The AFL needs to appoint independent tiger teams to investigate technical and systemic problems within the league’s two cellar dwellers.
Carlton Blues
The AFL should conduct a culture survey of the Blues board, management and operations to develop and implement a more modern, positive culture able to communicate with Generation Z players.
Carlton need a tiger team whose role is to assist in the selection of a new coach, due to the recent sacking of Mick Malthouse.
The new coach should report to the Blues but also directly with the AFL for a season on issues that are affecting the team.
Gold Coast Suns
The Gold Coast Suns need a different type of specialist team – one aimed at reducing the club’s injury plague.
The AFL needs to appoint a team of injury management specialists to see what is going on, in particular with regards to recovery and assessment to return to play.
The early return of Gary Ablett and his subsequent long-term injury is an abysmal failure by the medical team. Adding insult to injury, last weekend Jack Martin returned after three weeks of injury only to play one minute and then retire hurt.
Something is seriously wrong at the Suns. Are the players sooks or is their injury management too great due to their low average age?
Maybe teams should have more emergency players commensurate to their age profile.
The AFL have a duty of care to fix the reported toxic culture at Carlton and the paucity of injury management at the Suns.
john
Guest
Carlton just picked the wrong guys in the DRAFT ?? As a Hawthorn supporter i went went through this pain from 1993 to 2006 ( Too many fluffy players not enough hard nuts). .Hawthorn hiearcarhy ( im told) said at the drafts back in the early 2000`s " If we have two blokes with the same skillset but one is tougher, pick that one " When Malthouse pinched " Daisy Thomas " I just went WHATHA?? ..NOO WAAAAY!!. . He should have at least had a go at snaffeling BEAMS CLOKE OR SWAN. Just my thoughts..
DJW
Guest
The Suns decision to get rid of Guy McKenna looks a really bad one now. Apparently it was player power but some of these same players were suspended this season for disciplinary reasons. Maybe Guy McKenna was just trying to lay down the law. The Suns look a much better team under him then Eade.
G
Guest
Their.
Brendan
Guest
Carlton and the Suns both sold the family farm to recuit the best player in the Afl at the respective time in Judd and Ablett to the dtriment of the overall depth of there team.Carlton gave up Kennedy and a draft pick used on Masten to secure Judd and the Suns gave up two first round draft picks and considerable salary cap room to secure Ablett.Afl football is so complex now that the days of one player being able to take a side from nowhere to somewhere are gone.Both these clubs need to re-assess there recruitment strategies to develop greater all round depth at there clubs.Since the Afl commenced in 1990 i can only think of Ottens as a big name recruit who played a huge role in securing there new side a flag.Maybe Lake can be seen as helping deliver a flag but he was well and truly at the ;ater part of his career when he joined Hawthorn.
Col from Brissie
Guest
Actually Andy if it is only 2 years I will be very happy. Unfortunately I believe it will be 5 years before Carlton can consider contending for premierships and only if they get their recruiting right.
andyl12
Guest
Col- try telling certain Carlton fans that it'll take a couple more years of pain.
Col from Brissie
Guest
Players and coaches see them as a last resort - what a ridiculous statement. Can you please provide me how you came to that conclusion. Agreed Carlton are having a bad season and have taken steps to rectify the situation. They recently sacked the coach and have put in motion a process to find the best coach available. They have appointed Stephen Silvagni as List Manager to oversee future recruitment and are also looking for a new National Recruitment Manager. The President and CEO are in their first year at the club and are in fact making changes. It is fair to say that in the past their recruiting has not been the best, however they have made progress over the last couple of years with the youngsters they have brought in ie Menzell, Cripps, Docherty etc. it is not an overnight thing and it will possibly take a couple of more years of pain before they start heading up the ladder.
lao hu
Guest
The fact is the CFC haven't adopted best practice in terms of recruiting, HR management etc. Brand is being devalued over time players and coaches see them more as a last resort than a first resort. They are a basket case top to bottom there needs a complete overall.
Wilson
Roar Guru
I don't think there is a problem with injury management at the suns it more to do with just bad luck for them at the moment and other teams have had the same problems before Freo a few years ago in one that comes to mind
Paul D
Roar Guru
Agreed.
Col from Brissie
Guest
I have on occasion read some nonsense articles on this website and this one is right up there with them.
andyl12
Guest
The toxic culture at Carlton is largely a result of some Carlton fans refusing to understand that we live in the era of the draft and the salary cap and that Harris/Elliott era solutions won't work anymore. Carlton fans bay for blood whenever the team is not the best- they bayed for Malthouse's blood the minute LoGiudice uttered that dirty "R" word (I think we all know what it was). Whether LoGiudice or the AFL can fix this problem is anyone's guess- I'd love to hear people's opinions.