Doig Medal

[wehavethepassion]

Peter Bell

 

[Roundhouse]

Agree 100%.

Dragged this club up from the mire by the scruff of its neck, sold it to the punters, raised membership from 25,000 (ish) to 43,000... changed supporters expectations from "I hope we win a couple this year" (2002) to "We expect finals" (2004 onwards) to "We demand success" (2006) to "anything less than a GF is not good enough" (2007)...

His efforts in changing the face of this club and the expectations of the supporters unfortunately were what contributed directly to his downfall.

And then in the end, he fell on his own sword to minimise the disruption to the club, to allow the club to move forward - and he did it so that his dignity, and that of the club, was left in tact.

Class individual who did more for this club than any other individual in the club's history, and I think he deserved the award well and truly.

Very well put I.P.!

 

[dominguez]

You lot are taking your eye off the ball. How many awards will we give Harvey if he wins two finals in six years? He didn't fall on his sword, he was asked to coach two more games but common sense prevailed and he realised his time was up.

Geelong had 29,000 members this year, there's no correlation between members and success. Going to the footy was much more enjoyable without the bandwagon jumpers anyway.

Connolly was the best of the three coaches we've had. Big deal, says more about the other two than Connolly. If he was any good he would be coaching in 2008.

 

[ImperialPurple]

"I read on fridgeland that the club have introduced a new award in honor of the great man Con Regan. The Con Regan Medal will be periodically awarded to non-playing individuals whose contribution to the Fremantle Football Club has been significant, has added to the club culture, has had an impact on the wider community above and beyond their duties, enhanced the FFC's reputation..............fair enough you will say. "

You lot are taking your eye off the ball. How many awards will we give Harvey if he wins two finals in six years? He didn't fall on his sword, he was asked to coach two more games, common sense prevailed and he realised his time was up.

Geelong had 29,000 members this year, there's no correlation between members and success. Going to the footy was much more enjoyable without the bandwagon jumpers anyway.

Connolly was the best of the three coaches we've had. Big deal, says more about the other two than Connolly. If he was any good he would be coaching in 2008.

Read the criteria again Dom. CC's efforts to raise the profile of the club, to sell it to the punters, to change the expectations, to turn the finances around - they fit that criteria. All of it was "above and beyond his duties"... and that was what he was recognised for.

 

[Bender571]

You lot are taking your eye off the ball. How many awards will we give Harvey if he wins two finals in six years? He didn't fall on his sword, he was asked to coach two more games but common sense prevailed and he realised his time was up.

Geelong had 29,000 members this year, there's no correlation between members and success. Going to the footy was much more enjoyable without the bandwagon jumpers anyway.

Connolly was the best of the three coaches we've had. Big deal, says more about the other two than Connolly. If he was any good he would be coaching in 2008.

He may not of been the best coach, but he was a great personality and sales man with the way he sold the club. He deserves the award for what he did on top of coaching the club

 

[dominguez]

Read the criteria again Dom. CC's efforts to raise the profile of the club, to sell it to the punters, to change the expectations, to turn the finances around - they fit that criteria. All of it was "above and beyond his duties"... and that was what he was recognised for.

That criteria was created by his mates to give him an award. Who do you envisage receiving that award in future years?

It's like your kids giving you a worlds greatest Mum award on Mothers Day.

 

[dominguez]

he was a great personality and sales man with the way he sold the club.

Definately, and no one would dispute that. So why create an award to recognise it?

 

[Bender571]

Definately, and no one would dispute that. So why create an award to recognise it?

A parting gift maybe?

 

[ImperialPurple]

That criteria was created by his mates to give him an award. Who do you envisage receiving that award in future years?

It's like your kids giving you a worlds greatest Mum award on Mothers Day.

That's a tad cynical dom. I hardly think the club would take Con Regan's name and premature death that lightly - just so that they can give CC a going away present.

 

[dominguez]

That's a tad cynical dom. I hardly think the club would take Con Regan's name and premature death that lightly - just so that they can give CC a going away present.

But surely that criteria sums up Chris Connolly perfectly and will be very hard to apply to anyone else? If you were going to tailor an award describing Connolly, wouldn't they be the exact superlatives that you would use?

If they had given him a plaque or trophy commemorating his service to the club that would be fine, but when you create an award in the memory of a Fremantle legend then tailor the criteria to that of one individual then it reeks of cronyism.

I look forward to a long list of Con Regan medallists.

