a little judging by the first few episodes of this season. More than ever I am noticing a rehashing of gags and other outdated story devices. Adding to this is a growing collection of unanswered questions, all coming from the show's newfound habit of breaking new rules and roadblocks that complicate the narrative shortly after setting them up. All of this leads me to thinking only one idea will solve much of the problem. That being a shake-up of the writing team. The Flash is in desperate need of a set of fresh faces within the crew that will not only plan ahead, but inspect every element carefully to ensure the final product makes sense. Perhaps a new showrunner to help relight the direction of the series as a whole. Somebody to give the next antagonist a little more personality and at least make sure Barry doesn't lose so much of his own spotlight. The Flash can't survive on 'fun' alone. There needs to be some solidity and rationality in the chain of events.

Travis "TJ James

Carlton Football Club: The 2019 Preview

NOTE: This piece contains some attempts at humour. I don't expect good reception for these attempts as I am naturally not a witty person. But do take much of what is said here with a grain of salt. This preview piece merely looks at my view of the club as a whole, where it currently sits and the 2019 season ahead. I make some predictions and even give my thoughts on a few of the players. Do feel free to share your own opinions and predictions in the comment section below, as they are very much encouraged.

Ladies and gentlemen, the new football season is fast approaching. Which means all us proud Carlton members and supporters are ever so close to being provided the annual wake up call. The one part of that cycle we should all be very well used to by now. All the excitement rushes through us as we set eyes on the refreshed blue boys, only to watch them under-perform, tire out, and even drop like flies after the first few rounds. Suddenly, we are wanting the season to end as we anticipate for further changes to the club's setup. Whether it be players, coaches or board members, we're all for it. Then it is back to square one, rinse and repeat. What? I'm a pessimist? But isn't that our usual way of thinking? To believe the sun will rise but be left disappointed by the ever-obstructing dark clouds within weeks. I'm confused. But one thing is for certain, success looks like a legend when one's a Carlton supporter around my age.

AFL today has seen Carlton build a reputation of being the ultimate laughing stock. The worst team of the modern era. The new Fitzroy or the twenty-first century St. Kilda, take a pick. A club with a huge following that is still somewhat dormant, and is likely to remain so for a little while longer. A club like an old abandoned house up in the hills of the countryside that was once a gathering place for many during the 1900's. A club where success happened whilst Egyptians built the pyramids. I'll admit that last one was me overdoing it a little, but we all get the idea. The blues have more often than not broken all the wrong records since being tainted by the salary cap scandal. They have gone through coaches faster than shoes and have made lower leagues look more professional on the field. Carlton today have long been the face of everything other football clubs wouldn't want to be. The history is gold but what we've been seeing nowadays is mould.

Not everything is doom and gloom though. We all should be grateful that the club is making improvements. A new, witty social media team. The connecting with the fanbase. The new facilities, new initiatives and the promotion of good causes. Basically anything that isn't associated with the word football, because obviously that is not by any means a priority at Carlton. Of course they can't show it, hence all the training pics and other mouth-watering photos of the new recruits in navy blue. But I'm sure the wealthy power brokers and other Carlton administrators with sinister grins on their faces are currently devising new secret plans to earn rewards without having to rely on a team of men playing footy on the field. The art of Aussie Rules means no... oh alright, I'm just jesting! I know there will be some brighter days ahead and I know Carlton holds some highly-talented prospects. It's just that I can't fathom how my beloved blues haven't done much damage since I've become 'completely aware' of the game back in 2008. We have one team winning three consecutive flags this decade and another appearing in the finals fifteen of the last sixteen seasons. Meanwhile, my club prefers blowing the dust off their history books and reminiscing the glory years. Argh, the agony is unbearable! WHEN WILL IT END?!!!

The 2019 season is just around the corner and seventeen teams are eager to prove they can make it all the way, while one is thinking about doing so in 2020. I mean, even though the whole point of participating in any AFL season is to compete and reach for the holy grail, the blues don't seem at all interested in such logic. Instead they enjoy the 'not this year, but maybe next year' mentality. One that us blues fans should very well be familiar with as it is the same one lingering around Ikon Park for most of this century so far. I mean it's led to a record all teams should be envious of. That being the worst win-loss record of any team in the AFL since 2001 (excluding the two new plastic additions to the league of course). Adding to this is a 24-year premiership drought and a 20-year grand final drought. Not even a preliminary final appearance after I could wipe the drool off my own chin. I can't see how jealousy doesn't arise from the rest of the competition. It's the record all would want to own.

