Are injuries to blame for Carlton’s derailed season, or is this just another excuse from a club whose mental strength compares unfavourably to that of Sam Stosur?
Popular opinion is that the Blues have been ‘decimated’ by untimely injuries to key personnel, which is the main reason behind them losing four matches in a row, and six of their last seven.
Frankly, I’m not buying it.
This is a club where whinging is the favourite pass-time. There have already been many memorable instances this season.
It all started with Sam Lonergan’s ferocious, agenda-setting tackle on Andrew Carrazzo in the opening minutes of Carlton’s round four defeat at the hands of Essendon.
Carrazzo broke a shoulder blade as a result, but rather than taking the opportunity to use this event as a motivator, the Blues showed themselves to be spineless, allowing the Bombers to run rampant over the course of the day.
When asked about the incident, rather than talk about how football is an often brutal sport of hard men and harder play, Carrazzo’s reaction was to be ‘disappointed with how it happened’.
Marc Murphy was on Channel Seven’s Game Day on the Sunday following the match and stated that the team was ‘looking forward to playing Essendon next time’ when asked about Lonergan’s tackle, a veiled threat of payback contained within. Never mind the 115 minutes of football he and his teammates had to avenge the perceived injustice the day before.
Some unruly Blues fans needed to vent their anger at Carlton’s inept performance that day, and decided that Twitter was the right forum, and Lonergan the right target, attacking him with abuse and threats. These were acts of cowardice far below anything we’ll see on the field this year.
In fact, any person targeting sportspeople on Twitter merely confirms themselves as the lowest common denominator.
Twitter was the next scene of the victim mentality held by Carlton players, Marc Murphy involved again, along with Jeremy Laidler and Jarrad Waite, all three complaining about the umpiring in the round 12 West Coast game.
Never mind that the Eagles were first to the ball with the hardness that is their forte, and never mind that the free kick count was only 23-21 West Coast’s way, the loss was apparently all the umpires’ fault.
So now that we’ve established the ‘culture of complaining’ so prevalent at Carlton, let’s get back to this supposedly horrific injury count.
The Blues have used 32 players this year, the same as West Coast, Hawthorn, North Melbourne and St Kilda, and less than Collingwood and Geelong, all teams above them on the ladder. Even Essendon and Adelaide have used only one less, so the difference is negligible.
Marc Murphy has been a significant loss after being cannon-balled by Patrick Dangerfield. He’s missed five matches so far, but haven’t Collingwood also had premium midfielders miss a lot of football? Dale Thomas has watched four matches from the stands, Scott Pendlebury three, and Dane Swan two. The Pies have won all of them.
Andrew Carrazzo, that rare breed of tagger who wins more possession that his opponent, is a critical element of the Carlton midfield. A player of his quality missing seven games can’t be covered, right?
I wonder if the Hawks feel that way about Luke Hodge, the Pies about Luke Ball, and the Eagles about Mark LeCras? All are just as important to their clubs as Carrazzo is to the Blues, and between them have played five matches this season.
The difference is that Hawthorn, Collingwood and West Coast moved on, putting more faith in next generation players like Bruest and Whitecross, Beams and Sidebottom, Shuey and Selwood. All three sides are strongly favoured for a top-four position.
Meanwhile, Carlton brings back limited triers Brock McLean and Aaron Joseph while the promising Kane Lucas and Andrew Collins run around at VFL level, the latter two collecting 59 disposals for Northern on Saturday.
Jarrad Waite has only played six games this year, but please don’t tell me that Brett Ratten has this 29-year-old crock as the key plank in his plan to deliver premiership glory to the navy Blue hordes?
For all of Waite’s abilities, he’s only had one top three best and fairest finish in his career, and from the start of 2009, a year in which Carlton returned to the finals and has stayed since, the versatile swingman has played only 43 of a possible 82 matches, a return of just over 50%.
To put it simply, Waite is a bonus addition if and when he is fit to play, not a key member of the side.
