Brett Ratten deserves another Carlton contract
Columnist By Michael DiFabrizio, 6 Sep 2011 Michael DiFabrizio is a Roar Expert
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- AFL, Brett Ratten, Carlton Blues, Garry Lyon, Melbourne Demons, Ross Lyon, St Kilda Saints
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Carlton coach Brett Ratten addresses his players during the AFL Round 16 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images
Brett Ratten has done enough to continue coaching Carlton next year and beyond. It was always silly to be judging his future on whether or not the Blues won a final this year, because there was always the sense that another year of limping into the eight – even if topped off with a finals win – would still be considered disappointing.
As it has turned out, the Blues have not limped into the eight. Ratten has got them to the point where they don’t need one result to justify whether or not they have improved.
Don’t get me wrong, Carlton should beat Essendon this weekend. Their form across the 2011 season suggests they are the better team and when you look at where the two teams are in their development, it’s the Blues that are further ahead.
But crazy things can happen in a game of footy.
Injuries happen, for example. What if Ratten has to deploy the sub early due to an injury and then has another player go down minutes later? Would that cost him his career?
It could happen, especially if the Blues gamble and play one or both of Michael Jamison and Matthew Kreuzer. Doing this could greatly improve their chances of winning, of course, but there’s also a chance it can backfire on them if these players aren’t at full fitness.
Upsets happen, too. The Bombers are a determined young outfit who have been taking big scalps all year. There’s a rivalry between the two teams that makes their encounters a bit unpredictable. Who knows what might happen?
As stated earlier, Carlton should win on Sunday. But circumstances may arise that would make it incredibly harsh to judge Ratten on this one game, which is why his team’s season as a whole should be looked at when discussing his future – and his team’s season has been pretty good.
Most of the year was spent sitting in the top four. 15 wins and a draw is a great return. Ratten moving Chris Yarran from forward to defence proved to be a masterstroke. Most importantly, a team filled with players not quite realising their potential has started to do exactly that.
Andrew Walker has gone from a five-goal player to a fifty-goal player in one season. Marc Murphy has joined teammate Chris Judd as one of the absolute A-grade midfielders of the comp. Mitch Robinson has shown plenty of improvement. Heath Scotland’s had a big year. Jamison was great prior to being injured.
The Blues are a vastly improved team this year and Ratten should be given his due credit.
The other coaching sub-plot of the finals appears to be the future of St Kilda’s Ross Lyon, who has been heavily backed with betting agencies to be the next coach of Melbourne. This follows reports of the Dees offering a huge five-year deal to switch clubs.
The first thing that has to be said here is kudos to Melbourne for trying not holding back in searching for the best candidate.
I wrote last month about the lack of quality among the experienced coaches putting their hands up, and it has to be said going for an untried coach does carry risks. Given what the Dees have just come out of, you can understand them not being too keen to take that approach again.
The alternative, as Garry Lyon seems to have discovered, is to go after experienced coaches that aren’t putting their hands up and offer them something they can’t refuse. (Al Clarkson was also reported to be offered a deal by the Dees just like Ross Lyon.)
It’s a smart approach. It may not pay off, but at least Melbourne aren’t letting the fear of striking out keep them from playing the game.
Mike Sheahan has speculated St Kilda may be open to bringing in a new coach, so you never know.
At the end of the day, clubs must ask themselves if the man leading them currently will be their next premiership coach. If they can’t honestly say yes, it’s time to move on.
Melbourne have already been through that. In coming weeks, it will be time for Carlton and St Kilda to ask the same question.
Recommend this story.
