Carlton Supporters Club

MIO, I'm surprised to hear you say that about Thomas. I'd be shocked if he found another home, irrespective of how much of his salary is subsidised.

I could see him in some type of coaching role.

Thomas would be quite valuable to some clubs. His presence on field surrounded by children is underestimated by many Carlton supporters. He knows where to be on the field and when, often gets there despite supporters claiming he's too slow to keep up, and also pretty much does a sole hand directing the beginners where to be and when.

People post in these threads like the "improvement curve" is a never ending climb to higher and higher performance, it's just unrealistic.

The concept of being left behind is bullsh1t!

The only thing that stops any club climbing the ladder is the failure to develop the resources they have.

Recently we've manage to scupper our fortunes twice. The first time when we reacted prematurely to kibosh Ratten, then again when as his replacement we appointed a redundant geriatric who raped the club and it's culture.

Oh no!  Another thread spiralling out of control

My expectations are:
- game plan/s that make blowouts less likely
- management of youngsters for the longer, not shorter term
- consistent reliable performance from older and stopgap players
- several players step up to give Cripps a hand
- brief but brilliant flashes from our star draftees (1-3yrs) + Byrne in 2nd half
- game time for youngsters, well supported by seniors
- development of "us" mindset across the squad
- consistent performance in NB with move up the ladder
- some consistent AFL standard performance from KJ
- back 6 become more cohesive, static or less points against
- Indigenous players feel valued and their culture respected (strong spirit = max development)
- more consistent effort for longer periods
- nobody getting gifted games
- club and supporters unite and stand behind our coaches/players

I've a few more, but that'll do for now

Go young Blues

Thomas would be quite valuable to some clubs. His presence on field surrounded by children is underestimated by many Carlton supporters. He knows where to be on the field and when, often gets there despite supporters claiming he's too slow to keep up, and also pretty much does a sole hand directing the beginners where to be and when.

Exactly why i stand up for him.

His ability to individually impact games is not what it used to be, however from the very first game he played in a carlton jumper, his direction out on the field was better than any other bloke out there. For a 1st gamer in a new club, it really showed us how far behind we were as a playing list.

I saw Thomas pointing a few times, generally after mis-kicking, but no evidence that he was providing any direction whatsoever.  Self-preservation has been his primary motive, and that's understandable given expectations and his loss of pace and agility.

Maybe you are seeing what you want to see, like the stuff people saw watching McLean.

I expect this season the naysayers will keep bemoaning the selection of the likes of Thomas and White until the point their career ends. At which time I expect to hear the "I told you so" repeatedly after the fact.

Carlton needs to get as much out of the older guys in 2017, while the young guys develop, let the oldies do some heavy lifting until the kids are ready and durable enough to step up.

Maybe you are seeing what you want to see, like the stuff people saw watching McLean.

I expect this season the naysayers will keep bemoaning the selection of the likes of Thomas and White until the point their career ends. At which time I expect to hear the "I told you so" repeatedly after the fact.

Carlton needs to get as much out of the older guys in 2017, while the young guys develop, let the oldies do some heavy lifting until the kids are ready and durable enough to step up.

I saw Thomas pointing a few times, generally after mis-kicking, but no evidence that he was providing any direction whatsoever.  Self-preservation has been his primary motive, and that's understandable given expectations and his loss of pace and agility.

It's a nice try Kruddler, but more a product of a vivid imagination than anything approaching reality.