Improving and moving forward.

[linchpin]

With this team at the moment, it's all above the shoulders. Bad kicking, missed targets etc, that is a cancer that spreads through the team like wild fire. The facts are this side is on the improve and any clown who thinks other wise should take a long hard look.

The same as TBV, people just don't get it. The side has been buiding, in essence for two years....That's right, 2 years. 2003 and 2004 were a wipe out. Young kids starting to come through, but without access to the full capacity of the draft there was not alot we could do...

Suffice to say, Mott, Morrell, Harford, Johnson, Kenna, etc.etc. were only short term probables that were given opportunities, if they could cut it. Unfortunately they did not, but the unity of the side even after bad losses was unquestionable in 2004. The likes of Teague, Davies, Prenda, Wiggins, Deluca will possibly make way this year too. Not to many chances are left for these blokes now that there is pressure coming up via the Bullants for spots in the team. Look at the great side of 95 and the amount of quality that did not get a game in the premiership that would be walk up starts. Bond, Cook, Mitchell etc. You need that pressure to take the next step.

Bower, Hartlett, Russell, Blackwell, Raso, Flint, Livingston, O'Hailpin, Longmuir, Chambers are all at various stages of their careers. The fact that the youngsters, combining well, learning and form permitting are 'earning' a chance to get into the 'A' side. No walk up starts, no guaranteed spots for seniors anymore.

Matty Lappin for one seems to be on the Camporeale path. Does not seem to be enjoying his footy, taking the easier option, making terrible mistakes and abusing younger players on the field. Seems a recipe for a quick exit. I hope this is not the case but he just seems to be missing something at the moment. I hope the contract negotiations at the start of the year are still not playing on his mind. But facts are facts, he has not played well for 4 weeks. He could see himself int he 2's before long.

But, back to my point, the likes of, Walker, Betts, Simpson, Bentick, Murphy, Carrazzo, Thornton, Betts, Whitnall, Waite, Kennedy, Fisher, etc, are the future if this side. They have had a tough few years. They will have become hardened. Once this side 'clicks' and starts to produce 4 quarters, the mentality of the side will change dramatically. Instead of being reactive, the team will become alot more effective and the mistakes will be minimised. There are so many positives, so far this year. The fact that we have a great forward line already and an exciting developing midfield, will enable us to develop the likes of Bower and Hartlett into hopefully, long term defensive options.

Carlton have had every chance at varying stages to have won all 5 games thus far. Once the head starts to move (together) in the right direction, the bodies of our young men will follow. We have plenty of talent, but it needs to be nurtured. I am sure that Denis would be delighted at this stage of the year with the development. As he said pre - season, there will be no more beltings. He is right. So enjoy the footy for what it is. A contest, a past time, a game. We all want to win. We all want to be successful. And five years of mediocrity is hard to take, for all of us. But, the wheel has turned, it's not all doom and gloom. Enjoy the development the youth and the exuberance. The kids will give us joy for years to come.

 

[mujii]

Post of the week.

 

[OZBomb]

That was a good post.

I hope Bower keeps growing the fro, we need some characters for the members to latch on to.

 

[flying_doormat]

How scary, a positive post.
Spot on with everything you said Linchpin.
This team has improved in a big way. Sure they can do some stupid things but in patches they can be brilliant too. If they click and get a winning feeling happening you just never know.
Compared to last year I'm enjoying my footy a hell of alot more.

 

[linchpin]

How scary, a positive post.
Spot on with everything you said Linchpin.
This team has improved in a big way. Sure they can do some stupid things but in patches they can be brilliant too. If they click and get a winning feeling happening you just never know.
Compared to last year I'm enjoying my footy a hell of alot more.

And so you should Doully!

The fact is, this bloody game we love, this sport we endure, is classified as 'entertainment'. ENJOY THE GAME! The skill level was abysmal last week and hence has been addressed at training. The proof will be in the pudding we all know. Our side can and will match it with any side in the competition.

We are super quick when given the opportunities and the fact that Josh Kennedy is now in the side will only add to our scoring power. Last week, the first quarter, we 'showed' the footy world what we can do. A 20 goal game is just around the corner. Anyside with the likes of Fev, Waite and Betts up forward will do some damage. I am looking forward to the challege!

 

[AlecDuncan]

Matty Lappin for one seems to be on the Camporeale path. Does not seem to be enjoying his footy, taking the easier option, making terrible mistakes and abusing younger players on the field. Seems a recipe for a quick exit. I hope this is not the case but he just seems to be missing something at the moment. I hope the contract negotiations at the start of the year are still not playing on his mind. But facts are facts, he has not played well for 4 weeks. He could see himself int he 2's before long.