Follow Michael on twitter @mdifabrizio
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The Crowd Says (45) | Page 1 of Comments
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- AFL, Brett Ratten, Carlton Blues, Garry Lyon, Melbourne Demons, Ross Lyon, St Kilda Saints
September 6th 2011 @ 7:59am
brendan said | September 6th 2011 @ 7:59am | Report comment
Micheal if Rattens return from four years of coaching is no finals wins he should be replaced.The blues have three no 1s a no 2 pick and Judd so he has the talent to work with.I acept they have won 15 games (w/c/e won 17 and was reading yesterday that could have got them top in other seasons) but with many of the bottom sides being weaker than normal that probably means like all clubs they won three”" practise matches”".Carlton were once a proud arrogant club despised by non supporters but importantly respected because they delivered when it matterred,for them to cotemplate keeping a coach who hasnt delivered a finals win gpes against the grain of the clubs culture.The bluebaggers dont accept mediocrity from memory they sacked Jezza the year after he delivered a flag as coach.Carlton are the most succesful club in the history of the game they may soon be overtaken by there arch-rival the carringbush if they dont snag another flag soon.
September 6th 2011 @ 9:19am
Macca said | September 6th 2011 @ 9:19am | Report comment
Brendan your comment shows a complete lack of understanding. Look at the blues trend line under Ratten, each year getting more wins and better results. They were a long way back when he took over and yes we got somoe pretty good picks but they are only just getting towrds their best football and he needed to completely rebuild the team not just top up.
Ratten has had success in getting Yarran and Walerk (two enigmatic palyers to say the least) to play the football they are capable of, Henderson has claimed some great scalps at CHB and he has got blokes like Robinson to take the next step.
If Ratten was to be replacced now the next coach would have an armchair ride to success as the blues have got a list together now that will mean they will be top 4 for the next 5 years.
September 6th 2011 @ 3:07pm
brendan said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:07pm | Report comment
What is Carlton’s best win under Ratten Macca? So how many years are you going to give him? Judd has been up and about for years so is due for an injury imo your list is structurally unsound.You lack key defenders and key forwards and that is why you are not top four.Your obviously entitled to your opinion and i may be wrong but in my eyes Rattens game plan relies too heavily on the speed and stealth of his undersized players.Come finals time the four players you mentioned who as yet have not delivered will be given the oppurtunity to prove there worth and if they and the team cant get over the eigth placed team then someone else should get the gig as coach.I think i have corresponded with you before and i find it un Carlton like for the blues to accept mediocrity.
September 6th 2011 @ 3:03pm
Michael DiFabrizio said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
Disagree brendan, Ratten’s done everything asked of him so far. As Macca says, look at the trend – it goes up each year. And that’s even last year when Fevola was booted out with no obvious replacement. He re-moulded the forward line into a multi-pronged attack. This year he’s re-moulded the defence too. As easy as it is to point out the three No 1s, the No 2 and Judd, the fact is that only accounts for four players. Four players on their own cannot win games of football. Ratten deserves credit for what he’s gotten out of the rest of the playing list where other coaches may not have been able to.
September 6th 2011 @ 3:18pm
brendan said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
Micheal who have they beaten? The players i have named spring easily to mind they would have other first round draft picks and Waite is father son.Carlton have not only won more flags than any other team but since the twelve team comp in 1925 they have more flags.My point is if they after finishing fifth cannot beat the eigth placed side then imo they aren’t improving and the board has to send a clear message to the players near enough isnt good enough.
September 6th 2011 @ 3:26pm
Macca said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
“Micheal who have they beaten?”"then imo they aren’t improving” – They have obviously beaten more teams this year than last year and their losses are, Collingwood by 27 & 19, Geelong by less than a goal, Hawthorn by a goal, St Kilda by 3 goals Bulldogs by 4 goals and West coast by 6. The Bulldogs and West Coast were diappoiinting but in prior years there would of been a couple of blow out losses as well ie collingwood by 10 goals.
September 6th 2011 @ 3:34pm
Michael DiFabrizio said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:34pm | Report comment
Of course it would have helped if the Blues had taken a big scalp this year. Mid-season, I stuck my neck out on this site by saying Hawthorn were having a better season because Carlton hadn’t beaten a quality team yet and was howled down. So I’m with you in the sense that a big scalp is needed. But do I think it should cost Ratten his job? No.
They played Collingwood twice and weren’t flogged. They only had one crack at each of Geelong and Hawthorn and lost narrowly. If they had been played off the park you might have a point.
