Opinion Mick Malthouse MEGA THREAD

[KennyHunter9]

People,

This posturing by MM is to send a message to the football world that a deal hasn't been done. He's trying to make good on his promise not to dance on anyone's grave but pretending the matter is under consideration. The deal is done. It was done some weeks ago.

Remember Judd's due diligence? That deal was done by May.

Smoke and mirrors. Don't be fooled.

 

[The Flying Doormat]

He doesn't need the smokescreen though. Carlton were the arch enemy, we never bought into his circus act. In fact, most of us ridiculed for it. He's not bigger than the club already. We have had 148 years of history and some of the biggest names in the game at our club. A little respect wouldn't go astray.

If Sticks had the balls, he should be saying that we will decide if Malthouse is a good fit for us.

If we are entertaining the thought of MM as senior coach, we are part of the act.

 

[KennyHunter9]

Well yeah, we don't win flags every year and I still love the club. It is something more real than just winning flags. When we win, we win together and when we lose, we lose together. Things just feel a little fractured and less enjoyable.

Sure some will over simplify things and say 'if you don't like it, then you have no right to celebrate success when it comes', but I'm actually thinking about possible future success with less enthusiasm because of how it might be achieved.

I'm spoiled a little bit I think. I was late to the game as a former kiwi, and experienced 3 flags in my first 4 years as a supporter. It took 5 more years to get another but we made finals every year. Then it got harder. 8 years went by and we won in 1995 and I recognised the years of failing (by our standards) and cried with relief and sheer joy. I was really looking forward to the outpouring of emotion the next time around with 17 years and counting behind us.

That outpouring will only come if we still feel like Carlton to me. Then again, it is in the eye of the beholder. Carlton means something different to everybody.

ODNs, spark up mate. It's not so bad.

Those 3 flags in 4 years included 2 from a coach who came to us from another club. He won one in his first year.

 

[Tanks_Alot]

Malthouse doesn't want to move interstate. He is not sure if we are the right fit & he doesn't believe he could step back into coaching in 2014, after 2 seasons out of the game.

As I understand it, there are only 2 senior coaching positions which are vacant at the moment (perhaps Mick knows something about other coaches facing the chop). One of them is interstate & the other one is Carlton. Does this bloke want to coach or not? I know the earth is slow & the ox is patient, but this is just ridiculous.

Agree, he's taking us for a ride. Problem is, he knows that we can't say no to him now, so he's trying to milk as much as possible out of us. Who else can we snap up to replace Ratts that has more experience and won a premiership?

Roos - 0.1% chance
Matthews - 0.01% chance
Parkin - 0.00000001% chance
Thompson - 0% (NO WAY he's leaving 800k at Essendon as an assistant to join us)
Williams - 0% (done deal at Tigers)

That leaves just one bloke...

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

If we are entertaining the thought of MM as senior coach, we are part of the act.

And again I say, we don't need the act. Are you saying he is making us part of the act, or we are voluntarily being part of the act?

None of this shit needs to be said. The club and MM are acting as though the supporter base are all in raptures over this decision and playing along with it. It's a little insulting.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

ODNs, spark up mate. It's not so bad.

Those 3 flags in 4 years included 2 from a coach who came to us from another club. He won one in his first year.

Absolutely and I have spoken at length about them. Of course back then he was known as 'that Hawthorn bloke' and we had no real insight into coaches and what makes them tick. Today though, we know all because of the intense coverage of everything and anything.

I reckon my Carlton is about more than just flags by any means. As I said before though, everybody's Carlton is different.

 

[ESKIE]

Absolutely and I have spoken at length about them. Of course back then he was known as 'that Hawthorn bloke' and we had no real insight into coaches and what makes them tick. Today though, we know all because of the intense coverage of everything and anything.

I reckon my Carlton is about more than just flags by any means. As I said before though, everybody's Carlton is different.

New era, it will just take time, plus our season has been woeful

I felt a little like this when pagan came on board...

I always feel flat after our last game of the year...

 

[The Flying Doormat]

And again I say, we don't need the act. Are you saying he is making us part of the act, or we are voluntarily being part of the act?

None of this shit needs to be said. The club and MM are acting as though the supporter base are all in raptures over this decision and playing along with it. It's a little insulting.

I agree this soap opera does not need to be played out publicly. What I'm saying is the club knows what it's getting with Mick in relation to his media performances. His move from the Eagles to the Pies was a very similar dance to this so there are no surprises in any of his statements or behaviour. It's a tango and both parties are dancing. Swann and Co want him as coach and will tolerate Mick's public musings when perhaps his thoughts should be best kept to himself.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

New era, it will just take time, plus our season has been woeful

I felt a little like this when pagan came on board...