Sure most of us are more likely to find a gold nugget or two in our backyard than Carlton looking to be a threat this year. However, does ruling one team out mean that team is not to try and prove otherwise? The blues themselves would probably rush in to shout yes, but take it from someone who long thought the 'avoiding punishment' strategy would without a doubt win the respect of every single person. A strategy that implies that finishing second last can be considered satisfactory. It's a good thing I rethought the idea because if I were the coach adopting such a strategy, I would've well and truly been sacked by now. All the boys need to be taught to 'chase reward'. To accept nothing but first place and believe the feat is possible throughout the entire season. It will encourage them to work harder and get more out of themselves. After all, harder effort leads to greater reward. If this is taught, it will look as if the blues are trying. More people will respect them and they just might happen to exceed expectations. And I will add that there is no such thing as 'overachieving'. It's just a cop out by the media to avoid giving credit where credit is due. Carlton need to simply go hard at it.

Carlton Football Club could just about not be classified as a football club at the moment. Maybe a hospital ward seems more accurate. Even with the highly-respected Andrew Russell, the team always manages to find a way to avoid looking better than before. A quarter of the list is in rehab and it's like many more are wanting to join it. Everybody is breaking a bone and sitting themselves out for two months. It's happening at training and even outside the club. It's getting to the point where one will sneeze and likely break their neck in the process (this does happen). At this rate, the blues would be lucky to find 22 fit players for round one. Never thought Carlton would own that many glass ornaments. Perhaps it's a curse of some sort right now. Did Mark LoGiudice run over somebody's cat on the way to his office? Whatever it is, it seems like one is more prone to injuries when they're hanging around Ikon Park. Somebody better hurry and tell Michael Gibbons to be careful. There's every chance he might break a bone in his wrist just signing that contract.



Of course there is guaranteed to be a moment when things don't look so bad. It's just a matter of when that will be and how the club will react when it comes around. Will they be consumed by the excitement like they have before and not bother with making the necessary adjustments? Or will some sense be knocked into them, and lead them to doing anything they can (so long as it is sensible) to achieve ultimate glory? The truth remains that Carlton are pigs in the mud. They don't seem at all bothered with creating new history right now compared to celebrating the stuff from decades ago. Their mind has been everywhere but on the field, and fans are reasonably becoming more restless as the years go by. 2018 is something that must not ever be replicated again, as it will only send us the idea that Carlton doesn't care. They've lost Friday nights, have already sacrificed hundreds and thousands of dollars and the coach is on very thin ice. I don't believe people are wanting for another rebuild to happen. There aren't any excuses for this year. Jokes aside, 2019 is the season for action.

MY BEST 22

FULL BACK: Nic Newman - Lachie Plowman - Jacob Weitering

HALF BACK: Dale Thomas - Caleb Marchbank - Kade Simpson

CENTRE: Lochie O'Brien - Paddy Dow - Sam Walsh

HALF FORWARD: Mitch McGovern - Charlie Curnow - Zac Fisher

FULL FORWARD: Sam Petrevski-Seton - Harry McKay - Marc Murphy

RUCK & ROVERS: Matthew Kreuzer - Patrick Cripps - Ed Curnow

INTERCHANGE BENCH

Matthew Kennedy - Will Setterfield - Liam Jones - Michael Gibbons

EMERGENCIES

Darcy Lang - Tom Williamson - Matthew Lobbe - Alex Fasolo

1. I do not however see this being the round one side though, since Caleb Marchbank, Mitch McGovern and Will Setterfield all have a cloud over them.
2. Unlikely to see Michael Gibbons straight away (that's even if he signs with the club, which should pretty much be a certainty). But I do believe he will be somebody very helpful for us.
3. Don't see what most see in Tom Williamson as of now due to his ongoing back-issues, but I do look forward to seeing more of him and my view may easily change.
4. I expect to see Marc Murphy pushed up forward a lot more.
5. Here's hoping we can begin moving away from Matthew Kreuzer and Matthew Lobbe soon. Would really like to see Tom De Koning step forward a little this year.
6. Centre line is extremely young, but there will be a lot of rotating.
7. There are a lot of players that can play in the midfield here and that is a good thing. Flexibility and versatility are key in my opinion. Many players need to have more roles than one.
8. Can't forget to mention how excited I am to see Charlie Curnow, Mitch McGovern and Harry McKay all play in the same side. But also have to consider the team needing to deliver fast and efficiently to them for much of the excitement to be worth it.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Matthew Kennedy

