After many years in the wild we are back
so lets not get too carried away
obviously issues needed to be addressed and have
the biggest one has been Ratten's role as was told in the Age where his role is less. Dont underestimate the role of Alan Richardson and Gavin Brown. Structures are sound. Our pressure when the opposition has the ball is fantastic.
the one thing we lack is another big mother down forward and back.
all the planets seemed to be approaching that straight line.
We have recruited sensationally from the rookie draft and mature players.
our most important player is Jamison and when he went off we looked a different side down back.
Injuries can hit us anytime like they have at Hawthorn.
It was only 11 months ago we were playing shit.
the games against Sydney and WC are crucial. Win both of them and pencil a top 4 spot.
If we can push Collingwood in round 17 then we are a great chance of winning a flag.
but for now lets just get through the next 2 weeks.

Agree with you on the importance of Jamo but the first 8-10 minutes of the last quarter was the only time that Brisbane were on top in the midfield and got quick and clean ball movement into their 50. Brown owns Thornton.

Lid needs to stay firmly on - the next two weeks are huge.

I agree with what you are saying Keogh. Jamo is important to us. However the 10 minutes where our backline looked shaky was the only 10 mins of the game where our mids and forwards were off the boil pressure wise so its hard to judge how bad Jamo being out would affect us.

Also if we win a flag with Ratts as coach I do expect you to admit that you were wrong about him.

We got this same fuzzy feeling this time last year....I don't recall what happened after that

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

interseting that you dont acknowledge the fact that Ratten's role has been less this year and deliberately so.
Ratten has his strengths and has improved as a coach.
But to say i was wrong about him if we win the flag.
Which part am I wrong
That he gets too emotional
He is tactically weak

How much of a change Richardson and Brown have had on the coaching of the team is valid when answering your question.

Yeah but with Ratts still down on the bench we are screwed

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If you liked it then you shoulda put a lid on it!

I see what you are trying to do. You are trying to soften your fall. For years you have been talking Ratts down and now that it looks like he is going to get some success you are getting in early and laying the ground work for your escape.

Three weeks ago you didnt want to know about Richardson being in charge of tactics from the box when you were potting Ratts for not having a bloke on Varcoe at centre bounces.
Now you are all over it !

All coaches have support. Its not like Malthouse sat around and devised the gameplan they have now all by himself. He looked gone until he got some tactical minds in.
The role of coach has become more about management and grouping ideas the move the team forward.

Sure Ratts' role has evolved into something different than years past but we all know that. Have done since the new assistants arrived. The buck still stops with Ratts. If we dont win a final he is more than likely gone. IF we win the grand final he holds up the cup with Judd and your previous thoughts about him not being up to it which you stated plenty of times would be wrong.

THIS!

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C'mon Blueboys!

If we manage to win the next two games, the lid might blow off.

_________________
WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

I think it's fair to say that the coaching structure wasn't working previous to this year and major changes needed to be made.

To Ratts' credit, changes were made and he's assisted with the delegation of more responsibility to his assistants and the rewards seem to be evident.

It's all positive.

I didnt pot Richardson at all.
If we win the flag this year then Ratts can take a lot of credit for the success.
You cant argue that if we win a flag then I was wrong
Pity posters like you cant be so honest when you dont get it right. And nobody is right or wrong yet. Too early to call
But we have been down that path before
The guys who deserves the most credit are our recruiting staff
Robinson pick 40
Betts ,Thornton, Gartlett, Ellard, Jamison, Carrazzo,Tuohy,Jamison, Curnow, Joseph, White all rookies
Duigan mature age
bargain pickups Scotland,Armfield,Laidler,

Where does that come from?

......and i never said you potted Richardson.

I think Rexy summed it up best.

Yeah at the moment it is.
And its great to see.
having surveyed the site i reckon a few posters are getting a bit ahead of themselves
Still much work to be done
With ratts neither me, you or anyone else knows what is said in Ratts headphones
What we do know is his role has diminished and we have significantly improved and posters can draw their own conclusions

Coaching panel has been restructured. Ratts role has evolved. THere are a number of ways to put it. Diminished sounds like an attempted put down to me and we are not sure we do know that is the case.
Similar to what you say about us not knowing what is said in Ratts headphones if you ask me.

Just 3 points about the coach.

1. Ratten has gradually improved the Blues from a lowly position on the ladder to where they are now (2 of those years without the current assistants).

2. The players love Ratten (this has been reported in a couple of places) and also highlighted by Murphy's comments.

3. Ratten has made some major structural changes while he has been coach ... on and off the field ....
i.e.
- when he saw the need he sacked his assistants last year,
- made the move of the year ... Yarran to BF,
- put Walker to FF,
- pushed for the last couple of years to get Laidler to Carlton
- etc etc etc.

My prediction this year for what its worth is a Carlton Collingwood grand final .... KEEPING THE LID ON IT ...

Even if we won the premiership ... people would want to get rid of him ... they can't help themselves ... they want to be justified.

They would prefer Malthouse (how revolting) than a true Carlton man who is doing a fine job.

Sakc Ratten!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

Good on you Blue Rob.
Some very good points.

Ratts and the boys have all evoloved ..together as a team.
and that is the best way it could happen.
We are lucky to have such a dedicated, Carlton loving coach.
It makes this success all the sweeter.
I think it is the team improvement and spirit that people are getting excited about.
We have everything to look forward to..this year and on into the future.

I just think....credit where it is due.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Loving coach is going a bit too far ... ... but yes I think we are in agreement.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

I know that you can only beat the teams that are put up each week. As excited as I am by our progress this year - be warned

Of our 8 victories only 1 has been against a top 8 side (Sydney) - We couldn't beat the other 3 top 8 sides that we have played (Collingwood, Geelong, Essendon*)

7 victories against bottom 9 sides - Richmond, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Brisbane.

We are playing great football and looking more complete as a unit, but the next month of footy will be telling. Sydney, West Coast, Richmond and Bulldogs. 2 top teams, 2 strugglers and then the big one - Carlton vs Collingwood.

I believe that we can win all four of those games and then front up for the biggest Carlton v Collingwood game in 30 years.

We will know a lot more in 2 weeks time

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Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but The Blues abide forever."

THIS