News The Ghost - CFC Website

[Mister Carlton]

Have sunned myself in Queensland for a couple of weeks, my mind far from the maddening crowd of football and its sometimes fickle or ferocious supporters, I returned this weekend to see my beloved Bluebaggers beat the Tigglets and Fev to do all those things Fev can do, things that make us proud and beat our brow. Before that though I had only the fan based forums to keep me abreast of how my Beloved Bluebaggers were going. Anyone would think we were destined for another spoon. So in return for all that scientific reading in the fan based forums, here are my 10 Theories about my fellow bluebagger supporters (and, therefore, about, at times, the worst of me).

1: Supporters who pretend they know a dissatisfied player and then bag the club in various forums (news travels at the constant speed of light – N = GS: where N is news and G is gossip and S is speculation) . This nefarious player is never mentioned, and why do we take the word of a single player anyway – or any words taken without the spoken context? More people would be hung in heaven and earth Horatio, if our judicial system acknowledged such evidence as 'fact'. Worse still are the journalists (Gonzo sports hacks would be more apt) who write articles or comment on football shows about observations made in these forums. Are there no good journos any more? Is there no attempt to report rather than speculate? Journos are the modern day gold diggers – oh if only they'd all move to Ballarat!

2: Supporters who compare different clubs and fret that club A is ahead of club B in the imaginary time-frame of the window of flagging opportunity. Their 22 players are a different 22 players to ours. Have ours improved? Are we moving up the ladder? So we seem a better side this year to last and potentially next year to this? The rest is a pig's snout in the swill: Lots of noise and a lot of rubbish.

3: We should have picked player x over players y,z and a – see point 2 for starters. The point is this, a club makes a choice and that's that – there is no need to ponder Schrodinger's football-Cat theorem. There is no player locker to open, no live/dead cat-player to see. There is only the player we have chosen, and his rapid development or not.

4: We were lucky to win/we deserved to loose. How come luck can only be applied to wins, never to a loss? They had injuries/our injuries do not count. We should have gone for a more experienced coach/they need a new, fresh coach. And so on into the dwindling fret point of infinity. I call this the Paradox of Supportability.

5: The grass is always greener syndrome. I blame the past several poor years but has anyone else noticed a distinctly Richmonesque yearning in some of our supporters – especially since the two losses to the Bombers. Let them be the pin-up boys tossing the grass clipping smiles into the football ether. I just want to play finals and get to a position where we win our next flag.

6: Every team has injuries (the power of prime numbers). So what, everyone has players with two feet. Not all statements carry the same insight. Besides, have a look at St Kilda's injury list. Injuries are a big factor. No Warnock, No Tex and now No Waite (and others in and out) has hurt this year.

7: People who bag a player (the Tambling Effect) because he has not lived up to expectations (read number taken in a draft). I hate the draft because of the numbers tattooed upon a players file for the rest of his career. A number allocates choice, not ability, not an end point, not even a probability. Just a choice, a reasonable choice given a certain club's list and a thousand other variables. Variables which continue to bang around in the player's development like extra dimensions in Superstring theory. Nothing is certain, no matter how many numbers we bang after his name.

8: Why can't we play like team x. Umm cos if we did we'd be team x (but probably not as good cos we'd be team x without the team x players/coach/jumpers/boot studders etc.). Demand us to be the best we can be ( I call this the Ron Barassi/Sticks Kernahan gradient) and forget the rest.

9: The black hole of forgetfulness (Losing Sucks!). We lose to Essendon – the sky is falling and no mention of wins over Collingwood, The Bulldogs or Brisbane Lions.

10: The Tanking/anti-tanking-debate. (Middle of the ladder Chaos theory). No one tanks, or rather – some teams tank better than others. Or, we are all tanking at close to the speed of light – or Tanks for the memories. Thankfully, finally, this debate (for Carlton) has almost died – though even this has been mentioned since the last three games. P = 2WH (a pick at the bottom is worth two wins in the hand.

So for the rest of the year I'll just barrack and watch the lads win, lose or draw their games and hope we make the finals for the first time in far too long a time. Then the game begins again and who knows, if Collingwood can fluke 14 flags, can't we pinch one? It all starts this week when we clobber the Swannies.

Go Blues!

Fev for 5

and JR for BOG!

Please Note: the views expressed in the above article are solely the opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the Carlton Football Club or those employees of the Club. The Carlton Football Club would like to acknowledge the tireless work of those supporters who contribute to carltonfc.com.au.

Maybe Flogs like DBLUES, kruze_missile and BlueGibbs011 should read number 3 and 7.

 

[blue gunslinger]

Is the ghost Thy?

 

[I LOVE THE CFC]

Not at the games ghost.....poor form!