Wow, like this guy doesn't have credit in the bank after a handful of average games. I don't remember anyone saying how crap he was after the Melbourne game. Yes, he's been struggling since - usually with injuries - and last week he couldn't kick the ball to save his life (which he took full blame for), but how anyone could criticise his attitude is beyond me.

Solid post otherwise.

 

[no. 4]

I think we are very similar to the Bulldogs of two years ago. A big gap in the ages of the experienced players and the youngsters. That has occured due to our poor recruiting over a few years but hopefully just like the Bulldogs our younsters will turn the corner and become some of the premier players in the competiton. It will be a race against time for a younsters to take another step before Kouta and Lappin retire. Improvement of our youngsters and continual SUCCESSFUL drafting will lead to brighter years ahead.

 

[HBF]

Great post linchpin. People only have to look at likes of Walker, Simpson and Houlihan to see the improvement in these 3 guys over the past 12 months to see that our future lies with the kids.

We still have guys to develop like Russell, Hartlett, Blackwell, Murphy, Kennedy, Raso, Bower, Edwards and the O'Hailpin boys to see that we do have some very good young talent at the club.

 

[linchpin]

Wow, like this guy doesn't have credit in the bank after a handful of average games. I don't remember anyone saying how crap he was after the Melbourne game. Yes, he's been struggling since - usually with injuries - and last week he couldn't kick the ball to save his life (which he took full blame for), but how anyone could criticise his attitude is beyond me.

Solid post otherwise.

The critisicm is pointed at Lappin, being an experienced 30 year old senior player, blasting a rookie, Jordan Russell for missing a target. The spray was embarrassing in my opinion. Who wins out of that situation? Thats all I ask. I have seen Fev (last year) and Camporeale do the same thing consistently. I did not say Lappo was crap, I just think that he is struggling with a few things at the moment. Your point about having credit in the bank is negligent. For us to be moving forward and continue to improve, we can no longer give senior players an immeasurable amount of latitude just because they have been great servants of the club over time. Sure, they get a little extra time, but staying in the side is a privelage and must be earned. No free rides anymore.

 

[pumped]

I think that Linchpins post is very accurate in general. I would however question if our problems have perhaps been in the head all along.

Sure we got hit with some draft restrictions but our list was still good enough to be far higher than where we finished last year. These days there are very few star studded teams. It is the sides who play with instict and confidence who finish high. The Swans did not have a world beater list but won the flag.

I still believe that the Wiz Cup final form was real last year. West Coast played good hard footy yet we still won. They didn't play much better footy throughout the year and made the GF. We just didn't believe in ourselves and played accordingly.

My point is that if our mental attitude persists. If the cancer that has been there is not cleansed then it will not matter how good our list gets. Carlton could have all the talent in the world but it will not take them to the top unless their minds are free from ego/fear/pressure perceptions.

I believe that Carlton needs major work on the moral fibre of the club. If positive changes can be made there then the developing list will bring much joy. The first place that this needs to improve is with our leaders who have been there and contributed to the cancer. They have to lead the new guys not the other way round.

With regards to Lappin I too have noticed his slip ups but have much faith in him. He has an enormously better moral fibre than Campo. In fact I believe that he has just lost confidence since his early season injury. Perhaps he should have been rested for a couple of weeks. Either way he is imo still class and with support will bounce back.

 

[mediumsizered]

The critisicm is pointed at Lappin, being an experienced 30 year old senior player, blasting a rookie, Jordan Russell for missing a target. The spray was embarrassing in my opinion. Who wins out of that situation? Thats all I ask. I have seen Fev (last year) and Camporeale do the same thing consistently. I did not say Lappo was crap, I just think that he is struggling with a few things at the moment. Your point about having credit in the bank is negligent. For us to be moving forward and continue to improve, we can no longer give senior players an immeasurable amount of latitude just because they have been great servants of the club over time. Sure, they get a little extra time, but staying in the side is a privelage and must be earned. No free rides anymore.

That point is so true. This mentality is a carry over from the '90s when John Elliott didn't believe that even champions of the game have a use by date. Part of our success in building a strong team in the late 70s & into the 80s was some tough decisions being made when it came to players like Nicholls, Jackson, Crane etc, who were tapped on the shoulder when their usefulness had expired. There is no reason why Lappin and even Stevens should not see some action in the Bullants colours if they aren't performing. Let them know that no one is indispensable. Goodness knows the young blokes are doing all the right things to push for senior selection.

