My best mate is an Essendon* fan, so over the last few years ive seen them play most weeks (or at least 3/4 of their games). Ive had the pleasure of watching a very professional club give young players a fair crack in settled/permanent positions, and their system is starting to show the results that we, here at Carlton, are crying out for.

The one example im referring to above all else is the breakout of Jake Carlisle. Essendon* brought him into the team almost immediately, as an under weight, but athletic, KPD. They played him for the best part of 2 years as 3rd defender, with a combination of fletcher, hooker, hurley, ryder or pears taking the 1st and 2nd tall forwards. This season, now at an almost adequate size for a CHB, he has been one of the better performed defenders in the competition, and in my opinion, won the game for Essendon* against Freo last week.

Im not naive enough to think that this method would work for everyone, but I do question why our own player development system has in no-way resembled anything like this?

Its a pretty simple equation... we drafted Watson and McCarthy as KPDs... and Hendo was touted as our CHF.. so why the @#$%&! arent we lining up something more like this?

B: Yarran Jamison McCarthy/Watson
HB: Scotland White Touhy

HF: Garlett Henderson Walker


This part just comes down to my own opinion, but White (or Laidler, in some instances) would be an adequate senior player to take the 2nd forward whilst McCarthy or Watson develop on the third tall, with stints on the first or second tall when appropriate.

We invest so much in recruiting, yet we dont seem to be managing or developing players in any way that is going to set us up for the long term. I fear we had too many 'old heads' over the past few years who believed in holding back players into the Bullants until they have an amazing game, without even exploring the possibility that the best form of player development (especially for talls, it seems) comes from extended periods in the AFL.

Just look at Ben Reids breakout at Collingwood as another example...

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R A D I C A L B R O T H E R S

Inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm

"All in all is all we are..."

If it is "all about the process" then you will probably see more of what you are after.

I think MM has shown that he's happy to play people when he thinks they are ready, regardless of age or experience.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

You could argue Talia as well as Schoenmakers also, if you want to.

Situations sometimes force you into doing things you may not have done so otherwise as had happened with Essendon* needing to develop someone to take over from Fletcher.
Adelaide's backs got pillaged so Talia it was, and Hawthorn didn't have any other tall and were forced to use Schoenmakers, albeit some may argue that he cost them a premiership.

Just would have felt better had have Laidler been down back to help out and that may well happen as soon as next week.

I'd expect one of McCarthy or Watson (but not both) given an extended run of things in the not too distant future but what you say has cred.

I hope that you are not questioning the 'process'?

Process has just begun
So cannot be questioned.

What can be questioned is where we find ourselves and why.

We have 2 guys from the last 4 drafts in our side right now... and theyre hardly killing it... fringe players.

happy??

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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.

Let's be fair:

Graham: Currently Injured. Looked more than just promising heading into the season proper.
Menzel: Coming back from injury but looking very likely in even his 2 games at VFL level.
Temay: Slowest of the three to look ready but quite impressive nevertheless.

Bootsma: Clearly a prospect and has Micks backing. Will be a player.
Rowe: Could go either way
Buckley: Admired kid around the club already. Could have done worse with #62

Watson: Jury is still out on the 20 year old. Divides supporters in their opinions
McCarthy: Will make it but not ready yet.
Mitchell: Still see him as our best FF going forward. Looked better 12 months ago than he's looking right now and has clearly been told by MM to get aspects of his game right before any promotion.
McInnes: Others like him a lot more than I do, but still looks promising for a #67 selection
Duigan: Served his purpose and may continue to do so at the lower levels now.

Lucas: All sorts of problems with injury and with Ratten. Quality player that will come good under MM
Davies: #43 selection and looks unlikely to make it.


I have 7 out of 13 players I feel very confident in making it and not a top 10 selection in the lot.

Where do you see McCarthy playing?

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so theyre all cornerstone players going forward???

u dont even rate mccarthy.....

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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.

I don't know Syn. How does one propose any group of kids as future cornerstone players for a club.