There is some unfair judgement going around when it comes to this kid. A lot of kicking whilst his down. He may have not left me genuinely excited after the 2018 season, but I well and truly new he was never given the chance. Especially after the troublesome ankle sustained in the season opener last year. He has been in and out of the side, and if I recall was one of the six or seven players to have been pushed back on to the field sooner than necessary. This led to his stint on the sidelines being extended. Matthew Kennedy was brought in to be the inside assistance for Patrick Cripps. While it didn't all go to plan in his first year at the club, I wouldn't be quick to put a cross next to his name. I still classify Matt as potential. A player that is still yet to show his best. And I believe this can be the year when he shows glimpses of that. The midfield is still a work in progress after all, so he will have plenty of opportunity to show that he can be right man to help carry some of the weight off Cripps (so long as he doesn't struggle with injuries like last year of course).

Nic Newman

With Sam Docherty out for another year, Carlton are once again left to prove that his absence will not be too problematic. I tend to believe that most of the solution lies with this young man. As soon as I came across the speculation, I was all for it. As a matter of fact, I was starting to see Carlton's biggest strength over the past few years fast become the biggest weakness. The rebound stocks were taking a hit especially after Ciaran Byrne retiring and losing Docherty for the second time. I just didn't want to see the heavy reliance on the ageing veterans (Kade Simpson and Dale Thomas). And I couldn't cope with the blues throwing their money towards another small group of ineffective list-cloggers. So when the name Nic Newman came up, I breathed a small sigh of relief. This guy had a great 2017 season, and I thought that level of performance (or close to it) was very much what we require. Sure he might not be as quick on his feet, but he fills the middle-age bracket and will be there to allow the even younger crop more time and space to take the next step in their careers. Plus this man thinks very well. He knows there is no replacing and that all the backline has a part to play to prove that there'll be no added pressure from the loss of Docherty.

Sam Walsh

This seems like an obvious one given he was taken with the first pick and was considered by most the best of the 2018 draft crop. But believe it or not, these are not the reasons why I have Sam Walsh named as a player to keep eyes on. Unlike many of Carlton's top picks over the past few years, Walsh has this attractive aura that surrounds him. He appears to me as one of the most eager and ready-made draftees to step in the doors of Ikon Park. Judging from the clips of him in the U18's, he looks so poised and at times, extremely lethal. And to top it off, he would have a wise head on his shoulders. I always said that it was either Sam Walsh or Dylan Shiel we had to pick up over the off-season. And since Shiel gave his heart to Essendon, it was Walsh I was most desperate for Carlton to obtain. This is a player we just simply could not ignore. He will take some time to really get going, as he like all draftees is making the transition to professional footy. But Walsh is guaranteed to impress in some shape of form and I know for a fact it will be this year he does so.

PLAYERS UNDER THE PUMP

Levi Casboult

With the hype surrounding the potential of the new trio (e.g. Charlie Curnow, Mitch McGovern and Harry McKay), it all but leaves people knowing that we have moved on from our reliance on Levi Casboult up forward. He has been our main target up forward for the past four years, and has failed to meet the expectations laid upon him. Casboult has the extraordinary ability to take a strong mark in many of the toughest contests. But he is often known for his questionable set-shot kicking. But after that was addressed successfully by Saverio Rocca, he would later find himself with new problems. Not only would he struggle to keep on the park, but he would be unable to make his presence felt whenever he played. Casboult only kicked 12 goals in his 10 matches last year and has been hanging by a thread on one-year contracts. He was even place on the trade table, with nobody interested in his services. One can tell that Levi is a step closer out the door. That is unless, he can pull off the biggest and most unlikely of comebacks.

David Cuningham

I've been an avid supporter of David Cuningham throughout the years, maintaining the belief that he would find a permanent spot in the main team. But his body has more often than not let him down. He has a brilliant burst of speed and can find the big sticks on the run. However, he has trouble delivering this on a consistent basis. And now with many more kids having come in since and shown more promise, it has seen Cuningham fast pushed to the back of the line. I personally still hold onto hope that he could surprise all of us this year as it still feels like we haven't seen enough of him to make a proper judgement. However, his chances are beginning to fade away. If he continues to battle injury, there will come a point where Brendan Bolton and the other coaches will lose their patience. If I were in that position, I'd be thinking the same way. I certainly don't want to see this happen, but it can become the cold hard truth. One can only have so much time to prove they are both fit and worthy enough for a place moving forward. Come on Cunners! I'm backing you all the way.