 

[ImperialPurple]

But surely that criteria sums up Chris Connolly perfectly and will be very hard to apply to anyone else? If you were going to tailor an award describing Connolly, wouldn't they be the exact superlatives that you would use?

If they had given him a plaque or trophy commemorating his service to the club that would be fine, but when you create an award in the memory of a Fremantle legend then tailor the criteria to that of one individual then it reeks of cronyism.

I look forward to a long list of Con Regan medallists.

When our club is 100 years old, maybe there will be.

If someone wants to put themselves out like CC did and go "above and beyond", then they too will be awarded a Con Regan medal.

 

[Roundhouse]

You lot are taking your eye off the ball. How many awards will we give Harvey if he wins two finals in six years? He didn't fall on his sword, he was asked to coach two more games but common sense prevailed and he realised his time was up.

Geelong had 29,000 members this year, there's no correlation between members and success. Going to the footy was much more enjoyable without the bandwagon jumpers anyway.

Connolly was the best of the three coaches we've had. Big deal, says more about the other two than Connolly. If he was any good he would be coaching in 2008.

I believe you when you say you enjoyed the footy a lot more in the pre-Connolly era Dom. Our craptitude back then would have been the perfect validation for your continual whinging.

 

[dominguez]

I believe you when you say you enjoyed the footy a lot more in the pre-Connolly era Dom. Our craptitude back then would have been the perfect validation for your continual whinging.

Did I bring up Connolly's award? No, I didn't comment until you lot started patting him on the back. The same applied to Tarrant.

The fact that a large chunk of our supporter base are so happy to accept mediocrity has played a big part in our underachievement IMO.

 

[Ripper]

Did I bring up Connolly's award? No, I didn't comment until you lot started patting him on the back. The same applied to Tarrant.

The fact that a large chunk of our supporter base are so happy to accept mediocrity has played a big part in our underachievement IMO.

I take the view that the continual carping has removed the excitement factor that we had in 2002-2003-early 2004 , late 2006 that flows through the whole club and makes everyone flat.

What's Dutchy's claim to fame apart from grizzling about everyone and everything since Gerard got the flick?

That's right , He gave CC the nickname of "Cuddly".

Crikey! that really helped us make the finals.

CC has gone , We could do well to take a leaf out of his book of class and wish him well, instead of sounding suspiciously like some other teams supporters.

Never burn your bridges.

 

[ImperialPurple]

From fremantlefc.com.au


2007 Doig Medal: How the votes went
5:46 PM Mon 8 October, 2007 | Back


fremantlefc.com.au looks at how the votes were awarded from Round 1-22 to see Matthew Pavlich earn his fourth career Doig Medal and Antoni Grover and Luke McPharlin earn their first top three finishes in the count.

Votes were awarded by the Match Committee at the conclusion of each game based on the following scale:

4 Votes - Outstanding
3 Votes - Excellent
2 Votes – Very Good
1 Vote – Good

Votes are awarded on each player’s individual performance in a game. As a result every player is able to receive votes if their performance is assessed by the match committee as being good, very good, excellent or outstanding. That is, in any round, more than one player may receive one, two, three and four votes.

Round 1 v Port Adelaide Votes: Hayden 2, Pavlich 2, J. Carr 1, Solomon 1, McManus 1, Headland 1, McPharlin 1, Parker 1, Dodd 1, Duffield 1.

Round 1 saw Fremantle host Port Adelaide in the annual Starlight Purple Haze Game. Matthew Pavlich started the season in fine form taking 12 marks and kicking five goals with veteran Shaun McManus collecting 28 possessions. Chris Tarrant and Dean Solomon made their Fremantle debuts in the match. The season looked to be off to the perfect start with a four goal lead at half time but a 10 goal third term from the visitors results in a sixteen point loss.

More than $40,000 is raised for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Round 2 v Essendon Votes: Grover 2, Tarrant 2, Pavlich 2, Sandilands 2, McPharlin 1, Hasleby 1, Headland 1, McManus 1, M. Carr 1, Bell 1, Hayden 1.

Round 2 gave the club its first trip to the Telstra Dome to face Essendon and despite Chris Tarrant and Matthew Pavlich each booting four goals, Peter Bell taking 11 marks and Paul Hasleby collecting 22 touches, a 10 point loss to the Bombers still sees the team winless for the season.

Round 3 v West Coast Votes: Grover 2, Mundy 2, McPharlin 2, Hasleby 1, M. Carr 1, Crowley 1, Hayden 1.