 

[celtic_pride]

I bet that blog was written by Jordan Russell's dad ...

What a load of bollocks that was ...

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it is a negative/critical one ...

 

[walshy93]

I bet that blog was written by Jordan Russell's dad ...

What a load of bollocks that was ...

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it is a negative/critical one ...

But yours is not an opinion, its a full blooded assault on the boy. Disgraceful really.

 

[Mister Carlton]

But yours is not an opinion, its a full blooded assault on the boy. Disgraceful really.

Agree. No wonder why he is having trouble with his confidence.

Posting from home or school?

 

[walshy93]

School FTW.

 

[Mister Carlton]

School FTW.

Meh school. I'm tempted to catch the train down to Visy, if they are training.

 

[celtic_pride]

Agree. No wonder why he is having trouble with his confidence.

Posting from home or school?

LOL, do you seriously think Jordan Russell logs onto the net and 'reads' the comments on Bigfooty or Talking Carlton ???

He's be on a hiding to nothing, and I refuse to accept or believe that 'supporter' criticism of Russell (or any other player for that matter) on the internet or at games, would affect their confidence or ability.

Where is the evidence or proof that 'negative supporter' feedback affects players confidence ??? I don't subscribe to that theory ...

 

[Malifice]

I bet that blog was written by Jordan Russell's dad ...

Wow... just wow. Two from two threads not directly involving JR that you threw him in.

What a load of bollocks that was ...

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it is wrong...

Edited for accuracy.

 

[blue gunslinger]

LOL, do you seriously think Jordan Russell logs onto the net and 'reads' the comments on Bigfooty or Talking Carlton ???

He's be on a hiding to nothing, and I refuse to accept or believe that 'supporter' criticism of Russell (or any other player for that matter) on the internet or at games, would affect their confidence or ability.

Where is the evidence or proof that 'negative supporter' feedback affects players confidence ??? I don't subscribe to that theory ...

JR might not but Ratts and the MC obviously do

 

[Mister Carlton]

LOL, do you seriously think Jordan Russell logs onto the net and 'reads' the comments on Bigfooty or Talking Carlton ???

He's be on a hiding to nothing, and I refuse to accept or believe that 'supporter' criticism of Russell (or any other player for that matter) on the internet or at games, would affect their confidence or ability.

Where is the evidence or proof that 'negative supporter' feedback affects players confidence ??? I don't subscribe to that theory ...

Read that article again. You might have missed the fact that he knows that supporters give him shit. He is a kid for god sakes.

Family members, friends and people that know him will log onto websites like these. I bet they think your a flog too.

I don't think you appreciate the fact that many users on here think your a "Geelong Flog" with a big grudge on a kid who is trying his best at AFL football.

Shame on you.

 

[Jeremias]

Don't bother digging the boots into CP.

He likes to hedge his bets.

He goes ape-shit at a player on a personal level and then does a bigger u-turn than a semi-trailer when they start showing some good signs.

He's not a troll but he's just as bad.

 

[celtic_pride]

Read that article again. You might have missed the fact that he knows that supporters give him shit. He is a kid for god sakes.

Family members, friends and people that know him will log onto websites like these. I bet they think your a flog too.

I don't think you appreciate the fact that many users on here think your a "Geelong Flog" with a big grudge on a kid who is trying his best at AFL football.

Shame on you.

Have you listened to SEN talkback after a Carlton loss ???
Plenty of other Carlton fans get on their 'soapbox' and 'pot' Jordan Russell ...

He is one of the most maligned/slated players going around in the league, and I'm not the only one critical of him.
And he's not a kid FFS .. He's 22 years of age, he doesn't need people like you to 'molly coddle' him..

What I or others post or think about Jordan Russell here will make no 'difference' to the way he performs on the field, don't try and manipulate me into 'feeling' guilty, just because I don't rate him as a player.

I would be appalled if players took to heart what is written about them on online forums, yes it probably makes me a lousy/bad supporter though, but I accept that.

 

[Malifice]

LOL, do you seriously think Jordan Russell logs onto the net and 'reads' the comments on Bigfooty or Talking Carlton ???

Do you seriously think they dont?

AFL players and their friends and families dont own 'computers' or use the 'internet'.



The only reason I could think of that they wouldnt is if they found this place, read some of the crap posted about themselves or their son/ brother/ grandson whatever and turned the computer off in disgust.

Thats gotta help a youg kids confidence!

 

[Big Red is back]

Maybe Flogs like DBLUES, kruze_missile and BlueGibbs011 should read number 3 and 7.

Man I hope whoever wrote that has no involvement in the CFC, the person sounds like one of those Soccer mums who says ' it doesn't matter if we win, as long as everyone has fun'.

