Beleaguered Carlton coach Brendon Bolton admits he’s unsure when the Blues will turn the corner after recording their worst ever start to an AFL season.
The Blues on Friday night slumped to a 21-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, taking their record to 0-6.
Big things were predicted for Carlton this year but in their 120-year VFL/AFL history, the Blues have never started a season so poorly.
The 11.14 (80) to 8.11 (59) loss will be particularly tough to swallow for Blues fans given Carlton, for once, had experience on their side – they fielded 10 players above the age of 25 compared with just two for the Bulldogs.
And the Blues’ tough five-week stretch leading up to their midyear bye suggests there’s unlikely to be respite any time soon.
Carlton will travel to Adelaide next weekend to face the Crows before games against Essendon, Melbourne, Geelong and Sydney – none of which could be considered bankable victories.
“Hopefully by the halfway mark, we have got a win or two,” Bolton said.
“I’m not going to put a figure on it just now.”
Bolton has consistently said that his rebuilding team’s youth and lack of experience is no excuse for performing poorly.
But he was eager on Friday night to stress how much had changed during his time in charge.
“Three years ago, when we started the rebuild, we were averaging about four guys from 18-21 years of age,” he said.
“In the second year of this rebuild, it jumped to six. This year, it’s around nine or 10 guys.
“So we’ve increased our talent through the draft but dropped significantly in age and experience, hence you’re seeing a little bit of what’s happening now.
“But it is frustrating because we want to win.”
Bolton said he was “really hopeful” the Blues would welcome back ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (groin) for the Crows clash, as well as swingman Jacob Weitering (thigh).
Mattyb
Guest
Everyone already says same old Carlton. The Carlton permanently stuck to the bottom of the ladder,heading for 3 wooden spoons in one season. If Bolton can coach then Kruezer is handsome,Weitering brave and Silvagni intelligent. Carlton fans can abuse as many other clubs,coaches or players as they like,their club is a joke. If your confused watch a Bolton press conference again,this club is going nowhere. Carlton fans even think the return of Pickett,who averages 9.3 possessions a game is going to make a difference,he's a reject. How poor has this club become? Comparing zero AFL game Bolton to Brownlow medallist Buckley,what a joke.Try comparing the jockey to Mark Neeld if you're doing the blind comparison game.
Mattyb
Guest
Shows where the clubs at when they have more interest in me than how poorly the club is travelling Buzz.
The Original Buzz
Guest
I am glad I am not the only one who noticed that. One team will kick straight and the difference will become obvious. I am dreading Adelaide this week.
The Original Buzz
Guest
Unfortunately all those than can and will contribute to success are all out injured. I would like to see Kennedy step up a notch but in his defence, he has been injured. Ed Curnow is still flying under the radar and is our second best player after Cripps in my opinion. Fisher would have to be a close third. Kerridge has stepped up his game and played well last week, that was good to see.
The Original Buzz
Guest
Not up to your usual standard, Mattyb, you didn't use the word tragic and you didn't have a shot at anyone other than the coach. Poor effort there, someone needs to lift their game.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Come off it Pete. Look at the side Buckley inherited and the one Bolton took over. Did Collingwood turnover 42 players in his first 3 years?. No-one knows if Bolton can coach as he has not had the luxury of a settled side. I am prepared to give him the chance over the next couple of seasons. It seems it is opposition fans that are calling for him to be sacked more so than Carlton fans and I know that if Carlton did sack him the same people would be saying same old Carlton.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Col, we haven't been locked to the bottom four under Bucks, that's the difference
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Sorry Peter but for the past 23 years all Carlton have done is sacked the coach. You of all people who has defended Buckley against many people on this site calling for him to be sacked should know that it is not the answer. I have not said anything against Buckley either way but your club has given him many years to develop your side. Bolton has had 2 - don't you think he should be given the same chances as Buckley or is it just because it is Carlton?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The difference is the Doggies just got a flag, the Blues last 23 years back now and no real hope in sight next few years I'm afraid. Sorry Macca but there's nothing to show hope for the fans at the moment and Bolton appears out of his depth now. Time to change end of year and get an experienced coach in, maybe Ratten should come back or Choco Williams?
