Springsteen wrote:
when carlton missed finals in 71,74 and 77 were barrassi, nichols and thuragood sacked or did they resign , anyone remmeber well enough?
Barassi stepped down as Carlton Coach at the end of '71 season. He was going to step aside after '70, but stayed the extra year, which he later said was a mistake on his part. John Nicholls was then appointed Captain Coach. At the same time Essendon* were chasing Nick (actually after the '70 season) to coach them.
John Nicholls quit the coaching job during the pre season on '76. To this day only those on the inside really know why.
Ian Thorogood who had just arrived at the club as Nick's 2IC was appointed senior coach.
In 1976 we lost the preliminary final by a point to North.
1977 we lost the last game of the season out at Footscray. A loss that dropped us out of the finals. Goodbye Ian Thorogood. Thoro was unlucky, but this is Carlton we're talking about.
Next in line for '78 was Ian Stewart............Oh Jesus, lets not go there.