I always feel flat after our last game of the year...

It's about Carlton, not Mick. Give up the sideshow and get on with the job. I don't want to feel indebted to him for accepting the job. He has zero Carlton credits in my book. He just needs to check the ego, roll up the sleeves, use his knowledge but work with others at the club as well.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Swan and Co want him as coach and will tolerate Mick's public musings when perhaps his thoughts should be best kept to himself.

Just makes us appear weak and desperate. Some will argue we are desperate but that is open to debate.

 

[ESKIE]

It's about Carlton, not Mick. Give up the sideshow and get on with the job. I don't want to feel indebted to him for accepting the job. He has zero Carlton credits in my book. He just needs to check the ego, roll up the sleeves, use his knowledge but work with others at the club as well.

Yeh fair enough, I don't like it either, unfortunately he has a huge public profile... And carlton sells papers

The media love him...

 

[Tanks_Alot]

Just makes us appear weak and desperate. Some will argue we are desperate but that is open to debate.

What do you think? I reckon we are, we just axed a club legend who was still contracted for another year for MM in the hopes that he'll bring us a flag. If we throw the money bags at Cloke it'll confirm it.

 

[Jock]

People,

This posturing by MM is to send a message to the football world that a deal hasn't been done. He's trying to make good on his promise not to dance on anyone's grave but pretending the matter is under consideration. The deal is done. It was done some weeks ago.

Remember Judd's due diligence? That deal was done by May.

Smoke and mirrors. Don't be fooled.

Agreed Kenny, they are just doing what they have to. Sticks would not have spoken directly to MM just so he can say he hasn't spoken to him. But it doesn't mean he isn't aware of the dealings Swann has done. My mail is talks started after Port game and was driven by some board members who gave Swanny the go ahead.

 

[JustaBattler]

2013 is already off to a fascinating start.

well that's my positive spin and I am sticking to it.
time to wax the surfboard...

 

[Blues_FC]

IMO, Malthouse is a good move and Cloke (on a $$$ 5 year deal) is a bad one.

Looks like we're going to have to take the good with the bad.

 

[pepalenko]

Is it round one yet?

 

[Moody Blue]

I knew Ratten was in trouble pre-season when he made that comment about being a top 4 team.
Schwab did the same when he coached Hawthorn which resulted them in winning the wooden spoon.
Accept the fact that we have underperformed and we are not the only team that suffered from injuries. St.Kilda and Essendon have under performed this season and they have had their fair share of injuries. I am not comfortable paying a coach a million dollars a year and frankly there is no coach that is worth this amount. For some reason i keep having flash backs with Malcolm Blight and St.Kilda where they offered him a million dollars. He took the money but his best was behind him and he was sacked mid season.
Fact is we need a more defensive game, and Mick is the one who can do it. Ross Lyon has done it at Fremantle and unbelievably with all of their injuries they have made finals. There were many who were unhappy when Harvey was sacked at Fremantle.Not sure those people will be protesting too much.

 

[T2B_]

Probably already been pointed out and probably someone playing a little joke but found this funny on the Carlton FC site so took a screenie

 

[LanceRomance]

Pretty sure Micky Malthouse could spell his name right

 

[HereComesJuddy]

I get the feeling that our first round pick will be on the table with Mick coming on board. All of this discussion that we are close and that we must win a premiership with the likes of Judd, Simpson, Carrazzo, Waite etc in the team doesn't make for us just drafting a kid that will take a few years to develop.

I wouldn't be suprised if we throw it to the Suns for Caddy or really chase Boak. We may have 2 new Travis' at the club next year.

 

[TNBT]

I never understood all of the Ratten hate from some posters here (Big Red comes to mind). He did a pretty good job, taking us to the finals two years in a row, and it would have been a third if we had a healthy team all season. I guess some people just decide that they don't like a bloke and then waffle crap about them, even when it's not true.

As for Malthouse, I agree that chances are that it is already a done deal. They didn't just decide to sack Ratten in the spur of the moment -- they would have been preparing for this for weeks. In that time, you have to think that they would have spoken to their most desirable candidates. I think the only reason that it hasn't been announced yet is out of respect to Ratten, who is a legend of the club. As for Malthouse's media image/presence, I really couldn't give a rats ass. All I care about is what he can do with the club on the field, and he is one of the smartest, most experienced and best coaches in the game today. He's certainly my number 1 choice to take over next year.

 

[serenityNow]

I never understood all of the Ratten hate from some posters here (Big Red comes to mind). He did a pretty good job, taking us to the finals two years in a row, and it would have been a third if we had a healthy team all season. I guess some people just decide that they don't like a bloke and then waffle crap about them, even when it's not true.

