Campo has his faults no doubt- they are well known so i wont repeat them. But calls for him to be given the arse is just plain shortsighted.
I agree he is overpaid (well, overpaid based on what I have been told his back-loaded contract is giving him this year) But when he renegotiates his final contract with us it will be at far more realistic terms. He is too old to be a target for opposition teams so he will be forced to take our terms or retire. I can see him on 250,000 to 300,000. Half of which goes into the SC due to vet status. At 125,000 to 150,000 of our SC HE IS A BARGAIN.
Where else are you going to get someone of his caliber at this price?
His disposals this year are 13,21,19,24,9,32,23. We can argue all we like about the quality of these disposals but they are still very handy. Without the hawthorn game where he only got 9 possessions he has averaged 22 possessions per game this season. If he was a new recruit we would all be on the Campo band- wagon
04 20.3
03 22.2
02 18.45
01 23.5
00 27.7
99 22.8
98 22
97 17.8
96 17.4
95 14.8
You can see from this that he is traveling pretty much on track for his game average except for his blow out year in 00. Again the quality of his possessions may be questioned, but he is still finding plenty of the footy.
It all boils down to expectations. As a senior player we expect him to dominate a game. But unfortunately he is not a Brett Ratten or a Koutta who generate opportunities for themselves and others, he is and always has been an outside player that needs the help of other in and under players to bring him into the game. Having said that I think that underestimates how many times he is in and under by necessity.
If we develop/ recruit a couple more tough midfielders then Campo could again return to his natural game. I would also say this about Nick Stevens.
A perfect addition IMO would be Sam Mitchell from Hawthorn. OK back to Campo. Can we expect him to dominate in a side that clearly lacks the type of players that he requires to excel- eg Rattens or Williams. Koutta is doing a great job but is playing a lone hand. Clearly Campo is incapable of fulfilling our expectations in the current team structure.
By getting rid of him we are failing to recognize his true value as a running link player. Once he goes we will have that space to fill as well. We have enough gaps to fill now- we should not be looking to make the situation worst. He is part of a good midfield if that midfield can be completed. It is no use having a threadbear midfield for the next 3-4 years by getting rid of Campo (and Koutta as some have suggested) because the midfield has to be at least competitive for the team to be even a chance. Without at least breaking even, the rest of the side will be swamped by the opposition- hardly an atmosphere for young players to learn and develop. We need Campo to stay on for the next few years for the good of the teams structure and the development of the youngsters. What we dont need is an overpriced midfielder that generates huge expectations because of this. For the sake of the Club I sincerely hope that Campo decides to be realistic over the renegotiation of his contract. He has been part of Carlton for a long time and has been well looked after financially. It is time for him to give a little back to the club, not only by helping the club with its salary cap but also by helping some of our youngsters develop in a team which is at least competitive
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