And Macca, my pre-season tip for the Blues was “4th-6th”, so I nailed it on that one. If only my tip for the premiers had gone a little better…
September 6th 2011 @ 3:42pm
Macca said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
Michael – Sorry about that, but my point still stands a lot of “good judges” had them outside the 8.
As you say a big scalp would of helped (but they comprehensively outplayed Geelong and if not for bad kicking and a concussed ruckman they would of won that game) but to look soley at win’s doesn’t give the full picture. They now have Murphy and Judd as legitiamte A graders when last year they didn’t, they have strengthened their backline massively and next year will have a qulity full back in Jamison and Hnederson looks more than capable at CHB, Kreuzer and Warnock wil just keep getting better the more pre season they put in and they have Robinson, Ellard, Curnow, Simpson et el providing much more depth in the midfield.
September 6th 2011 @ 4:47pm
Michael DiFabrizio said | September 6th 2011 @ 4:47pm | Report comment
No need to apologise, you’re right – a lot of people had them not even making the eight!
September 6th 2011 @ 3:22pm
Macca said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
Brendan – Look at the list Ratten inherited and look at the list now, the fact that all we lack is a key forward and a key back is remarkable. You can’t go from the list the blues had to a premiership in 4 years. this year ws never going to be a premiership year, a lot of people tipped the blues to miss the finals and I think Michael tipped the to be 7th or 8th so 5th by 2 or 3 games and a lot of percentage is above expectations.
Last year our backline was poor, this year Ratten has brought in Laidler and Duigan, shifted Yarran and Henderson to defence and despite the fact that we have missed our number 1 defender in Jamison for a significant potion of the year the blues have shaved about 2 goals off their average points against.
The blues also have Watson, McCarthy, McInnes and Casboult playing in the 2′s as possible key position players in the near future.
It should also be pointed out that it was Ratten who when he took over said “We have players who have been on this list for a few years and not got a game so I am going to play them to see what I have” (and yes it might of been a cover for tanking) but that did discover a a rookie called Michael Jamison.
As I sad if they sacked Ratten whoever takes over will inherit a team on the verge of success.
September 6th 2011 @ 3:27pm
Macca said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
Oh and Ratten’s best win, well they have beaten St Kilda and Geelong by lots in the past 2 years to name 2.
September 6th 2011 @ 3:36pm
Michael DiFabrizio said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:36pm | Report comment
This is true and worth noting. Just because the Blues’ 4 games against the top three this year didn’t result in a win (all were close losses) does not mean the coach deserves to be sacked.
September 6th 2011 @ 4:30pm
brendan said | September 6th 2011 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
Micheal there is a distinction between being sacked and not re-appointed.Do agree with your earlier post that it is a pity they didnt play Hawthorn/Geelong twice as it is better for later in the year to play top sides twice.Losing to Doggies,Eagles in Melbourne, Saints and potentially Essendon in the second half of the year wouldnt engendear confidience in me if i was on the board at Carlton.
September 6th 2011 @ 3:39pm
brendan said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
A side that hasnt won a final is not on the verge of success.Making the eight now means half the sides are worse than you nothing more.My opinion a is based on them not winning a final this year which would make it three years in a row.Winners win and losers can please themselve and no club exemplified that better than the arrogant bluebaggers who delivered on the field as well as off.IIf Ratten cant get the side up over Essendon (I think you hammered them last time) there is something amiss.Your opinion is based on believe which you are entitled too but i doubt many coaches would keep there job after three consecutive finals series without a win.Anyway Macca good luck i hope your faith in Ratten is rewarded.
September 6th 2011 @ 3:48pm
Macca said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:48pm | Report comment
“A side that hasnt won a final is not on the verge of success.Making the eight now means half the sides are worse than you nothing more” Finishing 5th, 2 games clear of 6th would indicate more than half the teams are worse than Us and if you look at the list profile (ie age and games played) the blues are going into the “premiership window” while Geelong is on it’s way out of it and Collingwood and Hawthorn are about 2 years ahead of the blues.