Jack Silvagni

The Silvagni name is one that will forever be relished among Carlton fans everywhere and never will it be ruined. But the expectations laid upon Jack have been somewhat unfair, given the club's recent strategies. I am one of plenty who still thinks that the eldest of Stephen's children can deliver something of good value to the blues. And especially with the heart having always lied with Carlton, one can tell that he'd do anything to help push the club to bigger and better things. Jack Silvagni though, does have some noticeable limitations. One of them I do kind of see, is his preference to wait for the receive rather than chase for the hard ball when the delivery isn't great. And another which I did manage to pick up in the last game of the season against Adelaide last year, was his hesitance to apply pressure when necessary. I just saw him simply stop and allow Elliot Himmelberg to run towards the big sticks and slot one on the outside of his boot. It told me that Jack just doesn't want to get his hands dirty. Effort is key in most situations, and players will (and should) be commended more for trying. But an example such as this shows Jack doesn't try hard enough. It's why people see through the 'poster boy' side of him. If he doesn't fix this, his dream will undoubtedly reach the end sooner than he wishes. No good soul wants that.

MILESTONES

Marc Murphy

250 Games for Carlton (Round 1)

If fit for round one, Murphy will be playing his 250th game for the Carlton Football Club. Murph has copped a lot of flak over his career, especially when he took over the captaincy from Chris Judd ahead of the 2013 season. But when I take one look at this man, I don't see what others do. Although he might not seem as vocal as most others, I don't see him as 'soft' or 'pea-hearted'. If anything, it's quite the opposite. We have to understand that he is human. He gets hurt. He bleeds. He has his good days and his bad days. Most importantly, he has a family (a wife in Jessie and a baby boy named Max). I find any criticism towards him nothing but one bolstering their own ego. We instead should be thanking Murphy for helping to carry a club during a time the direction wasn't so clear. We should be commending him for the persistence and half-glass-full attitude he has carried going into each year. Like most mature-aged leaders, Murphy looks forward with both loyalty and great belief. Him being a number one pick means bugger all. He has given enough to be respected by us and we should all cheer him on come the season opener against the tigers.

Ed Curnow

150 Games for Carlton (Round 7)

Ed Curnow being one of the few players to last as long as he has on the playing list. I don't think any of us saw this happening. He has survived numerous culls, and for a pretty damn good reason. He is the epitome of guts and determination. What he lacks in skill, he makes up for in endeavour. This is why he is one of my favourite players to watch. That and he could arguably be the most underrated in the competition. To come from the rookie list is even a greater reward for the club. This is the sort of person that needs to be a leader for Carlton. To teach the young crop to not ever give up the footy dream if it fails the first time. To play like they've still got so much to give. Ed represents the idea that more effort leads to greater reward. He had to achieve footy the hard way. I couldn't think of a player on the list more deserving than Ed Curnow to reach a milestone like 150 games this year. He might be overshadowed by his younger brother Charlie when it comes to talent, but Ed still has the edge when it's about heart.

Dale Thomas

250 AFL Games (Round 12)

I will admit that I wasn't at all impressed with the acquisition of Dale Thomas. It took sacrificing the dangerous small forward in Eddie Betts (who would go on to have a more celebrated career with Adelaide) to have Mick Malthouse be reunited with one of his favourite students. One which at the time was far from fit and since has been unable to replicate his form during his early years playing for the arch-rival. But as the years passed, I saw the wise man behind the larrikin. Daisy knew where he sat in Carlton's plans and made himself all about the footy come the back-end of his controversial contract. The more recent seasons has seen him focus on his performances on the field and his hunger to contribute. And we can tell he hasn't been lying, with his performances having improved by the year since arriving at the blues. Some might remain unswayed by him, but I'm most definitely not one of them. I hope he reaches the milestone as soon as possible. I even hope he reaches the '100 Games for Carlton' milestone later in the year. He's earned it.

