I can tell you now that what it isn't about is putting Carlton players against Geelong's to see if we approximate. That's totally pointless and a waste of time. By the time we have become suitably Geelongesque, they will have moved on or, more likely, some other club will be the benchmark.

One thing the article alludes to and has got right is the fact that we have gone full tilt for a premiership far too early.

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We still have Kennedy??

Play him in the seniors and stop letting him waste away at the Bullants FFS!!

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Very good article. lets ignore no Hendo and JR's draft position and concentrate on the notion its a bumby road to a consistent performer.

None of us should be happy with our form over the last 2 months and the players effort last week in particular, but Hawthorn aside, tthere hasnt been a side that has re built and had it all come together in 4 years. It takes time, 2 steps forward, 1 back kind of stuff. We're comng from further back than anyone else too.

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Hawthorn only came together in 2008 really as well, apart from that they haven't really been any more impressive than us. Thing is they got on top by having great forwards, a game plan which gave them an edge, and playing tough uncompromising football. None of those 3 things apply to Carlton

written pre-season as mentioned at the start of the post. Obviously mcleans season has been disappointing. Way too many injuries which was the concern going into the season.

read the start of the post - the comparisons were done with our players ages at the start of the 2010 season with the cats players ages at the start of the 2007 season (as they were about to start their period of dominance). Selwood was also bottom aged and hence 'younger' than yarran at the respective relative timepoint (cats 07 v blue 09/10 season)

Whoops, sorry 4th chicken, I should read things more carefully before being a smart alec!

A comparison is relevant as it shows we just dont have the experience/mature bodies that 'most' other premiership/top2 teams have in recent history.

I'd also disagree that we have gone full tilt at a premiership too early - there is no evidence of that. Going full tilt for a flag would have meant doing a brisbane (fev, staker, etc)

What we have done though is to recognise weaknesses (ie inside mid) and brought in a players to address that (mclean). Mclean has the potential to cover that weakness for the next 4-5 yrs provided he can stay on the park. We could have drafted 18yos (and in some ways we did with cachia etc) however the bullocking/inside mid role isnt really suited to younger bodies and we would have to wait 4+ years before the player would start to contribute (unless you are a j selwood) - we needed the assistance now.

Imo our flag tilt actually begins in 2012 - thats when the athletic rucks (kreuzer, hampson, warnock), mids (gibbs, murphy, lucas, etc) and forwards (henderson, yarran, garlett) will begin to dominate. All those guys just arent physically ready yet (or in hampsons case, doesnt have the experience)

For all those who don't get it, this article is the view of our Board.

Ratten isn't going any time soon, so stop the bagging. We are not in the 80s now.

Kernahan is going no where. He will not puff out the chest until we have done something.

No point bagging the coach or players while we are still developing.

We are where Geelong were

I do believe that we need to find some players with more character and leadership.

Some would say that this is what Judd brings, but he needs tougher assistance. At Geelong this is delivered by Chapman and Selwood.

Gibbs IMHO needs to play off half forward, as a leadup player and use his skills to dominate.

The very best teams deliver from the half forward line. Its time to unleash the Gibb.

No more Back flanks, that is the position for players like Buckly unaccountable, ball winner.

Half forward is where you find players like Chapman, Steve J, Wayne Johnston enough said.

Love the idea of playing gibbs forward given that he has shown an ability to hit the scoreboard. Atm though we probably need more midfield depth for that to occur. Into the future having lucas, buckley (f/s) + a couple others to rotate through will allow us to play gibbs forward more often

I disagree, post Elliott we have become too timid to do what Brisbane have done, and quite rightly, in most cases, but what was wrong with getting Staker? He's still youngish, was a cheap trade and has done well in struggling side. However, the way we have addressed our weaknesses has shown impatience and and lack of creativity. You do a mix of stuff, you don't do one expensive trade and rest on it; that is what we have been doing for a few years now.

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Brisbane have failed with their strategy Paf. You're bang on, you don't go all in on one form of 'player investment'. We've targeted a few recruits where we've had to give up a fair bit, but the Lions almost put aside an entire draft and then some on a bunch of also rans, and Fev. That's the other end of the trading spectrum, and should also be avoided.

Are you sure you've never watched Staker before? Good endurance and pace for a tall, but that's about it.

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Not a lot, I must admitt, but I thought he's stepped up a bit for Brisbane. I also admit; I must have misread how he was obtained, too. I don't know much about Dalziell, or what Brisbane got with it's third rounder.

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