The blame is on Stephen Silvagni

Carlton are the worst team in AFL history at the moment and will stay that way with their current list

Totally agree with the article.This is the worst list in the history of the AFL

Phillips, Kerridge and Alex Silvagni have done ok. They are not elite but are good honest toilers. This is the worst article I have read on Carlton yet and there have been some stinkers. Maybe a little research before your next article.

Great news for the Blues this afternoon. Re-signing Curnow for 5 more years.

Not really. Assessing recruitment strategies really takes 4-5 years, but probably 8 years because that is about a generation. I think that it is hard to know how good or bad SOS' list management at GWS really was because there were so many draft concessions. Also, that because both the Suns and GWS used such different recruiting strategies it is hard to make meaningful comparisons although clearly GWS did better after the first 3 years as players matured. And, I am comfortable in saying the Suns failed. At the moment I don't think that SOS looks good for the 8 years taste test. Ever since Barrassi was brought to Carlton, the supporters and Committee have expected fast turn arounds during periods of trouble, even publicly saying "we are Carlton, we do not rebuild". I think the demand for fast success has been a major factor in the Blues failing to put good foundations under thier house. And, I think that the President's comments about the list and damping expectation were an attempt at this. At the moment, I do not see the flashes of good play that I would expect from a team that had the potential to make a meaningful march up the ladder even over a three year period.

I agree it is early days, but for a team to jump up the list it is really about fixing one or two fundamental barriers (limiting factors). Collingwood's improvement this year is better than I expected but like Richmond they committed completely to analysing their comparative strengths and weaknesses and then addressing their weaknesses. I always felt that the opportunities for both Collingwood and Richmond were not about replacing coaches but aligning resourses and strategies with strategic goals. Both Collingwood and Richmond had mixed results in there games but had troubles either putting together four good quarters or a run on wins. This points to things being nearly right. Conversely, Carlton is not putting together and good quarters, in fact rarely even good sections of play. I do not see a quick turn around. I don't really know if Bolten is any good as a coach its just too hard to say with the list that he has. But what I would say is that the way the Blues are going now is beginning to look like the last days of Fitzroy, well they are neighbours after all.

So essentially you are saying Silvagni did a great job in building the list but since he left after the 2014 draft (their 4th draft) when GWS were making their move up the ladder (6 wins in 2014 and 11 in 2015) things have gone down hill? Sounds like SOS did a great job, just like he is doing at the blues.

Yes you are correct. But it was noticeable at the time that the body types Sheedy preferred were heavier and better developed than by the Suns at the same time. People inside GWS confirmed their strategy was to go for more mature bodies so that they would stand up to the knocks better. Clearly this was a better strategy than used by the Suns. My concern is really that after the initial flush of talent and relative success that their list has not been that well managed. I do not see any great change for the Blues in the next three seasons. But, I do think that the GWS has not yet demonstrated that the desiscions thay made in their list over the last three years were correct. In relation to the home Preliminary Final, Carlton's residual supporters may be watching from geriatric wards rther than from the stands by the time that happens.

You do realise in his two seasons as the head coach of the Giants, Sheedy coached 44 games. The team during his tenure had 3 wins and 41 losses, a winning percentage of 6.82%. Also GWS selected much younger players than the Suns, the Suns too the likes of Bock, Abeltt, Rishchitelli & Brennan, GWS took players like Scully, Davis & Ward. Finally I think the blues will find it easier to retain players than GWS, after all if the blues make a home preliminary final I think it will be played in front of 90k plus compared to 21k mainly opposition supporters.

I have been watching the list management at the GWS particularly closely since some of their first round of players came of contract. I though that the Sheedy approach of selecting AFL ready bodies over some other players with potentially greater long term potential was a canny strategy and separated them from the Suns who went for raw talent. However, what it did was slow the progress of late developers who did not get game time. As these players came of contract, GWS lost the reservoir of second stage talent. Additionally, young players brought through the system early are now showing signs of wear and tear, possibly one of the reasons for GWS' injury rate. The players that have come in from trades and the fraft have not really created the opportunities for the GSW they required. This was all predicatable. So why is this relevant to Carlton? The GWS outcome came from Silvagni, the initial apparent success of GWS came from once off draft advantages from the AFL and Sheedy's insight, not from SOS. I suspect that in the long run his list management at GWS will be shown to be little better than at the Blues. Despite their inital success and their talented list, I expect to see the GSW Giants and the Blues get closer together at the bottom of the ladder.

Like I've said all along, I'm happy to give Bolton until the end of 2020 which is 5 years in the job to see his plan through. If by mid 2020 we're not pushing the 8 then it might be time to look around coachwise but there's a lot water to go under bridge before then.

Kane, getting the Blues back to power would be a challenge that may well excite Clarko and getting Clarko would definitely help in attracting talent. Would be an exciting Summer for Blues fans knowing Clarkson was steering the ship.

I'm hoping they give Bolton until at least the end of next year, in my opinion sacking him this year isn't going to achieve anything. To answer your question tho Pete on who to replace him if he was to go there is only Clarkson and Longmire in my mind. I don't know much about the assistant's around the league now but is there one who stands out more than Bolton did before he was appointed? Maybe only Brett Ratten but Carlton have already screwed him over once before.

A couple of years too early to see if all the players you have bagged turn out to be duds. Some will be others not. Besides saying this, the real experts of AFL are saying it, ex players and coaches. Not some freebie writer with an opinion. As for Silvagni and sacking him now. No point. It is too early. Even if Silvagni is to blame and is truely incompetent it won't happen as the President is a good mate of his. It was said at the time that Carlton needs five years to improve the team to be finalists. We are still in the middle of the 3rd season, 2.5 years in. Come back in 2020 mid season and let me know how it turned out. Meanwhile, West Coast, Adelaide Crows and Geelong who knocked off a number of Carlton's old players still have ZERO FLAGS more than they had.

Well Kane if they do move Bolton into another slot say assistant coach, whatever, who would you want as senior coach to replace him from those seemingly available?

You are being generous Macca.

Just 1 more thing on the Friday night ratings - I wonder whether the rating drop has anything to do with BT coming on to Friday night's with the retirement of Cometti?

Lsane - I was very cranky when I realised the Tigers Cats game wasn't on FTA despite being in the 3.20pm time slot (especially on a freezing cold wet afternoon) and then it was made even worse (from my POV anyway) when I see Carlton Collingwood this Sunday is only on foxtel as well.

17 is too many. Time to move on and let the Blues be surely. Agree with above would love a passionate St Kilda piece. Dogs too is another story.

I know its hard to see... but there is always hope. As a Tigers fan, we went through more tough times than most. So much so that I have no idea how to be feeling right now, given how well we are going. This article is written by someone that seems to deeply care about their club, and really wants them to do well. It will happen, but patience is required.