In short Carlton now only have to top up in the draft rather than rebuild and if they can snare a Key forward (say John Butcher) they will be right in the mix.
September 6th 2011 @ 4:34pm
brendan said | September 6th 2011 @ 4:34pm | Report comment
Macca if they dont beat Essendon fifth means nothing which is the premise of my opinion.If they beat Essendon they have improved and should do better next year.Look at your draw closely you have lost many times this year whe n a win would have established cedibility.
September 6th 2011 @ 4:49pm
Macca said | September 6th 2011 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
Brendan – So in your opinion the board should disregard 22 rounds of performance and judge on one game? Completely illogical. It would be like telling Shane Watson, Yes you have made 6 hundreds in a row but you made a duck in the world cup final so you’re out.
The question is has Carlton improved under Ratten, and every stat says they have?
“If they beat Essendon they have improved and should do better next year.” DOes this mean if they don’t beat Essendon they won’t do any better next year?
“Look at your draw closely you have lost many times this year whe n a win would have established credibility.” They only lost 7 games so many times might be a bit much and you also have to remember last year they got to 7-4 and then went on to lose 7 of the next eleven, many of them to teams below them and they got belted by Geelong and the Pies. This year they only last to the Bulldogs and Stkilda below them and the Saints game they didn’t exactly go 100% (30 less tackles than their ave) as they had nothing to gain.
All this is really moot as I believe they will give the bombers a bit of a touch up anyway.
September 6th 2011 @ 4:45pm
Ian Whitchurch said | September 6th 2011 @ 4:45pm | Report comment
Go for it. Theres nothing I’d like better than sacking Ratten and having a new coach come in and disrupt an improving Carlton team.
Carlton. Because off-the-books payments are better when in the tank.
September 6th 2011 @ 3:50pm
Macca said | September 6th 2011 @ 3:50pm | Report comment
I forgot Luke Mitchell as a potential Key forward
September 6th 2011 @ 5:51pm
brendan said | September 6th 2011 @ 5:51pm | Report comment
Macca in the second half of the year you lost to Bulldogs,Saints ,Eagles in Melbourne so if you do lose to Essendon imo your form isnt good enough for Ratten too keep his job.Trying to denigrate my contention by trying to reduce this discussion to one game is beneath you.Your emotionally involved in this im not if Ratten suceeds good luck to him if not see you later.Carlton have one flag in the last twenty five years i think they can do better than re-appointing a coach who hasnt won them a finals game if you and more importantly the board are happy with that so be it.
September 7th 2011 @ 9:57am
Macca said | September 7th 2011 @ 9:57am | Report comment
Brendan – The eagles are in the top four and the Saints finished 6th after being 1-8 (and the blues had not much to play for) so neither of those losses are cause for alarm, the bulldogs loss was a bad one.
I would ask what your opinion of the West Coast keeping Worsfold after last year’s spoon is? To me they clearly understood the path the coach was taking and the progress he is making outside of win/loss and showed faith for which they are now being rewarded.
Carlton actually have 2 flags in the last 25 years (87 an 95) and it’s harldy Rattens fault they haven’t won one since 95.
And which coach would you appoint to take his place?
September 7th 2011 @ 1:27pm
brendan said | September 7th 2011 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
Macca Worsfold is a premiership coach enough said.Lose to Essendon that will be six losses in the last 11 games hardly improvement imo.Believe what you want but a new coach can bring out the best in players ala Chris Scott at Geelong where three players have been nominated for the rising star.Why are you so upset that logically i state that Ratten who has had four years at the helm should not be coach if the Blues lose to Essendon(you hammered them last time).The critical point in this discussion is should Ratten be re-appointed ,not sacked, and if so for how long? A new coach and game plan might take the undoubted talent at Carlton to the top.
September 7th 2011 @ 1:41pm
Macca said | September 7th 2011 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
Plenty of Premiership coaches have been sacked, Sheedy was a premiership coach does that mean the Bombers should of kept him? When did Worsfold win that premiership again 5 years ago, so if they go out in straight sets should he go as he hasn’t won a final since 2007?
