BlueJean wrote:
After watching Flagmantle tonight, it’s evident (I already knew) that Carlton are a mile off winning a flag. Graeham Wright or whoever becomes list boss has to remove the deadwood ASAP. So many of our players are not mentally, physically or spiritually up to it. We traded our one “fools gold” forward in Curnow last year and now we need to trade the other one in McKay. Bring in more pace. It is like being a parent, sometimes you have to hold these players to account, if you don’t, you're not being responsible and doing your role. Those that know me, know I have high standards of myself and those around me. It’s time this club and these players are held accountable. You put on a Carlton jumper, you perform to the required standard.
Beating oneself up about the one that got away, with the benefit of hindsight is masochistic behaviour imo.
Players like Reidy were overlooked by 15 teams, including guru Ross Lyon whose son played footy with him.
Move on, next. I am a strong believer that there is untapped talent in the State Leagues, bush and outback.
What are our gaps? Lets assume 4 major gaps: No 1 Ruck, KPF, HBF, Mid. Do you agree? If not, what else?
Who is superfluous? Unless of course we close the gaps and have our window open in 2027 eg Aging players?
Which development players are showing no upside? Young guys who have unfixable flaws, not worth persevering with.
I'm sure, from a List of 44, it would be easy to discard 15 from the above mentioned criteria, but that's not going to happen in 2026.
So in comparison to Flagmantle,
what do we need?The Engine Room?
Assume we land Walker to add speed and nimbleness, to Walsh and Smith whish is what the Freo midfield combo is made up of with Serong, Brayshaw and Reidy.
Flagmantle who also have big boy Young to throw in there. We will have big boys Wilson or Cowan to consider in there within a couple years. Then there's Ainsworth and we do have the gruntman of the AFL Crippa on tap for a couple more years.
If you like, you can decide whether Byrne or Motlop will be adding to our midfield mix. Is the Engine room ready to challenge?
Flagmantle have Jackson Cox and Darcy. Give me Jackson for a start and I think we are well on our way. We have Pittonet, McKay....Riley, OKeefe and Freo reject Reidy.
That would stop the bleeding at CB and probably an extra 6 wins with what we have this year.
What are our gaps? Can we fill them in the next 2 years to challenge Flagmantle?
Interested to hear what you think but I'm interested in tangibles, and I don't want to hear about what we missed out on in the past or make up of Boardroom. Just the List.
We need another KPF? Looks like Ben Mackay might be available at the end of the year, could be cheap, just sayin…