Was it you that suggested that development is as important, if not more important than the individual themselves? If so, well said.

Given opportunities, I think all those highlighted kids have plenty to offer the CFC from what I've seen to date and as for McCarthy: I just don't think he has the strength in his body just yet to lock down a premium position.
The kid came to us at 194cm & 79kg. He's now 196cm and 93kgs. He's still growing so let's give him time. Fair enough?

Who were three great players we have drafted in the last decade?
(not including the early ones.... and it can be argued they havent reached any consistent highs)

Name them....

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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.

Im a fan of McCarthy.... id have drafted him before Watto...even at the time.. so no complaints with him... but hes hardly a walk up start to make it...

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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.

The Development of our draftees over the past 5 years is the biggest blight on the 5 years of the Ratten coaching team.

We simply do not give our kids the best opportunity to become league footballers.

This year we finally have a coach that understands how to develop and grow a full list. Unfortunately that means in some cases we have to start again. One step back before two steps forward.

At the end of the year I have no doubt there will be a fair turnover of players. My thoughts on our current up and comers.

Graham: If not injured would be playing. Has the tools.
Menzel: Future gun. Thank God Ratten is still not here.
Temay: Real Hard nut. Not most skilful but will give his all. Could be answer to small defender issues.
Bootsma: Talented but young and raw.
Rowe: Handy but long term no for me.
Buckley: Has smarts and skills. Does he have the engine and hardness?
Watson: Agility is concern. Is he smart enough to get around that?
McCarthy: Will make it and should play soon.
Mitchell: Needs persistence and luck. Has played less than 50 games in ten years. Very talented.
McInnes: Calm and classy. We miss him.
Duigan: Nope.
Curnow. Nope.
Lucas: MM will give him a real chance and so far is benefiting.
Davies: Still like him and hope he gets a run
OKeefe: Can play. Injuries and luck the issue.
Collins: Needs some luck but skills a concern
Dale: Skilful but does he do enough?
Cachia: Ridiculous selection. Should of gone for Garlett

At the end of the year we should get rid of:

Hampson & Watson to GWS for Jaksch
Duigan
Cachia
Mitchell (rookie)
Collins
Dale
Davies
Armfield (Trade WA?)
Joseph
McLean
Scotland (retired)

Bell upgrade
OKeefe upgrade (hopefully)


Lot of action come free agency and trade week.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

I'd be delisting Bell. Still not convinced he's an AFL player.

Is this the same Essendon* that have flown out of the blocks every year and fallen in a heap?

Our player development is not just a blight it's a flowering travesty and young under 18 players must shudder when we call out there name on draft day.

I can't believe our recruiting team can make so many incorrect selections, although we have made a couple of strategic howlers (Murdoch ).

Compare and contrast us to Geelong and Sydney who always seem to generate quality players from there 2nd and 3rd rounders, whilst our players wither on the vine.

Player Development, Player Development, Player Development - what have we done with it, for gods sake we had Alan Richardson who headed up the Collingwood Program, yet we appeared to learn nothing from it or his intel was deliberately ignored by our Football Department.

If Malthouse and Wiley have now realised that we have crucified our current crop of under 21 year old players, then it will definitely be 1 (maybe 2) steps back before we can go forward, and if our current board start putting on the pressure or crack the shits with Malthouse/Wiley they only have themselves to blame, or more the point blame Kernahan and get him the flower out of there now, because this is the second time he has grossly misrepresented the playing list to a Board (who were stupid enough to listen to him) and an incoming coach.

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

Winston Churchill

Raw with a lot of upside IMO.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Agree, let's hope our we don't flower his development up.

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

Winston Churchill

Struggling to understand what that has to do with the case in point.. Successful player development and winning games are two completely different things. We are doing neither of them well at the moment..

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R A D I C A L B R O T H E R S

Inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm

"All in all is all we are..."

If he doesn't make it's far more likely that it's due to his own deficiencies.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Good thread with stunning insight that I haven't seen before.

Who needs Barack Obama?

Will read again.