That's what I've heard - it's the same reason they'll try to appoint a big name (MM) instead of someone who is untried but who may be better - they are worried about the drop in membership.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

That would have to be the single dumbest reason anyone could concoct to drop the coach.

If Ratten goes for this reason then we are more of a basket case than I realized.

wish i could link but waite eyes top 4 article 2013 in heraldsun lol

It's not that we lost, it's the manner of the loss. Totally inept, as it often does with Sydney, the scoreboard flattered us. Poor systems and structure - no forward line, players turning inboard and expecting a teammate there and finding nobody, etc, etc.

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"I had to eat"

You think it would be for that reason alone? I thought our performances and player development (amongst other things) would contribute to the decision.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

Hmm... Sounds familier...

Reminds me of posters claiming a 10-15k drop in membership if ever Fev got traded - see viewtopic.php?f=35&t=26301&hilit=fevola+keep+membership&start=72

So why do you think we are a basket case?

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

Yep. Very simple and is of perfect sense whether we like it or not.
8 weeks ago I would have been surprised if Ratten had have got sacked and now I'd be shocked if he wasn't.

The performance on Saturday didn't do Ratten any favours either.
It was not for the fact we lost but for the lack of structure all over the ground. Not looking good.

This has to be our coaching staff fault im sure we have enough talent in our squad.

Yeah the fact we were promised top 4 and look like finishing top 12 is pretty damning for Ratts.

Membership is everything. Advertising, sponsors and endorsement deals are made on the back of membership numbers. It's the most crucial aspect to any club's front office.

It's plenty of reason to hire and fire anyone because of perceived failure.

ridiculous

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*(grow - fun - gah)

Yeah but whatabout your whataboutism.

How can you expect cohesion from a team that has barely played together?
9 of the 22 were basically NB players, a few of our best 22 are back from long layoffs, a stack of players haven't made 50 games yet, and the majority of those are hardly in double figures for AFL games!
And can I remind you that we weren't playing bloody GWS but the team that is currently the best in the competition
They're in ripping form and we're not the only side they've humbled this year.
Jesus Christ.


And for me the manner in which we lost wasn't so bad.
There was effort and intensity and that's what you'd ask for given the situation.
The organization will come with another preseason and the return of experienced players.


I should mention now however that if people are unhappy with John Barker they may have a case.
When he came over quite a few Hawthorn people were saying good riddance. It could be a coincidence, but Hawthorns forward line woes seem to have turned around since he left. Meanwhile at Carlton we've been plagued with a lack of structure up forward for the past two years.

Yes, even before the injury rot set in, when we lost we were absolutely pulled apart and molested. There's losses, and then there's losses. 98% of our losses have been of the really bad, not even put up a fight or have any idea what we're meant to be doing kind.

How did you rate 2011?
Did we have systems and put up a fight?

Look at the last 10 weeks of last year too...

We wernt anything special.

Actually we were nudged out of the four by the previous years wooden spooner.

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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.

Werent we 3 nil before the bombers game? Then lost 3 guys in the first 10 mins and from then we started getting pulled apart and molested and it got worse as the more guns were added to the injury list?

Anyway, Its all about results. We were silly to put our faith in the list we had. Too many fragile bodies and minds. We will need to do something about that now as it is obvious that our current list and best 22 will not take us deep into sept.

2011, okay but fell away.

We don't have any systems relevant to modern football, our development was non existent until injuries, any side in the top 8 picks us apart.

We do put up a fight which is some ways shows how bad we are playing.

As far as I am concerned the games against Essendon*, St Kilda, Adelaide, GWS and North were the most damning of Ratten's coaching this year.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Why is this so crazy?
By the start of next season I think we can be in an even better position than were were this year, when just about everyone on TC was crying out to just give us the cup.


-Cut the fat off the list. Russell & Bower spring to mind, but there are plenty I'm sure everyone has their favorites. ROK, Kerr, Davies. Whoever the club decides won't cut it. Do a big clean-out.
-Draft heavily with the extra list space. There is reputedly some very good talent in the top 12. We'll have a pick well within that range. Ready made mid anyone? And need anyone be reminded how 2nd and 3rd rounders + rookies can come good a lot faster than anyone anticipates.
-Trade. Lucas I'm sure would attract some interest. Hell, maybe even Duigan. He was good for us in 2010 but might be useful to a side like Port back in his home town. Get used to more frequent player movement, there's a new era coming.
-Manage injuries now. Anyone with niggles or in need of surgery gets wrapped up now the season is done, should be fine to start duties in November and be right for the season proper. How many of our best 22 were either missing or underdone coming into this year?
-Develop youngsters like Bell and McInnes, Tuohy, Casboult & Collins, and maybe someone can breakout a little like Mitchell, Carter, Buckley or Dale


Suddenly 2013 might be looking bright for the Blues. Also take note that shamefully uneven fixture favours teams who struggled the year before. Perhaps we'll be gifted a solid 5 wins against Melb, GWS & GCS the way Adelaide were this year and boom, we're on our way to finals already.

When we lost we were properly rolled. Similar issues to now. Kickouts, pressing, hand & foot skills failing under pressure were our achilles then, and are now. In 2011 we struggled against the well drilled, hard at the ball teams like Geelong, Hawthorn, Swans etc But now not only do we struggle against them, teams like Essendon*, WCE & the Saints can beat us by hard tagging Judd & murphy out of the game.

Our forward structure was better in 2011. Injuries have a role there. Walker, Betts and Garlett played in one game I can remember and that was when we thumped the pies and they looked lively.

I got no idea where we head to from here. I'm on the fence about Ratts. imo Barker the forward coach, our stoppage coach and our strength and fitness department all need to be replaced/ upgraded.