Interesting debate in this thread & some very good arguments being put forward & your reference to "behind closed doors" is a valid one.
For me, the wheels fell off when, after our loss to the Eagles, the powerbrokers put the 'r' word out there. That was when the divide between Malthouse & the club became apparent. Why were the media alerted to the club deciding to go down the rebuild road? Why was this not just an internal memo from the board/CEO to Silvagni, McKay & Malthouse? The media knew the 'r' word was anathema to the Carlton faithful & they quickly identified that it wasn't something for which all stakeholders were on the same page.
It soon became apparent, as this all started to unfold, that the board was leaking & it didn't seem to matter that the divide which now existed at the club was being played out in the media (much like the leaking from our board circa 2005/2006) & let me say, the blame for this lies on both sides of the divide.
I would be very surprised if their aren't divisive issues at play at all 18 AFL clubs however some clubs are very good at making sure these issues remain within the club & do not get debated through the blood thirsty media. If our club is to experience long-term success any time soon, the club needs to stop feeding the media everytime all stakeholders aren't on the same page. Successful/professional clubs don't air their dirty washing for all to see.
For me, the wheels fell off when, after our loss to the Eagles, the powerbrokers put the 'r' word out there. That was when the divide between Malthouse & the club became apparent. Why were the media alerted to the club deciding to go down the rebuild road? Why was this not just an internal memo from the board/CEO to Silvagni, McKay & Malthouse? The media knew the 'r' word was anathema to the Carlton faithful & they quickly identified that it wasn't something for which all stakeholders were on the same page.
It soon became apparent, as this all started to unfold, that the board was leaking & it didn't seem to matter that the divide which now existed at the club was being played out in the media (much like the leaking from our board circa 2005/2006) & let me say, the blame for this lies on both sides of the divide.
I would be very surprised if their aren't divisive issues at play at all 18 AFL clubs however some clubs are very good at making sure these issues remain within the club & do not get debated through the blood thirsty media. If our club is to experience long-term success any time soon, the club needs to stop feeding the media everytime all stakeholders aren't on the same page. Successful/professional clubs don't air their dirty washing for all to see.