You say it is logical but it just isn’t Chris Scott has come into a side that had been coached by the same bloke for 10 years (how long did it take him to win a premiership or even a final there) and is taking over a side full of stars which last year finished 5th, Ratten took over a basket case who finished last big difference.
You also seem to be ignoring the fact that Carlton had a massive overhaul of Assistant coaches last year.
The other big issue is that the players love him and seem to have bought into his message.
As I have said already I do think the blues should hammer the bombers but in the event that they don’t Ratten shouldn’t lose his job.
September 7th 2011 @ 1:55pm
brendan said | September 7th 2011 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Your right Macca thats what you want too hear .
September 7th 2011 @ 2:01pm
Macca said | September 7th 2011 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
Where’s all that “logic” to refute my argument?
You haven’t provided a replacement coach, you haven’t said how long a “premiership” coach in worsfold could go without winning a final before he get’s the chop, you haven’t stated why Thompson was allowed so long to win his first premiership, basically your argument is that Carlton of old wouldn’t accept mediocrity without realising thatCarlton of Old could just keep going to the WAFL and SANFL and buying players, those days are gone and patience is now a virtue.
September 7th 2011 @ 6:54pm
brendan said | September 7th 2011 @ 6:54pm | Report comment
Where did you get Judd Macca? What is the difference between Worsfold ,Thomson and Ratten the first two won finals.I have hit a nerve and your worried your patience wont be rewarded earlier in the year you were talking top four this year now its patience assistant coaches and rookies.The carringbush will match and overtake your flag tally soon and grandpas will remind there progeny of when the blues were a good side.Dont try putting words in my mouth pal i offer an opinion you dont like it bad luck if the truth hurts so be it.
September 8th 2011 @ 9:26am
Macca said | September 8th 2011 @ 9:26am | Report comment
I am not trying to put words in you mouth I am trying to get you to answer some of the questions I posed, how many season’s did Thompson coach before the won a final? How many before he won a GF? Why is worsfold able to go 4 years without winning a final when he started with a premiership side and Ratten can’t when he started from the bottom?
Gee I was way off with my talk of possible top 4, they finished 5th, I also admit I thought injuries would hurt the hawks more than they did and I under rated West Coast but I still think they will beat the bombers this week (as I have said twice already) and they have a real shot against the Eagles over there (the blues go alright at Subi) which will still give them a top 4 finish. But regardless of that they have shown more than enough improvement to warrant Ratten continuing on.
September 8th 2011 @ 9:52am
Macca said | September 8th 2011 @ 9:52am | Report comment
Mark Thompson Coaching Record
Year G W L D %
2000 23 12 10 1 52.2%
2001 22 9 13 0 40.9%
2002 22 11 11 0 50.0%
2003 22 7 14 1 31.8%
2004 25 16 9 0 64.0%
2005 24 13 11 0 54.2%
2006 22 10 11 1 45.5%
2007 25 21 4 0 84.0%
2008 25 23 2 0 92.0%
2009 25 21 4 0 84.0%
2010 25 18 7 0
As you can see he lost a final in the first year and didn’t make the finals for the next 3, and didn’t win a premeirship for the next 3. In Fact his record after 7 years was 3 finals appearances for 2 finals wins, why didn’t Geelong sack him!!
September 6th 2011 @ 12:25pm
Swampy said | September 6th 2011 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
Ratten should keep his job for at least the next decade. Then, thankfully, I’ll never have to hear my next door neighbour brag about them winning the flag.
September 6th 2011 @ 1:49pm
Carltonian said | September 6th 2011 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
As a big Carltonian, I think us Carlton people will ultimately decide Ratten’s fate. Not opinion maker’s in the press.
As a long time fan. I think he lacks tactically. He has not developed the forward line much, in fact, arguably it has gone a little backwards since Fevola left. The forwards are at times rudderless and are very wasteful. Their set shots are probably the worst out of all clubs and akin to a suburban team. Walker had to give Ratten an ultimatum to move him forward or he would leave for that to happen. Walker does overly rely on big leaps to win the ball. He needs to develop that Fevola style of lead. Not sure if he is good enough to do it. Garlett is too slight, inaccurate, flakey to make it I think. Trade him for a solid performer.