The first Carlton Mid Derby of the year - a home game against the Premiers - and for the first time since round 20 2005, West Coast took premiership points off Fremantle with a 31 point win. Paul Hasleby collected 24 possessions, Steven Dodd made eight tackles and James Walker took 10 marks.

Round 4 v Melbourne Votes: Hasleby 3, Pavlich 3, McManus 3, Headland 3, Dodd 2, Webster 2, J. Carr 1, Solomon 1, Grover 1, Tarrant 1, Sandilands 1, Bell 1, Hayden 1.

In one of his best performances for Fremantle in 2007 Des Headland went to the MCG and collected 22 kicks and three goals, Matthew Pavlich kicked six goals and Paul Hasleby continued his fine start to the season in his 150th game with 37 possessions. The 45 point win over Melbourne got the season underway.

Round 5 v Adelaide Votes: Dodd 3, Hayden 3, Solomon 2, Cook 2, Grover 2, McPharlin 2, Sandilands 2, Webster 2, J. Carr 1, Headland 1, Mundy 1, Tarrant 1, Johnson 1.

A record home crowd for an Adelaide game turns out to celebrate Shaun McManus’s 200th game for the club and witnesses a nail biting one point win thanks to a Luke Webster shot on goal in the dying seconds of the game. Troy Cook booted three goals, Heath Black had 27 possessions, Luke McPharlin took 10 marks and Dean Solomon showed his value in close laying 12 tackles.

Round 6 v Brisbane Votes: Johnson 3, Hayden 2, Tarrant 2, Black 2, Grover 1, Mundy 1, Dodd 1, Pavlich 1.

Round 6 saw Robert Warnock make his debut in the ruck at the Gabba, while Heath Black collected 27 touches, Matthew Pavlich and Chris Tarrant each kicked three goals with Tarrant taking 12 marks. The second half belonged to the Lions as they finished 45 points ahead to take the points.

Round 7 v Hawthorn Votes: Tarrant 3, Hasleby 2, Black 2, Campbell 2, Dodd 2, J. Carr 1, M. Carr 1, Headland 1, Grover 1, Walker 1, Sandilands 1, Johnson 1, Duffield 1, Hayden 1.

Adam Campbell kicked four goals, Heath Black had the ball on a string collecting 33 possessions and also laid six tackles, while Ryan Crowley took 12 marks. A record home crowd against Hawthorn watched an even first half before the home team finished 16 points the better.

Round 7 Leaderboard
Hayden 11
Grover 9
Dodd 9
Tarrant 9
Pavlich 8
Hasleby 7
Headland 7
Sandilands 6
McPharlin 6
McManus 5
Johnson 5

Round 8 v Geelong Votes: Johnson 3, Grover 2, Hayden 2, J. Carr 1, Solomon 1, McManus 1, McPharlin 1, Black 1, Dodd 1, Bell 1.

In Steven Dodd and David Mundy’s 50th game for the club and Luke McPharlin’s 100 AFL game, Michael Johnson and Roger Hayden collected 25 possessions, Dean Solomon laid a massive 13 tackles and McPharlin took 13 marks. The defence was under pressure all day as the competition leaders at home were far too strong.

Round 9 v St Kilda Votes: Bell 3, Hasleby 2, Solomon 2, McManus 2, Grover 2, Tarrant 2, McPharlin 2, Black 2, Pavlich 2, Sandilands 2, Johnson 2, Hayden 2, Cook 1, Headland 1.

Back at home before a near 40,000 strong crowd under lights, Fremantle stamped its authority early as a six goal first quarter set up a 46 point win. Clayton Collard made his AFL debut and kicked a goal while Matthew Pavlich, Chris Tarrant and Peter Bell each kicked three. Paul Hasleby collected 33 possessions and Luke McPharlin took 20 marks.

Round 10 v Collingwood Votes: Grover 2, Hasleby 2, Pavlich 2, J. Carr 1, Headland 1, Crowley 1, Mundy 1, Tarrant 1,Black 1, Thornton 1, Dodd 1, Sandilands 1, Bell 1, Johnson 1, Hayden 1.

Round 10 saw Fremantle hit the big stage under lights at the MCG for Friday night football. In Matthew Carr’s 150th AFL game, Paul Hasleby found plenty of the ball with 34 touches, Luke Webster laid six tackles and Matthew Pavlich had 19 kicks and four goals. A night of missed opportunities resulted in a nine point loss.

