Murray MiddletonRound Eleven (Carlton On The Way Up)
June 8th 2008 12:56
Carlton's come-from-behind victory over Port Adelaide on Sunday was noteable for two reasons. First, it effectively ended the Power's season. Second, it showed great character; character that has been lacking from the Blues over the past five seasons. At the beginning of the season Carlton equalled their worst ever losing streak of sixteen matches. Significantly, they beat Collingwood to avoid breaking the record. Since losing the first three games of the season Carlton has won five out of eight matches. The Blues now sit tenth on the ladder. Although they are only half a game out of the eight, it is unlikely that they will play finals football. Perhaps it is best.
Missing the finals in 2008 might be beneficial for Carlton. They do not want to achieve too much too soon. If they do squeeze into the eight, expectations will be almost unbearable come the beginning of 2009. A finish between eleventh and ninth would mark an immense improvement. They are not yet ready to compete with the likes of Geelong, Hawthorn and Sydney in finals football. By this time next season the Blues should be in finals contention. They will not feel out of place in the finals because they are used to playing in front of big crowds. A person needs only to look at Collingwood's finals performances last season to see the benefits of having a large supporter base. By 2011 there is every chance that Carlton will be a genuine premiership threat.
There are many reasons for Carlton's improvement. Under current draft regulations clubs who 'bottom out' will eventually climb the ladder. Carlton spent twice as long as Hawthorn around the bottom of the ladder. Although it was a tough period for supporters, the next five years may make it worthwhile. The Blues lost the last eleven matches in 2007. At the selection table the Carlton hierarchy chose sides that could not possibly win matches. Whether this constitutes 'tanking' is beside the point. The club's approach was too much for Tony Liberatore - a former assistant coach - to handle. However, considering the form of Matthew Kreuzer and the acquisition of Chris Judd in trade week, very few Carlton fans will now share Liberatore's position. The club has always considered morality to be subordinate to success. Why change now?
Some tough decisions have been made. Lance Whitnall, the club's captain in 2007, was sacked at the end of last season. Now Carlton has a real captain; one who personifies the level of professionalism needed in the modern era. The decision to axe a captain is always going to seem harsh. It also was an admission that the club made the wrong decision one year ago when appointing Whitnall. Sometimes a club has to admit that it got a decision wrong. Dennis Pagan never delivered for Carlton. Although he inherited a terrible list, he clearly went the wrong way about improving it. Recycled players are NEVER the answer. Geelong's 2007 premiership was home-grown. The Cats never 'bottomed out' and deserve much credit for shrewd draft decisions and the willingness of past champions to spread their seed.
There is one issue that continues to stunt the Blues progress: Brendon Fevola's contract negotiations. For the first time in years Fevola will be excited about the prospect of playing at Carlton. The Blues backed themselves into a corner earlier this season by placing Fevola on his last chance following an incident outside a nightclub. It will be difficult, if not impossible, for Fevola to go three years without making a mistake. It will be more difficult for the Blues to re-structure their forward line without him. Therefore the club must offer him a three year contract with a clean slate. While such an approach will send a bad message to the football public, it will ensure that the Blues have a lethal full forward at their disposal when they finally make a tilt at a premiership. Why start taking the moral line now?
Brett Ratten deserves some of the credit for Carlton's improvement. He took a gamble in appointing Chris Judd as captain. While Judd is a natural leader, it is always risky to appoint a player who has not played for a club as captain. The Blues lacked leadership options. Ratten saw this and made the hard decision. Nick Stevens has had a great season so far. Stevens has publicly claimed that he has already learned more about the game in his time under Ratten than he has from any other coach. This is a slap in the face to Stevens' previous coach. Clearly the Carlton players did not respond to Dennis Pagan. Where coaches such as Leigh Matthews and Mick Malthouse have acknowledged the changing nature of the game, Pagan was uncompromising. While it was the one quality that was at the core of his success at North Melbourne, it also lead to his eventual demise.
Marc Murhpy and Bryce Gibbs are progressing nicely. In two years they will be elite midfielders. Matthew Kreuzer is already having an impact on the outcome of matches. His three goals against Port Adelaide showed poise beyond his years. Jordan Russell, a player who struggled under Pagan, played one of his best games for the club against Port Adelaide. He has added upper body strength and may finally be delivering on his talent. Michael Jamison, who begun the year on the rookie list, looks a likely prospect at full back. For the first time in years Brett Thornton has had some support in defence. As a result he has added an attacking streak to his game. It is also worth mentioning Steven Browne - a first year player who is benefiting from the confidence that his coach has shown in him.
