The problem Scott, is that is was a glaring weakness in 2020 that should have been addressed over the summer, not after round 11 in 2021.

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T E A M

The form of Dow, Kennedy and even SPS is an indictment on Teague.

Do we even know that LOB is no good??

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T E A M

I know LOB is no good so I'm sure the coaching staff know.

Correct.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Agree and is why we are effectively out of the money for finals this year because the work was not done or done properly over the preseason and only seemed to be sought to be rectified once review had been announced.

I may be just an unrealistic optimist (my wife would say I am) but I can't help thinking this game could have been a turning point. Performance is so much about attitude, belief, confidence. I felt there was a real shift in attitude in that last quarter, a feeling amongst some of the young guys that "shit, we can do this".

Yeah, I know Carringbush are crap, a quality team would have had the match wrapped up at half time, but they ran over the Tiges last week. You can't underestimate the flow on from a come from behind victory like that. Many had Dow, Kennedy, SPS written off. Look at how they go when played in their correct positions, let's see what O'Brien can do now. Oh, and when Crippa comes back don't give him too much time in the middle, let the kids play!

Collingwood are crap and so were we for nearly 3 quarters. Individual efforts got us across the line.

I bloody loved it.

But at the risk of being a softock(tm)... Coaching, game plan still huge concerns. Consistent with the whole year.

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Congratulations CK95

We are defending better since the bye. Last 1 1/2 qtrs the defence moved up, blocked the corridor and really put the pressure on the Pies, who buckled. As Harvey said, it was like a damn wall busting and they were powerless to stop it. Credit to the coach and players there. Game plans look alot better when they are allowed to function as they should, with players who are motivated to play to them. Without that game plans look horrible and non existent. We got a bit of both yesterday.

Can't argue with this assessment. I still have the 'gut feel' that Barker's resignation when the review was announced was no coincidence and I really do wonder how much of a say he did actually have in the final product.
People will probably raise the point that Teague should take more control and they are correct of course, but what if Barker knew he was backed by higher authorities and had was in the players ears? Politics aren't something you need in a football department and maybe just maybe we now have the circuit breaker.

I have to say, I do enjoy a good conspiracy though.

100% correct sir
The fact that it took media pressure and a review for DT to change tells me all I need to know

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

Again sir, you speak gospel truth...SPS was destroyed down back and Kennedy was being punished...for whatever reason

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

I don't disagree ... and that's the hard part ...

I think he can coach .. I think he has made some mistakes .. but I also thing he has learnt from them ...

Players are starting to play to a system and no matter who comes in has a role to play. Back six is starting to gel as there's stability in the line up.

It may have taken quicker to drill into players if we had facilities to train the gamestyle last year in Brisbane but just didnt have the facilities.

Signs are good and all key indicators point to an improving year on year profile which should hopefully give the club prime time slots next season.
I understand supporters want a leap of faith to top four in few games.

Realism escapes these people. We are on the correct trajectory - next step is to have a healthy list with all the big names playing most games and build cohesion between the lines.

Depth is fantastic and players starting to play to an attacking system understanding their roles.

Yes Pies did run over the Tigers previous week , perhaps there’s your answer , it may have taken plenty out of them.
Our boys were honorable, played 2 great quarters , but Pies looked spent from middle 3 & 4 quarters.
We did ignite and it was great to enjoy, but woeful 1st half.

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Go Blue Boys

Last week you were bemoaning the list now our depth is fantastic? We will only be on the correct trajectory if we finish 11-11 or better. We went 7-10 last year in a shortened season, so 11-11 is a reasonable expectation. And the lack of facilities last year didn’t seem to bother Essendon* and Sydney who gave managed to change their style dramatically despite Covid limitations. Stop looking for outs

An interesting observation I’ve had since Barker left is in relation to the baton being passed, by that I mean the emergence of a number of young players as leaders of this team, it may only be coincidence, but we have other evidence with our midfield now developing.

I know Teague has talked about it, but I’m really starting to see this team being driven by a few, namely Walsh, Weitering, Silvagni, Stocker in support of Cripps.

They all offer a hard edge and passion, but more importantly demanding the team to lift at times. I’m not sure I’ve seen this at Carlton since the early 90s.

Is this the core that will take us to the promised land? And how much has Teague had on influencing this change? Or am I seeing things?

Fair chance when we play a good side the system will fall over and we will lose again.

Coaching group have responded to a rocket up their arse

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Good post, Scott too. I find it tiresome that people who have made up their minds feel they need to blame every bad thing on the coach and credit every good thing to the players despite the coach. Nothing's black and white, unless you're a filth supporter.

We've shown some creativity to work through an injury crisis - look how terrible Freo were the other day, and how Richmond have gone off a cliff since injuries arrived. I also suspect our defensive plans for the season that centered around the forward press were undone by the late "stand" rule change - again, Richmond also struggled with this.