Kade Simpson

Most Losses of any AFL Player (15th Loss)

This might not be classified as a milestone, but I just had to talk about it. People can call this an 'unwanted' record all they like. They can make jokes about it all they like. But that will only tell me how ignorant they are. Most rant on about how Shaun Burgoyne is the best veteran going around due to all the accolades and premierships over his time with both Port Adelaide and Hawthorn. But he should also have luck to thank for that. Sure, he helped build a dynasty at the Hawks (and should be respected for that) but he has had strong teammates and coaches as well. Kade hasn't had such luck. If anything, I'd be congratulating Simpson more than Burgoyne. Most would think it's my bias on show. But if Simmo were to have the same record for any other team, I'd be thinking no differently from now. Kade has had many opportunities to call it quits. He's even had many opportunities to seek a trade and chase for success. But he hasn't. He signed on for a 17th season at the blues, all while still believing finals are within reach. That might not be as good as the silverware, but it's pretty damn close to it. It is proof that Simpson deserves all the respect he receives. He doesn't take shortcuts. He accepts things as they are and keeps his chin up. If that isn't resilience, then I don't know what is. Worst 300-game player my arse! I'd be having him close to the best. Probably better than most of the Carlton players from the glory years. The numbers mean nothing to me.

Other milestones include:

- Matthew Lobbe (100 AFL Games)

- Patrick Cripps (100 Games for Carlton)

- Mitch McGovern (50 AFL Games)

- Charlie Curnow (50 Games for Carlton)

- Liam Jones (50 Games for Carlton)

- Jack Silvagni (50 Games for Carlton)

- Sam Petrevski-Seton (50 Games for Carlton)

- Andrew Phillips (50 AFL Games)

- Caleb Marchbank (50 AFL Games)

- Zac Fisher (50 Games for Carlton)

- Nic Newman (50 AFL Games)

- Matthew Kennedy (50 AFL Games)

BEST AND FAIREST

Patrick Cripps

Right now, I can throw almost everything on this happening again. Cripps is just a contested beast, and one of the best I've seen in my lifetime. Not only that, he has outstanding peripheral vision, and is able to make the right decisions most times the ball is in his hands. Of course he isn't entirely perfect. His set-shot kicking has raise some eyebrows over the past couple of seasons. And his not-so-good performances can often be excused with all the weight placed on his shoulders. But to do what he does in the face of so much misery is and will forever remain admirable. I mean he finished fourth in the Brownlow medal count and was a lock for the 2018 All-Australian team, coming from one of the worst performing sides in footy history. If one doesn't give him credit for this, then they are not worth the time. Just imagine what he could do when the support is there and the wins come in. The Brownlow medal could easily be a walk in the park for him. So long as he isn't hampered by any injuries, it's a near-certainty that he will gobble up most of the accolades again in 2019.

WHERE WILL THEY FINISH?

ROUND 1 - Carlton (v) Richmond (Thursday 21 March, MCG) LOSS (38 points)

ROUND 2 - Port Adelaide (v) Carlton (Saturday 30 March, AO) LOSS (62 points)

ROUND 3 - Carlton (v) Sydney Swans (Saturday 6 April, M) WIN (23 points)

ROUND 4 - Gold Coast Suns (v) Carlton (Sunday 14 April, MS) WIN (11 points)

ROUND 5 - Western Bulldogs (v) Carlton (Sunday 21 April, M) LOSS (42 points)
ROUND 6 - Hawthorn (v) Carlton (Sunday 28 April, UTS) LOSS (21 points)
ROUND 7 - Carlton (v) North Melbourne (Sunday 5 May, M) WIN (5 points)
ROUND 8 - Carlton (v) Collingwood (Saturday 11 May, MCG) LOSS (16 points)
ROUND 9 - GWS Giants (v) Carlton (Sunday 19 May, SS) LOSS (36 points)
ROUND 10 - St. Kilda (v) Carlton (Sunday 26 May, M) LOSS (52 points)
ROUND 11 - Essendon (v) Carlton (Sunday 2 June, MCG) LOSS (14 points)
ROUND 12 - Carlton (v) Brisbane Lions (Saturday 8 June, M) LOSS (28 points)
ROUND 13 - Carlton (v) Western Bulldogs (Saturday 15 June, M) LOSS (27 points)
ROUND 14 - BYE
ROUND 15 - Fremantle (v) Carlton (Sunday 30 June, OS) LOSS (89 points)
ROUND 16 - Carlton (v) Melbourne (Sunday 7 July, MCG) LOSS (72 points)
ROUND 17 - Sydney (v) Carlton (Saturday 13 July, SCG) LOSS (55 points)
ROUND 18 - Carlton (v) Gold Coast Suns (Saturday 20 July, M) WIN (35 points)
ROUND 19 - Carlton (v) Adelaide Crows (Saturday 27 July, MCG) LOSS (60 points)
ROUND 20 - Carlton (v) West Coast Eagles (Sunday 4 August, M) LOSS (24 points)
ROUND 21 - Richmond (v) Carlton (Sunday 11 August, MCG) LOSS (13 points)
ROUND 22 - Carlton (v) St. Kilda (Saturday 17 August, MCG) WIN (2 points)
ROUND 23 - Geelong Cats (v) Carlton (Saturday 24 August, GMHBA) LOSS (110 points)

