I thin it is more about club culture than specific recruiters or players. Culture is about setting standards, promoting the right behaviours etc..

I agree that our recruits have turned out to be average-to-cr@p. The proof is in the pudding.
And I am v glad we have recruited Luke Williams from Geelong and think Malthouse will also change the nature of our recruiting by putting more focus on big game performers (D Thoms, Sidebottom) rather than purely talented kids (Yarran) who MIGHT turn into something amazing IF they build a tank, change their attitude and play midfield....

I don't think other teams have all the answers either: Where is Jordan Gysberts now? Both McLean AND Lucas have proven to be better. (Although I would have preferred to pick up Daniel Talia...).

It may just be that the teams with the best culture APPEAR to pick the best players when it is more about the culture getting the best out of players more consistently than the players or recruiters themselves.

Me too, in hindsight. Although the other part of my brain tells me we'd have turned him into another Austin or McCarthy.

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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

He was appointed interim CEO at the Bombers this year after Robson resigned.

There is something in this culture hypothesis. Does it not then make sense for MM to give our existing list a fair go in his new culture rather than just turning over massively our list as soon as he arrived as many have demanded?
I can see many green shoots emerging across a broad spectrum of players . They are not there yet , but i fully expect that improvement to continue next year. To list these players invites the inevitable tossers to nay say and drag the conversation back into the sandpit. The point is MM has already influenced our culture and our players are starting to respond. This already "improves" our list and "improves" our recruiting.
Is it a coincidence that under MM first year of influencing our drafting, that we get a Menzel? He is the sort of player we should have been trying for over the years. Those that think MM should have done more last draft are ignoring the mess that Alfred E Neuman left us with, salary cap wise. A heavily compromised draft meant that the opportunities were much fewer in the draft proper as well.
Temay is a concern, but jury is out due to injuries in his first year. Graham and cachia seem like reasonable selection given there draft positions and seem to be thriving under micks culture.

I thought Lucas was a fairly good get when we got him but it may have been Karma for not looking hard enough for KPPs. Talia on face value didn't appear perfect for our needs so we went for the 'versatile' option (again). However, Talia was always a better prospect than McCarthy and Austin (probably in that order) so we can't develop what we don't have.

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

I think MM is doing what you are suggesting for the most part. There are still a fair few left on the list with question marks.
I reckon he has cut those few he firmly believes do not have what it takes, physically or mentally. I am pretty sure none of those he cut were making a big impact even at VFL level. He has been far from ruthless.
The trade & draft will tell us a lot more about the direction we are going. And I believe character and culture will now be our priorities.

You'll be waiting a long time, 17th.

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

To change the culture?
Look, you are probably right but I don't think we are starting from scratch. I reckon our boys are a bit soft and seem to be happy with mediocre performances (compared with Joel Selwood who simply could not hide his disgust at losing the prelim... even after 3 premierships!).
However, our boys are not bad boys. Problem is they're too nice. We have some good role models: Judd's training, Murph, Simpson, Walker, Carrazzo, McLean, Kruezer, Duigan.
Mick needs to get into their heads and help them get vocal, passionate, intense.

I suspect we will see big changes from Round 1 next season.
We have now had a taste of Finals success and a week later learned how far off it we are against a depleted Swans outfit who tore us apart.
I acknowledge that I am overly optimistic but we do need belief: We need to believe that we belong. But we also need to believe that it means nothing if we don't bring 100% effort every time.

I can't help but wonder whether our captain will be doing any of the pitching to players we'd like to entice to come over. If so, we might be in trouble.

_________________
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

From what I have heard, Gunstan only had his eyes on the Hawks. Forget the exact details but I think he was close to one or two of the recruiting staff.

so at the moment,
shaw heads to GWS, leaving pies with money for thomas, we are out of the race.....
jessie white is heading to pies apparently, again miss out...
luke delaney is heading to the saints, again we miss out....
eddie betts is heading off to adelaide, thanks eddie...
dal santo is leaning towards the saints, again we miss out...
think you get my point, looks like no one likes the look of our club, not even dal santo!!!!!!!!!
so micky, whats up your sleeve???? didak, cross, staker??? please....
another trade/FA period were we do nothing.....
we put all our eggs into one basket and hope like hell it works out, this year its thomas....
hope we look at trading some players, its been stated before with the likes of,
ellard, robinson, curnow, cachia, bell, mclean and carrazzo all the same types, average skills and slow....
white and duigan, again lucky to be on a list..
can see it again next year, waite goes down, casboult, rowe and hampson all come in over the year,
with no impact at all..... not one would get a game at any other club, not even melbourne......
hope we add to our list, through the draft, FA and trade week...

We're in day 1 of the off-season....

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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

No, for number 17.

I view the culture issue as a bit of a chicken versus egg scenario depending on personal both off and on field. We all know the 'sow's ear' idiom and that there is a 'ceiling' on a player's potential.

Malthouse will make a difference but a change in culture requires changes everywhere and not just a coach that won't take crap. If not, then it's just rhetoric.

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

Thanks Andain...now let me go and have a cry

Geel, Syd and Haw are established/mature sides and probably why they've won recent premierships
Collingwood interesting... a premiership 3 years ago yet right up there with their young brigade

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

Who'd want Dal Santo anyway? he turns 30 in February.

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

Which is exactly why Betts can GAGF!
$400000 is more than good money for him

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

Interesting to read that the genius at Hawthorn who corralled all of those players from other clubs, to help make that Flag side the powerhouse it was; was Graham Wright, the ex C/wood player.

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

Carlton and trade week is crossing your fingers and hoping we don't end up with less picks than we started with, hoping our first pick isn't later than what we started with, hoping we don't pay overs for someone who doesn't fit where the list is currently at.

Unfortunately you can't be optimistic, even with the changes in personnel that occurred last year.

Smart planning, drafting and developing isn't in Carlton's DNA.

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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

Ask Josh Kennedy about loyalty. He committed 100% to Carlton and we couldn't wait to ship him off to get Judd. The kid wanted to stay and was told to pack his bags and piss off.
We've got supporters here calling the players weak, soft, gutless. Telling them to @#$%&! off. Wanting Malthouse to cut the guts out of the list.
And you want to tell a player to @#$%&! off because he wont take a $150,000 per annum paycut to stay.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.