I do understand the argument about going to the bottom to finally pick up some talent for the future, but I am not sure the club can afford it. It is amazing the difficulty the strong Carlton brand has had lately in winning sponsorships.

The key reason is that the TV networks did not want to show us play in the last few years, both because of our poor performance and because of PP.
This year we finally had some more FTA and especially Friday nights but it is already coming to an end. See this article in The Hun today:

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,15458507%255E19742,00.html



The headline is: "Ten's got the Blues"

So we are already on the nose and we are still financially weak. So my question is, does the "Synbad strategy" of bottom out and collect PP's actually endanger the very existence of the club? Can we afford it?

Who would want to sponsor a team that plays to finish bottom?

Exactly Mikkey.

People seem to forget what the WiZ Cup triumph meant to supporters, sponsers and the club. Winning culture is worth three times as much as any f***ing top pick.

My apologies.

I can see that somebody else already posted about the article. Tried to delete but it was too late (somebody already replied).

Mikkey, good point made there. Carlton needs cash, it needs people to keep going to the games - i think we are one of the biggest drawing teams this year in terms of crowds and that is largely on the back of our Wizard Cup form.

I think the stats state that the only team that has finished bottom in the last ten years and then gone onto to win a flag within five years of that last place was Brisbane. (Can't remember if port was second last or third last around 2000/2001?)We all know that they had AFL assistance through the salary cap, they had a brilliant coach and they recruited well. eg black at pick 28? or thereabouts.

Bottoming out makes sense to some extent... I understand the logic, but there are many variables. Carazzo is arguably our best young player (aside for walker) and he wasn't picked top 10.

I dont think anyone is suggesting we finish 16th instead of second!
We dont have a lot of scope to move here.

If we had won another game and were 13th, does anyone think channel ten would be jumping at us?
The media are interested in successful and exciting teams.
We are not successful, not matter what our philosophy is.

Synbad believes we are better to finish 16th and acquire quality picks instead of finshing 13th or 14th.
I believe he has a valid argument.
Hawthorn have 3 wins but they have exciting kids, they are on the way up.
They generate excitement.
Thats what attracts viewers.

You're right Surrey, winning culture is worth much more than picks but guess what?
We dont have a winning culture anymore.
We actually arent capable of creating a winning culture at the moment.

Where would you suggest we acquire one other than by building a team through the draft?

_________________
Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Mikey

Interesting point....

I think that the swans 'ugly' style of play is also part of the reason why Ten is feeling as if they have made a mistake in televising the game, probably moreso than Carltons poor form.

I also think that yes initially the club had some problems in regards to sponsorship, however, my understanding is that the club has now locked in all the necessary sponsors (eg shorts etc)...

Come the end of the year we have some significant contracts which come to an end, so this will loosen the belt in regards to our financial situation. This fact combined with the 200K or so the club won for the wizzer will make a significant difference.

Also there is still 12 games left this season and we haven't assured ourselves of PPs yet... Whilst unlikley, its possible we can still win a few more games. I think we will still finish near the bottom, but whether its another spoon, remains to be seen.

If you consider prior cellar dwellers in Bulldogs, Richmond etc, they were still able to obtain sponsorships, even though they were performing badly. IMO, whilst the Blues are really struggling on the field, I think the club is still a good 'brand' as such. Also when you consider someone like Collins being the president, who is a very smart man, with good business nous, I think we have the right people around the club to market it well, and gain interest for continued sponsorship.

The AFL really created a monster when it introduced the draft. Who would have thought that all these years on teams would be playing for PP. The AFL will not back away from the draft it cant it is in to deep now. What I think they will do is to try and prevent teams tanking is load the next year draw so it reflects badly on the team if they think they have gone for the picks. This will have a double whammy effect in teams not only having a drop off in supporters but a drop off in sponsors because on the crappy draw handed to them by the AFL nad the lack of FTA they will get. It may be already happening because the West coast have had a pretty good draw so for this year and the Saints (who played for picks) draw is less attractive.
Its just a thought

_________________
If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

who are you guys kidding

sponsors jumping on board has nothing to do with us winning 10 games last year and us winning the wizzer cup.

its all about the move to the TD

_________________
Got to love the stare Down by Setanta on Llyod

We should never have lost it in the first place. We always had it and there was/is no reason to lose it unless "top" individuals within the club lose it. Winning mentality starts at administration level and flows through.
Essendon* and even WestCoast & Port Adelaide are a good examples of what I am talking about. We used to be the best in the business but somehow the culture at the club is changing and is changing for the worst. That is what is worrying me.

Cheeky.

Yep let's blame the loss of our winning culture on the current administration!!

_________________
When Dick became President, it was as if everyone at Carlton came out of the hailstorm and into the sunshine - Stephen Kernahan

YARRAN!!





.

Sorry but a good administration would not have let our club be in this mess and yes that included the Elliott admin, just incase you where wondering.

Yes.

It wont really matter because come Saturday, Sydney will triple their entries thrusts into the Forward 50, Barry Hall will find his kicking boots and kick 8 goals 2 behinds and Sydney will miraculoulsy straighten up, bomb it long and absolutely flog us.

Many thanks to Robert Walls - (Collingwood and Freo games refer ).

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

Winston Churchill

Do we think that someone like Brian Cook/Frank Costa and a low profile coach like Mark Thompson would have faired better than the Malouf/Collins/Pagan combination. I am using them as an example as they were in a similar position as us...

aaahhh ok... I misunderstood... so you're not blaming Collo's admin but Elliot's admin....

_________________
When Dick became President, it was as if everyone at Carlton came out of the hailstorm and into the sunshine - Stephen Kernahan

YARRAN!!





.

So did it just go missing at West Coast the year they finished second last three years back? What abuot Port this year?

Jeez you talk some shit Surrey. You poke holes and find problems and post your little emoticons all over the shop but aren't prepared to find a solution to the problem. Whenever anyone suggest a solution you post up your little 'sad' or 'embarrased' emoticon along with some dribble about how it was never like that in the old days.

If you think there is a problem with the club at the moment then join the queue. We are playing like shit. You seem to have a lot of time on your hands, going on your post count on here and bigfooty. Why not invest some of that time in the betterment of the club instead of running down other people who are trying to do just that ....

_________________
The only way for some people to understand is for them to be on the receiving end

Left wing moralists
In self serving denial
They shit me no end

Interesting. I can see Port, WestCoast and the like talking about picks and the like can't you? I saw Mark Williams come out and say that he has ageing list and maybe needs now to rebuild by finishing at the bottom, didn't you?

As for joining the club, I don't need to be told "what to say and not to say" everyday of my life, thanks but no thanks. Talked to Diesal lately? He might have something of interest for you to hear, but then again, no need right, he isn't part of the "club".

As for going the man, I'll mark you down as just another imbicile who plays the man to get his argument across. God knows there growing in numbers.

Ps. Your post count here, is greater than mine.

Yeah but your post count is more irrelevant..

I dont see Port.. WC.. etc having gone through 2 years of AFL draft sanctions.
I dont see those clubs without leaders,,...

I dont see those clubs with poor list management from previous chairmen / presidents who exclaimed "We never rebuild!!!"
I dont see those clubs having pissed early picks on players like Davenport(StKilda got Barry Hall with that pick.. then swapped him for DalSanto.. O`Reilly, McGuanne and Mansfield brainstorms.
Unique arent we Surrey??? Well run.. were just paying for it now.. your mate Elliott and mates have reallyt shafted us and our president and coach..

But you libe in la la land...

_________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.