Whatever it is happening now - if Graeme Wright thought he was parachuting into a nice cushy job - I’m thinking that he isn’t now!

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Spare a thought for poor Jagga Smith!

I takes Trav's point RE. Social Media Bondi . It sorta rules the world . Still doesn't make the shit going around RE Cook right . It still infers Cook is slacking off and cruising for the next season and to me that is questioning the blokes integrity . Nothing could be further from the truth ...................... as I said to the hierarchy in my workplace , you can question my sanity , but never ever question my honesty or integrity . Same Cook .

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All my dangerous friends

It seems his been a big fail. Just banking his super on the way out. A few people might have been right.

What did a few people say about him? Who were they? Inside the 4 walls? outside?

What did you expect of Cook? How did he fail?

I thought he gave us stability, experience, direction and integrity. Something that wasn't there before he arrived.
Perception is reality.

I'm not blaming him for knocking back Lyon, nor for giving Voss the nod. It was a group chice.
I'm not blaming him for not keeping Sayers cock in his pants either.

What's he done wrong?

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Bondi, the club is in disarray within the main department - football. The CEO leads the ship and makes the necessary changes to steer it.
I'm not talking specifically about Voss, Lloyd, Austin, assistant coaches, or recruiting team, but the complete football department. He had the time to change.
He was part of the coaching process, he was part of the review, etc. He can set the standards with the right people and take control.
I haven't seen anything remotely positive since he started, have you?

To answer you question - many Carlton people like Mattherson voiced their disapproval. Just one of many and no matter what you think of such people, it seems they were right. Also, they are CARLTON people first and foremost!!

Thats OK. Its your opinion. Glad its not fact.

Now lets get real, you are talking about all those things you're not talking specifically about. That's where the spotlight is. That's where you believe the weakness is.

Have to be honest. I look at words used to define the perception, and I react to those.

"Seems"

"Looks like"

"I reckon" those sort of words and that tells me its not fact, just opinions.

I know Matheison wanted Cooky. Everyone did. He had a good look at what Little did, and the damage done, and has done his job steadying the ship and lining the ducks. Setting the Corporate structure for onfield and off field performance.

Off field we are the Behemoth. Arguably the second richest club despite a 30 year Premiership drought and only surviving from an AFL loan. We were broke. Look at us now. 100,000 Members. In 2002, his first year, just missed out by 0.4% playing Finals, 2023 played in a Prelim, 2024 made Finals despite having 17 injured players in the last 6 weeks. That shows progress.

This year has barely started. We've lost 2 games we should have won by a Total 5 goals. Vossy will adjust and the team will get fitr, and we will play Finals. Who says we wont. We don't know. Its too early.

Teague was not the answer. When he was asked what are you going to do about the leaking defense, Teague responded with "kick a bigger score"...yeah right, ignorance is no excuse.

I'm not judging Voss till this year is up. Lloyd runs the Football department. I'm sure there's a plan, and I will wait to see the result of the plan.

I also am not going to judge Austin till after this next Trade Draft period because we haven't traded for a 3 years but we added lots of kids before Tassie happens: Smith, Hollands, Cowan, Moir, Wilson, Lemmey, OKeefe, O'Farrell, Binns, Cincotta, Campo & Campo, O'Farrell, Carroll. Not only that, we have 14 players coming out of contract. Lets see what his long term plan produces.

2 rounds down and people lose their shit. We got rid of quality players because they were injury prone. After last years Draft, we obviously didn't expect to have 6 best 23 players out injured so early, and playing 3 underdone players to start the season.

Have to judge the long game. Lets wait till Cookies tenure is complete and what he's left us with. Then judge with facts.

I take great comfort that he has chosen his heir apparent, and the Board didn't. He's a smart man. Graham Wright is a man in demand and Cooky landed him. Thank you Mr Cook.

He's done alright taking over from Little and steadied the ship. 2025 hasn't played out.

I think its fair to give the guy a break from the typical Carlton finger pointing from those outside the 4 walls till his time comes to an end. He's not going to be sacked because of what you think. Now should he. Don't you agree?

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Great post

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I'm shocked to be sitting here

We're a business, not a football club.

We are customers, not fans, in the eyes of the club.

And therein lies the problem.

I don't mind some of your posts Bondi and agree with many, but this one is the biggest cop out's I have read.
I'm talking specifically re: Cook and where our club is sitting R2 2025 and you have gone on a tangent.
IMO, he has failed in the football operations department.

Also, not sure who you have been talking too but Mattieson did not want Cook.

Cheers.

