Looks like we have a deep-seated problem currently manifesting itself in poor behaviour in relation to alcohol etc. This deep-seated problem is the boys' club mentality. In many ways, the alcohol is a side-issue.

My questions are:

Why has Ratten been so reluctant to cut it out?
Why has it now affected middle-aged (23-27yo) players that Carlton drafted?

I suspect a number of things that have been posted are accurate. This won't go until it's taught out of the club - and it starts with the boys' club mentality fostered by Kernahan and others.

I don't care if Kernahan appears pissed off, but no wonder the players don't take him seriously when he goes and remains silent or refuses to discourage inappropriate behaviour.

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

- Igor Stravinsky

...or goes out drinking with the lads himself

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

The most disappointing thing about this club culture issue is that it will have taken external pressures forced upon the club leadership to genuinely change the attitudes.

This decade has been just atrocious in every aspect.

The club, players, administrators, etc, couldn't handle an outsider like Pagan trying to change the culture......now we're turning on our own.

Who the f*** is supposed to fix the club?

Anyone!!!

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I see you watching me watching you.

I suppose that's why the club has brought in Leading Teams, because they don't know how to fix the problems themselves.

Yeah and the boys club will no doubt take the credit for turning it around.

Fair dinkum you can see it now ...sticks and his boys strutting around... when they really had no clue what to do to fix the rotten culture and ended up paying someone else to show them how to be professional.

Laughable!!

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There's so much I could say...

They will be like the boy with the wheel barrow - got the job in front of them

http://www.leadingteams.net.au/

Let's hope they are as good as they say.

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

It will be interesting to see how they go and even more interesting to see whether all their recommendations will be implemented...that will be the key to whether this venture succeeds or not.

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

Well, at least they have recognized that they need help and have done something about it. Let's just hope LT can make a difference.

CFC really needs a change in the board/management ranks with more professional, elite and modern day thinkers involved.

I'd start with giving Coutts the lemon and sars and giving molsey a crack.

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There's so much I could say...

It's the end of a dismal decade for the Bluebaggers.

We can change for the better: our beliefs, our standards, our culture and our public image.

It's time to make a stand.
It's time for a new Mision Statement for the club to live by.
The upcoming decade looks promising and can be a Diamond Decade for the Blues.
Carpe Diem.

Words like Professionalism, Expectation, Standard, Culture, Solidarity along with Carlton's latin motto interpreted in English as "men with healthy bodies" should reflect what Carlton represents.

Start at the top. The CEO along with their board should make the decision to discard the catalyst of our bad behaviour: alcohol.

Ban alcohol for 2010 and make a united commitment of fulfilling our potential in the coming decade.
Go one step further and ban alcohol till we win the next flag.

I know it's tough, but it's Simple enough for all the 'simpledons' to understand.

Those who can't live without the drink can live at a club who accepts their drinking problem.

The club should be what it always has been known for: a place for achievers who want to win premierships.
Players need to focus on each and every small component which guides them to the Flag, not the negative media headlines they create (which will hound them in 2010).

Unprofessional teams will not win flags in the modern era.

If the rule of engagement is too tough for the undisciplined, then show them the door.

Lets make a stand and lets live it and stick with it.
Culture isn't something which happens or changes overnight.
We're a young team, and it's this next generation who can and will make their mark on the culture of the 'new' Carlton.

You can't buy Respect, you CAN earn it.
I want Carlton FC to be respected by the whole community.
I want our Players to be respected by the whole community.
I yearn for the respect the club had when I was growing up.

Commtiment to Professionalism and commitment to win premierships as a respected force: that's all I ask for.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Not sure Pagan tried too hard to fix the culture. He was keen to keep Angwin even after his big night. Pagan probably thought our culture was normal after being at north. Those blokes (Carey, Rock, Pike, Stevens and Archer) took it to a whole new level.

To change culture it needs a real shake-up. We've had the shake-up, now to change the culture.
It's normal to bring in outsiders to assist in an intervention process. IMO it's good that they recognise that additional perspective and resources are needed.

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Bawditawaba

Great post Bondi!

Respect should be earned, not by what is said but by what is done.

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

Good that we're jumping on board about 6 years after every other team in the comp.

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Get comfortable being uncomfortable

all the actions, qualities & behaviors your suggesting are simply natural byproducts of strong respectful leadership qualities. Every Club is capable of having the same problems and occasionally do. The difference is that in some clubs behavioral boundaries are quickly and for the most part soundly re established due to a sound underlying belief and or respect for the individuals in leadership positions within those clubs. you can bitch and moan and suggest till the cows come home but at the end of the day the current situation is the result of a void in strong sound, believable, credible leadership.You can bet your left testicle that the teaching you are referring to has been attempted on many occasions, the problem is that to learn one needs to have respect in what is being taught and the person/entity teaching it. non acceptance of a message on a repetitive scale results from lack of belief/credibility in the message and or the deliverer of the message (commonly referred to as ---------------------------------> ineffective non suitable leadership) A leadership SPILL is required at the top end..

I know for a fact that a similar party was held post season 2008.

In those days Mitch Robinson was a greenhorn. He got similar treatment to Casboult. What happened then? Well he had to hop on a plane to Hobart the next day, so Fev and Judd took him to the airport and pushed him onto the plane while he was still legless. They laughed all the way. That's leadership Carlton style

How can anyone take him/them seriously when things are continuously hidden away 'inhouse'?

Why do we need to bunker down all the time... what are we ashamed of?? ...what are we hiding???

It's time to dismantle the outdated shutters and bare our souls...

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There's so much I could say...