There’s (actually) nothing to see here folks. The handwringing surrounding Carlton’s underwhelming start to the season belies the reality of a club nearing rock bottom courtesy of a long-overdue scorched earth policy.
For the Blues are not undergoing any old rebuild, instead this is a cultural purge 15-odd years in the making.
A club long renowned for wildly successful short termism is confronting the hitherto unthinkable, irrelevancy, and the football world – including many Blues fans – isn’t quite ready to accept it.
Cue reports of unrest and doubts cast over young talent following the admittedly abject showing against the Pies. But this ignores Carlton’s unique predicament, that of a club effectively starting from relative scratch.
No one needs reminding of the devastating fallout from the salary cap breach saga which engulfed the club in 2002.
But what is oft-forgotten is the already wooden spoon-worthy state of Carlton’s list at the time of the sanctions, which represented a low-lying base camp for the ascent to come.
Fans still wake in a collective cold sweat from nightmares induced by the harrowing Denis Pagan era that followed.
Yet, even on its knees and bleeding, perhaps we should have guessed that this wily, old dealmaker would have had one last card to play.
Enter Christopher Dylan Judd.
Photo: Lachlan Cunningham/AFL Media
Such was Judd’s pre-eminence in navy blue that Carlton’s flawed playing list was effectively masked and the loss of makeweight Josh Kennedy (along with precious draft picks) was long considered a necessary evil.
This is not to downplay Judd’s sublime stay at Princes Park, which was seemingly comprised one long, individual highlights reel punctuated by four wildly entertaining finals forays.
After all, those indulging in revisionist history in this regard – including Carlton fans – would do well to consider that the club and its supporters were at near breaking point prior to Judd’s arrival.
Yet, the impact of the Judd trade outgoings are compounded when considered against the backdrop of Carlton’s top-end draft record since 2002, which is pockmarked with a combination of big-time fails (think the ‘lost drafts’ of 2009 to 2012 in particular) and relative disappointment.
There is also the nagging question as to whether the Blues may have been less likely to pull the trigger on the ultimately costly Brock McLean and Robbie Warnock deals in the absence of their famous No.5.
Certainly the hugely misguided Mick Malthouse experience – complete with the salary cap-munching Daisy Thomas acquisition – was symptomatic of a club in the grips of a delusion of grandeur, borne largely of its talisman’s greatness.
AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy
In any event, the 2015 departures of Malthouse and Judd, coupled with the arrival of Stephen Silvagni as list manager, marked Carlton’s long-awaited reality check.
Since then, Carlton has begun the – it must be said, very un-Carlton like – process of jettisoning its veteran stocks and focusing on building patiently through the draft, something Brendon Bolton has been at pains to reaffirm of late.
So much so that what remains is essentially a bunch of prospects that is gradually losing its veteran training wheels as it completes the last part of the descent to its very own base camp before the long climb ahead.
Sure, there is the indomitable midfield bull, Patrick Cripps, and the can’t-miss Charlie Curnow. But there is also a huge amount of unknown currently cloaked in navy blue given the scale of this rebuild and the volume of water yet to pass under the bridge.
Viewed through this lens, dramatic reactions from the football world to Carlton’s formline – which are admittedly inevitable for a ‘big four’ club that has long courted headlines and a young list representing a lightning rod for optimism and frustration in equal parts – are largely futile for the time being.
That is, unless Carlton’s brains trust experiences a rush of old Blue blood to the head anytime soon.
Macca
Guest
2 of them were kicked by one of you C graders, another of your c graders is currently averaging just under 30 possession, 7 tackles and 6 clearances for the 2018 season, a third had 15 touches 3 tackles and a goal playing largely out of a forward pocket while Fisher and Cuningham were solid - so the original point still stands.
Kris
Guest
All 4 of your goals were excellent.
DNS
Guest
Can you show us the 2032 team NJR?
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
Carlton WERE a good footy club back in the 80's, snagged a flag in 95 and have fallen away since. They are a hollow shell. Their final shot at it was the optimistic 5 year Blueprint rebuild with the smiling assasin Michael Bolton and SOS leading the sales pitch. Good salesman maybe but guess what blokes? They cant close the deal and in the harsh world of big Harry business, that sees you out the door! This latest shattered rebuild though was significant as it was their last shot at it. Now, they are destined for the scrap heap unless they think laterally, maybe a merge with North and the Saints? Call them the Carlton Kangaroos and play in a saints jumper? Otherwise fellas Gilligan wil be sending you off to the VFL for good. Toot Toot!
