If I could borrow a line from one of the original reality TV shows to hit our screens, one which has lasted the test of time, I will…
I am of course referring to Survivor.
And, it’s time to go (cue dramatic music): Michael Malthouse.
I mentioned he was under pressure heading into Round 1, a suggestion which was met with disdain by some readers, one suggesting football journalists weren’t happy “until they bring someone down.”
I brought it up again after Carlton lost their first two matches. Again, some similar responses from readers: “Some people are pretty quick to make a call, but I think Malthouse deserves a bit better than this.”
Two weeks later they won a game – against St Kilda – but then three weeks of utter embarrassment followed.
A flogging against his former club Collingwood in a game celebrating Mick breaking the all-time coaching record, a loss to the previously seemingly inept Brisbane, then a record-breaking 78-point thrashing on Saturday at the hands of GWS.
I know they are down on players, I know they are struggling with confidence, I know that GWS are full of talented youngsters who have more talent than their Carlton opponents, but what the Blues are dishing up now seemingly week in and week out is rubbish.
If I was a Carlton fan I would have been booing too on Saturday, and I’d want something to be done.
The Blues’ president Mark LoGiudice has gone on record as saying that they will be sticking with Mick and that he will be in charge for the rest of the season.
That’s going to be a hell of a long season then for those who prefer Blue as their main colour of choice at the footy.
They truly are showing nothing right now, and something has to change.
Is there anyone out there who believes that after this year, and with his contract coming to an end, that Mick will be back at Carlton in 2016?
If the answer is no, or even probably not, then why not make the move now and get a coach in for the rest of the season to start working with the team and working out who will and won’t stay.
I know the coach is always the scapegoat in these situations, but that’s the way it is. You can’t get them going, you have to get going.
But, we’ll see what pans out.
Geelong, Sydney, Adelaide and Port are the Blues’ next four matches. I wonder if Mick will still be coaching if they’re 1-10?
On other matters, actually game-related matters, I turn to the grand final re-match next Saturday night.
I’m sure he didn’t, and my friend Mr. Google couldn’t find a mention anywhere, but I am starting to wonder whether then Swans chairman Richard Colless perhaps said something about Hawthorn’s psychological drive after their 2012 upset grand final win.
Former Hawks supremo Jeff Kennett famously said after the 2008 grand final when Hawthorn upset Geelong, that the Cats didn’t have “the psychological drive” of his Hawks.
It’s history now that the ‘Kennett Curse’ would see Geelong beat Hawthorn on each of the next 11 occasions they would meet.
Well, it’s not entirely the same, but since that loss in the 2012 decider, the Hawks have virtually owned the Swans.
They met three times in 2013, Hawthorn winning all of the games, including a thumping qualifying final win.
Then last season, the Swans kicked six goals in the last term to come from behind to beat the Hawks in Sydney in Round 8. They then lost a tight one in Round 18, before being totally humiliated as short-priced favourites in the grand final.
So here we are again, in Round 8 again. A year ago the Hawks were flying with six wins and a loss. The Swans were just in the eight with a 4-3 record, yet they got the job done
Twelve months on and Sydney are looking good, five wins and a pair of losses, one in Perth to Fremantle, the other a shock loss to the Bulldogs at home.
The Hawks are 4-3 this time, with losses to Essendon by two, Port by eight and the vastly improved GWS by 10.
The Hawks will again be missing Luke Hodge, but will be delighted to see Jordan Lewis back from suspension for the clash.
The Swans, after grinding for three quarters against a tenacious Geelong, put the foot to the floor in the fourth and blew the Cats away. Their young midfield again showed their true worth, Luke Parker kicking goals and Tom Mitchell showing he’s not just about racking up numbers of possessions.
It should be an early season classic and while I’m not surprised the Hawks are favourites, I would happily take the juicy odds about the Swans in what I see as a bit of coin toss right now.
Either way, it should be worth spending this Saturday night on the couch.
Aransan
Guest
Dirk, the problem is that once it became very clear that Malthouse had no chance of being reappointed next year he became a "lame duck". The mistake was to remove the option of reappointing Malthouse even if they had no intention of doing so. Every time it is stated that he won't be reappointed next year is another nail in his coffin and unfortunately some commentators are only too aware of that and are happy to stick the knife in. Even though I think it would be best if Malthouse were allowed to complete the season, I believe his position has now become untenable through no fault of his own and it would be in everyone's best interests if he were to resign. By the way, John Elliot stated last night that the Carlton players love Mick and even though I don't hold Elliot in high regard I believe he is right in this case.
MickyC
Guest
Dirk - you certainly make a valid point regards to the players. They do need to be held to account and Justin Madden said as such in the press today. I think their apparent lack of effort is in fact what has hastened calls for Mick to move on. I was content to let him see out the year whilst we looked far and wide for a potential replacement. But, it seems on the face of it that he has lost the support of the players. If that is the case his remaining is untenable. And yes, the players need a kick in the pants too. I don't think he should go now. He should try and sign off with some dignity, say he is no longer able to get the best out of the playing group and volunteer to hang around for another 4 - 8 weeks for "the good of the club" whilst they find a suitable caretaker coach, or finish up immediately if that's our preference. The writing is on the wall, he knows, we know. Imagine how much bad blood he has engendered among journalists, casual and ardent football followers alike he could undo with a dignified, self-aware exit. The only real positive I can see in moving him on now is his replacement may make some bold choices and blood some younger players with potential. A huge negative of keeping him on is the perceived notion that his lost the support of the playing group. And seeing their efforts this last month it's hard to contend that that perception is not in fact reality.
