- Feb 11, 2015
- 5,042
- 8,321
- AFL Club
- Carlton
Just wanted to get this off my chest.
Everywhere I look, I am seeing these comments such as 'worst team in AFL history' and 'Carlton will win several more wooden spoons'. Either people are just saying that because they despise the team or they have to be really stupid. Yes, we were awful, but I wouldn't go as far as saying such stuff as 'they should be relegated to the VFL'. Hello, 16 premierships, the most successful Victorian team in Aussie Rules history? If we went like this, wouldn't we be saying the same thing about St. Kilda and Melbourne when they finished last? Would we be calling for GWS to be sent to the NEAFL when they looked to be making no progress for two years? Why are we considered to be SO terrible to the point where people think that an under 10's team could beat us? How did we even win games this year if this was the case?
The 2015 season sure did have moments where we were absolutely humiliated, and rightfully so. Consistent 60-70 point losses in the prime time slot was either one of the AFL making the club look stupid or the team digging its own grave. And the record-breaking loss against the Hawks was probably the most embarrassing defeat I have seen in my life. But overall, would I say this is the worst any team has performed in a season? The team did get 4 wins on the board and the percentage difference between them and the lions was pretty small. So did other teams that only got 1-2 wins in a season perform much better?
If you were paying close attention to the blues and their 2015 season, you would know that the reason for most of the losses were because of the lack of care and effort to put heads down and go in hard. The best example would have to be the round 5 match against Collingwood (which was Mick's record breaking game as coach). I was watching the game from start to finish and what I noticed was that the players didn't give a rats arse. It was like they did not want to be there. They were playing like witches hats. It was quite similar for most of the other defeats. Why do you think the team was able to only get one win under Malthouse, but get three wins under Barker? Why do you think Barker got a lot of praise from the members and supporters?
Also you can't forget the amount of injuries the club had suffered throughout the year:
- Dale Thomas dislocated his shoulder the first minute of round 1. Just his luck. And I believe he would of had a much better year if it didn't occur.
- Bryce Gibbs called it one of his most challenging seasons yet. Shoulder injury, comes back, gets suspended, comes back, tears his pectoral muscle and finally out for the rest of the year.
- As soon as Ciaran Byrne got his chance to shine, a hamstring issue kept him out from appearing in the team for a second time.
- Who could forget Chris Judd and his career-ending ACL injury? Not the way a modern champion of the game should have walked out.
- Dennis Armfield, Ciaran Sheehan, Levi Casboult, Sam Docherty, Cameron Giles, Andrew Carrazzo, Andrew Walker, Nick Graham, Kristian Jaksch, Marc Murphy, Michael Jamison, Chris Yarran, Matthew Kreuzer, Simon White, Robert Warnock and Billy Gowers were all out for an extended amount of time with injuries as well.
- And I can also add that Lachie Henderson turned his back on the club with a few weeks left.
It was one of the worst years for injuries. In fact, it was so bad, we were lucky to even put out a team in the final round.
While I won't deny that the 2015 Carlton list was one of the worst I've ever seen due to both the amount of unproven talent and lack of key position depth, this would have to be one of the best off-season list changing periods in history. It had proven that the club had an understanding when it comes to respecting its players (such as allowing Tom Bell to return home) and didn't go down without a fight (going hard in the trade period). And even though the list contains even more unproven players, I can safely say that the club is in a much better position than it was before.
If you honestly think we are yet to reach rock bottom, then I wouldn't support the team next year? A true supporter carries faith and hope through the tough times and believes the road to success is just around the corner. We have already hit rock bottom and are only beginning to get back on our feet. The team can't possibly finish lower or be any worse than 2015.
Everywhere I look, I am seeing these comments such as 'worst team in AFL history' and 'Carlton will win several more wooden spoons'. Either people are just saying that because they despise the team or they have to be really stupid. Yes, we were awful, but I wouldn't go as far as saying such stuff as 'they should be relegated to the VFL'. Hello, 16 premierships, the most successful Victorian team in Aussie Rules history? If we went like this, wouldn't we be saying the same thing about St. Kilda and Melbourne when they finished last? Would we be calling for GWS to be sent to the NEAFL when they looked to be making no progress for two years? Why are we considered to be SO terrible to the point where people think that an under 10's team could beat us? How did we even win games this year if this was the case?
The 2015 season sure did have moments where we were absolutely humiliated, and rightfully so. Consistent 60-70 point losses in the prime time slot was either one of the AFL making the club look stupid or the team digging its own grave. And the record-breaking loss against the Hawks was probably the most embarrassing defeat I have seen in my life. But overall, would I say this is the worst any team has performed in a season? The team did get 4 wins on the board and the percentage difference between them and the lions was pretty small. So did other teams that only got 1-2 wins in a season perform much better?
If you were paying close attention to the blues and their 2015 season, you would know that the reason for most of the losses were because of the lack of care and effort to put heads down and go in hard. The best example would have to be the round 5 match against Collingwood (which was Mick's record breaking game as coach). I was watching the game from start to finish and what I noticed was that the players didn't give a rats arse. It was like they did not want to be there. They were playing like witches hats. It was quite similar for most of the other defeats. Why do you think the team was able to only get one win under Malthouse, but get three wins under Barker? Why do you think Barker got a lot of praise from the members and supporters?
Also you can't forget the amount of injuries the club had suffered throughout the year:
- Dale Thomas dislocated his shoulder the first minute of round 1. Just his luck. And I believe he would of had a much better year if it didn't occur.
- Bryce Gibbs called it one of his most challenging seasons yet. Shoulder injury, comes back, gets suspended, comes back, tears his pectoral muscle and finally out for the rest of the year.
- As soon as Ciaran Byrne got his chance to shine, a hamstring issue kept him out from appearing in the team for a second time.
- Who could forget Chris Judd and his career-ending ACL injury? Not the way a modern champion of the game should have walked out.
- Dennis Armfield, Ciaran Sheehan, Levi Casboult, Sam Docherty, Cameron Giles, Andrew Carrazzo, Andrew Walker, Nick Graham, Kristian Jaksch, Marc Murphy, Michael Jamison, Chris Yarran, Matthew Kreuzer, Simon White, Robert Warnock and Billy Gowers were all out for an extended amount of time with injuries as well.
- And I can also add that Lachie Henderson turned his back on the club with a few weeks left.
It was one of the worst years for injuries. In fact, it was so bad, we were lucky to even put out a team in the final round.
While I won't deny that the 2015 Carlton list was one of the worst I've ever seen due to both the amount of unproven talent and lack of key position depth, this would have to be one of the best off-season list changing periods in history. It had proven that the club had an understanding when it comes to respecting its players (such as allowing Tom Bell to return home) and didn't go down without a fight (going hard in the trade period). And even though the list contains even more unproven players, I can safely say that the club is in a much better position than it was before.
If you honestly think we are yet to reach rock bottom, then I wouldn't support the team next year? A true supporter carries faith and hope through the tough times and believes the road to success is just around the corner. We have already hit rock bottom and are only beginning to get back on our feet. The team can't possibly finish lower or be any worse than 2015.
Last edited:
