A relo of mine sent me this link to a crazy thread on Big footy, an hour ago, in particular a first post from CaptainCripps13. Have a look.
https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/bluemour-melting-pot-xxviii.1258531/page-26Quote:
This thread is insane. Has the start to the season been great? No. But it is a process. You do not go from worst team in the comp in 2015 to Premiers in 2021 if you want a sustained period of success. The Club was ripped apart from the ground up when Bolton came on. Some of the appointments have worked some have not. It is a continual period of growth and change. The goal (not communicated externally) was a flag by 2025. This is well on track.
I am lucky to have a number of contacts at the Club at Board level and through current and past players because of a company I am involved with. Feel free to dismiss this post. I don't care - I am not going to debate it with anyone. You can choose to see it as a load of crap or not. But I have decided for the first time in 5+ years of reading this thread from time to time to correct some of the information posted here and to hopefully give some hope to Blues fans that whilst the path is not easy, things are on track.
1. Murphy is being managed to 300 games because he had an excellent offer to leave the Club in 2015 and 2016, but we sold him on the value of being a 300 game blue. His tackling is massively impacted by shoulder issues - the kid has broken his body for the club. Think about culture. Do you think it is a good look to just discard someone who turned down a ton of cash to be loyal? How he has been treated by the Club has had a direct impact on recruiting both Jack Martin and Zac Williams. Was it smart to make that commitment in 2015/2016 - probably not. But if you want your club to have a soul...
2. The Board were not sold on David Teague. At the time our favourite Pokie King offered to pay the cost of recruiting Clarkson. This was seen as Mick 2.0 and rejected. When the Club performed the players were very strong in wanting him to have the top job. The process they put together recommended Michael Voss (who many believe is the architect behind Port's rise). Teague was the compromise candidate between factions. There are currently no moves to replace Teague. He would have received more support with Assistants at the end of last year but COVID made paying out contracts impossible. Pokie King would only step up if we got Clarkson. That offer still stands - he will pay all payouts etc to get Clarko and his desired assistants. Is that likely? No. If we are not close to the 8 by round 18 watch the drums beat. Voss is also still a possibility but likely to be at GWS.
3. Cripps is not going anywhere. He is playing injured. He loves the Club. There is zero repeat after me zero chance he goes back to WA
4. There is a rift between some of the younger players and the senior guys. Yes there is the feeling Teague has favourites. Some of the older guys also just cannot click with the younger ones. Simpson was a big part of this and why he did not play on. This happens at every club. Our development program is literally the worst in the league. The Club is currently spending $200k benchmarking this against other clubs programs and other sports. This will be the big focus of the offseason overhaul (as well as new assistants - assuming Teague keeps his head above water). It has created issues with some of the young guys who see what their friends at other clubs get in terms of one on one coaching, specific programs etc.
5. Teague is not the pussy he is portrayed as being. The screaming in Brisbane last year is a small fraction of what he is capable of. On Friday he broke a table in a massive rant at the playing group. Remember Teague as a player? Always put his body on the line. He is trying to instil that culture in the team but he is pushing hard up against 20 years of crap culture. For the record I am not a Teague apologist - I think he has serious short comings but I am not convinced he cannot take us to 17 yet. Young coaches take time.
6. The Club has been caught off guard by the speed of the game this year. We have moved away from speed in our drafting because the game became so stoppage focused. We will need to address this balance over the next year or two. This is a highly rated draft and expect at least 8 list changes. Very much a make or break year for a number of players. We will trade our 2022 pick to try and get another top 15 pick this year. As of December free agents we were into were Zach Merret, Christian Salem and Shaun Atley. Josh Kelly is also a possibility to leave GWS but not sure of our interest.
Keep the faith baggers. The club knows what needs to change and is determined to get there.
After posting this, the thread went nuts, with some good commentary, and some crazy stuff. The writer of the above post had to respond with the following to calm the farm.
https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/bluemour-melting-pot-xxviii.1258531/page-27Quote:
I promised myself I would post and not respond but given some people have twisted what I was saying (not criticising - I should have been more clear).
Cripps has issues with his lower back. I will not be saying more, other than it impacts both his speed and his kicking. He is one tough bastard.
No the rift is not about selections, well not initially at least. It is your typical 18-20 year old versus late 20s/early 30s culture that happens in most organisations. I have probably made it sound a bigger deal than it is. But I do believe based on some comments from multiple younger players that our kids don't feel as included with the older players as kids do at other clubs. Fair or not fair? No idea.
re Murph
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This is not what I said. The Club feels an obligation to keep him in so long as his form is reasonable. He is by no means a star anymore but he is certainly not in the bottom 3 or 4 regularly in the match committee's opinion.
re Teague
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It is not. He is a very level headed person but when he goes he goes.
re factions
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These things happen in every club and every workplace. They get papered over when success happens.
Case in point - Cotchin vs Hardwick
Nathan Buckley vs half the Pies stars
re Investment in our VFL program
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Rightly or wrongly the existing Board focused on stabilising the club, reducing debt and increasing membership. They believe they have built a solid foundation that will allow investment in the programs I referenced. You can argue the toss but we have excellent financials and great sponsor relationships now.
Re drafting in the past
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Sorry again I am not being clear. By this comment I meant in our drafting over the last 5+ years we did not predict the move towards quick running that has occurred. Whilst getting Saad helps with this, ideally we would have more leg speed in some of our younger kids.
re Swans player Gulden breaking into the team at ready made star
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Much easier when you are part of an academy from 15 with all the specialised training that goes with that.
re Stocker
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No I believe Stocker left because of a family situation. Confident lad. He will be fine.
Interesting stuff if true.
No need to go over the top, but it confirms my suspicion towards the end of last season re gifting Murph games to get him to 300. Its not Murphs fault.