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I am a firm believer that players in general will look better in good sides than they do in ordinary ones. It's no surprise to me that people on Carlton boards especially but also even in amongst the wider footballing public are starting to recognize blokes like Jamison, Bower and even Russell. Winning games helps young players because it instills confidence in them to try things. When you are introduced into a 'losing' culture you will, at least to a certain extant, and despite your best efforts, inevitably be dragged down into it. In such an environment it is hard for young players to succeed, though there are exceptions. Carlton as we all know has been struggling for quite some time now. And what makes the whole situation worse is that such a malaise is not conducive to fast-tracking of player development.
But the last 3 weeks we've shown signs that we might be turning things around. Of course, our better players (like Fev and Judd) have featured prominently in our wins. But all of a sudden Jamison looks very promising. Bower is improving rapidly. Grigg has played a part, as has Gibbs, Murphy has arguably gone up a level and even the much-criticised Russell is showing signs. None of these players, IMO, were ever 'bad' footballers. And just because they are doing better now doesn't mean they will become 'stars'. It's just that when you start to play better, and then win some games, all of a sudden people realise that perhaps these players aren't so bad after all. Simply put, you look better in a better side. As I've said, there are exceptions, players who will perform regardless of the ability of the side around them. But even these players' full ability cannot fully be exploited in a side which routinely struggles.
The above is also not meant to suggest that having a proper youth development program in place is an unimportant or overrated ideal. Collingwood has done well in this regard in that the players they bring into the team seem able to quickly adapt, at least initially, to the rigours of AFL footy. But, it also needs to be remembered that in recent times, Collingwood has been relatively successful, at least compared to us. And it is also a fair point that of the young players they have introduced into their senior side, only Thomas and Pendlebury (picks 2 and 5 respectively in the 2005 National Draft) regularly perform at an above-average AFL level. They have also done particularly well with Martin Clarke and look to have found a late steal with Tyson Goldsack. But then there is Egan, Toovey, Stanley, Cox, Cook and Reid among others who are yet to really impress. Nathan Brown looks good now but had the luxury of spending a whole year in the VFL. This is nothing against any of these players. It just shows that like any club, the Pies have had some success stories but the jury is still out on many others, as it is with us and players like Austin, Edwards, Benjamin, Anderson, Grigg etc. So I'm not sure, despite what some would have you believe, that Collingwood are miles ahead of everyone else in this area.
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Formerly Blues-Back2003.
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FAQ
Their youngsters did lose to Carlton's youngsters right? 
