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.”
Paul D
Roar Guru
I have a bit of sympathy for Carlton, but if we have to keep getting setback up north in the draft, and have assistance pulled because of the latest Victorian club tyre fire that needs extinguishing each season, then at some point there has to be a line drawn under this. Either that or Carlton accept the price of continuing to exist in this competition is to be perpetually terrible and stop asking for assistance.
J.T, Delacroix
Guest
I think it’s ‘sow’ Dougie, but that aside, I can’t help but agree. I remember the arrogance of the John Elliot era in particular. The once mighty have fallen big time. Very hard to summon much sympathy for them now.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Carlton are getting everything that they deserve. Actually, no they aren't; the appropriate penalty for 100 years of arrogance and chequebook driven success would be about another 85 years of what they are currently offering. Seeing them get humiliated every week is just as good as seeing my own team win; I got a special glow of satisfaction from seeing GWS continue to outplay them even when it was 16 vs 18. Feeling much happier about the lads in orange now. Anyway, back to the point; let the humiliations continue for as long as possible!
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Why should the AFL give them a priority pick? They're only where they are because of terribly incompetent leadership. Unlike Brisbane and Gold Coast, they can't blame external issues such as 'the go home factor'. Stuff 'em. Reap what you sew, Blues.
Jed Lanyon
Roar Rookie
Blues have to ask for a priority pick. They don't look close to being a competitive AFL team at the moment. They are still so young too after losing Gibbs and Docherty for the year.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Three years would take them beyond even Macca's ultimatum of playing finals in 2020. Nine players out is a lot though for a young side. Get some players back in 2019 and go hard in the off season. Maybe Gaff can redeem himself by joining a lowly side and announcing he wants to help the young Blues get back? If the Blues get some players back, land Gaff and a few experienced good players they can at least sell hope to their long suffering fans in the off season. With Bolton, who knows, they may find he's like that horse Chautauqua and can't leave the stalls but if the players are there in 2019 he has no excuse to not show rapid improvement.