Dead Man Walking

Carlton had no choice but to sack Brett Ratten following Saturday nights loss to the Gold Coast - which surely must go down as the worst in the clubs history (a history as great as any in VFL/AFL history).

The facts are that Ratten has had 5.5 years at the helm, for annual win totals of 10, 13, 11, 14.5, and 11. Now this might be acceptable for also ran clubs such as the Kangaroos and Dockers and Crows but at Carlton these are average returns at best. The side has gone backwards over the last 18 months - and for a coach of 5 years that means you have overstayed your welcome.

Ratten's biggest failure was the week-to-week volatility of his players - which ultimately must lie at the hands of the head coach. Sure he has been unlucky enough to be landed with some of the most pea-hearted stars ever to pull on the Navy Blue (tough nuts like Fraser Brown, John Nicholls and The Dominator must shake their heads in disgust at the softness of the current list) - but he seemingly did nothing to address this - or if he tried to was unsuccsessful. It is simply not acceptable to flog a hated rival one week, and lose to a bunch of teenagers the next - with a spot in the final 8 their for the taking. Too many times over recent seasons - Blues fans have seen a stunning/heroic victory followed up by an abject/unexpected loss. That trend couldn't continue.

Great change is needed at the Club and that will start with the coach. Hopefully the replacement gives the players a rocket on arrival and cuts any deadwood that is not willing to toe the line. Premeirships these days are only won by playing 4-quarter football for 22 rounds plus finals (or if the Crows win it this year a horribly lopsided darw) - and that is something Carlton and its players have proved unable to do over the last 5 years.

Welcome to the greatest club on earth Mick!