Walker - had the best year of his career last year under Malthouse. Should have been in contention for the AA HBF spot. Has had some niggling injuries and a stupid suspension this year (which was his own fault, not anybody else's) which haven't allowed him to play consistent footy.

Garlett - started 2013 like a house on fire and was our leading goalscorer, but now his confidence is shot for whatever reason. Maybe Malthouse is to blame, maybe he isn't. Can't argue that one.

Tuohy - had his best year in 2013 under Malthouse. Has regressed this season, looks slower and his disposal hasn't been as sharp. At the crossroads. Hope he makes it, because he's one of my favourites when he's on.

Jamison - hasn't regressed in my opinion. I have some issues with the way the club has been using him (i.e. playing Rowe, not Jamo on the opposition's best forward) but he has been in good form.

Hendo - had his best year last year under Malthouse. This year he is suffering from not having a preseason. You can see that his tank, and as a result his game, have suffered. All going well, he will be able to have a full preseason and be back to his best next year. At his best, our most important KPP at either end of the ground and a great leader. Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to shutting him down for the year and letting him get his body right.

Waite - hasn't gone backwards. Is the same injury-prone, inconsistent player he always was and always will be. Did have one of his best ever individual games last year against Essendon***.

Lucas - has he gone backwards? Reading VFL reports on here and other sites, it seems like he is the same player he has been since he was drafted.

Kreuzer - I thought the media and some supporters were unnecessarily harsh on Kreuzer last year. Injuries have cost him momentum and form. At this point, I'm just hoping that his body will allow him to get back out on the ground and contribute, be it for Carlton or another club.

I'm not an apologist for Malthouse, I wouldn't even be thinking about extending him until late next season, and only then if he commits to acting in the club's best interests rather than for short term gain. Hopefully he gets some fresh, young voices into the coaches box next year who are confident enough to confront him about elements of the game plan which aren't working (there's no way Malthouse won't be here next year, we might as well accept that).

I think its unfair to pin all of the blame on him though, when a lot of the players you listed have had considerable injury issues which have prevented them from improving their games. Also, if we are to talk about the players who have regressed, what about the ones who have improved? Menzel, Rowe, White, Buckley, Gibbs, Casboult have all improved this year, and Simpson's career was rejuvenated last year when it looked like it could be over. Everitt looks like a good pick up at this stage, and I expect that Thomas and Docherty (another two have had injury problems affect them this year) will be fitter and able to contribute at a higher level next year.

Am I optimistic about the future of the club? Not particularly. There are areas on and off the field that should be heavily scrutinised at the end of the season, and I hope to god there is a full scale independent review from top to bottom. I'm not holding my breath on that front. However, to pin all the blame on Malthouse without looking at the individual circumstances behind players not performing is dishonest.

A) He told the board to wake up and smell reality in regards to the playing list
B) He personally got Thomas and Everett to come. (Thomas is a top player. A "b" grader who you fail to acknowledge)
C) He turned White and Rowe from E graders into C graders
D) He gave Casboult some sense of belief and developed a kicking style to turn him from an E grader into a C grader
E) He has taught Gibbs to win contested Ball
F) He turned Buckley into a defender and potential B grader
G) He rejevunated a punch drunk Kade Simpson as a backman
H) He won a final.

I just look at the win/loss column

Walker - had the best year of his career last year under Malthouse. Should have been in contention for the AA HBF spot. Has had some niggling injuries and a stupid suspension this year (which was his own fault, not anybody else's) which haven't allowed him to play consistent footy.

Garlett - started 2013 like a house on fire and was our leading goalscorer, but now his confidence is shot for whatever reason. Maybe Malthouse is to blame, maybe he isn't. Can't argue that one.

Tuohy - had his best year in 2013 under Malthouse. Has regressed this season, looks slower and his disposal hasn't been as sharp. At the crossroads. Hope he makes it, because he's one of my favourites when he's on.

Jamison - hasn't regressed in my opinion. I have some issues with the way the club has been using him (i.e. playing Rowe, not Jamo on the opposition's best forward) but he has been in good form.

Hendo - had his best year last year under Malthouse. This year he is suffering from not having a preseason. You can see that his tank, and as a result his game, have suffered. All going well, he will be able to have a full preseason and be back to his best next year. At his best, our most important KPP at either end of the ground and a great leader. Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to shutting him down for the year and letting him get his body right.

