And this is the myth from where I sit.

He may well, let's face it, it's not a case of "may", he does have the contacts and clout to at least have the right people hear what he has to say, but at that level, who doesn't?

Shit, on Thursday morning, I assembled 20 brilliant business minds in Australia and the UK for a 3 hour presentation. Does it mean I'll be able to get them to fork over millions of investment dollars into my company??
They need to see or at least have faith in a somewhat guaranteed return before they do.

But this notion of the public and private sector all of a sudden redirecting investment away from their own strategic vessels and into Carlton just because Pratt is there, is complete bollocks.

You will probably land some decent sponsorship, but there's only one thing that will determine if companies get the required return (and commercial reality is EVERYTHING in today's market) and that's continued on-field success.

Now hear this: I have no doubt that clubs can be turned around in 2-3 seasons quite smartly - I saw it at my own - I just think it is dangerous, given your recent experiences with "saviours", to simply assume Pratt will influence some miraculous recovery and the bad days are over effectively immediately.

Apart from bigger personal wealth (splitting hairs once it gets past a few hundred mil, mind you), I see no difference between what Smorgon and Pratt have to offer at this stage.

I agre with most of what you said ADP other than your last paragraph. I would suggest the Pratt would have it all over Smorgan in terms of business acemen and the ability to make things happen - and not for personal interests either.

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

I'd say he does too. In fact, I know he does.

This is a good start for Carlton.

The only thing that will stifle his influence is the fact that the AFL is not a free market like what he is used to at VISY and when he was involved with Carlton in years gone by.

I know...pathetic wasn't it.

Carlton fans indeed see what they want to see...

But you didn't have the resources to give them a $20,000,000 order.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

And Pratt has basically committed to putting in a 7 figure sum.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

And if you are so obtuse as not to see what Pratt can do - I hope you didn't charge those 20 business luminaries from Australia and the UK too much for your advice.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Thats Crap ADP if continued on-field success was the criteria collingwood would not have had the sponsership support that they have attracted in the last decade. The sole reason that Collingwood has had that success comes from a very high profile Media and yes even i have to admit smart president in Eddie McChins. Many of collingwoods sponsers are directly linked to the Eddies prowess with the Footyshow and Channel Nine identity so cut the crap on On-field success. And if The Blues gain success in sponsership and off-field support over the next 12 months it will be due again to one Person regardless of how much involvement Pratt puts in you can make dam sure he will put in people in all areas of the club that fix up the past issues something that wasnt propely done under previous administrations.

There are 2 ways to achieve improving the clubs profile agreed onfiled success and Off-filed leadership and having a mover and shaker running the club

Current / Previous last 5 Years
Collingwood - On-field - some / Off-field Yes Eddie McChins
Blues - On Field - no / Off-field No Smorgo

Changes
Blues - On-Field - will improve / Off-Field Yes now with Pratt

Why Pratt - High Profile / Has Club association from the past / Is a very dynamic leader with very high respect in most circles / Has contacts and why will people gravitate to him because they now feel comfortable with the person behind the helm of the Blues now. The Imidiate Impact of Pratt in just this week has put a completely different feel for the carlton Football Club.

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CFC TAC Squad everyone over 25 must be traded sounds like Loguns Run

ADP according to our budget for 2007 if we hit 32k members we will cashflow neutral this year are come 2008 being able to reduce the debt we have with the NAB as well as the AFL and training facilities funds. We already have Directors working on raising this money in the short term as well as increasing the number of Tier 4 sponsors we have.

This is all without Dick Pratt's money. So what does Dick Pratt bring that Smorgon couldn't? Trust and Respect from the supporter base, sponsors and and well credentialled administrators to rival that of Collingwood and the Interstate clubs.

Considering we have signed approx 1000 members in 24 hours since the Pratt announcement the IMO the target of 32k to break even will be smashed, so if the budget plays out as it has been proposed then we make a profit come end of year all without any money from Pratt.

Now if Pratt decides to put money in and his allies follow his lead, what do we use that money for? Clear the NAB debt so cash profits are increased further? Invest into marketing and recurring revenue streams?

Then you have to take into account when we actually start playing finals in the next few years and the ability of the club to demand more money from top tier sponsors for the FTA coverage we will get, Carlton within 3 years like Collingwood will be a superpower again.