Round 11 v Richmond Votes: Headland 3, Pavlich 3, Bell 3, McManus 2, J. Carr 2, Solomon 1, Peake 1, M. Carr 1, Grover 1, McPharlin 1, Black 1, Dodd 1, Sandilands 1, Johnson 1, Hayden 1.

Peter Bell was on fire with 38 possessions, Des Headland kicked five goals and Matthew Carr laid nine tackles in a strong team display that delivered a 21 point win over the Tigers. Garrick Ibbotson made his AFL debut before a record home crowd against Richmond and celebrated by kicking a goal in his first game.

Round 12 v Western Bulldogs Votes: Walker 2, Bell 2, J. Carr 2, Solomon 1, Headland 1, Black 1, Dodd 1, Pavlich 1, Sandilands 1, Warnock 1.

The team’s travels around the country continued with a Top End clash against the Bulldogs in James Walker’s 150th appearance for the club. Peter Bell continued his run of fine form collecting 34 possessions, David Mundy took 11 marks and Troy Cook did what he does best leading the tackle count. Despite an even first half in the Darwin humidity, the Bulldogs’ 12 goal second half is enough to see them take the points.

Round 13 v Carlton Votes: Pavlich 3, Headland 3, Farmer 3, Solomon 2, Grover 2, McPharlin 2, Gilmore 2, Hayden 2, J. Carr 1, M. Carr 1, Black 1, Dodd 1, Bell 1, Warnock 1.

Fresh from the mid-season break, a record home crowd against Carlton witnesses a record score against the Blues with a record equalling 13 players scoring majors as the points are taken with a 77 point win. Des Headland kicked five goals, Matthew Carr had 26 possessions and Paul Hasleby laid seven tackles.

Round 14 v Sydney Votes: Solomon 2, M. Carr 1, Headland 2, Black 1, Parker 1, Sandilands 1.

The Heritage Round celebrating the ‘70s saw Fremantle don the blue and white of East Fremantle in celebration of the 1979 WAFL Grand Final for its match against Sydney at the SCG. In sloppy conditions that made getting the ball hard work and scoring even harder, Des Headland had 18 touches, Roger Hayden took eight marks, and Josh Carr and Paul Hasleby made 10 tackles each.

Round 15 v Kangaroos Votes: J. Carr 2, Solomon 1, Headland 1, Grover 1, Mundy 1, McPharlin 2, Black 1, Bell 1, Hayden 1.

The Kangaroos great season meant another big challenge for the home team and despite a dominant display from Steven Dodd with 28 disposals and 10 marks, the Roos lead all day and took the points with a four point win.

Round 15 Leaderboard
Hayden 20
Pavlich 19
Grover 19
Headland 19
Dodd 14
Bell 14
Solomon 14
McPharlin 14
Black 13
J. Carr 13

Round 16 v Adelaide Votes: Pavlich 3, Grover 2, J. Carr 2, Crowley 2, Mundy 2, Black 2, Thornton 2, Gilmore 2, Drum 2, Bell 2, Hasleby 1, Solomon 1, McManus 1, M. Carr 1, McPharlin 1, Johnson 1, Duffield 1.

Mark Harvey led the team to AAMI Stadium to take on the Crows in his first outing as Senior Coach. It would be a memorable day for Peter Bell who earned AFL Life Membership in his 300th official game and Scott Thornton played his 50th game for the club. Against a final eight contender, the team lifted to a great 25 point win. Bell collected 30 possessions, Matthew Pavlich kicked five goals and Josh Carr laid eight tackles.

Round 17 v Geelong Votes: J. Carr 1, Headland 1, Tarrant 1, McPharlin 1, Gilmore 1, Pavlich 1.

The 2007 Premiers were on a record winning run and justified their premiership favouritism at Subiaco Oval with a dominant 11 goal win. Luke McPharlin had 24 disposals and 13 marks, Dean Solomon once again led the tackle count and Matthew Pavlich continued his fine form in front of goal kicking four.

Round 18 v West Coast Votes: J. Carr 3, McPharlin 2, Grover 2, Crowley 2, Solomon 2, Gilmore 2, Farmer 2, Johnson 2, Hasleby 1, McManus 1, M. Carr 1, Tarrant 1, Black 1.

The records tumbled in front of the West Coast home crowd in a classic Carlton Mid Derby. Josh Carr led the way with 19 kicks, three goals and the Ross Glendinning Medal. Paul Hasleby had 30 possessions and Dean Solomon had seven tackles. A record equalling 13 goal scorers saw a record high score posted against the Eagles as the team recorded a 27 point win in Michael Johnson’s 50th game for the club.