Waite - hasn't gone backwards. Is the same injury-prone, inconsistent player he always was and always will be. Did have one of his best ever individual games last year against Essendon***.

Lucas - has he gone backwards? Reading VFL reports on here and other sites, it seems like he is the same player he has been since he was drafted.

Kreuzer - I thought the media and some supporters were unnecessarily harsh on Kreuzer last year. Injuries have cost him momentum and form. At this point, I'm just hoping that his body will allow him to get back out on the ground and contribute, be it for Carlton or another club.

I'm not an apologist for Malthouse, I wouldn't even be thinking about extending him until late next season, and only then if he commits to acting in the club's best interests rather than for short term gain. Hopefully he gets some fresh, young voices into the coaches box next year who are confident enough to confront him about elements of the game plan which aren't working (there's no way Malthouse won't be here next year, we might as well accept that).

I think its unfair to pin all of the blame on him though, when a lot of the players you listed have had considerable injury issues which have prevented them from improving their games. Also, if we are to talk about the players who have regressed, what about the ones who have improved? Menzel, Rowe, White, Buckley, Gibbs, Casboult have all improved this year, and Simpson's career was rejuvenated last year when it looked like it could be over. Everitt looks like a good pick up at this stage, and I expect that Thomas and Docherty (another two have had injury problems affect them this year) will be fitter and able to contribute at a higher level next year.

Am I optimistic about the future of the club? Not particularly. There are areas on and off the field that should be heavily scrutinised at the end of the season, and I hope to god there is a full scale independent review from top to bottom. I'm not holding my breath on that front. However, to pin all the blame on Malthouse without looking at the individual circumstances behind players not performing is dishonest.

Walker - had the best year of his career last year under Malthouse. Should have been in contention for the AA HBF spot. Has had some niggling injuries and a stupid suspension this year (which was his own fault, not anybody else's) which haven't allowed him to play consistent footy.

Garlett - started 2013 like a house on fire and was our leading goalscorer, but now his confidence is shot for whatever reason. Maybe Malthouse is to blame, maybe he isn't. Can't argue that one.

Tuohy - had his best year in 2013 under Malthouse. Has regressed this season, looks slower and his disposal hasn't been as sharp. At the crossroads. Hope he makes it, because he's one of my favourites when he's on.

Jamison - hasn't regressed in my opinion. I have some issues with the way the club has been using him (i.e. playing Rowe, not Jamo on the opposition's best forward) but he has been in good form.

Hendo - had his best year last year under Malthouse. This year he is suffering from not having a preseason. You can see that his tank, and as a result his game, have suffered. All going well, he will be able to have a full preseason and be back to his best next year. At his best, our most important KPP at either end of the ground and a great leader. Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to shutting him down for the year and letting him get his body right.

Waite - hasn't gone backwards. Is the same injury-prone, inconsistent player he always was and always will be. Did have one of his best ever individual games last year against Essendon***.

Lucas - has he gone backwards? Reading VFL reports on here and other sites, it seems like he is the same player he has been since he was drafted.

Kreuzer - I thought the media and some supporters were unnecessarily harsh on Kreuzer last year. Injuries have cost him momentum and form. At this point, I'm just hoping that his body will allow him to get back out on the ground and contribute, be it for Carlton or another club.

I'm not an apologist for Malthouse, I wouldn't even be thinking about extending him until late next season, and only then if he commits to acting in the club's best interests rather than for short term gain. Hopefully he gets some fresh, young voices into the coaches box next year who are confident enough to confront him about elements of the game plan which aren't working (there's no way Malthouse won't be here next year, we might as well accept that).

I think its unfair to pin all of the blame on him though, when a lot of the players you listed have had considerable injury issues which have prevented them from improving their games. Also, if we are to talk about the players who have regressed, what about the ones who have improved? Menzel, Rowe, White, Buckley, Gibbs, Casboult have all improved this year, and Simpson's career was rejuvenated last year when it looked like it could be over. Everitt looks like a good pick up at this stage, and I expect that Thomas and Docherty (another two have had injury problems affect them this year) will be fitter and able to contribute at a higher level next year.

Am I optimistic about the future of the club? Not particularly. There are areas on and off the field that should be heavily scrutinised at the end of the season, and I hope to god there is a full scale independent review from top to bottom. I'm not holding my breath on that front. However, to pin all the blame on Malthouse without looking at the individual circumstances behind players not performing is dishonest.