I have been a longtime reader of Talking Carlton and regard all the topics and banter enjoyable and informative.

I have rarely written on this website but considering all that has happened to this great club (of which I am a longtime member) I felt it time to put down my own observations and thoughts.

I have just watched the Denis Pagan interview with Mike Sheahan again on "On the Couch".

As an outsider looking in a couple of points stuck out for me regarding the past:

1. There still seems to be too much blame for me regarding the taking of our draft picks a few years ago. Although disappointing this has not soley put us in the position we are in. I believe our recruiting as well as our player development has been very poor.

2. It is petty that a coach refuses to talk to his reserve grade coach. He talked about the club being bigger than himself yet he put his own personal feelings above that of the club in that situation.

As for the future I believe the following:

1. Under the guidance of Richard Pratt the club can be powerful again both off and on the ground in a short space of time.

2. The appointment of Greg Swann will be seen as a masterstroke with evidence of this already visible.

3. The correct staff and more resouces need to be put in place in terms of development and recruiting. (Which I believe is happening)

4. In regards to the list I believe that we should have a good look at what Alastair Clarkson has done with Hawthorn. He got rid of tradeable players in Hay, Rawlings and Thompson for draft picks and is building a team that should be competitve for a longtime to come.

We should be doing the same with Fev, Whitnall, Thornton, Scotland, Houlihan, Betts, Russell etc if we can get the right deals!

5. As for the list here is what I think:

Trade if possible

Fev (Not the attitude we need in club going forward and tradeable for 1st round pick)
Whitnall (too slow, game has gone past him, also not a leader)
Thornton (tradeable and just solid at best)
Scotland (up and down)
Houlihan (not accountable)
Betts (not fit enough)
Russell (doesn't find the ball enough for me)
Hartlett (maybe Adelaide may swap for Maric?)

Even though the draft is not supposed to be as strong this year I am told that the top 10 will still be very good. It would be nice to have three picks inside this.

Delist or Retire

Ackland (useless)
Bannister
Edwards (to one dimential)
Kouta (been a legend but it is time)
Lappin
McLaren
Saddington
Teague
Wiggins
Young

As for the kids there is somethat may be on the edge but I would like to see them under a different coach and development system as I believe there is some good in them.

I also believe our own reserve side would be a huge bonus.

Raso (been unlucky with injury is a good user of ball, reminds me a lot of Mackie)
Kennedy (needs to play CHF, not a ruckman)
Anderson (like a lot will be great)
Blackwell (a chance to be a good player, can find the ball)
Flint (really liked him before broken ankle, good tough HBF, deserves a go)
Hampson (trust mesaw a lot of hime in U18s and will be a star, will take a couple of years but this kid has the goods)
Jackson (ball magnet when going)
Jacobs (concerned about mobility)
Jamieson (FB in the making)
Murphy (will step up next year not being targeted as much with more on ballers around)
The Irishmen (heaps of upside for both)
Austin (could be CHB in a year or so, very good prospect for one so young)
Grigg (good left foot user of ball which we need)
Gibbs (impressive for one so young, as per Murphy)
Benjamin (exciting but yet to see enough)
Bower (should be good after another preseason and some weights)

Would like to see them all have a go before end of this year if possible to get a taste leading into preseason.

Other players:

Waite (Would like to see having a run on the ball and pushing forward. Would be really dangerous and is an athlete).

Walker (Has taken great strides and needs to keep going, could do a similar job to Waite, even rotating with him).

Stevens (if he comes back to the form and attitude shown at the start of this year he should be captain).

Bentick (with some class around him could be the hardnut in the midfield we need).

Carazzo (really stood up ball magnet who will still improve, disposal getting better)

Fisher (good to see injury free. Great third tall up forward).

Simpson (been great hope he keeps improving)

Cloke (was good early but jury still out for me, not a genuine ruckman, could be an option at CHF)

6. The Coach

Very important decision coming up for the club and I hope they interview as many candidates as possible and work through a diligent process.

I believe that Voss is not the answer at this point. I am genually concerned about his lack of coaching experience. I have no doubt he would eventually make a great coach but can we afford to risk it?