Round 19 v Essendon Votes: Gilmore 3, Pavlich 3, Bell 2, Warnock 2, Johnson 2, Hasleby 2, Solomon 2, Peake 1, Tarrant 1, McPharlin 1, Black 1, Farmer 1, Schammer 1.

Matthew Pavlich’s six goals, 22 kicks and 16 marks inspired a 63 point win at home as Paul Hasleby collected 35 touches and Andrew Foster made his debut in front of a record home crowd against Essendon.

Round 20 v St Kilda Votes: J. Carr 1, Solomon 1, McManus 1, Mundy 1, McPharlin 1, Bell 1.

Despite Josh Carr’s 25 disposals, nine marks and seven tackles, the Saints again proved difficult to beat at the Dome taking the points with a five goal win.

Round 21 v Melbourne Votes: Mundy 2, McPharlin 2, Pavlich 2, Bell 2, J. Carr 1, Solomon 1, Grover 1, Crowley 1, Thornton 1, Dodd 1, Gilmore 1, Farmer 1, Foster 1, Hayden 1.

A record-breaking day at home against the Demons as the team recorded its highest ever score against Melbourne, the most points scored in a second quarter, and a record winning margin against Melbourne with a 59 point victory in the penultimate game of the season. Luke McPharlin kicked five goals in a move up forward in his 100th game for the club, Matthew Pavlich took 14 marks and Peter Bell had 31 touches.

Round 22 v Port Adelaide Votes: Thornton 2, Schammer 1, McManus 1, Cook 1, O’Brien 1, Gilmore 1, Pavlich 1, Farmer 1, Warnock 1, Foster 1, Haddrill 1.

The final game of the season against second placed Port saw Troy Cook and Peter Bell play their 150th games for the club, Ryan Crowley play his 50th game and Brock O’Brien make his debut - the fifth player to make their AFL debut in 2007 for the club. Scott Thornton dominated with 25 possessions and Troy Cook, in his final game for the club, once again led the tackle count.

Round 22 Leaderboard
Doig Medallist: Pavlich 29
Second Place: Grover 24
Third Place: McPharlin 22
Fourth Place: Bell 21
Hayden 21
J. Carr 21
Solomon 21
Eighth Place: Headland 20
Ninth Place: Black 17
Johnson 17


Interesting. No-one got 4 votes at all - and only 20 lots of 3 votes were handed out for the whole season. Pretty reflective of how we went really.

 

[dont bowl there]

Wow I cant believe not one player played an "outstanding" game this year according to the match committee.

 

[chook2734]

You lot are taking your eye off the ball. How many awards will we give Harvey if he wins two finals in six years? He didn't fall on his sword, he was asked to coach two more games but common sense prevailed and he realised his time was up.

Geelong had 29,000 members this year, there's no correlation between members and success. Going to the footy was much more enjoyable without the bandwagon jumpers anyway.

Connolly was the best of the three coaches we've had. Big deal, says more about the other two than Connolly. If he was any good he would be coaching in 2008.

dom, the difference is that Harvey isn't walking in to a club that is barely clinging to life, has no money, no supporters, very few players and couldn't win a game to save itself. The work that Connolly (and a few others as well) has done in the past 6 or so years will mean that our club never experiences such lows again. Sure, we didn't achieve the success we would all have like on the field, but we have the foundations now to take us where we want to go.

Well done to the club on starting a little bit more tradition - both by honouring Con Regan, and showing their respect and gratitude to Connolly. There was a suggestion on DL that perhaps Neesham could receive an award as well - he would go pretty darn close to meeting those critieria I would think.

 

[dominguez]

I take the view that the continual carping has removed the excitement factor that we had in 2002-2003-early 2004 , late 2006 that flows through the whole club and makes everyone flat.

What's Dutchy's claim to fame apart from grizzling about everyone and everything since Gerard got the flick?

That's right , He gave CC the nickname of "Cuddly".

Crikey! that really helped us make the finals.

CC has gone , We could do well to take a leaf out of his book of class and wish him well, instead of sounding suspiciously like some other teams supporters.

Never burn your bridges.

A lot of people were flat because they knew we had a dud coach who was only still there because his bestmate's the CEO and the Chairman's a puppet. I guarantee that if we start the season well that enthusiasm will return.

