Carlton great David Parkin fears they are two or three years away from being competitive and hopes the Blues receive an AFL priority draft pick.
The Blues, who are headed to their second wooden spoon in four years, will look at whether they ask the league for a priority pick at the end of the season.
Parkin, who coached the Blues to their most recent premiership in 1995, was in the ABC radio commentary box for Sunday’s 105-point mauling from GWS and was dismayed.
It was in sharp contrast to several tight games that he had watched earlier in the weekend.
“You think that offers everything you want to see in footy,” Parkin said of games on Friday and Saturday.
“Then I came home from the Carlton-Giants game on Sunday and I was miserable.”
Parkin noted that Carlton were missing nine front-line players last Sunday, plus he saw five youngsters who look like genuine prospects.
“But how quickly it can happen, I’m not sure,” he said.
“I’m all for giving them as many priority choices as they can (have).
“In a sense, it’s a bit like Richmond being in the wilderness for that long – it’s not good for the competition … but I’m selfish, I have a vested interest.
“Carlton are still two or three seasons away from being from what I call competitive – ‘competitive’ being that we can beat teams who finish in the eight and maybe win a premiership.”
Parkin also strongly endorsed senior coach Brendon Bolton and the support that the Blues are giving him.
He said it would be folly for an outsider to attempt a board takeover and then sack Bolton.
“I’m pleased he’s being backed in the manner he needs to be backed, Parkin said of Bolton.
“Whether you last the distance … somebody on the outside, who thinks they know better, will run against board and throw them out.
“That will only put Carlton back again.
“They’re on the right tram, they understand – unlike what we did in the past – it’s a long, hard road.”
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