17th (5 wins and around 67%)

I don't see there being any close losses this year. Whenever Carlton will lose, they will lose convincingly. Though I do believe they will be competitive for most quarters in more than half of the matches. Most years, Carlton has a dark patch of games in consecutive weeks. The way I see it, that won't change much. I'm predicting they'll come right after the bye. There are obviously going to be some upsets, and I'm expecting them to be against Sydney and North Melbourne during the first half of the season. As much as people think a win against Essendon is becoming an annual thing, I see the bombers changing that this year with a victory that will seem like it's overdue (though my heart will be hoping this isn't the case). There will also be matches where Carlton truly disappoints the fans again. They'll come in against Fremantle after the bye and Geelong at the end of the season (where I'm expecting the blues to take their foot off the pedal). The results might seem alarming here and they could likely encourage calls for Brendan Bolton to be sacked. But I stand firmly by the idea that the club will continue to not budge. It's a small improvement anyway in terms of development and win-loss ratio.

OTHER PREDICTIONS

These are merely predictions of my own and I don't expect most of them to be right. As a matter of fact, I don't expect any of them to be right. But I thought I'd make myself a challenge. I also tried to be sensible while forming these predictions.

1. Carlton will score 100+ points only once this year. I have a feeling it will be against the round eighteen match against the Suns (102 - 67).
2. Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman and Sam Walsh to be only Carlton debutants for season opener.
3. I'm predicting two rising star nominations: Sam Walsh will be nominated within the first seven rounds and Will Setterfield much later in the season.
4. Charlie Curnow will once again kick our most goals and I believe he will reach just over 40.
5. Liam Stocker to debut round eight against Collingwood at the MCG.
6. Matthew Kennedy to kick the match winner against St. Kilda in round twenty-two.
7. Lowest score kicked is 32 against Fremantle straight after the bye.
8. Patrick Cripps to poll three Brownlow votes in seven matches.
9. Hugh Goddard to play a total of five matches for Carlton.
10. This one is a bit of a stretch, but I reckon brothers Ben and Jack Silvagni will play in the same Carlton side at least once in the back end of the season.

FINAL WORDS

Oh Carlton! Where do I begin? A club with such a proud history. Sixteen flags and some of the greatest names to ever set a foot on the park, having worn your iconic monogram (one of the few reasons why I chose to support the blues from a very young age). I do envy such achievements. But I ask you how much longer must I do so? You're honouring the past as you say, but little do you remember you have been doing the same thing for quite a while now. How about creating some new history? And by new history, I don't mean 2018. Like everyone else, years of my life are being wasted away on misery, endless torture and ridicule from others. And all I'm told is to be patient. I shouldn't have to pay for the sins of the arrogant bunch. I've long put my faith in you in the best way I could. All I'm asking is from you is to return the favour. At least one flag in the future. If not, at least a step away from it. No more adding to your spoon collection. If there is a God or ray of light, I simply ask them to have my time of witnessing glory. I promise to treat it with care and not rub it in the face of others. I'm a sensible person.

Travis "TJ" James

Creation Frustration

Many of you are probably sick and tired of me constantly discussing about the topic of Art. But little may you know that this is what my blog It's The Self That Matters is all about. You're not likely to see an entire piece on scientific facts here, because that openly goes against the blog. We are talking about self mattering to us. Facts and science don't care about this. They don't care for who we specifically are. They don't care for what we think about and they don't care for how we feel. My vision of Art is something I enjoy to discuss because it's the nature of both me and this blog. It's my freedom and my right of joy, both of which everyone else can share. I hope all can truly understand this. This time around however, you readers can feel a little grateful because this piece is unlike the others. Let's just say, it's a little more invested. It's a piece signifying the importance of such a beautiful thing, and what it can mean to all of us.