Khan
Roar Rookie
Carlton play like they've each been promised a million dollars if they can pull off Mark Of The Year. The number of times they bang it in, a bunch of them fly up, everyone misses it, and the opposition crumb is staggering. Their main strength is marking skills but they screw even that up by having too many many fly so often. Two highest scores this season of 95 and 76 just underlines their feebleness in scoring. Clear spoon favourites at the moment given they play Brisbane in Qld.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
From being a team that extracted all it could from its privileged position, in terms of buying players,salary rorts,Judd and Visy to this.Were there really millennials running the show over the past thirty years? Four wooden spoons didn't say anything? Mark July 7th down.It might be your only win of the year. How can Cripps stand it? He works his guts out every week and sees his teammates jogging past. Fisher is great,though,but there's so much disorganisation in the forward line and so little endeavour down back
Mic
Guest
Because Footscray are going so well mattyb. They’re in the cellar with us. They had one shining 4 week period in 2016, with a very favourable draw and the umpires in their pocket. Since then they have crashed back to the mediocrity they were for the previous 60 years. You want to talk about irrelevance, have a look in your own back yard. Footscray this year have kicked an average of seven points per game more than Carlton. What a remarkably insipid effort from a team, who a little over a year ago, we’re supposed to be on the verge of a dynasty. Another year of this and you’ll be shaking your money tins outside the kennel again.
Mattyb
Guest
I'm a big fan of the game big sticks so of course I have a heavy heart for how tragic this once mighty club has become on and off the field,even when playing my own. Hopefully 3 wooden spoons brings it home to those running the club how low this club continues to sink.
big four sticks
Guest
Who were you going for last night Matty? It must have been a night of mixed emotions as your two sides went head to head. You care too much about Carlton not to be a supporter of the club.
Mattyb
Guest
Wooden spoon hat trick well on track with the VFL side going down by 44 points to Port Melbourne. Lang got through the game but it looks like Cunningham has done a hamstring. Macreedie went ok if Bolton decides to go with six tall defenders instead of five. Kerr went ok,Gartlett unsighted all day and Lebois didn't do much in a game he might have been able to press for senior selection. All information second hand though via SMS,including the six backman joke,but it was from someone at the game.
Steve009
Guest
In other words, even when we've been close on the scoreboard, we haven't really been close in matching it with anyone this year.
Lroy
Guest
Well, what would worry if me if I was a Carlton fan was Bolton talking up his teams performances after the Tigers and Eagles games. Tigers had 16 more scoring shots, Eagles 9. If Either of those teams kick accurately then they run up a cricket score against the Blues. You are really clutching at straws when you take the oppositions failure to put you away as a positive.
Jack
Guest
O shea is a shocker, where is poor Cunningham he looks great was taken with pick 19....
Steve009
Guest
Silvagni has become the fourth and unneeded marking option up forward. I like his game , smart player who showed a lot of defensive pressure last year. Just lost in this current set up. Probably needs to get back to seconds, keep building that tank and develop as a player that can rotate through as a midfielder as marking link type around the ground and another big midfielder at stoppages
Steve009
Guest
Just too many players who are having little to no impact on the game, particularly in the midfield. The defensive efforts of Dow, Kennedy and OBrien were appalling, and that comes down effort levels. Dow and O'Brien have plenty of leg speed, but unlike young players from other clubs who come in to teams full of energy to show they belong at the level, I see these two jogging at the side edge of my TV screen following the play or laying ineffective one arm attempt tackles. I'm probably being harsh on SPS , but he just completely disappears for periods of the game. That leaves us with solid midfield contributions from just 4 players, Cripps and Fishers incredible efforts and the less talented but hard working Ed Curnow, and Kerridge. Then add Silvagni, Mullet and O'Shea to the little to no contribution list at each end and Carlton are leaving far to much work to too few. In the bright side the McKay, Charlie Curnow, Casboult combination was a joy to watch. Now we need to put the right fast, high intensity crumbers at their feet to take further advantage.