BlueIce wrote:
From the article...
Without even realising it, he can divide a group very quickly and I'm yet to encounter an individual who verbalises his thoughts as immediately as Brendan does.
This trait can bring him unstuck, as was the case this year upon learning that he had been overlooked as acting captain in favour of the less-experienced Jarrad Waite. Brendan's disappointment manifested itself in him telling the senior coach that he might not make himself available for the coming game!
As much as I admire all that is good in Brendan, he has caused me considerable angst at various times. The antics he served up in the round-13 match against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval were simply unacceptable. Most disappointing was that Brendan had nobody to blame but himself.
In the days leading up to this game, Brendan was noticeably flat, hence the decision to send him to Perth a day ahead of the main travelling party. Sadly, Brendan's idea of freshening up involved a Thursday night outing to play cards at Burswood Casino.
Sending Brendan away from the club to contemplate his immediate playing future certainly cost Carlton a possible victory against Melbourne the following week. Yet for the club's long-term benefit, no other course of action was possible.
Mind you, not everyone agreed with Brendan's one-game absence. One senior player told me in no uncertain terms that the sanction should have been longer. <-- our leadership group isnt that big
Some interesting bits in that article and settles some of the rumours/innuendo that surrounded various incidents throughout the season