The midfield is great. We have an abundance of talent there. We have the finest in AFL ranks. You are ignorant if you believe otherwise and allowing for excuses.
The rucks are rubbish. Warnock does not take contested marks. We need to find a ruck who can. Hampson is too obsessed with that old lady of his to really put his head down. Give Hampson another go, look for a replacement for Warnock.
The backs have improved enormously. The Yarran move is great, with Henderson slowly learning the craft.
With a better coach, and the amount of talent we have Carlton should be a top 3 side. We show that at times. If Carlton goes down to Essendon and does not really challenge in the semi in week 2 of the finals you have to ask yourselves, can Carlton afford to squander this potential with a coaching staff like Ratten? We can’t waste this talent on a bloke who has not realised the full potential of this team. Give someone else a go. I am just not impressed with Ratten, and you just do not know enough about the Blues or football if you think otherwise. He has been there since Pagan and they still are not top 4. He has had a very good go and his results would not have been tolerated in previous Carlton generations.
September 8th 2011 @ 9:14am
Macca said | September 8th 2011 @ 9:14am | Report comment
Disagree with a couple of points there Carltonian – Given Fevola’s departure was sudden and unplanned (ie they weren’t grooming a replacemnt just yet) the fact that Carlton has actually increased it’s goals scored since Fev left should be a massive plus for Ratten. Garlett is still only 22 and has kicked more goals than any other small forward and yes Warnock need to take more contested marks but he is only 24, had a number of injuries and ruckmen of his size take time to develop a strong body, remember Sandilands was criticised heavily in his early career.
Carlton were never going to challend for a premiership this year, next year will be the start of their window.
September 8th 2011 @ 11:11am
brendan said | September 8th 2011 @ 11:11am | Report comment
This isnt about Mark Thompson who himself said that the Geelong blokes coach themselve its about whether Carlton keep a coach who has got them to the finals for three years without a win -on the proviso they lose to Essendon which is what Micheals article was about.No good comparing Carlton to Geelong as statistically the cats have outperformed any side in terms of win /loss ratio in the last ten years.I dont barrack for Carlton but many people who do share the same opinion as me he has had a chance and if they dont get a win this finals series give someone else a go.Get out your history books and find me a coach who after not winning a final in three consecutive years and having never ever won one gets re-appointed and goes on to coach the side to a flag in the last fifty years.There is no excuse for Carlton not winning a final other than coaching.Judd best player in the Afl,Murphy ,Gibbs,Yarran,Betts and many others in career best form if it isnt the players it simply must be the coach.
September 8th 2011 @ 11:25am
Macca said | September 8th 2011 @ 11:25am | Report comment
“Get out your history books and find me a coach who after not winning a final in three consecutive years and having never ever won one gets re-appointed and goes on to coach the side to a flag in the last fifty years” See above – Mark Thompson, lost a final in his first year, didn’t make the finals for the next 3 and by your own words went on to coach a side that ” have outperformed any side in terms of win /loss ratio in the last ten years” (although if you look at the figures in the first 4 of those years he was actually worse than Ratten in win Loss %)
“Judd best player in the Afl,Murphy ,Gibbs,Yarran,Betts and many others in career best form if it isnt the players it simply must be the coach.” Yes there are players in Career best form (maybe that is because of god caoching) but anyone who know football would agree they are still a key forward short (some say a key defender but I think Jamison and Henderson should cover CHB & FB with goodf help from Duigan and Laidler) and losing Waite has not helped this. If in the off season the recruit one or one of Casboult, Mitchell or McCarthy come on as expected this problem will be rectified .
Geelong had the patience to stick with a plan, so did West Coast, Carlton should too.
September 8th 2011 @ 11:45am
Macca said | September 8th 2011 @ 11:45am | Report comment
Oh and did the Geelong side “coach themselves” in those first 7 years or just the last 4?