If I've ever heard a good reason to employ Brian Cook, that is it.
I appreciate the money the Mathieson's have put into the club but that doesn't give them any more rights than the average supporter. Most time their comments and mouthing off from the sidelines have been nothing more than destructive. I'd rather back in the judgement of those in the inner sanctum.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

I am just glad Mathieson is gone. Represents the past and everything all the naysayers now say is wrong with the club.
Maybe the club has finally moved into the 21st century and its values represent what is expected today and not what occurred in the past. Some fans may just have issues with that change.

Not worried either way BV and I certainty wouldn't allow my feelings to go either way depending on who is saying what.
I'm just pointing out that Matherson and a few other Carlton people didn't want Cook and that it seems to me they might have been right.
I hope we have selected well with Wright and again only time will tell.

ps. People seem to feel that I will back the 'old' Carlton in, and I do, until the 'new' Carlton show me that they know what success looks like and how to achieve it.
As it sits right now - not ONE person (and I've back both Sayers and Cook) have been successful.
I will call it as I see it and won't discouraged by internet trolls making statements like 'Some fans may just have issues with that change'. LOL with the change remark as people don't even know what INDUSTRY I work in.

Nah. I'm keeping it real.

You don't know if I'm right or wrong after 2 rounds. As I pointed out, yours is just an opinion, like mine.

Just because I can't agree with your feelings towards Cook after 2 rounds of footy, doesn't mean its a cop out.

Nah, I'm not throwing stones at him, unless there's proof he deserves it, and I said, I will wait till the body of work is complete after the Draft period before I judge. Even then, decisions made before the end of his tenure may not see fruit for a couple years...we may win 3 in a row after this next Trade period, followed by, or at least a period of sustained success, knowing Walkers boys are coming, as are a few others this year, Scotland boy, Ahmed Abdullah, and after 2027, whenTassie concessions have kicked in, we are established and still have Koutas, Juddy's kids, another Scotland boy, Bettsys... to look forward to

In a nutshell, I'm saying is you can't crack the shits after 2 rounds with the injuries we have, deny the achievements he's made, of which I've given examples.

He hasn't failed anything, unless you want to ignore the achievements under his watch from the first year he took over, and certainly not after 2 rounds.

We are talking about CEO here, not Lyon not Voss, Cook.

Mathieson always has wanted to target the best. Cook was the best in Australia. Enlighten me, who did Mathieson want if not Cook?

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Isn’t it disingenuous to keep repeating “it’s just 2 rounds?”

It’s 3 seasons under Voss. No gf appearance and 2 rounds into the season and we legitimately look like only the eagles are worse than us.

I understand you’re happy to give Voss and co until the end of the season. But I tell you. If we lose tonight, lose to pies and then can’t beat Essendon*. (The problem is, that losing scenario isn’t far fetched at all. It’s quite plausible and in fact quite likely if we keep persisting with the current gameplan. If we don’t start running and taking the game on, this season is dust, old mate).

People will want to burn ikon down with the heat the club will be under.

Goodness me - now I'm calling Cook a failure due to this year only and being R2. I think I've said and read enough.

The it's only round 2 argument is the quintessential footy nuffy supporter bias in action.

When you look at it objectively, it's been a disaster for the last 12 games. In fact if you include the Richmond game we won last year, we were quite ordinary for a half in that game also.

Yeah I realise the consequences. I know how fkd up some people can be.
As for the heat. We've had 23 years of it.
I'm still alive, and doing well, thank you.
I have been enjoying watching my team win since 2022 when our fortunes changed for the better.

I try to stay present and look forward.

I don't plan holidays for the past.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I get it.

That's alright big blue buddy. Love your passion. We agree more than we disagree. You know that.

Hope Young plays an intercept role (as selected on paper) and takes 10 marks over Darcy, handballs to the running bagger and starts the chain to goal....plural

I'm trying to lift your spirits with possibilities of the flip side; that's all. Can you smell what the Blues are Cooking?

I will do some research on Mathieson when I remember re Cook and I'll report back.

Tonight its all about THE GAME

I'm so toey

Bullish

I know its 50-50

I love game day. I feel like Im in Melbourne,,,,going to jump on a tram....watch cars do those funny turns...listen to people and watch them get excited going to the game.

Have to admit, these mushies haven't kicked in yet. but Ive got a good imagination.

No I'm remembering the smell of donuts, and catching a bag of peanuts, even if they're not mine...just to get a catch in during the break.

Go Blues.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I don't hold grudges Bondi, so no issue at all.
I'm more than happy to debate anything Navy Blue and I try to not attack a poster, so I expect the same from others. I know you don't as well.
We are all too passionate for the same cause.

ps. Young showed plenty last night and I for one was rapt for him. Just need some confidence installed and Voss hasn't provided.