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Why? Because a group of supposedly bold and brash businessmen didn't have the balls to get rid of arguably the worst coach in the last 30 years of the Carlton Football Club.
Big call Clem, worse than Ian Stewart, worse than Jezza's second coming? Worse than Ian Thorogood? Has he lost the players in the manner Wallsy did in 89?
How good is our list. Is it the 8th best in the AFL, how about 10th, or how about the worst.??!! I am not a Pagan apologist, I have posted my share of anti Pagan stuff. But I am not a Mitch fan either. I actually think we have improved this year. I think we have been comptetitive most weeks which is not consistent with a coach who has lost the players. I think the young players have been handled well. I want Blackwell to be a gun in 2 or 3 years not a cripple from getting belted physically in a bottom side for 100 minutes a week. Setanta's development has been great. Totally Mitch? Or Terry D ADL, Franchina, McGrath, Elshaugh (who Setanta has suggested has been a great help). Who knows, but it is working. Does Russell deserve more game time? No, not till he learns to not drop his head in marking contests which I've seen him do a number of times in AFL and VFL. Who's responsible for Bryan's lack of intensity? Probably Bryan. Not sure about Smith getting promoted and only a few minutes, but I'm not convinced he is AFL standard and was surprised he was promoted. Maybe reward for hard work.
I don't like our chip, chip game plan, but then according to Smorgon that was developed to a great extent by the assistants. I did like our last 6 or so games when we went man for man.
Pagan can keep building the work ethic and tough tackling etc. We get a lot of new assistants. In 09 a new coach gets a team on the up. I don't want a few ex players and businessmen to put up money so their mate can get the job.
The unluckiest man in all this is Britts. He was a good strategist and match day thinker, would be a good assistant but unlikely.
And re the board over the last few days - it is 10 or so people with strong views trying to get consensus while considering all issues. Why wouldn't it take some time? Was it better when the clown Elliott made unilateral decisions over a crate of red wine?
Fact is until we get a good ruckman and several more classy midfielders we won't be going far, under anyone. Small improvement and good draft picks next year.
Maybe Pagan was never going to be sacked. But the Board have certainly put a rocket up him. He is no fool and no he must adapt to survive, maybe he will.