i was also very upset at the result.

i wasn't expecting too much before the game, but to see us domintate early and get a fairly good lead, and then lose by just 2 pts really dissapointed me. i think where we are (and were we have been on the ladder) is exactly where we should be. we've got a great young developing list but are a long way from top 4.

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"You don’t get much more Navy Blue than Stephen Kernahan" - Marc Murphy

I hate to add to your disappointment shuff, but we lost by 2 pts.

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

For 6 years, Carlton supporters have been pleased with mediocrity. Carlton supporters have thought too highly of honorable losses. Carlton supporters have been too happy with good quarters when the other 3 were poor. Carlton supporters for 6 years have got their mentality wrong.

As poor as we have been and as poor as our list was, for 6 years, we as supporters need to hang our heads in shame. We accepted mediocrity and forgot how to hurt when we lost. We forgot how much of a kick in the guts it was to lose. To lose to St Kilda, to lose to Collingwood, to lose to Essendon*, to lose to Richmond. We forgot that losing against these flowers SHOULD hurt and hurt BADLY.

When defeat ceases to motivate and become the norm, what hope is there? For 6 years I don't think we as supporters have really felt the hurt properly. It's like it hurt so much that we didn't care any more.

This year, each loss has hurt more than the 100 point floggings we received so regularly. We used to laugh at them, blame Pagan, blame Teague, blame Morrell, blame Deluca, blame Mick Martyn, blame whoever, but we didn't care enough. It didn't hurt.

The best sign of the 2008 team and in many ways, call me masochistic but the best thing is that each defeat we have hurts now. REALLY hurts. Losing to Essendon* when we should have won HURT. Losing to Sydney after being in front by 20 odd points HURT. Losing to St Kilda when we should have buried them HURT.

The fact that each defeat HURTS is a good sign because it means that we don't accept mediocrity, we don't accept losing and we expect to win and be successful.

I for one, as a supporter, am glad it hurts now to lose. And hurts more than the last few years. We used to say, awesome, we'll lose and we'll get draft picks (I confess I was like that). We used to shrug off derision.

I'm glad you're guttered BM. Carlton supporters should never be indifferent about losing. Indifference about losing should NEVER be in a Carlton supporter's vocabulary ever again.

I've flowering had enough.

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"A good composer does not initiate. He steals."

- Igor Stravinsky

Quality post Clem. I actually beleive we can be top 4 in 2010 with a shot at the title. Call me crazy.

We do o.k,we have one of the best midfield going around now and will get better.It's our defence that still don't match up to the top teams and a forward structure of relying on Fevola doing the scoring. I don't think we should get Brogan for our Ruckmen,kind of defeats someone like Hampson playing mostly 3 years in the bullants if he come.

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Bang Bang.

If we were to go after Brogan and get him Hampson wouldnt be playing in the Bullants.

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Lawrence Lawrence, The man who knows all the rackets and all the racketeers!

Then how will Hampson play,we won't play 4 players in the 22 if you include Cloke and Kreuser. I couldn't see Hampson get a game if Brogan had 3 year contract if he was playing well.

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Bang Bang.

Brogan would be number one ruckman, hampson would be relief ruckman, Kreuzer would develop in the forward line as a chf and cloke would be playing in the magoos, as a backup if injury/suspension occurs.

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Back like a raging case of pubic lice

Top post Clem.

The losses hurt this year because our expectations are that we can win every game.

In the past, we had zero expectations of winning & we achieved zero most times, so what's to be upset with...& with the draft set up the way it is, finishing near the bottom was being rewarded.

When we expect a win & don't, it hurts & in the wash up at the end of the year, those losses to Essendon* & the Swans last week could hurt even more.

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The Future is Bright, the Future is Navy Blue.

There is a difference between accepting mediocrity and being realistic. By not being realistic about our chances, you are causing yourself unnecessary hurt.

Alot of supporters demand instant success. There is no right or wrong with that mentality. The only difference between those supporters and the supporters who are more realistic, is that the expectation is slowly brewing rather than at a boiling point.

Me being the former, see that we are no doubt improving but not quite there as yet. If we were as good as the "instant success" supporters think we are, then there will be no debate such as this. Carlton would be cleanly entrenched in the 8 and Grand Finals beckon.

The realist in me tells me we are obviously not up there yet. We are improving, but the lack of experience in the side will ensure that the law of probability say we won't win as many games as we would like and therefore won't make the 8. That doesn't mean to say it won't happen, only that it's a longer shot.

Having said all that, it is clear for everyone to see that we are slowly but surely getting better each week. We should cut the team some slack and look forward to the inevitable rise up the ladder.

100% correct IMO.

Nothing more to add, other than just enjoy watching us improve. It's a hell of alot better than what we've had to ACCEPT in the past & will only get better.

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"You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take"- Michael Jordan

it would have been better to win, but that loss will be a bit of a catalyst for a re emergence in 2009.

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My Blue Heaven

Is it to late to 'tank'?

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A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" -Winston Churchill

L.M 35-06