As impressive as it was to see Ratten achieve pretty much everything he was asked to achieve in the first few years, it was clear in his final year that the team was struggling as the hunted rather than the hunters.
Given what many thought of as Ratts' limitations, and the availability of Malthouse (maybe Roos), they chopped Ratts. Given our performances against Port and Gold Coast esp, not many people were really complaining at the time.
Many of us were aware of the mental fragility of our players (I HATED that after significant losses, players like Murph and Gibbs would simply wave it away b/c we just need to tweak a couple things and we'll be right next week, no worries...).
I was looking forward to Malthouse getting into their heads. He is known as a master psychologist-type coach and I thought he'd get our boys playing at their best week in, week out.

What has become painfully apparent, is that this mob of players does not have the mental toughness required to be a champion team. Under 3 different coaches, the same superficial attitudes have been evident. It probably has a lot to do with our club culture too - I cannot believe that all the players we recruit are naturally mentally weak. Must be about club culture, development etc...

I compare our response to losses with the disgust, anguish and contempt that you see on Selwood's face when he loses a single contest!!!

In any event, whatever the causes, it now appears that this group will not win a flag, esp considering the current rising younger teams incl GC and GWS.
I am not confident in our players, the Board or the coach. (Note: I am usually the most optimistic Carlton supporter pre-season and even before most games I convince myself that we are going to win... But I have been mugged by reality.)

My solution is this:
1) Replace the Board. I love Sticks and all that. I don't sheet as much of the blame to him as others. We know his strengths and weaknesses. I suspect he does too. I reckon a bigger problem are too many big swinging personalities in the Board room, each full of their own ambition, agendas and limited football nous. The key will be to find the right group, capable and with Carlton as their no.1 focus.
2) let Malthouse coach out his contract. Do not extend until midway through next season. Base this decision on results. If Port can improve as they did, and Stk can show promise as it has, we should be able to show marked improvement b/w now and 10 rounds into next season.
3) trade SOME of our high value players. Gibbs, Kruezer (if we can get 1st round pick for him and if we are not going to play him as no.1 ruck - he is not a forward). I would keep our other better players. We need some experience. Case by case basis.
4) Recruit/trade for proven big game players, not 'potential' guns with great skills but clearly lacking in an important aspect like 'if they can improve their tank, they could play midfield...'. If they are not dominating at junior level they will not dominate at senior level. Freaks aside (eg Fyfe, who no-one picked...)
5) put in place excellent development capability. Find out what works. And then implement it. With the right people and practices. This does not mean paying more money to someone from Geelong or the swans. Do the hard yards. Understand what makes it work.
5) if need to replace the coach, put a panel together made up of some people who have done this before and find someone with the mental edge, experience, insight, people management skills to perform well.
PS. I think Roos is also overrated.

I am devastated b/c with all our high picks and Judd arriving, I honestly thought we had the ability to win multiple premierships with this generation.

The only positive I can see is that things can turn around quickly. But things must change for that to happen.

Sorry Cheesy ol Pal, you are sounding like a board member now (funny that ) .

This guy is adding nothing (apart from marketing) and is costing $650ishK per season.

He's not a guy you can build a side around.

Looks like Mick has made this guy a promise that we've had to deliver on.

Another box ticked for Mick!

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I hope Essendon* folds.

'cheesy'
comedy gold jerry.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

watch the leadership of stkildas senior players last night and compare that to say a j waite etc

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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.

Pretty much sums it up perfectly

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James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

yes Carlton Clem, and quite a few here told us how good he was, and how he had his own ideas on coaching, which if given the chance might be great for our club.

I've said it a few times, but renewing MM's contract would be a disaster, mainly because of all the talent that would not work for us while he is head coach.
Not calling for him to go yet, we've wasted enough money, but am dead against renewal with him.

_________________
That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

You mean the same St Kilda leadership that did quit on the coach for the last two years?

Coaching issue.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

watch reiwoldt and hayes and then watch waite and murphy

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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.

I have watched them.

Watched them last year as well. Shows they play when they feel like it.

Coaching issue.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

3AW Football ‏@3AWisfootball 2m

Richardson re: leading teams being introduced this year: 'They've embraced it enormously.' #AFL

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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

3AW Football ‏@3AWisfootball 50s

Richardson: 'I want coaches suggestions in the box. If it appears I'm an emotional lunatic in the box, it's less likely to get suggestions.'

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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

How many coaches have our players quit on in the past decade... 3 with Mick?

Maybe they're waiting around for the right 'gameplan'...

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“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” ― Richard Feynman

Haven't lost to Melb since 2007, looks like we'll be waiting a bit longer.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Recon we should offer 1 year contracts for coaches from now on... if the players like what they see, we'll extend it by a year.

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“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” ― Richard Feynman

Nah, just give them to the right guys.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Not everyone with a contrary opinion (a more reasoned, sensible opinion, it must be noted) is a "plant".

You may revel in the possibility, but its just not reality.

Thought Thomas did some really encouraging things today. The bounce of the ball continues to elude him, but he kicked a lovely goal (the sort few of our players have seemed confident or capable of kicking recently) and genuinely competed and cracked in all day. Getting better.

Either way, pretty decent performance from Mick today - and all week, evidently. Got the guys up, picked a good team, delivered a good gameplan... Not bad at all.

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Whatever happened to this club
I wish I understood
We used to be so strong
We used to be so good

1-4
3-2 is a pass mark.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

depends who you play in those 5 games.

I would have thought that a 4:1 is a pass mark for Carlton's first 5 games

(If we had played the cats, hawks, freo in Perth, Sydney in Sydney and maybe a Port in Adelaide, the pass mark would be different - maybe 2:3 or even 1:4)

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Vice President, International Extreme Sarcasm Society (IESS)

I'd have lived with 3-2 and some efforts with backbone in the losses.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Judd has said in public, that one of the players he admires most in the league is Lenny Hayes. (funny how players usually respect the players they could never be themselves isnt Mr S?)

_________________
Vice President, International Extreme Sarcasm Society (IESS)