Dutchey's a guy that posts on dockerland but I stopped reading dockerland years ago so I couldn't tell you what his claim to fame is. Can't see how nicknaming him Cuddles would hurt our finals chances though.

I do wish Connolly well. But I'm not going to piss in his pocket pretending he was a good coach or that he's left some fantastic legacy. Are we going to give Con Regan awards to Walker, Haddrill and Webster since they are nice guys who gave their all while at the club too? Did Daniher, Pagan or Sheedy have a medal created to acknowledge them, they all had much more succesful careers than Connolly. It's bullshit Ripper.

I don't know what you mean regarding the burning of bridges.

 

[dont bowl there]

Who the **** is Dutchey?

 

[Ripper]

Wow I cant believe not one player played an "outstanding" game this year according to the match committee.

Obviously the match committee were not trying to encourage mediocrity.

 

[Lach72]

Peter Bell

Non-playing...

 

[dominguez]

dom, the difference is that Harvey isn't walking in to a club that is barely clinging to life, has no money, no supporters, very few players and couldn't win a game to save itself. The work that Connolly (and a few others as well) has done in the past 6 or so years will mean that our club never experiences such lows again. Sure, we didn't achieve the success we would all have like on the field, but we have the foundations now to take us where we want to go.

Well done to the club on starting a little bit more tradition - both by honouring Con Regan, and showing their respect and gratitude to Connolly. There was a suggestion on DL that perhaps Neesham could receive an award as well - he would go pretty darn close to meeting those critieria I would think.

So because his predecessors were an incompetent pack of morons he's the messiah who deserves a medal created in his honour? Pull the other one. Connolly took over at the perfect time, it's not as if we could have sunk any lower. The only way was up and we had a list laden with young lads taken very early in the draft. Brett Ratten takes over at Carlton with a list in the same position as we were at the start of 2002, I'm sure if he makes one final in four years he won't get an extension.

The difference between Harvey and Connolly is that Connolly took over a core group of 20-21 year olds that had 8+ years to achieve success, unfortunately for Harvey many of thos years have passed.

Money and members don't win games of footy. Brisbane have won 3 flags this decade, played in 4 grand finals, finished above us on the ladder this year and have something like 17,000 members.

 

[Lach72]

I am leaning towards Dominguez side...he did some good stuff, but the results are what brings plaudits.

 

[Ripper]

A lot of people were flat because they knew we had a dud coach who was only still there because his bestmate's the CEO and the Chairman's a puppet. I guarantee that if we start the season well that enthusiasm will return.

Dutchey's a guy that posts on dockerland but I stopped reading dockerland years ago so I couldn't tell you what his claim to fame is. Can't see how nicknaming him Cuddles would hurt our finals chances though.

I do wish Connolly well. But I'm not going to piss in his pocket pretending he was a good coach or that he's left some fantastic legacy. Are we going to give Con Regan awards to Walker, Haddrill and Webster since they are nice guys who gave their all while at the club too? Did Daniher, Pagan or Sheedy have a medal created to acknowledge them, they all had much more succesful careers than Connolly. It's bullshit Ripper.

I don't know what you mean regarding the burning of bridges.

You can't or won't see the big picture. You cannot do anything when you are $7Mil in the red , you have lost draft picks and have to perform with a short list becuase of previous incompetence, and the coaching group are trying to do 2 or 3 jobs at once.

Your recruiting network is by neccesity hamstrung because of lack of funds

CC may not have won us a flag but He has had a big part in putting us in a position both on & off field to achieve one.

The fact that there has been minimal list changes to date says to me that the match committee think that we do have a list that can achieve that.

IIRC CC considered Con a mentor and certainly spoke of him as a great Fremantle person.

 

[Roundhouse]

So because his predecessors were an incompetent pack of morons he's the messiah who deserves a medal created in his honour? Pull the other one. Connolly took over at the perfect time, it's not as if we could have sunk any lower. The only way was up and we had a list laden with young lads taken very early in the draft. Brett Ratten takes over at Carlton with a list in the same position as we were at the start of 2002, I'm sure if he makes one final in four years he won't get an extension.

Connolly took over a list "Laden with young talent"? That comment won't fool anyone but the most grizzled wehavethepoisonite.

If we are looking at Carlton, it was PAGAN who took over a list most compatible with the position we were in 2002! He inherited a wooden spoon list and they stayed there for years.

If Carlton shows us anything it's that a wooden doesn't automatically indicate a springboard back to the top of the ladder.