Macca
Guest
Dirk - you want positives out of sacking Malthouse; 1) We will get a better game plan - what ever it is it won;t be worse than the current one. 2) We will get better selection - we have young players in good form who need extended runs at AFL level but Malthouse would prefer them to play VFL. 3) We won't play 2 midfield taggers and 2 defensive forwards 4) We might actually stop going backwards at a great rate and win a game or 2. Now if you could name 1 just one positive in keeping him it would be great.
Dirk
Guest
Same article as the previous two calling for a new Carlton coach. Might be interesting to see the next few articles as the year rolls on and the Carlton board surprisingly aren't taking the advice of online journalists. Carlton sacking Malthouse would set them back yet again - not one positive from that action has been demonstrated in the three articles calling for his head so far. Why is there no critique of the player's complete inability to play like a committed team of footballers for most of this year? I can't think of one Carlton player who can hold his head up high this week but the commentary remains on the coach - repetitive, boring and disrespectful to Mick.
Macca
Guest
Nicko - I would like to see a caretaker coach appointed who has little liklihood of taking the top job so they have the freedom to play the kids and play a more aggressive brand of football without worrying about results and we can do a really good list assessment and build for next year - Laidley is probably the man most likely in this instance. Then we do a thorough interivew process and see what sakes out. The mistake we made when we appointed Malthouse was the decision was made before we looked at all the options (plus we should never ave sacked Ratten) I don't want to make the same mistake again.
Nicko
Guest
Macca, fair enough...can see that malthouse having declared that they were at the Premiership window is now reluctant to turn around and say he got it wrong...so solution is get rid of Malthouse and bring in a development coach...Woosha? Do it now, you reckon?
The Original Buzz
Guest
I am going into bat for Dean Laidley. He is inside the club, knows the players and has had some success as a senior coach (ok so he was an average coach at the Roo's) and has a lot of time as an assistant coach (albeit under MM). I would like to see him take over as Caretaker until the end of the year.
The Original Buzz
Guest
That is what I have been saying Hanes. I think he should have a crack and if he does well, let him take the reigns next year.
The Original Buzz
Guest
" the talent was there and they just needed the right coach to quickly get them into flag contention again'. That is correct, the problem is they picked the wrong coach when they should have supported the one they had.
Macca
Guest
Buzz - Trading Yarran would be a risk but you have to give up something and I think he falls in the currency V loss sweet spot - he will be very good for a club that need a bit of outside run like say North but if we could get 2 top 10 picks this year and get a father son bargain it gives us a solid group to add to Cripps, Docherty & Menzel (and I believe Smith) all coming through together around who we can build around - especially with Murphy & Gibbs still being around for the next 5 years or so to provide support.
The Original Buzz
Guest
Burnt Toast Seagulls, that's a cracker. What about the Water Closet Beagles.
The Original Buzz
Guest
I think it would be a massive mistake trading Yarran. He played well under Ratten and I think he would find top form again under a decent coach.
The Original Buzz
Guest
Niel Craig is a good coach but I don't believe he would fit Carlton's culture. Sando needs more time as an assistant coach. I think Harvey would be the most likely of these three.
The Original Buzz
Guest
Jax, since Ratten left, they have turned over half the playing groups and most of the board. I truly believe it is the coach in this case, regardless of his past.
The Original Buzz
Guest
One example would be getting rid of Malthouse and putting a modern coach in.
The Original Buzz
Guest
I would give Dean Laidley a crack at it for the remainder of the season. They have nothing to lose now they are on the bottom with no likelihood of winning another game this season. As I have been saying since the news broke three years ago, Malthouse is not good for Carlton. As for the players, get a decent coach and I would bet money on them being in the eight within two years.
Macca
Guest
I'd use Yarran up forward and let him off the leash a bit - but I would also look at trading him - possibly to turn our second round pick into another top 10 pick. I think you are being a bit harsh on CLem Smith - I think he will turn out to be the bargain of the 2014 draft but I can't see how he is "ready" but Graham isn't. Completely agree on Kreuzer - the kid deserves some luck.
MickyC
Guest
I'd drop Yarran before Carrazzo, Ellard, Armfield based upon his perpetual hands on hips body language. Only reason I can see for keeping Yarran in the side now is to improve his currency as trade material. Clem Smith seems woefully inadequate for me so Graham would get another 10 runs before I'd even entertain Clem making a return. I hope Kruzeur has a solid, injury free return and spends a bit of time loitering in forward.
Macca
Guest
Nicko - The supporters have accepted they are in a rebuild, the President has announced we are in a rebuild, the only bloke who hasn't accepted it is Malthouse and that is where the frustration from supprters arises. We want to see the young blokes played but instead we get the likes of Armfield, Ellard and Carrazzo playing negative roles they are all good soldiers but have almost no upside so why play them?
Macca
Guest
Jack - I agree Kreuzer should replace Wood and hopefully Henderson replaces Watson but I to fear Malthouse will drop Casboult - after all he did praise Woods effort in the game on the weekend (despite being belted by Mumford) in his address to supporters on the blues website. He also said they were going to stick with the plan of not promoting the young players until they have earned their spot - I wonder whether another best on ground for the Northern BLues will be enough for Graham to earn his spot.