About five years ago, I looked at the club, where it was heading, and what it had in terms of its talent with the players we had. I wrote down where I thought the club would be at season’s end. So far, I have not missed. I will not dissect players’ performances, as I have said before; that is something others do. This is a different view and perspective on the team.
Recently, a post about AFL coaches was posted on social media. To my mind, one of the best coaches in the past ten years has been John Longmire. He became the coach of Sydney in 2010. He has been at the helm of the club since then, and in that period, the club won a Premiership in 2012. The club has missed being in the top 8 twice, 2019 and 2020. So, in 13 years, his consistent leadership has put the Swans in a position to vie for a Premiership and has only won it once.
Carlton has had since 2010; if we are to take a comparison that aligns with Sydney, is on its fifth, yes, the fifth coach. We have not had consistency across the board when it comes to the direction of where the club wants to go and how to get there. Yet there is an expectation that given the talent we have, and we have exceptional talent, the club, now in its fifth coach over 13 years, will achieve a way of playing that Sydney has taken 13 years to perfect.
Sure, we have injuries, but it should not mean that this should be the excuse for losing. The depth of any playing group has to be one where no matter who is out, they can fill the spot, maybe not in the same way, but it can be filled. However, perfecting a pattern of players and their abilities and what they can bring to a team requires not only talent and fitness but consistency in training and coaching. Where each player understands what will be expected of them and, given time and maturity, will deliver on those expectations.
How can any club achieve what we all want Carlton to accomplish if there has yet to be consistency in the end goal regarding its coaching team? Just look at how many coaches we have had over 13 years. If a coach such as Longmire wins only one Premiership in 13 years, what do you expect Carlton to achieve when Vossy has only been in charge since 2022?
I understand that the game was disappointing, but let’s be realistic here; we are just not yet ready. We are making exceptional strides in getting there, but it is going to take time. I know that some will say we’ve waited for so long, and the time is now. Rubbish! If we had had consistency in our coaching team, then sure, that is a legitimate statement. But we have not.
Today, I went out for a walk with my Carlton top and hat on. I was unafraid to show that I am a loyal and true club supporter. To lambast the club based on Friday night’s performance against what I consider a real contender for the Premiership is very narrow-minded, in my mind. We must stop this expectation that the club is better than the others in terms of its growth, because we have not had consistent coaching and therefore, a consistent game-plan, for a long time. We have it now, but it will take a little more time, and we need to be a little bit more patient. We need the consistency of what a consistency and belief in our coaches can and do bring. We will get there.
#GOBLUES!
SPORTZ 