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21
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Carltons list changes needed to chase flag 17
Last post by LP -
Quote from: Lods – on
We've probably seen examples of both. ;)
Dependant on who you ask the question of, you'll get different answers in every case.

If an idol leaves, he departed because he was ...................................

If it's the whipping boy, he was excised because ...................................

You can fill in the blanks, they will be a different reason from every fan or blogger.
23
The Sports Desk / Re: Track and Field
Last post by Lods -
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-21/world-indoor-athletics-championships-nicola-olyslagers/106481450

Quote
Australia's two-time defending champion Nicola Olyslagers has claimed the silver medal in the women's high jump at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland.

Olyslagers, the 2024 and 2025 world indoor champion, cleared 1.99 metres to share the silver with Serbia's Angelina Topić and Ukrainian Yuliia Levchenko.

Ukraine's Olympic champion and world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh won gold with a clearance of 2.01m.
24
The Sports Desk / Going Swimmingly
Last post by Lods -
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-21/cameron-mcevoy-breaks-50-metres-freestyle-world-record/106481460

Quote
Australia's Cameron McEvoy has broken the men's 50 metres freestyle world record, which had stood for 17 years.

The reigning Olympic and world champion posted a time of 20.88 seconds at the China Swimming Open in Shenzhen, clipping 0.03 off Brazilian César Cielo's previous mark.

Cielo set his world record of 20.91 during swimming's 'super suit' era in 2009.
29
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Carltons list changes needed to chase flag 17
Last post by Lods -
Quote from: Thryleon – on
Quote from: DJC – on


How about Tom Boyd, Liam Jones, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Shaun Higgins, Caleb Daniel, Ryan Griffin, Josh Hill, Jarrad Grant, Jake Stringer?

As well as Callan Ward, Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae, Lewis Young, etc
are you seriously putting Lewis young in with the likes of Eddie betts?

I was more surprised at the first group of players. That's more like a mental health waiting room. :o
They've had some troubled souls pass through their club.

I think the problem with departing players is down to a number of issues.

Success is at the root of the problem.
A lack of success and not being able to see it in the near future is enough for players in their prime to jump ship.
During their playing years the club is, for many, just a place of work. And if you're not completely satisfied with the workplace it's natural to look at options. Jack Silvagni is an example of that...who would ever have thought.
Players often grow up supporting other clubs. Their commitment to a club only starts from the beginning of their playing time. In many cases the bonds they form with teammates is stonger than their 'love' of club. That's something that comes later, and while it develops into a life long commitment it's a little different from most supporters. That has been a lifetime commitment. We find it harder to understand why players want to move.

Lack of success brings frustration. Teammates and coaches may start to question the commitment of others. That causes division and conflict.
Some look at the years they have left and want to be part of a side challenging for a flag.

But away from success...
There may be disappointment with the roles they are asked to play or how they are being used. It's easy to say 'suck it up''but if you feel that you're being used in a role that doesn't give you the opportunity to play your best football that makes it harder to get enthused. If that is an ongoing issue and another club sees the value, and offers (as an example) more midfield time. That's pretty tempting.

And of course there is the money side of things.
How many would have turned down the DeKoning offer?
Creating the environment where players don't want to leave is not an easy task. It's made a lot easier though by sustained success...and importantly stability, which seems to have eluded us for the last 30 years.

The thing about stability is that it's not something you can demand. It needs to be created. Just holding the line and not making changes when they are required doesn't add to stability. It's a band-aid solution.

 A competent CEO and head of football with a shared vision is a good starting point. Lets see how it goes.