Davo
Guest
Marchbank has been very good...hasn't played a bad game yet. His had no support from Jones and Marchbank. He has the potential to be an A grader.
1der
Guest
Fremantle's current list is 2 years ahead of Carlton with finals opening up in 2019 and the premiership window possibly wide open 2020 - 2022. Cannot understand the recruiting of Carlton with regard to GWS surplus and depth players.
Macca
Guest
Is correcting a blatant error being defensive? Right now 4th placed Melbourne have just over 40k members, last placed Carlton have almost 50k. 50k is 25% bigger than 40k.
DNS
Guest
I actually admire the blind optimism of Carlton supporters.. Particularly those that grew up in the Kouta era - they can’t quite move on. And all very defensive re Melbourne being bigger club.... I hope those Carlton supporters (continue) to go to games throughout the year despite likely poor performances
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Carlton in the Big 4? Bahahahaha. Now that is funny!
Macca
Guest
This is actually a really good article that looking at the comments below most have completely missed the point of. "Viewed through this lens, dramatic reactions from the football world to Carlton’s formline – which are admittedly inevitable for a ‘big four’ club that has long courted headlines and a young list representing a lightning rod for optimism and frustration in equal parts – are largely futile for the time being." And yet there are so many "dramatic reactions" in the comment section. " Carlton has begun the – it must be said, very un-Carlton like – process of jettisoning its veteran stocks and focusing on building patiently through the draft, something Brendon Bolton has been at pains to reaffirm of late." Supporters just need to continue to be patient and back in the process, the naysayers can suit themselves.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
"Carltons rapidly declining membership" another false statement from Matthew. Carltons membership increased in 2016 and 2017 and this year's tally is ahead of last year's at this time of the season. Matthew if you are going to make statements make sure they are factual.
Macca
Guest
"5.6 kicks,3.5 handballs,surely your not hanging your hat on that?" Young small forward doesn't average high stats early in injury interrupted career - who would have thought. Team gets beaten by 20 goals - young tall forward doesn't dominate - another shocker.
Macca
Guest
Kris - not sure you watch to many games with those classifications, Fisher has been fantastic in just his second year, Cuningham has been solid in his 2 games this year and needs a good run with injury, Wright has been a great pick up while Plowman and Marchbank have already shown they are AFL quality.
Macca
Guest
In 2017 Carlton had 8k more members than the demons (19% more) and averaged 2k more attendee's per game despite the blues being bottom 4 and Melbourne pushing for finals so hard to argue Melbourne is the bigger club. "but I seriously fear for the future of Carlton." Why fear for a club that is making a profit, dramatically decreasing debt and increasing its membership?
Reservoir Animal
Guest
I think the fairest comparison is this: In 1984 Carlton under John Elliott tried to start a breakaway competition. They invited all the next-most-powerful VFL clubs to Mt Macedon for a meeting on how it would work. If there was a breakaway comp now, I'm not sure Carlton would be invited to join.
Santa’s Sack is Full
Guest
I actually think it’s justified that we listen to Mattyb and Tom M’s thoughts on underachieving. They appear to have grown up surrounded by it and would therefore be considered the experts in this field.
Sammy
Guest
Bit harsh on matty wright..the fella can play
Mattyb
Guest
I had to look it up. Jarrod Pickett career average.... 5.6 kicks,3.5 handballs,surely your not hanging your hat on that?
Mattyb
Guest
Jack,Silvagni did have a decent first half and I imagine he will be recalled to the seniors. O'Brian was terrible and McKay simply horrid. Did you see the game at all?Carlton got anialiated by 20 goals,20 goal defeats generally have very few positives. Your club has massive problems,and is rapidly going backwards. And what on earth has Pickett ever done?
Jack
Guest
A bit dramatic ... blues have the best under 21 list in the comp as they have smashed the draft 3 years in the drop and we will have another high pick this year. Realistically we are a rebuilding team who lost our best two players in dockerty and Gibbs from last year. The reality is this year was always going to be pumping games into kids. Apparently O’Brien (our other top 10 draft pick with Dow) was extremely impressive in the twos. Harry McKay was very impressive in the twos. Silvagni was impressive in the twos. We have Pickett injured. I think we may like get a spoon this year and perhaps pies smashed us but in a few years when these boys all start hitting 22/23 and Cripps and dockerty are co captains we will be a big power player . I think 2020 will be our come back year