A great article about how Carlton are on the way up and Collingwood aren't. Especially liked the great mans comment that Pagan is the sole frontman and Walker will be a 200 game player.

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2005/04/08/1112815727082.html

Blue horizon for Magpies
By Robert Walls
April 9, 2005




Coaches are protective of their records. That's why I admire Mick Malthouse and Denis Pagan for taking on wooden-spoon clubs when they crossed to Collingwood and Carlton. Both had come off 10-year stints, where they had each coached two premiership teams and multiple top-five finishes.

Malthouse did it with West Coast, where his success rate was 64 per cent. Pagan did it with the Kangaroos; eight times his Roos finished in the top five to give the coach a winning 62 per cent.

Both were prepared to put their reputations on the line to take over sunken ships. Now into his sixth season with the Pies, and despite being runner-up in two grand finals, Malthouse's success rate with the black and white sits at 49 per cent.

He coached superbly to get a limited team into two play-offs. He did not coach well in the second grand final (2003), and has struggled since, the Pies winning eight and losing 16 games.

In a month, Malthouse will coach his 500th AFL game. For 22 successive years he has carried the major responsibility at a football club. It can wear you down. With the Magpies missing their chance and seemingly in decline, you wonder whether Mick has the energy and intensity to turn things around.


For Pagan, going to Carlton was a dream that quickly turned into a nightmare. The Blues thought they had hit rock-bottom at the end of 2002 when they enticed Pagan from Arden Street. But there was worse to come.

Huge debt, a sullen, ageing playing group and most importantly, a ban on draft selections, courtesy of salary cap cheating, meant that Pagan's hands were severely tied.

But he gamely persisted. After 18 losses in his first year, massive changes were made. Last year, with ordinary talent but great spirit, the wins rose to 10. A Wizard Cup trophy and a stirring comeback win over Essendon* last week have given Blues supporters hope for 2005.

Pagan, who turns 58 in September, is the oldest in the game, but retains an enthusiasm few others match. Having to wait until age 45 to get a senior job means it is much appreciated.

Today, in Rivalry Round, these coaches meet for the 23rd time. Last week, Pagan squared the ledger 10-10 with Kevin Sheedy. This afternoon, his record against Malthouse should stretch to 13-10.

Their records with their present clubs stand at 49 per cent for Malthouse and 32 per cent for Pagan. I suggest that in the next two seasons, Mick's will fall and Denis' will rise. With only two games played, this is how the 2005 teams measure up.

GAME PLAN

Collingwood over-possess the ball. Too much handball and short passing, not enough long kicking. Too many players run wide to take ineffective, uncontested possession. The Magpies average 33 disposals a goal - the highest in the competition. Carlton's average is 19 disposals a goal (third-lowest). It does not over-possess the ball (second-lowest in handballs) and kicks more long balls than short.

STOPPAGES

In their grand final years, the Pies thrived on clearances from ruck stoppages. Now they don't. Last year, they finished bottom-four in clearances and put on the fewest tackles. The trend continues into 2005. This is a team that no longer relishes a contest. This year, the Blues are top-three in hit-outs, clearances and tackles, mostly attributed to Barnaby French's improvement in the ruck and Anthony Koutoufides' and Nick Stevens' courage and competitiveness at ground level.

MIDFIELDS

Nathan Buckley has carried his team's midfield for a decade. Paul Licuria, Scott Burns, Shane O'Bree and Shane Woewodin have given solid support but as a group, they are waning. They lack foot speed and the foot skills to blow teams away. More importantly, who is going to replace them? Carlton's mids are seasoned veterans in Koutoufides, Scott Camporeale, Matthew Lappin and Stevens. They have maintained their dash and can hit targets. Heath Scotland, given game time and confidence, continues to improve, while Andrew Walker should be a 200-game player for the Blues.

KEY FORWARDS

What a difference two years can make. Back then, Anthony Rocca and Chris Tarrant were hot Pies, while Lance Whitnall and Brendan Fevola were on the skids. Pagan persisted, and the Carlton duo are now fit, flexible in the positions they can play and prepared to work hard when they don't have the ball. They are team-oriented and can look forward to at least another five years of top-class football.

Not so the Magpies. Rocca tries hard but is well into the second half of his career and still huffs and puffs after a solid contest. Staying well inside the forward 50 and pushing Tarrant out could be the answer. Tarrant has not added one string to his bow since he started seven years ago. He is strictly a lead-into-space forward only.

KEY DEFENDERS

Both teams struggle for quality key back men. Carlton's hopes rest with Bret Thornton. He is the pick of the bunch. Luke Livingston and Digby Morrell are not good enough at this stage. David Teague is rock solid on the opposition's third-tallest forward. Perhaps as Jarrad Waite develops, he could be used at centre half-back.

Collingwood's best backmen are fast approaching their use-by date. Shane Wakelin and Simon Prestigiacomo do not have much left in them. James Clement is the Pies' best defender but while his mates struggle, he is increasingly being asked to play on bigger opponents. The Pies will be praying that a couple of the Cloke brothers step up. To get some dash and much-needed kicking penetration, the Pies could commit Ryan Lonie, who is at present floundering, to the centre half-back position.

FUTURE

The Blues are young, hungry and united, and looking forward to making their own history. Pagan is the sole frontman and his main purpose is to build a winning culture. Only a lack of talent will hold them back.

There is a look of frustration and anger about Collingwood. It's been 18 months since the coach had the team playing as he wants. We've seen the best of Buckley, Burns, Wakelin, Woewodin, Rocca, Chad Morrison and Blake Caracella. And few of the younger brigade have class stamped on them.

When talk turns to Collingwood, it centres on Eddie McGuire, Buckley, Malthouse and movie stars. It's time it turned to Nick Maxwell, Julian Rowe and Travis Cloke - the future.

How do statistics from 2 rounds of footy really indicate a trend?
Stuff like this from Wallsy really pisses me off.
What happens if Richmond win today and are in the 8?
A 66% winning record with good statistics to match.
How good a team will they be?

Big on content and lacking in true insight.
Some of Wallsy's stuff is really sub par these days.
Articles like these have a habit of biting you on the arse.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

seems abit rought their BV

i tend to agree with mos that he says.

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Got to love the stare Down by Setanta on Llyod

Collingwood have been coming under a bit of scurtiny this week and if we beat them convincingly the knifes will be well and truely out.

Maybe they should change the name of thier energy bars from Winner bars to Loser bars

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A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" -Winston Churchill

L.M 35-06

I think the comments Wallsy makes are based on the second half of last year as well as the first 2 matches this year. The sense of going nowhere started then for the Pies, and if we're really lucky will only continue.

I can guarantee one thing, my Grandfather, a life-long Filth supporter, would have already written 2005 off based on the first 2 matches.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Lets reassess at 5.00pm Prez.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

that appears to be your only concern though.

What would you say if it was written by Tony Shaw (can he write?)

i agree with your sentiments, but i also generally agree with everything he wrote, and i will still agree if we win or lose, we are in a far better psotion than the pies are at the moment, and over the next five years will be far more successful as well but their is no need to give extra ammo to the opposition but they would hardly ask for his opinion after the event.

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Got to love the stare Down by Setanta on Llyod