The candidates at this point seem to be McKenna, Bond, Longmire and Ratten.

Looking from the outside they all seem to have their good points and I trust the Carlton Heirachy will do the right thing. (I would pick Bond just ahead of Ratten, just my opinion)

Whoever they choose must be given the right to pick their own team and be given a mandate to go for youth to develop a strong team and a CULTURE for the future.

I have no doubt that the club is headed in the right direction and I have full confidence that the CFC has the right people in place to achieve future success.

There is obviously so much going on behind the scenes that we don't know. Some of these people are the best in their chosen field and I have no doubt will do a great job.

Being from up North I visited the club early in the year and was disgusted in the conditions of the training facilities and offices. He reminded me of Fitzroy in the 80's. Having had a good look at the Brisbane Lions facilities it was no wonder we were struggling, we weren't competing on an even playing field.

I now believe this has been addressed since Pratts arrival.

I also get the feeling that a big name player will be landed after the season which will help us immensely.

I will now sit back and enjoy the ride. Our time is coming!

Just my thoughts.

Good one CJ I agree with a lot of what youve said

I shudder to think were we would be without Pratt Swanny and Co. All I can think of this year is

THANKYOU DICK, SWANNY AND CO


I have a lot of faith we are going in the right direction. as Denis said things can change very quickly - im really looking foward to seeing the fruits that our new development arm will yield.

The effect of the lost picks is nothing compared to the failed recruitment from the same period. Poor development compumds the issue. Denis also used to say that footy is 80% between the ears, another area we have failed in dismally.

Mr Swann, Thanks you have acted as a caretaker of the club should. You have given us reason to be optimistic and hopeful. Listening to Ratts I felt the smile come back and the spirit warmed.

As much as i know we need the PP, i think f*&^k it ill take the wins under Ratts any day. Our spirits need to be healed and lifted more than we need Kreuzer. We got Aisake anyway.

Go Blues!!!!!!

You may be closer to the mark than you know...

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" Koutoufides has taken the last quarter by the scruff of the neck..." Commentary Drew Morphett Last Qtr '99 Prelim. Pure Gold.

Thanks for the memories Kouta. You are and always will be a True Blue Carlton Legend. #43.

Ive said on a number of occasions that we may land a big name player, but via a trade of an untoucheable Carlton player. its a feeling that wont go away.

Ive also got a feeling that Ratten might win a game or two. I do hope that he doesnt though.

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My Blue Heaven

Thats to much experience to trade away,i can see fevola traded as Fisher could take his spot or even S.Ohailipin and we could pick up Judd,we have no backline so Thornton shouldn't be traded you need a backbone to built around someone,you getting rid of all the backline including him with Scotland and Houilhan but those 2 could be good value to other clubs and only if it benefits us.

Agree with the trades except for two. There is very little trade value in Betts and Russell. These two offer more upside on our list than being traded away now. Russell looks like he will be a very good player in years to come. Hawthorn traded away aging players (usually key position players) not youngsters with lots of upside. You would get more trade value out of Waite and Fev than anyone else on our list I think. I would hate to lose either, but for the right deal it would be worth a look.

Scotland is a very good player IMO, although his attitude of late has really concerned me. Instead of stepping up and being a leader, he has dropped his workrate and is a finger pointer. Thornton is in the same boat, but has more to be pissy about. He's one handedly held up the backline for 3-4 years now and you can at least empathise with his frustrations. Scotland has no right. He came to this club looking for more opportunities. He got them, so now lets see what he makes of it. Let's see what happens in their attitudes once the new coach arrives and a new game plan and atmosphere is created.

I would happily trade Scotland for a late first rounder, but I doubt we would get it. He is probably too valuable IMO to let go for a late second rounder or lower. Thornton the same. However, if the attitudes don't change, they can both get stuffed. We need leaders in their age group, not whingers.

Rambo

Maybe I should of been clearer. I meant that these guys are options for trade. There is no way we will trade all of them but all options must be considered. The time for tough decisions is now!

Excellent post nytdog!

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.