Carlton Supporters Club

Works his butt off, loves the jumper, good skills, quick thinking good footy brain, slow as treacle, limited athleticism, and a big body. Perfect for us as an inside mid, provided he and Cripps are flanked by some pacy types.

Come on CFC, stop f%^#ing around. Make it happen.

And I'm talking about Jack.

On current trends there are about 20 to 30 mids of that type in each years draft, the main difference between them being pace, it's no good him being average at it he has to excel!

It could be horrible for SoJ and for some other dedicated midfielder if resources were allocated to SoJ without merit, the other players would pick up on that and he'd possibly become isolated, because it wouldn't be perceived as a level playing field.

If we start creating roles for the named players I cannot see how that will end up working.

As long as his potential is genuine and he's not just getting the opportunity beaus of his name. We can only surmise that ability, but the coaches will know the answer, I think someone like Brodie or BB would have to make the call without SOS involvement.

I don't want the kid to be a place holder based on his name, I want him to prove to everyone he can be successful in his own right like Ablett Jnr. Unfortunately it probably means he has to exceed expectations.

We need bigger bodies around the contest, we've tried Graham, Kerridge etc. He's already on our list, we're not going anywhere this season, why not give it a go ?

Without wanting to jump at shadows, it appears as though all of our players are getting this sort of add a string to their bow treatment.
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Jack's got a few things on others competing for spots.

1.  He bleeds blue.
2.  He has football smarts.

If people think hes only getting a game on his name, then they arent watching and IMHO, arent worth listening to.

Not just bigger, faster bodies as well, people who can chase and compete when we do not get first hands on the ball.

Yes, big, fast, skilful, good footy brain, calm under pressure etc........ I want Fyfe, Martin and Dangerfield as well. But for now, we can only choose from whomever is on our list.

That is my point PaulP, do you spend resources and time preparing/converting someone into a role from which they will ultimately be replaced?

Wouldn't it be better for SoJ if he was allowed to use his time to develop his HFF / 3rd Tall craft?

Could SoJ be our Jack Darling type, more mobile than a typical KPF yet heavier and stronger than a typical utility? Tough match up if we get it right!

All I'm saying is that in a nothing season with a dearth of midfield depth, it should be tried.

I think he should be tried too!

But I don't think we have a dearth of that type of midfield player though, I think we have too many of that type already!

We seem to have a sh1tload of blokes who can win it in tight, and bugger all capable of distribution or breakaway! It's no accident we rushed Dow in, but it's a puzzle we set him up as a tagger!

Ignoring SoJ for the moment, from the Dow perspective, are we obsessed with teaching blokes a role they are least equipped to fill?

Novel Ideas to think about:

My current workplace is one that encourages people to choose their own journey in their working career.  This means that on an annual basis we have a review, we have a look at our strengths, we have a look at our weaknesses, what can be done to close those gaps and then to go with it where we are in our careers, where we ultimately want to end up, and how we can best support people to transition to their end goal in the current environment and what outside help we can be found if the resources don't exist at the workplace to setup that sort of environment where people are encouraged to learn and grow.

From the outset, they encourage people to explore what they want to, and they also state that its fine to continue doing what you do if that's what you want to do.

Now, I could very well be overestimating whats going on here, and it might be more like the average sunday league football side, where people rock up on game day, after having done a couple of training sessions, where all that matters is how well a bloke kicks the footy and cracks in, but that doesn't quite work for me for a bloke who comes out of the Hawthorn enviornment with a heavy focus on learning your role and player development.

Works his butt off, loves the jumper, good skills, quick thinking good footy brain, slow as treacle, limited athleticism, and a big body. Perfect for us as an inside mid, provided he and Cripps are flanked by some pacy types.

Come on CFC, stop f%^#ing around. Make it happen.

And I'm talking about Jack.

Actually, Durante Koala, I was thinking the same thing. When I did watch the NBs game (I probably caught a little over half) I was surprised at how SOJ 'hunted' the aggot when on ball - bona fide footy smarts, surprised and impressed. Yes, his body may not yet be up to the rigors of a lot of time in the guts but he aint gonna learn if he aint given a go... and this is the year to do it.