Jeremy Laidler has been a handy addition to the backline since crossing from Geelong, but has only played four matches this year, and won’t be returning. He’ll be the classic case of an injured player becoming much more important while absent. Watch for his powers to become a combination of Glenn Archer and Andrew McLeod the longer he is out.
Instead, we’ll know that he’s played only 25 games since being drafted in 2008, and couldn’t find a spot in the top ten in Carlton’s best and fairest last year.
Good teams have an army of Laidler-type ‘role players’ in reserve, and the top sides have all called on unheralded players to fill holes this year when required.
Apart from Murphy, Carazzo, Waite and Laidler, it’s basically been all hands on deck for the Blues in 2012.
Instead of injuries, it’s been players hopelessly out of form and devoid of confidence that has been the problem.
Chris Judd is struggling under the burden of carrying this team for years, Michael Jamison hasn’t been at his best, Chris Yarran has been a disgrace, toe injury notwithstanding, Bryce Gibbs plays with a confused mind, Kade Simpson hasn’t been allowed to free-wheel in Murphy’s absence, Andrew Walker found consistency in 2011 but perhaps it was fleeting, while Jeff Garlett has been playing with all the impact of Leon Davis in the 2002 grand final.
But the biggest problem has been Matthew Kruezer. Jack Watts has been unfairly maligned as an under-performing number one draft pick, while Kreuzer has been given a free pass. The Carlton big man has the lowest output-to-reputation ratio in the league.
Admittedly his cause hasn’t been helped by the ridiculous notion of playing three ruckmen, which tells me that Brett Ratten still doesn’t know what his best set up is.
But Ratten’s worthiness as senior coach is a story for another day.
Carlton are in free-fall at the moment, but don’t listen when their supporters whine about injuries, for it will just be another sign of mental weakness that has enveloped the club.
According to the much-lauded membership campaigns, Carlton were ‘coming’, but now they’re going. We can smell what they’re cooking, and it’s the whiff of failure. ‘No passengers’ has become ‘all passengers’.
I am Carlton? No thanks.
The Doss
Roar Pro
Good piece! From my viewing of Carlton this season it simply comes down to a lack of game plan. Many clubs, in particular Collingwood and Essendon have had lots of injuries to key players. The difference has been the the Blues have no structure. They rely too heavily on talent to get them over the line. When a player is out injured, teams like the pies bring in younger and less experienced players and give them a specific role. They have a job and they do it. It seems like Carlton play their young ones and just simply hope for the best. Would love to be a fly on the wall and listen to what sort of instructions kids like Bootsma get.
Lroy
Guest
Ok Macca, Im not going to disagree with you.. I don't actually support the Blues , you obviously do... from the sounds of it your blokes aren't far of the mark?? The Judmeister can play in the forward line trust me.. he is a very difficult match up.. He's too quick for a big guy.. too strong over head for a little guy... And I think throwing Kruezer into the square ala Paul Salmon has a bit of merit in it too.. Good luck with it all. Ive read a few of your earlier blogs.. why don't you send some of it to Caroline Wilson.. maybe some of the journo's need to stop kicking you blokes while you are down eh?? Cheers :-)
Macca
Guest
"Collingwood don’t make arrogant statements" That's the funniest thing I have read in years. How many clubs has McGuire declared war on?
Macca
Guest
Brendan - You want the blues to draft tall player which would then fall into the "unproven talent" category. My point was the blues hav e obviously identified the issue and over the past few years have recruited Henderson, McCarthy, McInnes, Watson, laidler & Bootsma on top of the taller Casboult & Mitchell and Rowe (who is a mature age player). The blues also got Duigan as a mature age who has been a great result and shows they are looking at the areas you highlight. The fact is that you can only recruit so many players a year. Completely agree about Mitch Brown, I am not saying we couldn't do with a quality key forward, I am saying that there is a possibility we have three on the list right now if they can reccover from their injuries. Look at Casboults performances in the VFL late last year.
