It's been Hirdented

If the bombers get away with it we should definitely start our own drugs program. Pandora 's box is opening.

Oh, so that's how Hirdy has so many kids.

We would get caught and made an example of, unlike those pure perfect Bombres.

Just a reminder of how long it's been:

Given we have to replace most of our best players within the next 4 seasons: Judd, Simpson, Walker, Scotland
and it takes 3 seasons for a youth policy to bear fruit &
If everthing goes well with recruitment
Start challenging 2017
5 year premiership Window
2020 - 21 is about as soon as possible for a flag
We are going to have to live off constant improvement

It's not the age that first comes to mind, it's the stark contrast in terms of quality and character between then and now.

_________________
Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

We didn't have a single dud that year, did we?

_________________
WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

They need to the taken to the Wizard of Oz and get some hearts.....

I wouldn't stop there.

_________________
Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

I count 6 players there (a third of the starting 18) as greats of the modern game: Kernahan, Bradley, Williams, Silvagni, Madden, Koutoufides. Then behind them there's McKay, Ratten, Campo, Brown, Dean and Christou. That's a bloody impressive best-dozen players, coached by one of the greats.

And the players behind them... Rice, Sexton, Hanna, Spalding. This was a tough, talented team. I'm glad I enjoyed it at the time, because we're a shadow of that now.

Tough AND talented. Fraser Brown sums that up for me: good enough to kick 7 goals in a game, but as hard as nails. Ratten and Williams too. Who do we have with both those attributes?

boy couldn't we do with a few of those soldiers right now.... *sigh*

Yep completely agree with that.

And it was an exquisitely balanced team too. Stars on every line. No real hole in that team.

_________________
The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned
In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect

#DopeThenStash

Although i dont post much, I read this forum a lot. A couple of years ago, I used to hate your posts and think you were completely wrong about your views on Sticks and Ratten and the Carlton board. As time has gone on I have seen more and more that you are right. It pains me to see this (once) great club so mediocre that we struggle both on and off field. It is already 18 years since our last premiership and 14 years since our last appearance in a GF and 13 years since our last top 4 finish. Off the field, other lesser clubs have flown past us as far as membership, sponsorship, revenue, and profit goes. Clubs like Collingwood, Essendon*, Hawthorn, Geelong, and even recently Richmond (oh dear). I am worried we are going to enter (or already have entered) the zone Richmond suffered with for the last 30 years and that Melbourne are currently going through now. The problem that I see with both these clubs is that they tried to take short cuts. Sacking and hiring coaches, a history of recycled players resulting in poor performances.

I believe Carlton need to conduct a thorough independent review from President to waterboy and including every role in between. Get the absolute best to do this. Someone with no agendas. Someone with a proven track record and experience. The absolute best. If these people decide Sticks is doing a great job and their is no one better then so be it. If they believe he is inept, then move him on and vote in the best. Carlton can no longer afford to take shortcuts. We need to get out of the wilderness.

I am behind your idea of an independent review. What needs to happen to get this done? As a member I am even happy to donate to the cause. I just want to see a powerful Carlton Football Club again.

I am not sure how much the Pratts put in. I think the main value was when Richard came onboard in 2006 which helped with organisation, money etc. I would have thought Bruce Mathieson puts in more money. I don't like the practice of buying seats on the board though. Jeannie Pratt, son in law Geminder and Craig M (I think) got seats without being elected. People will say that the elections are Mickey Mouse but if you want to be on the board at least have some respect for the club by getting elected. We are the plaything of a number of rich people, some of whom only have a moderate interest in footy. I wish Mike Fitzpatrick would come back as pres and bring new people with him. Surely there is someone with the passion, the skill, the money to come in and run us like a third millenium club.

And Sticks has to go, great footballer, great clubman, great Carlton man....but he was on the committee when we were giving up draft picks for duds, running up massive debt, putting together a wooden spoon list. cheating the Salary cap and getting caught. He was closely involved in appointing and sacking in contract our last three coaches. His period on the committee had coincided with probably the worst period in our history. I hate the way we have squandered the chance to draft a great side under a great young coach, but we have. So we start again, and we need to start from the top. I'd love there to be a new, credible challenge to the board and I think Swan's time is up. I agree with Mickstar's harsh opinion of him.

I was so lucky to be a Carlton supporter from the late 60s to the late 90s, but now we are living the reality of most supporters of most clubs. The Cats went 43 years before they got the current dynasty. It could be a long wait folks. Still, it could be worse, my older brother barracks for Melbourne, glad I didn't let him talk me into that when I was an impressionable youngster.

Two words "MAN LOVE!"

Our successful teams of the late 70's early 80's were a bunch of scullywags that would run through a brick wall for one and other.

You've got to want to play together, bust a gut on the field together, sacrifice for your teamate and enjoy the win together......Infectious!

Our current team is a team of selfish individuals.

LOVE IS ALL!!!!!!!!!

_________________
"The Ox is Slow but the Earth is Patient" and don't forget it!

Sticks is prez cos noone can do better...

_________________
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.

1) Better assistant coaches - especially midfield
2) We've made a significant recruiting change so hopefully that starts to bear fruit
3) Player development
4) Players. Need players w heart. Self-motivated ok but really need team motivated players. like johnstonor hunter - guys who would rather die than let their teammates down or let the opposition get the ball or clean disposal Eg. Sydney players.
I'd rather recruit a Kieran jack than a buddy franklin.

this young man had a dream... to tae the best club in australia and run it into the ground...

and he did it...!!!

_________________
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.

Great and heart-felt post. This club needs a jolt to start moving in the right direction. Something like Sticks standing down, like right now, would be a great and gutsy start. But it won't happen. We have missed a generation of kids with the crap we've dished up the last 13 years, and risk losing another one and joining the ranks of the Dees and Bulldogs if we don't act soon.