Indeed. The rebirth came on the back of a man who was able to instill some confidence and process off field, and a raft of young kids who started to make an impact on the field, yielding some results.

The question in my mind is are we doing everything we can to set us up for a sustained period of excellence AND win Premierships AND become an off-field powerhouse (membership, financial, culture etc). Look at the previous Premiers and see how they got that so right - Brisbane, Sydney, Geelong and Collingwood. Hawthorn made difficult, major decisions on and off the field, much initially driven by a board member (Dunstall). It included a change of president, change of coach (with thorough selection process) and major financial initiatives that boosted coffers and membership.

I think what Josh is pointing out very strongly is what a lot of us have been saying on here for a while, that the systems we need to become a powerhouse are not where they need to be (eg the process that gave Ratten the job, twice extending Ratten's contract when it wasn't necessary, the process that would have given Voss the job had he wanted it, appointing a coaching panel with mostly no experience, giving favour to ex-Carlton people (look at Geelong's appointment of Scott, being a favourite son was irrelevant) etc). At the end of the day, it is the Board which is resposible for those decisions. Even if Swann makes a decision himself, the Board still needs to ratify such appointments. Had the Board not prematurely extended Ratten's contract, he almost certainly wouldn't be coach going into 2011. That says something.

Josh's passion comes from his frustration at what he sees as the shortcomings at the Club that have yet to be addressed. Ditto Synbad. I have always found Josh to be a very rational, reasoned poster. His passion and frustration is much more evident of late, and seems to have aroused the ire of some on here. I think I understand where that frustration is coming from, for I too share it. It is the knowledge that we have a golden opportunity over the next 5-8 years to win a Premiership, hopefully more than one. But we need to do everything right to make that happen, on field and off. If we don't get the right decision makers in place, to drive this Club the way it needs to be driven, we will turn around in 10 years time and be shattered that we had some of the best talent in the competition but couldn't win a flag. My father, who has been watching Carlton play for 70 years, does not believe we have the right people in place, starting with the President.

It is absolutely imperative NOW that we have the right people making the right decisions and implementing the right processes. There is an urgency now that wasn't there 5 years ago because now is the time we need to be capitalising and winning Premierships. I do not believe that Kernahan is the right person to be President, and I have stated that numnerous times on this forum since I joined in its previous incarnation. I have no idea about the rest of the indivuduals on the Board, other than it seems there are too many on it. But the Board as a whole has endorsed a number of decisions that I think were not in the best interest of the Club. Recent appointments of assistant coaches are IMHO much better decisions, so hopefully the Board is learning. But we no longer have 5 years to learn and get it right, we must get it right now.

As for the coach, this has been debated at length. I haven't seen anything in 3 years that tells me he has what it takes to get us to be a serious contended. I hope that changes. But right now, I have more confidence in what Melbourne is doing on and off field to win a Premiership and set themselves up, than what we are.

This is my view. It mirrors Josh's view, and Synbad's view, and the views of many others on here. My frustration is growing rapidly, because I don't want us to muck up a golden opportunity. It seems to me that Josh has the same frustration.

There's no right or wrong until history judges it so.

Considering that the assistant coaches have direct input into our players' development I'd hope a rigorous interview process has been the policy all along.

I would not think for a minute that Richardson had to apply for the job and was judged against other candidates through an interview process. He would have been head hunted, this is the role, we want you, do you want us?
That's the process.

The same process that delivered Pagan and would've delivered Voss.

I'VE HAD A BEER WITH DOC SHERRIN

Indeed. The rebirth came on the back of a man who was able to instill some confidence and process off field, and a raft of young kids who started to make an impact on the field, yielding some results.

The question in my mind is are we doing everything we can to set us up for a sustained period of excellence AND win Premierships AND become an off-field powerhouse (membership, financial, culture etc). Look at the previous Premiers and see how they got that so right - Brisbane, Sydney, Geelong and Collingwood. Hawthorn made difficult, major decisions on and off the field, much initially driven by a board member (Dunstall). It included a change of president, change of coach (with thorough selection process) and major financial initiatives that boosted coffers and membership.

I think what Josh is pointing out very strongly is what a lot of us have been saying on here for a while, that the systems we need to become a powerhouse are not where they need to be (eg the process that gave Ratten the job, twice extending Ratten's contract when it wasn't necessary, the process that would have given Voss the job had he wanted it, appointing a coaching panel with mostly no experience, giving favour to ex-Carlton people (look at Geelong's appointment of Scott, being a favourite son was irrelevant) etc). At the end of the day, it is the Board which is resposible for those decisions. Even if Swann makes a decision himself, the Board still needs to ratify such appointments. Had the Board not prematurely extended Ratten's contract, he almost certainly wouldn't be coach going into 2011. That says something.

Josh's passion comes from his frustration at what he sees as the shortcomings at the Club that have yet to be addressed. Ditto Synbad. I have always found Josh to be a very rational, reasoned poster. His passion and frustration is much more evident of late, and seems to have aroused the ire of some on here. I think I understand where that frustration is coming from, for I too share it. It is the knowledge that we have a golden opportunity over the next 5-8 years to win a Premiership, hopefully more than one. But we need to do everything right to make that happen, on field and off. If we don't get the right decision makers in place, to drive this Club the way it needs to be driven, we will turn around in 10 years time and be shattered that we had some of the best talent in the competition but couldn't win a flag. My father, who has been watching Carlton play for 70 years, does not believe we have the right people in place, starting with the President.

It is absolutely imperative NOW that we have the right people making the right decisions and implementing the right processes. There is an urgency now that wasn't there 5 years ago because now is the time we need to be capitalising and winning Premierships. I do not believe that Kernahan is the right person to be President, and I have stated that numnerous times on this forum since I joined in its previous incarnation. I have no idea about the rest of the indivuduals on the Board, other than it seems there are too many on it. But the Board as a whole has endorsed a number of decisions that I think were not in the best interest of the Club. Recent appointments of assistant coaches are IMHO much better decisions, so hopefully the Board is learning. But we no longer have 5 years to learn and get it right, we must get it right now.

As for the coach, this has been debated at length. I haven't seen anything in 3 years that tells me he has what it takes to get us to be a serious contended. I hope that changes. But right now, I have more confidence in what Melbourne is doing on and off field to win a Premiership and set themselves up, than what we are.

This is my view. It mirrors Josh's view, and Synbad's view, and the views of many others on here. My frustration is growing rapidly, because I don't want us to muck up a golden opportunity. It seems to me that Josh has the same frustration.

I agree BM. This is our moment. I reckon top 4 has to be the aim

Also do not forget it was not that long ago that many were keen for us to move to the Gold Coast in oreder to 'save' the club.