For those who have devoted much of their time to my blog pieces, you would well and truly know by now what Art is all about. If you don't know or you did but happened to forget, I'll briefly share it in a series of small and simple sentences. Art is your everyday amusement. Your code of individuality. Your detailed journey between birth and death. It's the easier things in life that keep you from losing yourself. It's the cage for your pressures. It's the embracing of senses and interest of differences. It's a thing for all to share. It's one half of existence. Art is emotion. Art is passion. Art can be the step towards your aspirations. It's not just the paintings in a gallery. It's not just the songs on a playlist. It's whatever both heart and mind create. It's purely subjective and gives anyone and everyone a voice. It can lead to love. It can lead to pain. It can lead to war. There is no living without it. It's in the blood of each and every one of us. And most importantly, Art brings our image to life (the way we are seen by those around us).

In this piece however, I will be diving a little deeper into the Art pool. My focus is on one thunderous word and its forever-indestructible link to the two-part engine of our lives. That word being 'Creativity'. Us as artists can be separated into two categories, and these two categories share the utmost dependence on how we each look at creativity as a whole. The question is whether we embrace it, or get ourselves involved. Of course we can do both. As a matter of fact, many of us automatically do and there's no getting away from it. But what side do we lean further towards? Do we love and take in the works of others or do we have the hunger to give others a taste of our own? Any reader who leans towards the latter, then this blog piece is perfect for you. Here I come to explain the importance of creativity. I look into how much it matters for some and what is required for one to express it. In the end, you will come to learn that it is so much more than just a ten-letter word.

Creativity isn't only treated as a thing of both beauty and convenience. Most of us take it very seriously. Now before one can deem this as either being ridiculous or over the top, they're to ask themselves these questions. Why is it important for Alexander Graham Bell to be remembered for the invention of the telephone? Why is it important for Thomas Edison to be remembered for the invention of the light bulb? If you were the creator of something extraordinary or life-changing, wouldn't you want to take the credit for your creation? I know for a fact I would. I wouldn't just create something, give it to people and say 'enjoy'. I'd want to be tied to it. It isn't necessarily a case of building a legacy (though that will always be the case). It's more-so the smaller parts that I love. The confirmation of my change for better. It's having people reach out to me and thanking me for a positive impact on their lives. Another way of helping me and making me feel better about myself. Of course I won't lie about wanting to make a profit for it, but that's more due to survival than being rich. Unfortunately though, I am not an entrepreneur nor do I have a mind creative enough for such a role. But I can't blame anyone for wanting to truly be the source of their own material.

Hence why there is such a thing as copyright. It's a case of not sacrificing and wasting quality. To be first in, best dressed and not lose your innovative chance at bringing smiles or inspiring others. Copyrighted material can be anything from registered and trademarked logos to music, fashion, artwork, food and literature. It can even can go as far as human actions and catch phrases. It's all to do with keeping the origin within reach. To have people look back and go 'so that's where this came from'. Because Art embraces both emotion and inspiration, we ourselves like to make sure each other know who or what is to thank for particular creations. The legal system of copyright is too, another opportunity for the givers to connect with their surroundings and share the sentiments of receivers. Believe it or not, there are those of the famous and fortunate that further express their feelings of warmth and appreciation (like their fans) to their fans. It all stems from their unique gifts to the world. The protections and rights of ownership also maintain this throughout a lifetime.

People that accuse others of copying or stealing their work and take them to court, might not look so welcoming on the outside. But deep down, you come to understand how much they care for what they themselves bring into the world. You respect their heart's desire of wanting to be recognised for the sensations that come from their creativity. You see the reason in their hopes of avoiding complete ordinariness. They don't want to become lost in a sea of cheap or plastic imitations that suck the life out of their natural material and render their hard work useless. One can only believe how mentally painful that would be. Which is why I see the need to maintain some relevancy throughout time. Artists having their rights and protecting their ideas is mostly a move of great morality. I say mostly because there will always be that matter of people chasing for nothing but money and greater wealth. Then again, it just depends on the person. We can only ever guess here, but I personally see money-grubbing as something highly improbable given the time and effort one puts into their work. Artistry too is either a joy at first or becomes a growing passion.