Rossi
Guest
Collingwood don't make arrogant statements, the team just goes about winning. 32 year and 20 year drought has meant we have 2 be humble. Still, we stuck fat and remained passionate about our team & always supported Iarge numbers. Look at Ratten's comments after the Blues assumed premiership favouritism.
brendan
Guest
Geelong have more players in that range so do Collingwood.For the sake of the discussion i used 20 games as a criteria.You over-rate unproven talent so the premise of the so called depth next year is a fallacy as it was when you proclaimed it last year.I read in todays sun that Bruce Mathieson the pokies king wants every put on notice at Carlton so maybe a shake up is a good thing for this once great club.Geelong recruited Taylor from the Wafl and Podsiadly from the Vfl two premiership players Carlton could have got.There recruiters need to scan the lower leagues for key position players and trade accordingly.Brown at Geelong is kicking goals in the twos but cant get in the ones he is the sort of player you guys should try to get.
Macca
Guest
DOn't think McLean is up their with Selwood Judd Pendlebury and co but Gysberts went 11 in tht draft and he isn't either and McLean does the inside work the blues need. That bloke Murphy could step up and take over the centre position perhaps? And given the corruption of the last 2 drafts where a lot of the top talent was removed prior and then all the top draft picks were given to the new clubs it's a bit hard for the blues to top up everywhere. I am not saying I am happy but I can look past the win/loss and see a list developing. If they do miss the finals this year and Ratten get's dumped the new caoch will get a top 10 pick in a really good draft plus Casboult and Mitchell as potential key forwards, Watson, Bootsma and Mcinnes as young defenders and Buckley as a midifelder. If Lucas can pull his finger out and Laidler, Waite, Henderson, Murphy & Carrazzo (plus judd) are all injury free the new coach gets a side ready made.
Macca
Guest
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Lroy
Guest
Mate, OK, point taken.. up and coming center half forward, centre half back, full back .. Ill give you Waite for now. Judd isn't going to last forever... need someone to step up and take over the centre position soon methinks. If your happy with the way the Blues are traveling so be it. I still don't rate Brock McLean but if you think he is up there with the other top midfielders in the comp then I bow to your better judgement :-)
Macca
Guest
And Rossi what of Collingwood? Are Carlton the only team that wants success?
Rossi
Guest
No, I base my 'sense of entitlement' theory from my interactions with Carlton supporters. Heck, what about the arrogance in their marketing campaigns? Sticks' comment 'we are Carlton, fornicate the rest. Pratt & Ratten talking about the Carlton swagger. FFS, on another sport forum, their fans started a thread titled 'how should we behave after we win the next two flags?' Read the above article for other examples. Then, perhaps, take a look in the mirror. Never thought Carlton are rich, don't they still owe the AFL money from the bailout?
Macca
Guest
Lroy - Look at McLeans stats over the past 5 weeks ans seeing as people complain the blues don't have enough inside players to criticise them for getting an inside player is a bit rich. And as for playing the young guns, Watson and Bootsma were their last 2 top draft picks, both played last weekend. Lucas has played about 1/2 a dozen games this year but failed to take his chance. He did get 30 plus touches on the weekend so if he gets that again he won't be far away. McInnes will quite likely play this week. Mitchell is still coming back from injury and dylan Buckely missed a lot of games early with a finger injury and weighs less than70kg. Which other young Guns do you want them to play?
Macca
Guest
Brendan - The blues McInnes (191) and Watson (195) and Simon White & Josh Bootsma(190) which you exclude becasue they have played less than 20 games but my point is the blues have identified the issue and have recruited accordingly. They are obviously unlucky Henderson and McCarthy grew to 196cm and Laidler only got to 189. On top of this they have recruited Casboult Mitchell & Rowe (all 198) to take the key forward role. Unfortunately of this list, Waite, Walker, Thornton, White, Henderson, Casboult, Mitchell, Rowe and Jamison have all missed games this year because of injury. And assuming McInnes (who I think will come in for Bootsma this week) plays a few games this year without even recruiting a tall next year their depth will magically appear due to exposure Watson Mcinnes and Bootsma get this year and the return from injury of White.
