Carlton Supporters Club

I actually don't think that many on here would believe that premiership contenders is the natural next step. None, probably. I think we're all realistic enough to know that consistent effort is the first port of call, followed by consistent competitiveness - that would be good for 2015. Consistent ruthless effort and consistent competitiveness will bring wins, and we're still a far way from that, but early (EARLY) signs suggest we've taken the first step and the first step only in the right direction -- as opposed to the side-ways, backwards, shuffling of recent times.

No way Barker should be signed up now. Twas a positive sign and if he can somehow get our boys to play like that for the majority of the remainder of the season THEN AND ONLY THEN can he be seriously considered for the role. Good start but as you said, 5% forward. We need to get Gibbs back in the side and have a serious crack at Port who seem to have hit some form. Let's see what we can produce.

Bingo! All focus should be on the next game... plus Byrne, Gibbs (as you mentioned), Jamison, Thomas and Yarran should all be in contention for the Port game.

(and hopefully over the coming months we'll get a squiz at, at senior level, Fields, Russell, Holman and Walsh)

Thry is advocating signing up Barker now. Others are more than happy with our progress and expect it to continue. Some thought the mere sacking of Mick was all we needed to turn everything around.

This is based on little more than showing effort. If we are going to sign up a coach simply because we now show effort, then we are going down the wrong path.

What i'm suggesting is even with a continued improvement in effort...and even a little (somewhat unrealistic) improvement in skill. We have a long way to go before we CAN be premiership contenders. I'm not saying people think we are premiership contenders this year. Just that this type of improvement alone inevitably leads us to that point.

Being competitive, to winning more than you lose, to being able to beat the top sides, to being able to win a flag are giant steps. Passing one level doesn't guarantee the next level.

Basically i don't want people to get too excited about Barker simply because we show some competitiveness.

For starters, we lost, sit at 17th on the ladder with one win, recorded out of Australia!

There's your answer.....relocation!!!