The second argument regarding creativity primarily focuses on the process. What classifies as creativity? What does one have to do to claim ownership of their work? How much responsibility do they have? These are actually some pretty significant questions nowadays. We have moved into an era where both controversy and discussion have become elementary. Both the story and messages of artwork are currently more powerful than ever before in contemporary society. And because Art has now gone beyond walls and carved sculptures to include much larger and more sophisticated constructions, the right of possession has taken quite a hit. Some works today are too much for one to complete on their own. This is usually due to the workload or simply not having the right skills or abilities to bring work to life. So artists as a result of this, hire a group of professional people to do the job for them. Thus comes the rise of controversy and why it surrounds the ultimate creator.

Take for instance 'The Skywhale', a hot air balloon designed by Australian contemporary artist Patricia Piccinini as a celebration of Canberra City turning one-hundred. I'm sure many people from Australia and the UK would be familiar with this. I certainly am, having studied about it during my final year of high school. 'The Skywhale' is one of the more controversial works of contemporary art going around this decade. But while being heavily criticised for its grotesque appearance, it's a representation of future, mystery and the unexplored potential of humankind. Prior to creation, Piccinini herself questioned the forever-unknown future of living creatures and whether science would change them (e.g. the whale becoming a creature of the sky). She also went on to describe the sight of hot air balloons as 'auspicious' (having experienced this whilst living in a Melbourne apartment) and wanted to replicate that emotion through her work with a hot air balloon of her own. Piccinini designed 'The Skywhale' with the hope of it 'floating into our lives' like any other balloon.

Just by looking at the large and unique work of art, one is to expect that the construction wasn't undertaken by a single set of hands. And this was the case, with Piccinini having instead hired a team of workers to put the balloon together. According to multiple sources, 'The Skywhale' took approximately 7 months to complete, with 16 people applying around 3 million stitches to 3.5 kilometres of fabric. For one person (excluding any factors or variables), this would take roughly nine and a half years with little to no breaks (maybe longer). So one couldn't possibly condemn Piccinini for not having proper involvement in the making process. With a burning desire, a favourable idea and access to the materials and right people, the project was never out of her reach. More importantly, it was a project that originated from her thoughts and it was one that she piloted from start to finish. Also considering that 'The Skywhale' resembles many of her other works as well. The designer is rightfully at the front.

My view extends to artists in general. I believe that it's vital for all to consider the significant role any mind plays in the journey of an art piece. Art often begins as an idea from scratch. It's an idea that one brings forth through personal interest. It's an idea the creator knows more about than anybody else. The argument of any artist not being an artist when they pay others to apply certain practices and bring work to reality, disregards what's arguably the ultimate foundation of human expression. It's like throwing away the plan before starting the next step. One's then left not knowing what to do. This is why I consider the conception of ideas of greater value than the practical stage. British contemporary artist Damien Hirst, best summed it up for me by once referring to architects and how they never get scrutinised for not making their own buildings. He wasn't wrong there. So to anyone questioning an artist's ownership of their abstract ideas when they hire others for production, I encourage you to think carefully about this. When I say 'Art is whatever the mind creates', I really mean it.

This isn't saying however that hired assistants shouldn't receive acknowledgement and credit for their service. As a matter of fact, I see this as an absolute must for each and every artist. While conceptual art gives birth to the idea, the hands-on procedure is pretty much the time of nurturing. It's a stage in creation when workers can influence the designer on making certain modifications. It's a stage when the designer can learn something new and unfamiliar to them. It's a last chance for any additional details that meet the designer's satisfaction, to be included in the making process. Without the helping hands of paid workers and their role in bringing the big artworks to life, the artist may never be guaranteed the ideal results. They will very likely not see the problems in front of them or the small improvements that can be made. Sometimes help can be useful even when the work doesn't require it. All leaders and drivers of art need a little guidance at times.

So there you have it. There is a lot of joy in creativity, but there is also a lot of care in it as well. Innovative ideas are so many but all hold so much value. You want to be first with yours. You want to ensure you are tied to it. You want to stand out and consider all avenues that see your work come out in the best quality possible. The level of seriousness for Art is sound. Ownership means everything to creators as it's their very own footprint in life. It's their positive influence on people and their road to rewards. So fighting to maintain artistic identities is an honourable act, even when the approaches don't make it seem that way. Ownership also derives from a creative mind. It comes from a concept never seen before. A concept that awaits the first person to make it real. And that concept is a blood connection. So ownership of creativity never loses its value, regardless of how many people are involved in the journey from paper to reality. Long story short, Art is precious. So let's not see it wasted!

Travis "TJ" James