Coaching from the boundary line occasionally would be helpful to get the 'vibe' of what's happening with player attitude, but done constantly, it smacks of being subordinate to those upstairs in the coaches box.

Rattan is responsible for strategy and what's happening on the field, in other words, he is the leader.

It's not his job to be chums with the players, it's his job to lead everyone: coaches and players. Overseeing all of the field is imperative, which he can't do from the boundary effectively. The assistant coaches concern themselves with their designated groups, and therefore don't necessarily have a whole team perspective. I can imagine the conflicting messages Ratten gets from his deputies, whilst not having a proper view of what's happening on the field.

He lacks control when on the boundary, and I get a feeling he lacks leadership when amongst them, hence why he stays downstairs.

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"The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, and the young know everything." Oscar Wilde

I have no doubt Ratten's is a very determined character. He wouldn't have become a great footballer or a decent AFL coach while overcoming his natural diffidence without being mentally strong. He might end up being a very good coach, given enough time. He might even win the flag this year!

He doesn't exude a calm sense of mastery, maverick charisma, empathetic / nurturing man-management, hard-edged discipline or alpha-male leadership. I know these coaching archetypes don't guarantee success, but none of these come naturally to Ratts, and most successful coaches have most of these traits in various mixtures.

As an aside, "quiet strength" isn't the image I get when Ratts is cheering "go Blues" after a goal. Why does he do that? Maybe because he can't effectively communicate his passion and care to the players (is he the only coach in modern football history who loves his club?). Or when he waxes lyrical about "the champ". These are fanboy indulgences, not "quiet strength".

I hope he succeeds, he's one of the good guys. But nice guys don't often finish first.

Great player
Average captain
Average coach

Timmy Watson was a better player... didnt make him any better as a coach

Just doesnt have the smarts as a tactician or as a manager.

fail / fail

No hope....

Theyre reinforcing him with minds and surrounding him with them.

but ultimately the coach needs to assess everything and make the calls.

So pretty soon well find him coming across in the media as confusing again.....

Im not sure he is ontop of things.

Actually im certain!!!

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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.

Well the Liverpool owners sacked the legend of Anfield after failing to make the top 4.

Ratts is in that same position, but will our board have the balls to make the call?

After the Saints game the faith I have in Ratts is at an all time low.

Clubs in Europe sack coaches left right and centre.
Players come and go....

It keeps everybody on their toes.. and it sets the tone of whats expected.
Noone is safe!!!
Its the mentality.
Of course when 99% of the world plays the world game.. and 10 mill play AFL.. and coaches MUST be ex players... thats a mighty small pool we ca choose from.

Still... Ratts is the fourth most experienced coach in the comp...and were emulating Geelong.. so stay tuned for the Sticks 3 flags in 5 years with Ratten being Thompson and Ellard is Chaps.

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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.

We potential can lose 3 of the next 5 leaving us at 7-5 prior to the bye, with Hawks, Pies, Roos and Bulldogs straight after. Considering we haven't had long winning streaks in a very long time, the odds of another 3 loses after the bye are strong, at that point 8 loses in the season is tough to make top 4.

IMO we will know if we are going to finish top 4 by Round 15. So i ask the question, if our loses continue to exhibit the same patterns, who would support a change of coach mid season?

Top 4 is the target, our window is meant to be open. Now I'd expect some posters to say who would take over? Well there's a Premiership coach who has limited time on his Channel 7 gig in front of the mic (Premiership Player, Premiership Coach), there's some coaches about to get a chance up North when Vossy and McKenna are sacked. I would also like to think the players would be on notice, of course that could go either way, but fresh ideas might be the missing ingredient?

Anyway, its all hypothetical at this point, but worth thinking about IMO.

Amazingly difficult gig, being a senior AFL coach. Seems to be getting harder all the time.

I think you need intelligence, confidence, the ability to impose your will on others, a broad curiosity, a questioning mind, and the ability to make sound decisions in the heat of the moment.

These qualities can come from any level of player, from gun to hack.

I think the next Gun player to coach a Premiership will be Buckley. I've met him several times, read a fair bit about him, and talked to others who've dealt with him. Don't believe this figjam bs, he's impressive and his thinking is a lot broader than see-ball/get-ball/use-ball.

I've always said that I don't think Ratten is smart enough to be a great coach, and I stand by that. Doesn't mean he isn't a great Carlton person. Just that he doesn't have all the tools (IMO). A bit like Vossy.

Ratts should be judged on "What happens next..........."

Meaning, we've been woefull for the past 4 games and haven't looked like changing much. If tomorrow we come out and dish up that same half-assed crap again then clearly we ain't going far and would be unlikely to improve further.

Ratts needs to make some changes to both the team and the way it plays.

I'll make judgement then.

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"
- Aristotle

And.........?

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

An excellent discussion..

Player resolve and how the coach can influence this is the pivotal issue that stands between Carlton and a flag...

This is something that it in his hands, and the coaching position stands or falls on this very thing.

At the start of the season with good early results - you give the coach benefit of any doubt.

However this is something that has always formed a doubt in my mind.

As it stands right now - the worldline of the new young coach draws closer..

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My Blue Heaven

You really have no shame do you...

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

The only shame I have is for the club and where it is after todays result..

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My Blue Heaven