- Joined
- May 30, 2004
- Posts
- 3,456
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- Ballarat
- AFL Club
- Carlton
- Other Teams
- Carlton
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au
Carlton coach Denis Pagan says he cannot understand the perception that the Blues would want to drop home-and-away matches in order to gain a priority draft selection in the upcoming November NAB AFL Draft.
Pagan dismissed the notion that his side would lie down for a priority selection, while he also said he did not want to be 'involved as the coach of a wooden spoon team'.
"I don't want that to be happening this year. We've got some young kids that we've brought in, in recent weeks, who have really given us a lift and I can assure you we'll be off the long run-up and trying as hard as we possibly can," Pagan said.
"I think if people who are involved in sport and understand the competitive nature of it, they'd have to be half wacko to think that people would do something like that."
In order for the Blues to gain a priority selection, they must not obtain more than 20 points at the conclusion of the home-and-away season. At the moment, Carlton has 14 points, as it has won three matches and has a draw to its name this season.
Pagan said the priority pick notion was made by ill-informed people.
"I don't say it annoys me, but I just think it's silly to say those things, because people don't really understand. A winning culture is a good culture and every win that we get we know our guys are going to be better and better prepared for next year," Pagan said.
"The national draft isn't an exact science and there have been guys who have been picked in the top bracket that haven't made it and there have been guys who have been picked at the back or down the middle who have turned out to be very good players.
"I'm sure everyone would love to have two picks, but it doesn't necessarily mean that everything is going to fall into place from there.
"Sometimes you can pick early and there might be a (Nick) Riewoldt and a (Justin) Koschitzke and you say: 'Wasn't that sensational?' but other times they may not make it and if you look back at the history of the draft, you'll see that.
"Just because you pick a couple of supposed good players, there is still a lot of work (to be done with them) - coaching, development and the time and effort by the individual himself, before it comes to fruition.
"You look at every list, there are guys who have made it off the rookie list and there are guys who have made it in the '60s and '70s and it's not a lay down misere, so you've got to be very careful when you start talking about priority picks. Sure, from above it looks as if everything is going be rosy for your club, but it doesn't always work out like that."
-------
Go the Blues, stuff those picks! We're a better club then that, taking the easy option out.
Sportal for afl.com.au
Carlton coach Denis Pagan says he cannot understand the perception that the Blues would want to drop home-and-away matches in order to gain a priority draft selection in the upcoming November NAB AFL Draft.
Pagan dismissed the notion that his side would lie down for a priority selection, while he also said he did not want to be 'involved as the coach of a wooden spoon team'.
"I don't want that to be happening this year. We've got some young kids that we've brought in, in recent weeks, who have really given us a lift and I can assure you we'll be off the long run-up and trying as hard as we possibly can," Pagan said.
"I think if people who are involved in sport and understand the competitive nature of it, they'd have to be half wacko to think that people would do something like that."
In order for the Blues to gain a priority selection, they must not obtain more than 20 points at the conclusion of the home-and-away season. At the moment, Carlton has 14 points, as it has won three matches and has a draw to its name this season.
Pagan said the priority pick notion was made by ill-informed people.
"I don't say it annoys me, but I just think it's silly to say those things, because people don't really understand. A winning culture is a good culture and every win that we get we know our guys are going to be better and better prepared for next year," Pagan said.
"The national draft isn't an exact science and there have been guys who have been picked in the top bracket that haven't made it and there have been guys who have been picked at the back or down the middle who have turned out to be very good players.
"I'm sure everyone would love to have two picks, but it doesn't necessarily mean that everything is going to fall into place from there.
"Sometimes you can pick early and there might be a (Nick) Riewoldt and a (Justin) Koschitzke and you say: 'Wasn't that sensational?' but other times they may not make it and if you look back at the history of the draft, you'll see that.
"Just because you pick a couple of supposed good players, there is still a lot of work (to be done with them) - coaching, development and the time and effort by the individual himself, before it comes to fruition.
"You look at every list, there are guys who have made it off the rookie list and there are guys who have made it in the '60s and '70s and it's not a lay down misere, so you've got to be very careful when you start talking about priority picks. Sure, from above it looks as if everything is going be rosy for your club, but it doesn't always work out like that."
-------
Go the Blues, stuff those picks! We're a better club then that, taking the easy option out.
