+1; don't get me wrong- I agree with Big Nick with regards to Carlton having lost its way with the previous administrations, especially with Harris and Elliot. However, I can't help but sense a certain ennui on the part of current players to bear the greviences of past players, especially those who were part of a very successful era. In my mind, aren't we encouraging the likes of Judd, Simmo, Murphy, et al to create their own history and success- of which they are trying to do.

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Be positive to all those @ TC- the wait is almost over!

I reckon big Nick would think they are lucky. He would look at the facilities they have their disposal, he would look at them being full time professionals, he would look at all the support they have and all he is asking is that each player do the jumper proud when you run out on the ground.

In terms of going to your great nannas 80th you don't go because you want to go, you do it out of RESPECT.

Not sure how John Nichols could contribute. Can you elaborate how you would use Big Nick at Board level? Walls I can understand providing some consultation in football dept HR, but even then - at Board level? How would Robert Walls sitting on the Carlton Board bring in money? What role would he play?

Doc, not sure all members of the current Board are bringing in money. Is that the only criteria? Not saying he should or shouldn`t be on the Board though.

I don't think Walls is necessarily the right man for the board but I don't think the sole criteria should be money raising. It is a football club and while we have Icke and Swann as paid employees, i believe a football person or two on the board would be valuable.

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T E A M

Come one Sydney Blue, people can't have it both ways. One week people are bemoaning no passion for the jumper, and next you want to insulate(?) them from the past players and the history.

I was shocked the players weren't there. I wonder if it was their decision or not. Either way they should have attended. Can you imagine the filth or scum not taking it as an opportunity for their current crop to absorb the history and success? Fair enough you don't want the oldies in the change rooms every week reminding them of the mountain they climbed, but this was a special opportunity. agree, it is about respect.

you see Tom I see things different - People only tend to remember the really good and the really bad - They forget about all the rubbish in between
It's like win my kids say Geez I love that 70's and 80's music its much better than the stuff we have now - To which I tell them you only hear the good stuff they dont play you all the crap we used to have to listen to because its not worth replaying

Same goes for footy - I sat through some rubbish in the 70's and 80's and Big Nick might need to be reminded of the turmoil that tore the club apart at the end of 1979 .


Big Nick needs to get out the old black and white videos and watch how pathetic football was and he also might notice how fat and slow he was compared to the players of today

If I was a betting man I would say the worst player on our list has a more professional approach and more committed approach to playing the game than the best player in Big Nicks era

So maybe it should be Big Nick applauding and respecting the committment that the players of today have

Passion for the jumper has long gone

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Refer above

The boys probably had some high scores on the xbox or PS3 to beat.

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Using your argument, if Carlton wins a flag or two in the next decade and then goes through some lean times, Judd speaking at a 20 year reunion would be irrelevant for the Carlton side of 2035. And if that side was even fitter, stronger and more skillfull than the 2015 side, then Judd's exploits in the old 2D vision would be considered pathetic compared to the 3D hologram bla bla vision of 2035. If I was a betting man I would say that the worst post I've ever read on this site is better than the embarrasing nonsense you just shelled out.

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

Had the good fortune of attending yesterday's "Spirit of Carlton" function...........the theme was the 1970 grand final.Fullmarks to Des Tuddenham,Ross "Twiggy" Dunne,and Peter McKenna for fronting the old enemy on there patch.The three spoke and were very entertaining,especially Peter Mc.Kenna.Of course the John Nicolls speach was the feature,and has subsequently becoming the big story from the day....................really,whats all the fuss about ? John was only stating the obvious and telling us what we already know.Storm in a teacup for mine.We have been crap for far too long. Everyone agrees.I mean"big Nick" recieved a rousing round of applause at the end of his speach for stating the obvious.Its common knowledge........................Fortunately,"Big Nick" sees light at the end of the tunnel.Actually that was the most contentious part of his speech.Reckon more than 50% of the audience disagreed and are uncertaian whether we are actually making any headway.Thats the part that disturbed me.Spoke to a lot of past players and they seemed split 50/50 as to whether we are on the right track.That general lack of positivaty i found very uncomfortable.Very unCarlton.

P.S.............apart from Waite and Kruezer,Kane Lucas was there.Actually spoke to the young fella.Came acros as an excellant type of young bloke.

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All my dangerous friends

I agree that for the most part, in this modern, professional era passion for the jumper has gone.

However I reckon players go out there not wanting to let each other down; which is why team solidarity is so important.

Reminds me of a line Eric Bana changed in Black Hawk Down.

He was supposed to say something like:


Bana fought to change the line, and won; so it appears in the movie as:


Club aren't loyal to players like they used to be. Players aren't loyal to clubs like they used to be.

But players are loyal to each other. They'll go out, and battle for their mates.

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I AM DISENFRANCHISED

1970 was 40 years ago

your tripping if you think a 20 odd year is going to care about what happened 40 years ago

it was an evening for the old codgers

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Well, sometimes they do

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First of all,it was an afternoon,not an evening.It was for anybody,and everybody,not just the olds.Sydney there were a heap of young people there who absolutely lapped up every word uttered by the great legends of the club............and thats were my hope lies.That there is gonna be a young turk out there who is gunna take up the cudgels and come out swingin' in the manner of the great George Harris.

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All my dangerous friends

I'm confused SB.

Are you saying that you're hallucinating if you have an interest in history?

Or you're hallucinating if you think anyone in their 20's has interest in history?

Are you trolling or do you just post in the most intellectually conservative terms possible?

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STURDYISM!!

So when Big Nick started his playing career in 1957 he paid his respects every day to the 1914 and 1915 side did he - attended everyone of their functions and get togethers


Not likely


It was a cheap shot and not called for

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

I was referring to this bit.

Seems justified in the face of such a blanket statement.

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STURDYISM!!

As so often happens....the Age article didn't even mention that Nicholls is a Carlton Premiership Captain Coach......a lot of the young people of today wouldn't have even heard of such a thing.

Yes......he Coached us to a Flag in 1972 whilst still playing............and kicked 6 goals in the GF as well!

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

I couldn't disagree more Sydney.
Much of the gym equipment, fitness gear, football department facilities were funded by those "old codgers" and supporters.
The Spirit of Carlton group was formed to create a link between the successful past and current players and to give the incumbents every opportunity to succeed.
If the current players cant appreciate that and make an effort, they have been badly let down by the current administration. They should be under no illusion about what responsibility they share in the relationship.

Those "old codgers" could be sitting in a pub or sharing tales amongst themselves. The idea of functions like yesterdays is to drum up money for the benefit of the current players. The least they could do is turn up and show their appreciation.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.