Carlton. The most frustrating team in the league by far!
However, I truly believe the young team, inconsistant line constantly being bandied about. Just look at the recent premiers in the modern game:
Geelong: an incredibly well balanced team, however a very strong and experienced leadership group propelling them to their success. Mooney up forward, Scarlett, Harley, milburn, enright all down back and corey chapmen etc in the middle - a strong leadership group.
West coast: glass, Judd, cousins, embley, Fletcher, kerr, cox all lead from the front, experienced hard players. Their best players were also their leaders.
Sydney: the same deal, Barry, olaughlin, Kirk, Bolton, their ruckman and chb I have forgotten their names but were also experienced leaders and their best players.
Hawthorn: perhaps the exception to the rule, however they still had Crawford, hodge, croad, dew as leaders and their best. Plus buddy and roughy, both exceptional players, the first one in a generation. They also had a zone that baffled the league and no-one had a clue against them.
When looking at our team it's simple. Patience is they key. Aside from Judd, our true leaders are very young or inexperienced. Jamo, bower and Russell down back are performing but are hardly the seasoned players that the teams above had. Hendo/setants/gartlett/yarran up forward all have the same problem. Then you look at our higher rated players, which really are doing well - murph, he is still getting there, but to look at his progress you only need look at Dale Thomas or Ellis, I know who I would rather. Gibbs too, just look at hansen (gumbleton I think) he has also performed admirably. Kreuz, was playing well, but once again very young.
It will be a while till these players are experienced leaders and battle hardened to take us to being real contenders. I also believes it partly explains our performance this year. These players will take us there, in time.
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