Professional sport is big business, just like companies which constantly get analysed by brokers, so should football teams and plyers, in there case by fans and media. If teams and players are not performing then they need to know about it and improve.

This is not under 10's this is the big stage with lots on the line, suck it in and deal with it or go watch something else.

 

[Mister Carlton]

Suck it in and deal with it or go watch something else.

Maybe you should take your own advice?

 

[BlueGibbs2011]

What I hate the most is absolute hypocrits!! MisterCarlton the moron creates a post and takes a few shots at several people, and then backs it up with some JR defence crap yet a quick flick through his own posts returns this pearler.

Mistertwit, you cant take the moral highground and at the same time have this type of post just sitting around!! How do you think JR and his parents will take this - they are probably crying right now LOL!

Think before you post twit!

Mistertwit Anyone that thinks that Jordan Russell can win us a game...is a shocker. He is a passenger who stands there and watches his team play around him.

 

[I LOVE THE CFC]

JR at Carlton has been like my relationships with women....Love at the start...then I get tired and sick of them and then love again....Let's make it work JR....I AM ON BOARD THE JR TRAIN!!!

Is it any surprise that I am currently single

 

[Stig O'Hara]

"4: We were lucky to win/we deserved to loose."


The word is 'lose'.

 

[Mister Carlton]

What I hate the most is absolute hypocrits!! MisterCarlton the moron creates a post and takes a few shots at several people, and then backs it up with some JR defence crap yet a quick flick through his own posts returns this pearler.

Mistertwit, you cant take the moral highground and at the same time have this type of post just sitting around!! How do you think JR and his parents will take this - they are probably crying right now LOL!

Think before you post twit!

When was that post dated? It's a bit strange that you have to dig up dirt on me by going through my old posts. Your nothing but a unsuccessful troll. I changed my views towards Jordan Russell when I read an article that was written by the Herald. And no, I didn't openly bag him 24/7 and blame everything on him not like other posters.

Think before you post you twit.

Zieball Zieball

 

[Big Red is back]

Maybe you should take your own advice?

Sorry but when you dish up dribble which basically says we should all dance around and act like the CFC has no issues then I am going to raise concerns.

If everything is so perfect why are we not 16 and 0. To me 8 and 7 means we have plenty of areas to work on. Given our best 5 or 6 players are as good as any other clubs clearly we must have a weak bottom 5 or 6 and as such I am comfortable continuing to point this out as until the bottom 6 get better we cannot win a flag.

 

[BlueGibbs2011]

When was that post dated? It's a bit strange that you have to dig up dirt on me by going through my old posts. Your nothing but a unsuccessful troll. I changed my views towards Jordan Russell when I read an article that was written by the Herald. And no, I didn't openly bag him 24/7 and blame everything on him not like other posters.

Think before you post you twit.

Zieball Zieball

doesnt matter about date you flog...you have crapped on about supporter vs barracker and a 100 other stupid things...is your statement one of being a supporter or a barracker...utter tripe posting!

 

[thylacine60]

"4: We were lucky to win/we deserved to loose."


The word is 'lose'.

Tragic to say that was all that jumped out at me as I scanned the article. I'm pathetic. The Ghost is worser.

 

[Malifice]

Sorry but when you dish up dribble which basically says we should all dance around and act like the CFC has no issues

No-one has ever even suggested this. You're exaggerating. A lot.

I am going to raise concerns.If everything is so perfect why are we not 16 and 0. To me 8 and 7 means we have plenty of areas to work on

And fair enough. Please just do so constructively.

Given our best 5 or 6 players are as good as any other clubs clearly we must have a weak bottom 5 or 6

Just like every other club. You don't think everyone (supporters and those at the club) is aware of this?

How would you fix this problem?

Bad players get de-listed. Good to average players get traded for other good to average players that the club believes will fit a certain role within the team better, or aren't getting a chance at their current club for whatever reason.

Some players are retained regardless of faults as the club has little options to replace them. Examples at Carlton include Fisher, Wiggins and Cloke, as we lack second and third forward options for Fev. All three would be lucky to get a game at another club.

and as such I am comfortable continuing to point this out as until the bottom 6 get better we cannot win a flag.

By all means continue to do so. And expect to get continually bagged out and abused as long as you do.

Why?

Because we don't come in here to have negative crap rammed down our throats over and over again. We love the Club. You bag it and you are going to get a reaction.

Every list has players that are sub-standard or not performing. Even Geelong (see Tom Hawkins thread amongst others).

Please have some respect for your fellow posters who have to deal with the same 'Sack Ratten' 'Player X is a hack' posts over and over again. We cant wave a magic wand and turn them all into Judd.

Be supportive and constructive in your criticism, and you can avoid the flame wars and the attacks on your credibility.