To me Carlton's real problems have been getting their key backs and forwards right ie they haven't. They have been stiff with injury, but to get into the top 4 and be a series contender they needed the right KPP's.
Waite's knee injury have stuffed them up, he isn't the player he was pre injury, but they haven't recruited the right blokes. Fevola being the dill that he is has stuffed them up as well, but they have tried Hampson, Kruezer, Warnock and Setanta as Key Forwards but they just aren't good enough to play there long term against the best sides.
They should have hung onto to Jacobs and given up one or both of Hampson and Warnock.
Their key backs haven't been big enough against the real big key forwards and they get monstered. Jamison is a good footballer but physically can't beat the big beast forwards. Same goes for Brett Thornton. Jeremy Laidler is another good player who probably isn't big enough and a long term injury has got him. Watson looks like a good size but he is still a few years away.
Ratten can coach, but some bad luck this year with injuries has hurt him. Do I want him at Port? Not in front of Eade. I thought he was pretty impressive at his presser today. Left the pressser to take the boys for training, that took a bit of guts.