 

[linchpin]

Would it not be a good idea and follow the leads of several clubs and have a leadership group?

The likes of Walker, Waite, T-Bird, Simpson, Bentick etc...Start putting the emphasis on these blokes, to start giving them the sense of belonging and worth required to succeed at this level.

Carlton have been so reactive in these situations. We all know that Kouta is a leader, as has Lappin been. But of the younger generation, who will step up? It is time to start rewarding and recognising the younger blokes, develop and nuture the natural talent at our disposal. Keep this core group together. They are the present and future of our football club.

 

[blues4flag]

With this team at the moment, it's all above the shoulders. Bad kicking, missed targets etc, that is a cancer that spreads through the team like wild fire. The facts are this side is on the improve and any clown who thinks other wise should take a long hard look.

The same as TBV, people just don't get it. The side has been buiding, in essence for two years....That's right, 2 years. 2003 and 2004 were a wipe out. Young kids starting to come through, but without access to the full capacity of the draft there was not alot we could do...

Suffice to say, Mott, Morrell, Harford, Johnson, Kenna, etc.etc. were only short term probables that were given opportunities, if they could cut it. Unfortunately they did not, but the unity of the side even after bad losses was unquestionable in 2004. The likes of Teague, Davies, Prenda, Wiggins, Deluca will possibly make way this year too. Not to many chances are left for these blokes now that there is pressure coming up via the Bullants for spots in the team. Look at the great side of 95 and the amount of quality that did not get a game in the premiership that would be walk up starts. Bond, Cook, Mitchell etc. You need that pressure to take the next step.

Bower, Hartlett, Russell, Blackwell, Raso, Flint, Livingston, O'Hailpin, Longmuir, Chambers are all at various stages of their careers. The fact that the youngsters, combining well, learning and form permitting are 'earning' a chance to get into the 'A' side. No walk up starts, no guaranteed spots for seniors anymore.

Matty Lappin for one seems to be on the Camporeale path. Does not seem to be enjoying his footy, taking the easier option, making terrible mistakes and abusing younger players on the field. Seems a recipe for a quick exit. I hope this is not the case but he just seems to be missing something at the moment. I hope the contract negotiations at the start of the year are still not playing on his mind. But facts are facts, he has not played well for 4 weeks. He could see himself int he 2's before long.

But, back to my point, the likes of, Walker, Betts, Simpson, Bentick, Murphy, Carrazzo, Thornton, Betts, Whitnall, Waite, Kennedy, Fisher, etc, are the future if this side. They have had a tough few years. They will have become hardened. Once this side 'clicks' and starts to produce 4 quarters, the mentality of the side will change dramatically. Instead of being reactive, the team will become alot more effective and the mistakes will be minimised. There are so many positives, so far this year. The fact that we have a great forward line already and an exciting developing midfield, will enable us to develop the likes of Bower and Hartlett into hopefully, long term defensive options.

Carlton have had every chance at varying stages to have won all 5 games thus far. Once the head starts to move (together) in the right direction, the bodies of our young men will follow. We have plenty of talent, but it needs to be nurtured. I am sure that Denis would be delighted at this stage of the year with the development. As he said pre - season, there will be no more beltings. He is right. So enjoy the footy for what it is. A contest, a past time, a game. We all want to win. We all want to be successful. And five years of mediocrity is hard to take, for all of us. But, the wheel has turned, it's not all doom and gloom. Enjoy the development the youth and the exuberance. The kids will give us joy for years to come.

Good post, I agree (though probably too harsh on Lappin). This year and last year we were bad, difference is, it now seems obvious that we're getting a good list together, and before long we'll be winning more of matches. We're a better team than 1-4, and once the boys play all four quarters consistently, than we'll see that.

 

[blangerang]

no we still suck

 

[ShlomoGlickstein]

Good post. Though there are some glaring erorrs:

1. Kinda hard to label 2004 a wipeout since it was our best result so far with Pagan. For all the recycables we had youngsters like Norman, Davies, Deluca, Kenna even that were complete stiffs. Norman was one of our most spectacular over-rated failures in recent times. Add to @ end of 2004 our next recruits in Longmuir, Chambers and Betts haven't given us much mileage. I can forgive Betts, but Chambers and Longmuir continues Pagan and his poor recruiting teams inability to find talent WITH experience, let alone green-youngsters.

2. Matty Lappin - defintely the NEW Campo. It's sad he has fallen so quickly as he used to be our most valuable player.

3. Our defensive coaching. Has it ever been considered?

4. Are Simpson, Thornton, Sporn, Livingston and Wiggins really any good or can at least play any effective roles in a team?