Carlton supporters are beginning to turn on under-fire coach David Teague as the Blues face their eighth-straight AFL season without finals football.
Carlton are staring at an eighth-straight season without AFL finals as Blues supporters begin to turn on under-fire coach David Teague.
After bringing in big-money recruits Adam Saad and Zac Williams during the off-season, the expectation was Carlton would be ready to surge up the ladder.
But at 4-8, having gone 0-7 against top-eight teams this season, Teague concedes it will now be an “uphill battle” to qualify for finals.
The Blues sit three games and significant percentage behind eighth-placed Richmond and it would take a historic resurgence for them to play in the post-season for the first time since 2013.
Teams have rarely finished inside the top-eight from such dire positions, with the 1995 Brisbane Bears (4-11 to 10-12) and 2014 Richmond (3-10 to 12-10) exceptions.
None of Carlton’s defeats this season have been horrible with their heaviest loss to Port Adelaide by 28 points, but the frustration is they keep faltering in similar fashion.
The Blues entered Sunday’s clash with West Coast, which was moved from Marvel Stadium to the SCG due to Victoria’s COVID-19 outbreak, as favourites.
The Eagles were decimated by injuries to stars like Josh Kennedy, Oscar Allen, Tim Kelly, Jeremy McGovern and Luke Shuey and their record away from Perth this year has been poor.
But after conceding the first three goals of the match, Carlton never managed to grab momentum and were left to rue another missed opportunity.
Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay being subbed out with concussion in the opening quarter was a blow, but that was far from Carlton’s biggest problem.
The backlash to the loss on Carlton’s social media pages was brutal, with one supporter posting a photo of his membership torn up.
After taking over as interim Blues coach in mid-2019 following the sacking of Brendon Bolton, Teague’s win-loss record is 17-23.
He was appointed as full-time coach in August 2019, riding a wave of optimism from Blues fans on the back of several exciting wins.
But that early enthusiasm has well and truly dissipated, with Carlton faithfuls wondering when they will again be in contention to add to their 16 VFL/AFL premierships.
Since Carton smashed the Western Bulldogs by 52 points in round six last year to enter the top-eight for the first time since 2013, the Blues have won just eight of 23 games.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Agree about Sheppard, seeing that he's out with concussion. Who's on Ryan, Allen or Kennedy? We'll see how the west- east-west travels suit your big boys.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Lyon does strike me as having great commentary insights into the game re structures etc. However he doesnt strike me as a personal learner i.e. what dont I well, what can i improve evolve? His work at Freo was horrible particularly in forwards / scoring probably from that previous Sydney assistant coach defensive game that is now dated. That St Kilda side with all that talent should have won at least one premiership.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
He's not alone re this. Media supercoach rubbish focus on these numbers that still result in low scores or even no wins Give me a Jobe Watson or a Dixon type anyday where their touches matter in games and remind us whats great in Australian rules
HedleyLamarr
Roar Rookie
Well Harry's twin just signed a two year deal to remain a Roo. Anythings possible i guess.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Agree with Shepherd, really good small defender (& I’m a Docker?). It would be interesting to compare experience of the 2 sides. Whilst Eagles had a number of their best out, they still had probably equal if not greater experience players in the side. NicNat, Darling, Sheed, Yeo, Cripps, Gaff, Barras etc (haven’t included Ryan) are as good if not better than Cripps, Curnow, Betts etc. the good sides with depth lists of experience & skill can overcome multiple injuries to the lesser sides who are trying to build that depth with a few good players surrounded by developing players. That’s not to underestimate that the Eagles cover losses better than just about any side.
The Ghost
Guest
Richmond will smash your mob this Sunday night. Sheppard won’t be able to quell the influence of Graham, Bolton, Riewoldt, and Coleman-Jones. Grimes will shut Darling down. Richmond by ten goals.
Puntroad
Roar Rookie
Haha I was just thinking Caddy but don’t want to lose him. There are some other tigers too but I’m keeping them to myself. I’d certainly rather have caddy than Marc Murphy.
Clear as mud
Guest
How good has Caddy looked the last two weeks. Depth players everywhere.
Clear as mud
Guest
Richmond were 3-10 in 2014 and played finals. Carlton still have to aspire to that until it is impossible.
Daft
Guest
So, we sign up Teague and his sub-coaches for 5 years to 'give them a chance'? This sport is pro sport, the average career on an AFL list is under 3 years. We don't have the time to develop a coach and his flunkies. What we know without a doubt is the team is unable to stop goals in defense and that is fixable with discipline and a plan. Why can't they adopt Melbourne's defensive system? You don't need to stop chasing a forward because you cannot be bothered. Midfield problems are due to poor recruiting. Can't do much there until the next draft. The forwards need kicking practice. When you start seeing the kicking around the corner from set kicks you know that the player has problems between the ears. Problem with Carlton and it's followers is we were ruthless club with non performers for over a century but this new modern thinking is that 'everyone gets a medal' and it has led us to this excuse for mediocrity. If you think this is okay what we are seeing, please go follow another club. I want to see a clean out of the coaching and football department. And get the best people in who have experience and a proven track record. This is Carlton people, not a university amateur club.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
With the turmoil going on will Cripps still want to stay ? Carlton priority should be Mitch Wallace cheaper and better than Cerra and Kelly who are not the type of players that would be suited at the blues. I hope Cerra knocks back the ridiculous offer of $ 750, 000 a year and goes home to his family.
1dog
Roar Rookie
Might suit me
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
There's two at the Power that are like that in Lienert and Garner, forget recruiting superstars, get the blokes who are being squeezed out of good 22's
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Adam Cerra will cost more than Patrick Cripps.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Strange collection of names. One left for financial opportunities (and a very expensive house in Brisbane) as he established his new marriage, one was traded because he wanted more selection opportunities, one was delisted and one is part of future leadership and hasn't left. None of them left because they wanted to abandon a struggling club. For a start, Freo is well and truly on the up. You continue to try to comment on Fremantle without knowing any of its players.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea Mitch Wallis is best to leave Bevo has made it difficult for him to return. With our three tall forward line on fire & the Flee & Hannan doing well no more room for Mitch :laughing:
Macca
Roar Rookie
And not all of them work out. A lot of "inexperienced" have rough starts to their careers but given time become great experienced coaches. When Clarkson had coached 44 games he had just 14 wins. 2 years later he was a premiership coach. When Hardwick had coached 44 games he had just 14 wins, 2 years later the Tigers were playing finals.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Like Lachie Neale, Hayden Crozier, Jessie Hogan and Adam Cerra.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
You can always follow the dogs?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Teague is very experienced through the assistant circuit.