Carlton Supporters Club

When you're watching from the sidelines it's easy to make some rather odd suggestions. So here's one.

Over the next two weeks we play probably the best two sides (being nudged strongly by Sydney and WC) so why not use this as an opportunity to play any young bloke you're wondering about to firstly see how he responds and secondly so he gets to experience first hand how the best go about it. Then perhaps rest any of our front line older blokes carrying a nasty niggle or two. Treat it as an education.

Specifically you'd play Whiley, Smith, Dick, Fields, Jaksch and Walsh... not sure if we're allowed to play Russell. Perhaps even Foster.

Give each of Murph, Jamison and Carrazzo a rest for one of those two games. Use these two upcoming games to expose, teach and to rest. Then for the remainder of the season set out to win. After these two upcoming games I believe we could win 4 or so games and finish around 14th and have a much better 2nd half to the year (perhaps even 5-6 from our second 11 games as opposed to 2-9 from our first 11). Or maybe I'm just bored and should get back to work! 

Personally despise tanking. We've tried it in the past, and it hasn't worked. Melbourne has tried it, and it doesn't work. I've said it before, it's just a variation of the Messiah complex. Instead of waiting for gun trades to save us, instead of waiting successful coaches to save us, now we turn to elite pimply faced adolescents to save us.

We need to build a culture that despises losing, that despises giving less than 100% every game, that can really develop kids the way other clubs do. Into such a system, you then trade, draft, recruit players who have a framework in place, and something to actually aspire to. Not, "you're barely out of nappies, you need to save us."

Sorry, but that's my 2 bob's worth.

Franklin, Lewis and Roughy were all once 'pimply faced adolescents'.

Personally despise tanking. We've tried it in the past, and it hasn't worked. Melbourne has tried it, and it doesn't work. I've said it before, it's just a variation of the Messiah complex. Instead of waiting for gun trades to save us, instead of waiting successful coaches to save us, now we turn to elite pimply faced adolescents to save us.

We need to build a culture that despises losing, that despises giving less than 100% every game, that can really develop kids the way other clubs do. Into such a system, you then trade, draft, recruit players who have a framework in place, and something to actually aspire to. Not, "you're barely out of nappies, you need to save us."

Sorry, but that's my 2 bob's worth.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. When I suggested the above it was to 'balance' a learning experience and giving it our best against great opposition. They're two sides we won't beat but I give us a chance against any other sides bar the top 4.

Tanking is a cancer to culture. Should never even be contemplated. Losing to get a higher pick is not only what you accurately point out (player x is going to change everything for us - Messiah Complex continues) but is foolish beyond belief. The draft is not about our first pick only, it is much, much more than that.

We have to reward good VFL form so Jaksch should play, I'd probably also play Byrne and Whiley or Vojo at a pinch.
Jaksch for Fields, Byrne for Gibbs, Whiley/Vojo for Armfield, Menzel should be dropped but the cupboard is bare.
This will be ugly.

We have to reward good VFL form so Jaksch should play, I'd probably also play Byrne and Whiley or Vojo at a pinch.
Jaksch for Fields, Byrne for Gibbs, Whiley/Vojo for Armfield, Menzel should be dropped but the cupboard is bare.
This will be ugly.

Whiley and Viojo-Rainbow certainly don't deserve a call up on their NB's form.  Whiley got the ball but did nothing with it.

Rowe has to come back and Jaksch and Byrne deserve to be considered.  Fields did enough to earn another game but I can't see how Tutt can be retained; he lacks awareness and is not strong enough to stick a tackle.  If we do make four changes, Smith would be my choice for the fourth spot, not that he is really crying out to be selected.

Docherty will be back, Rowe and Byrne in.

Docherty will be back, Rowe and Byrne in.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. When I suggested the above it was to 'balance' a learning experience and giving it our best against great opposition. They're two sides we won't beat but I give us a chance against any other sides bar the top 4.

Tanking is a cancer to culture. Should never even be contemplated. Losing to get a higher pick is not only what you accurately point out (player x is going to change everything for us - Messiah Complex continues) but is foolish beyond belief. The draft is not about our first pick only, it is much, much more than that.