Blues suspensions build a Collingwood spine
Roar Guru
By Michael C, 27 Aug 2009 Michael C is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- AFL, Cameron Cloke
On the eve of the first Carlton finals campaign since 2001, Carlton FC have been rocked by the internal suspension of three players for arriving late at a morning recovery session.
Cameron Cloke, Eddie Betts and Jeff Garlett each recieved an internal one week suspension. They will miss this week’s crucial Round 22 clash with Adelaide.
The winner is assured of fifth spot and a home final. The loser could drop to seventh should Brisbane win and then face the Lions at the Gabba.
Would Carlton have made this decision eighteen months ago? Especially if it were Brendon Fevola?
Well, truth is, they didn’t.
A major thing happened about this time last year. Collingwood found their spine and suspended Heath Shaw and Alan Didak (for a more severe infringement) for the final couple of rounds as well as the finals.
Collingwood’s finals campaign faltered, predictably. But, Collingwood FC discovered a spine. And this year, Collingwood appears to have come out all the better for taking a stand last year.
Carlton may lose this week, and season 2009 may get wasted on the back of this. But watch out 2010.
Carlton may well be coming back more focused and more united than in 2009.
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davelee said | August 27th 2009 @ 2:04pm | Report comment
I wouldnt have thought any of those players would make much of an impact anyway against the Crows. But you are right, it’s the right thing to do. Question to be asked though, is would they’ve done it with Fevola or someone more important to their side?
Redb said | August 27th 2009 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
Carlton’s culture is taking time to rebuild – this action should not have been necessary given the Blues are in the finals for the first time.
Redb
Craig said | August 27th 2009 @ 8:29pm | Report comment
Agree with davelee – cloke, betts and garlett are hardly comparable to heath shaw and alan didak and the pies didnt exactly falter…they upset St Kilda the week of the suspensions, went to Adelaide and beat the crows in an elimination final and then lost in another clash with the Saints in the semi finals.
Regardless, a good move by the blues. Michael C – you might just be right about carlton in ’10. At least it shows Ratten has some ticker for coaching, although i wonder if the same course of action would have been taken if it was a Gibbs, Murphy or Fevola turning up late.
Michael C said | August 28th 2009 @ 6:42am | Report comment
True that the trio aren’t in the class at Coll of H.Shaw and Didak (and remembering that R.Shaw coped a whack too and ended up leaving town).
However, Garlett DID just kick 4 goals the week before in his break out game, Cloke’s career is on the line, and Betts is probably a bit like L.Davis a couple of years ago – - for the 3 involved – - it’s certainly a major, major penalty. Esp on the eve of the finals. Just astounding.
The big question certainly, as davelee said – - would they do it with Fev NOW – - – as the old admin have been soft in years gone by. I’d guess that they would.