As for Malthouse, I agree that chances are that it is already a done deal. They didn't just decide to sack Ratten in the spur of the moment -- they would have been preparing for this for weeks. In that time, you have to think that they would have spoken to their most desirable candidates. I think the only reason that it hasn't been announced yet is out of respect to Ratten, who is a legend of the club. As for Malthouse's media image/presence, I really couldn't give a rats arse. All I care about is what he can do with the club on the field, and he is one of the smartest, most experienced and best coaches in the game today. He's certainly my number 1 choice to take over next year.

Ratts took us to 3 consecutive finals. 09,10,11. Harsh to be sacked the first year you miss.

 

[blue healer]

He can answer for himself, but for me .... either don't say you will review everything after the season, or actually review everything after the season. I'm guessing that is why Sticks tried so hard not to call it a review initially. It was alluded to that the board had concerns over our consistency as far back as the Port game, so they were entertaining sacking Ratten one quarter of the way through his two year extension. That is kneejerk. If he had their backing last year, why did they panic at the first sign of trouble 6 months later? If they were unsure last year, why did they extend his contract? They really can't have it both ways. They stuffed up somewhere.

Who has alluded to the boards concerns after the Port game? and if it was a kneejerk reaction why did it take 11 rounds for the knee to jerk all the way up?
If ever I've seen a coach killing game it was ours against GC. We were playing for a finals berth and didn't give a yelp against an understrength team that had won 2 games. In similar circumstances I seriously doubt any coach of more than 3 years tenure would have retained his job in any team in the league. With all respect to Ratten that was a disgraceful result which IMO probably negated the need for that review. Better to conduct a review with the new coach in place.

Did they ask Ratten how he was going to address the consistency issues? Did Ratten want to drop a high profile player? Did they board have any input into player selection? Were the injuries a legitimate excuse for many of our performances? Did they review the Qatar decision? Did they have a psychologist come in? Did they have a frank and honest chat after poor performances? I know Sticks admitted he has had words with the players, so they do this when it suits.

Lots of questions here and I doubt we will ever see any answers but, if the board were dictating who to drop or who to pick, that would be an untenable position for a coach. You cannot manage if you cannot control your own destiny and if Ratts is the control freak that many seem to think he is I'd be surprised if he would take that.

The way they have done this is painted it as a process, but then not carried out the process. Despite the injuries, they only baulked thinking we might make the finals and even then they were looking to see if Ratten would win 1 or 2 finals. I would have thought finals would have been a great achievement given the season we had.

No, they needed a higher profile, one that might sell memberships and bring in sponsors and nothing short of a miracle was ever going to save Ratten.

I think, had we won the last 2 matches (even if we hadn't made finals), the review would then have proceeded and the decision may have been different. Personally I would have been happy for Ratten to coach another year but because only the board are cognisant of all circumstances would support whatever decision made regardless of my personal feelings.

I would have thought that selling memberships and bringing in sponsors is directly related to on field success and just looking at this board ATM my guess is that the action taken last week is more likely to lose members in the short term than increase them.

On field success is paramount and if this is considered by those in power to be the best way to get this they have my support.

 

[The Toad]

I think, had we won the last 2 matches (even if we hadn't made finals), the review would then have proceeded and the decision may have been different. Personally I would have been happy for Ratten to coach another year but because only the board are cognisant of all circumstances would support whatever decision made regardless of my personal feelings.
.

I truly believe the decision to cut Ratts was made quite some time ago.

I would have thought that selling memberships and bringing in sponsors is directly related to on field success and just looking at this board ATM my guess is that the action taken last week is more likely to lose members in the short term than increase them.

Not always, when we signed Judd memebership and mechandise sales went through the roof.

On field success is paramount and if this is considered by those in power to be the best way to get this they have my support.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[HereComesJuddy]

I think, had we won the last 2 matches (even if we hadn't made finals), the review would then have proceeded and the decision may have been different. Personally I would have been happy for Ratten to coach another year but because only the board are cognisant of all circumstances would support whatever decision made regardless of my personal feelings.

I would have thought that selling memberships and bringing in sponsors is directly related to on field success and just looking at this board ATM my guess is that the action taken last week is more likely to lose members in the short term than increase them.

On field success is paramount and if this is considered by those in power to be the best way to get this they have my support.

I have a feeling something big is around the corner to boost our membership sales. We as a club are really a long way behind the Hawthorn's, Collingwood's etc of the world. Easily should have got to 50,000 this year. This was our year after 3 rounds. Everyone should have been on board. Another thing our club was pussing for but I think we fell more than 4,000 short. Average work really.