There is nothing like the 80's at Carlton, never will be again. Maybe you ask Eddie about the calibre of contacts Pratt will bring to the club.

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

ADP according to our budget for 2007 if we hit 32k members we will be cashflow neutral this year. Come 2008 the forecasted profits will enable us to reduce the debt we have with the NAB as well as the AFL and training facilities funds. We already have Directors working on raising this money in the short term as well as increasing the number of Tier 4 sponsors we have.

This is all without Dick Pratt's money. So what does Dick Pratt bring that Smorgon couldn't? Trust and Respect from the supporter base, sponsors and and well credentialled administrators to rival that of Collingwood and the Interstate clubs.

Considering we have signed approx 1000 members in 24 hours since the Pratt announcement the IMO the target of 32k to break even will be smashed, so if the budget plays out as it has been proposed then we make a profit come end of year all without any money from Pratt.

Now if Pratt decides to put money in and his allies follow his lead, what do we use that money for? Clear the NAB debt so cash profits are increased further? Invest into marketing and recurring revenue streams?

Then you have to take into account when we actually start playing finals in the next few years and the ability of the club to demand more money from top tier sponsors for the FTA coverage we will get, Carlton within 3 years like Collingwood will be a superpower again.

There is nothing like the 80's at Carlton, never will be again. Maybe you ask Eddie about the calibre of contacts Pratt will bring to the club.

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

I know what he can do, I just don't understand this notion that we should all be scared about it. All I've heard from Carlton fans in the past couple of days is how "scared I should be" and them pretending everyone fears them all of a sudden.

Cripes, look how cashed-up Collingwood are!!

Fat lot of good it's doing for us!

Mind you, we've spent the last few seasons developing a bullet-proof infrastructure that will take most others 4 - 6 years to build.

Now if only we could buy players...

...like they could in Pratt's day...

that's the point ADP

cashed up collingwood = regular finals and regular runner-ups

cashed up carlton = flags

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

All of our big deals were signed or renegotiated after making the GF in 2002.

The two mechanisms that govern football are the salary cap and the draft. Get your footy dept right and that is how any fan will measure how good Pratt's been for Carlton.

Mind you, if he get's positive energy flowing, like he seems to be, then it makes opening the papers easier for you as well and the overall fan experience better.

Priority #1...as in, first thing Monday morning - Pay out Pagan.

Refer second sentence in my post directly above.

Then take it to your own festering board. They're the ones who have nothing else to talk about but Carlton.

We have 9 actual 1st round picks, Walker, Wiggins, Murphy, Kennedy
Russell, Bower, Gibbs, Grigg and Hampson. You could say we actually have 10 if you take into account Kade Simpson. In the early part of 2003 Simpson was rated very highly and was expected to go in the first 5.

However, He got injured and his form dropped off. Hawthorn were red hot to get him at pick 37, but we got in first with pick 35. He may well turn out to be one of the best pick 35's ever. Also, don't forget that Fev was pick 38 and look how he has turned out.

Can you smell the resurgence?

For someone who's not nervous about the Navy Blue phoenix you're doing a lot of talking ADP.

Other clubs change presidents - no-one gives a shit.

Carlton name a new president - suddenly nervous tongues on opposition forums are wagging like mad.

Enjoy the current status quo while it lasts ADP - number 17 is coming like a steam train.

Thatandyoucanpissoffandletmebeoptimisticforthefirsttimeinfiveyears

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

Wonder if the brown paper bags will make a comeback? Pratt should be able to get a pretty good deal on a bulk order ....

No-one is scared of Carlton.

Just people have some respect now.


Realistically a premiership is 5 years away at Carlton. Another year down the bottom to get another crop of good kids through, then two years to get some games under their belts and then a year in the finals for experience.

I know ... we've been through the same process.


If Pratt completely bails the club out, then the financial turnaround will happen within two years.

But if he wants some value for money ... which every businessman does ... and which comes in the form of on-field success ... then the financial turnaround may take a while longer ...


You are kidding yourselves if you think that in 12 months Carlton will have a sound balance sheet, money in the bank and on-field success.

There is more pain yet.



2002 = 24 points, 43 points
2003 = 12 points, 91 points
2004 = 108 points
2005 = 80 points
2006 = 92 points
2007 = if trends continue, then around 65 points.

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Go Saints

Keep telling yourself that.

How's that premiership window coming along? Nearly shut yet?

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.