September 8th 2011 @ 12:57pm
brendan said | September 8th 2011 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
You cant read .There is no coach re-appointed after three consecutive final series without a win .Unfortunately for you as suggested by Carltonian the only views that matter are those of the decision makers at Carlton.Thompson said those words not me so ask him.Bye Bye Blue Boy.
September 8th 2011 @ 1:09pm
Macca said | September 8th 2011 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
I can’t read? – no you can’t express yourself properly you said “Get out your history books and find me a coach who after not winning a final in three consecutive years and having never ever won one gets re-appointed” You did not stipulate “consecutive final series without a win .” you said “not winning a final” if you don’t make the finals you can’t win one!
And in your opinion is a coach is better performed if his team misses the finals 3 years in a row than one who makes the finals three years in a row? Doesn’t seem all that logical to me!
Plus you still haven’t identified who Carlton should go to, who is the better option?
September 8th 2011 @ 6:53pm
brendan said | September 8th 2011 @ 6:53pm | Report comment
Whatever Macca .You believe what you like and the board at Carlton will act independantly of me and you.Who cares .
September 9th 2011 @ 8:48am
Macca said | September 9th 2011 @ 8:48am | Report comment
Yeah they will and if Damien Barrett is to be believed Ratten will be caoching next year regardless of a win on Sunday, the only issue is whether it is a 1 or 2 year contract.
September 6th 2011 @ 6:33pm
Billy from Heidelberg said | September 6th 2011 @ 6:33pm | Report comment
How can you say he needs another contract? Are you anti-Carlton and like basking in the Blues failures?
September 6th 2011 @ 7:02pm
Nathan said | September 6th 2011 @ 7:02pm | Report comment
Hey, did anyone ever find a copy of the actual Top 10 list of Australian Clubs by brand value? The 2011 one? Pretty sure Carlton was listed on it.
September 6th 2011 @ 11:40pm
Billy from Heidelberg said | September 6th 2011 @ 11:40pm | Report comment
Carlton is in the top 5.
It would be something like:
1. Aussie cricket team (Australia’s team, the captain’s job is a higher office than the Governor General)
2. Socceroos (people up, at 3am in the morning, in winter watching them, plus 3rd largest fan contingent at South Africa last year after UK and USA)
3. Collingwood(if they are winning)
4. Carlton(always there or thereabouts)
5. West Coast (would be higher, but outside of WA they have negligible support, whilst teams above have coast to coast followings due to history)
September 6th 2011 @ 11:47pm
Johnno said | September 6th 2011 @ 11:47pm | Report comment
Wow in WA they love west coast that much. Good the rest of austraia realise AFL and west coast are a waste of time. Aust cricket will go down the rankings with pup as capatin just you watch my aussie mates.
September 7th 2011 @ 12:13am
Nathan of Perth said | September 7th 2011 @ 12:13am | Report comment
Clubs, Billy, well, it was football clubs specifically.
Johnno, bitten by a West Australian bee as a child? And yes, we like our team, what’s the problem?
September 7th 2011 @ 4:16pm
Tom Dimanis said | September 7th 2011 @ 4:16pm | Report comment
Ratten has done ok with the list he has, obviously they have a great midfield and quite a few of their players have improved, BUT BUT BUT, as it has been mentioned they need a key forward. It’s vital. If I was in charge of the Blues, I’d scrape up every available dollar and coin, and throw it at John Butcher of Port Adelaide. He’s just what they need.
One thing I don’t agree with is Ratten’s use of Bryce Gibbs, that guy should be playing midfield 100% of the time. Sure he’s versatile enough to play a mix of roles, but he should find someone else to perform the lock down and defensive jobs. What a waste.
September 7th 2011 @ 4:29pm
Macca said | September 7th 2011 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
John Butcher would be handy (although if one of Mitchell, Casboult or McCarthy step up next year it could be a waste) but what would Port want, maybe Hampson should be put up for trade?
I don’t mind th use of Gibbs this year, he has 18 goals (which is 5th at the club 1 behind murphy) for the year and leads the club in kicks and marks so he has been a bit more than a stopper.