Carlton has a long way to go. They still have a lot of deadwood on their list from the Pagan era - Wiggins, Bannister, Ackland, Saddington and the O'hAilpin brothers. If the coach continues to show faith in his young players the club will continue to move in the right direction. The midfield is the key. Any side with a tough and skilled midfield will be competitive in the modern game. The Blues have a good mix of midfielders - a mix that will improve in the next three years. It won't be long until the old navy blue confidence returns; the confidence that says 'We are prepared to win, whatever the cost'. Incidentally, it is this very confidence that caused them to fall from grace in 2002.
Missing the finals in 2008 might be beneficial for Carlton. They do not want to achieve too much too soon. If they do squeeze into the eight, expectations will be almost unbearable come the beginning of 2009. A finish between eleventh and ninth would mark an immense improvement. They are not yet ready to compete with the likes of Geelong, Hawthorn and Sydney in finals football. By this time next season the Blues should be in finals contention. They will not feel out of place in the finals because they are used to playing in front of big crowds. A person needs only to look at Collingwood's finals performances last season to see the benefits of having a large supporter base. By 2011 there is every chance that Carlton will be a genuine premiership threat.
There are many reasons for Carlton's improvement. Under current draft regulations clubs who 'bottom out' will eventually climb the ladder. Carlton spent twice as long as Hawthorn around the bottom of the ladder. Although it was a tough period for supporters, the next five years may make it worthwhile. The Blues lost the last eleven matches in 2007. At the selection table the Carlton hierarchy chose sides that could not possibly win matches. Whether this constitutes 'tanking' is beside the point. The club's approach was too much for Tony Liberatore - a former assistant coach - to handle. However, considering the form of Matthew Kreuzer and the acquisition of Chris Judd in trade week, very few Carlton fans will now share Liberatore's position. The club has always considered morality to be subordinate to success. Why change now?
Some tough decisions have been made. Lance Whitnall, the club's captain in 2007, was sacked at the end of last season. Now Carlton has a real captain; one who personifies the level of professionalism needed in the modern era. The decision to axe a captain is always going to seem harsh. It also was an admission that the club made the wrong decision one year ago when appointing Whitnall. Sometimes a club has to admit that it got a decision wrong. Dennis Pagan never delivered for Carlton. Although he inherited a terrible list, he clearly went the wrong way about improving it. Recycled players are NEVER the answer. Geelong's 2007 premiership was home-grown. The Cats never 'bottomed out' and deserve much credit for shrewd draft decisions and the willingness of past champions to spread their seed.
There is one issue that continues to stunt the Blues progress: Brendon Fevola's contract negotiations. For the first time in years Fevola will be excited about the prospect of playing at Carlton. The Blues backed themselves into a corner earlier this season by placing Fevola on his last chance following an incident outside a nightclub. It will be difficult, if not impossible, for Fevola to go three years without making a mistake. It will be more difficult for the Blues to re-structure their forward line without him. Therefore the club must offer him a three year contract with a clean slate. While such an approach will send a bad message to the football public, it will ensure that the Blues have a lethal full forward at their disposal when they finally make a tilt at a premiership. Why start taking the moral line now?
Brett Ratten deserves some of the credit for Carlton's improvement. He took a gamble in appointing Chris Judd as captain. While Judd is a natural leader, it is always risky to appoint a player who has not played for a club as captain. The Blues lacked leadership options. Ratten saw this and made the hard decision. Nick Stevens has had a great season so far. Stevens has publicly claimed that he has already learned more about the game in his time under Ratten than he has from any other coach. This is a slap in the face to Stevens' previous coach. Clearly the Carlton players did not respond to Dennis Pagan. Where coaches such as Leigh Matthews and Mick Malthouse have acknowledged the changing nature of the game, Pagan was uncompromising. While it was the one quality that was at the core of his success at North Melbourne, it also lead to his eventual demise.
Marc Murhpy and Bryce Gibbs are progressing nicely. In two years they will be elite midfielders. Matthew Kreuzer is already having an impact on the outcome of matches. His three goals against Port Adelaide showed poise beyond his years. Jordan Russell, a player who struggled under Pagan, played one of his best games for the club against Port Adelaide. He has added upper body strength and may finally be delivering on his talent. Michael Jamison, who begun the year on the rookie list, looks a likely prospect at full back. For the first time in years Brett Thornton has had some support in defence. As a result he has added an attacking streak to his game. It is also worth mentioning Steven Browne - a first year player who is benefiting from the confidence that his coach has shown in him.
Carlton has a long way to go. They still have a lot of deadwood on their list from the Pagan era - Wiggins, Bannister, Ackland, Saddington and the O'hAilpin brothers. If the coach continues to show faith in his young players the club will continue to move in the right direction. The midfield is the key. Any side with a tough and skilled midfield will be competitive in the modern game. The Blues have a good mix of midfielders - a mix that will improve in the next three years. It won't be long until the old navy blue confidence returns; the confidence that says 'We are prepared to win, whatever the cost'. Incidentally, it is this very confidence that caused them to fall from grace in 2002.
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