MPH78 wrote:
This is an email I sent the club on Monday. Could've spent more time on it and been more eloquent but I think the message comes across. Sometimes I wish I didn't but I care about this club and it's soul destroying we're a basket case again.
With the public statements by Trigg and MLG, I figure there is no harm in posting this.
"Dear Mr Steven Trigg
My name is Mat and I’m a lifelong supporter and member.
A more passionate Carlton person you will not find. My own personal happiness is directly aligned to the performance and success of our team and club. Just ask my wife, friends and work colleagues.
To be a true power club again and have ongoing and sustainable success is my single biggest wish.
I stood by the club throughout the dark years of 2002 – 2007, which were soul destroying to say the least.
I was present at Friday night’s game with my 10 year old son (soon to be 11) who was ‘Born A Blue’. To be frank, I was absolutely disgusted and alarmed with what I witnessed. Reminded me of those dark times, which are all too fresh in the memory. My son turned to me at 3 quarter time with tears in his eyes and said ‘Dad can we go now, I can’t take this anymore’.
How can we find ourselves in this position again and so soon? Sobering thought, isn’t it? This is an indictment on the club and all those that have held positions of power over this time.
Who is accountable for this? Will the Board publicly take responsibility for the strategies and decisions they have taken that have lead to the club being in this dire position again?
The Key Drivers for Success are just words. Heard these and similar before. Meaningful change and tangible evidence of improvement are required.
Winning games has to be part of any measurement of success. Especially after the poor seasons of recent years.
Consider the following:
· - The unacceptable performances in the first two games come after the club and players have publicly announced they are fully united and have established new standards and a culture of professionalism and excellence.
· - To start well but then show zero response when challenged in listless performances that lack basic team spirit, teamwork and competitiveness.
· - The stark lack of any on field leadership.
· - This is the 3rd season in a row where the season is effectively over in the first few weeks. How can these types of performances continually be dished up and tolerated?
· - How other clubs seemingly in the same tier have surpassed us in one offseason with elite young talent coming through and performing well (eg Port in 2014, Bulldogs this year) when we’ve had 3 under the current regime. Our better players are still our more experienced ones and our depth and talented youth is thin at best.
· - How many times the club has found itself in this position since the start of 2012. Do you think the members and supporters are just going to stand for it time and time again? We’ve heard all the words from the players and coaches about what’s required but it’s the actions on field that count.
· - The club has effectively wasted the ‘Judd era’ with substandard recruiting and development.
· - The club has not had meaningful success for 20 years and has failed to do what’s required in the modern age to be successful. While the same board members and powerbrokers are involved with the club in positions of influence, this will not change.
In short, I am heartbroken and gutted that the club is in this position again.
I have lost complete faith in all those at the club and sadly see very little hope for success in the immediate, short and medium terms. Especially when considering how the club has been mismanaged during this wasted era. How could we have any confidence in the club’s capability to turn this around?
I trust you’ll recognise when you have core members and supporters feeling like this, the club has serious problems. I doubt I’m alone in my thoughts.
I thought long and hard about whether to compose and send this email. I know the likelihood is it will be ignored and make no difference to the club whatsoever. However I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t do something, no matter how small, because the sad reality is this once great club is dying.
I would welcome a response and look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Mat"
That was the email I sent the club after the West Coast game back on page 25. Long story short, received a personal call from Steven Trigg today. He first called last week and left a message and we've been playing phone tag since.
First of all, massive kudos for taking the time to call. Much respect for doing that alone. Certainly didn't expect it.
We had a great, in depth discussion today. I was pleasantly surprised by how open he was. Covered pretty much everything that I raised above.
Out of respect and courtesy to Steven, I'm not going to post the specifics and details of the discussion. That would be highly inappropriate imho. Other than to say that he 'gets it'. He knows what's required to fully rebuild the club properly, on and off field, and that he wont encounter internal obstacles in achieving this.
I'm still gutted and heartbroken about where the club is at. There's no denying we are in for some serious pain in the short term at least. But I must admit that I felt a lot better after the conversation today.
Of course, time will tell and actions speak louder than words. But I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and see what transpires.
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