ON THE late June evening when the Blues were smashed by the Bombers, despite a mid-game injury to Jobe Watson, Brett Ratten was subjected to considerable vitriol from the more impatient elements of the Carlton army.

His match-ups, selections and tactics were ridiculed on the airwaves and the internet.

Both Carlton and Ratten are works in progress, and the judgments on club and coach cannot be made for at least another 12 months, if not longer. But by reaching the finals this year and winning 13 games with a young, developing team, without Jarrad Waite for most of the season, Ratten and the Blues have done as well as anyone could reasonably expect this year; they won 10 games last year, and to reach 13 represents the required level of improvement, or slightly better.

It should be noted that Carlton fielded a 22 that was younger, on average, than the opposition in all but three games during the regular season.

Wonder who the 3 teams are with the younger squads we played?!

Good article, as you said kk - honest appraisal.

The Blues were older only than Melbourne (round 21), Richmond (round 15) and, significantly, Hawthorn (round 6).

Both Carlton and Ratten are works in progress, and the judgments on club and coach cannot be made for at least another 12 months, if not longer. But by reaching the finals this year and winning 13 games with a young, developing team, without Jarrad Waite for most of the season, Ratten and the Blues have done as well as anyone could reasonably expect this year; they won 10 games last year, and to reach 13 represents the required level of improvement, or slightly better.

I reckon this para is quite pertinent...