Lroy
Guest
"Jarrad Waite has only played six games this year, but please don’t tell me that Brett Ratten has this 29-year-old crock as the key plank in his plan to deliver premiership glory to the navy Blue hordes?" Mate, that is hilarious. Waite is a decent player, but he's not up there with the other power forwads in the comp, apparently he makes $600 k per year? Why the Blues recruited Brock McLean is a mystery.. the buy was a plodding trier at Melbourne.. why don't the Blues play their young guys? To win a flag you need bookends.. great full forward.. great full back.. and a decent spine... CHF, CHB and center.. apart from Judd I dont see that the Blues have anyone in those positions who are the best in the league in that position. Kruezer and Judd should all play in the forward line.. Waite can lead out from the pocket.. Crikey Judd would probably make a decent CHF methinks. HE played Full forward for WCE on day in a final against Port.. the guy could hardly walk (groin injury) and he almost single handedly kept the Eagles in the game...
brendan
Guest
Macca Collingwood currently on top excluding players who have played less than 20 games have these players between 190cm -195 cm Tarrant, Dawes ,Reid, Brown, Maxwell, Goldsack and Pendlebury.Geelomg last years premier bare in mind Ling the captain was in that range and has since retired , have these players in that range Taylor ,Podsiadly ,Scarlett, Mackie and Corey.Carlton have Waite -injured admittedly-,Thornton, Bower, Walker and Jamison .Even when fit Carlton lack depth in this area.Yes we have covered it and i lay London to a brick so has the committee at Carlton and they will get some talls for next year.
Redb
Roar Guru
Hawthorn yet to be tested by Essendon's improved team in 2012. Not that they have not been tested. Too many here are playing footy maths - X beat Y and Z therefore will beat R because it lost to Y. This season is much more even, so a 10-3 win loss record is pretty good as teams the Bombers have beaten have knocked off others above it.
Macca
Guest
Brendan we have been over this but if you could show that the blues have less players on their list in that range than any other and also have a look at the heights of the players the blues have injured to see if injuries have played a part in what you see as a deficiency.
brendan
Guest
Carltons problems are not injury related nor are they soft its quite simply a list management issue.They have too many smalls and too many talls and not enough mid size players around the 190 - 195 cm range.For there game plan to work they need all there best players firing and that never happens to any team due to numerous reasons.I agree with you Cameron that Laidler is becoming a better player the longer he is injured.as a Geelong supporter i watched him in the twos and then a couple times in the ones and he gives his all but he can sometimes appear flat-footed.Admittedly Laidler has played good football for the Blues but like most of his teammates he can plan his holidays for September .
mccartney
Guest
re Carlton's "sense of entitlement" - that is your opinion and is not a fact. Your belief that they have a "sense of entitlement" is based on what you read in the newspaper ie Carlton are "arrogant" Carlton are "rich" etc.. Yet the club is actually far from being rich or haviing grounds to be arrogant - what do they have to be arrogant about? Collingwood and Essendon are rich and powerful, but you never hear the bad press about their "arrogance, wealth, entitlement etc". What you may be meaning is they talked big and delivered little...that is not " a sense of entitlement" though. Carlton dragged themselves up in the 1960s to be a powerful team. They did it with grit and guts. I agree with the writer of this article in one sense though - there are not enough players with balls in the team, just a whole let of ballerinas. Watch North go in and attack and hunt the ball on the weekend. That is what is needed, not glory boys expecting fame and fortune to fall into their lap. It is a tough game - North accepted it on the weekend and got the job done. Can Carlton?
Cameron Rose
Expert
Rossi, I can tell you that made me laugh out loud. Quality. And spot on with the sense of entitlement thing too.