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That a team with no money, 1 premiership (50 years ago), enduring decades of hardtimes, threats of merger, that can still stand tall behind a loyal supporter base and administration with desire to survive and succeed as a collective, will always have admiration from the football public for their character, morals and ethics.
What was Elloit's description of such a team?
Lesson: Don't throw stones. Don't take anything for granted. United we stand, divided we fall.
If you just read or recall some of the descriptions some supporters make of our own kids, you'll understand that we have a few ferals that belong to this club, and they're part of the club's make up, and also part of the problem. Do we need supporters that are devisive, or would we rather a united club with a smaller support base like The Bulldogs?
Some supporters who want to rid the club of our current board, also denigrate our players, and our sponsors. Do you think they're half full of half empty types? The board, fair enough at times like these (that's democracy), but I question their level of support, and the value of their support, when they slander our very own players (in a destructive manner) and sponsors (stupidly bighting the hand that feeds).
Some Carltonians have forgotten how to support their own players; it's the supporters who should take on some of the blame for the situation we're in. It's the supporters that can make a player feel stronger or weaker in challenging times, like we have now.
Rather than being understanding that kids need time to develop, and will make mistakes, some supporters take out their frustrations on our players; kids that haven't started shaving yet. Supporters should understand and embrace what the word support means, or else you're just trouble for this club in times like this.
Dictionary: Support: "to bear especially with patience or humility; endure; tolerate; to give help, strength, courage etc".
I admire those supporters, whether Saints or Doggies in their dark days, or our current real loyal supporter who stay at the ground till the final siren to clap off their players. To let the players know, they're not alone in all of this shit. This gives players something to play for, if not the coach. It's not always about the coach, but it's always about the supporters, who pay to watch their beloved team; win, lose or draw. Give them something to play for.
Constructive criticism is useful, but it's the degrading comments in the heat of the moment that show no compassion, empathy, or positive outlook, let alone support that are the bane of this club.
Let me remind you of some of the 'clever' thoughts of our very own posters who call themselves Carltonians:
We have read many a time to trade, or delist all of the following at times throughout the season. Doubts of the following players have been written and include: Walker (selection #2 not worthy because of his kicking), Russell (pick #9 not worthy because lacking courage), Kennedy (worthiness of #4 doubtful, hasn't shown anything; Hansen or Gumby is better), Thornton (dummy spits, can't play at FB, and was only a rookie), Houlihan (too soft and ineffective), Scotland (receiver and running around in circles to no effect, wastes possessions), Setanta (a failed experiment taking up a spot), Waite (hopelessly overvalued, can't stay on his feet), Fisher (what's the point in marking it if he can't kick), Stevens (shit player for the money he's on, B grader, trade him), Hartlett (hasn't shown anything, wont make it, and is lucky to be given a contract, trade him to SA), Carrazzo (can't kick), Blackwell (great courage, but lacks pace), Bentick (lacks pace and is a bad kick), Raso (is never going to make it, is too far behind, and too skinny), Betts (too small, only chases and tackles, looks lost), and they're all kids....and then there's the crap about Whitnall. Lappin, Fevola, Kouta...I mean there's the whole list barring the retreads, and those who have been in the system for many years, and failed to make a name for themselves.
The kids will develop, and they need encouragement as all kids do. They feed off our support. All the skill deficiencies mentioned throughout the year can be fixed. They're only kids. You only need to point out areas where players need improvement, and not call them 'shit'; that's so Richmondesque, but sorry to say, too many Carlton supporters are like this, for my liking. I love their passion, bit it's their inability to make a constructive criticism when I question their value to the club.
Let's not pretend that there are no warring factions at Carlton today. Lets get the gloves out, let them thrash out their vision, and may the best faction win. Lets get this bickering over and done with, once and for all. We have to put this to rest, and it wont go away whilst there is chaos bubbling away everyday. Short term pain for long term gain; how long can we let this continue?
We've got more quality kids coming onto the list from this year's draft. Lets support them too. Who cares if we take a punt on a retread or 2 in the PSD. Football is about punts (pardon the pun(t)). Lets start 2007 with a clean slate, a clear vision, and the type of support required to take this great big group of kids to success over the next decade in the Old Dark Navy Blue jumper.
We need good players, good administrators, good MC, good support staff, good facilities, good sponsors, and most of all good supporters. That's something we can learn from the poor old Doggies. Woof Woof.
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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue
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FAQ
- not to have young players sitting there for 100min after making an early mistake!!!
