What are your expectations for 2017?

[LP]

I saw Thomas pointing a few times, generally after mis-kicking, but no evidence that he was providing any direction whatsoever.  Self-preservation has been his primary motive, and that's understandable given expectations and his loss of pace and agility.

Maybe you are seeing what you want to see, like the stuff people saw watching McLean.

I expect this season the naysayers will keep bemoaning the selection of the likes of Thomas and White until the point their career ends. At which time I expect to hear the "I told you so" repeatedly after the fact.

Carlton needs to get as much as possible out of the older guys in 2017, while the young guys develop, let the oldies do some heavy lifting until the kids are ready and durable enough to step up.

[DJC]

Maybe you are seeing what you want to see, like the stuff people saw watching McLean.

I expect this season the naysayers will keep bemoaning the selection of the likes of Thomas and White until the point their career ends. At which time I expect to hear the "I told you so" repeatedly after the fact.

Carlton needs to get as much out of the older guys in 2017, while the young guys develop, let the oldies do some heavy lifting until the kids are ready and durable enough to step up.

I saw a hell of a lot more from McLean than I have seen from Thomas.

I was hoping that Thomas would be a contributor this season but his form in the JLT games was poor - apart from the odd cameo.  We really can't afford to carry Thomas if what he dished up in the JLT games is any guide to what he'll provide this season.  I'd rather get games into the kids or blokes like White, Graham, Sheehan and Buckley.

[LoveNavy]

Maybe you are seeing what you want to see, like the stuff people saw watching McLean.

I expect this season the naysayers will keep bemoaning the selection of the likes of Thomas and White until the point their career ends. At which time I expect to hear the "I told you so" repeatedly after the fact.

Carlton needs to get as much out of the older guys in 2017, while the young guys develop, let the oldies do some heavy lifting until the kids are ready and durable enough to step up.

Well said.
I'm no fan of the Thomas deal, but enjoyed his performance earlier on. IF he can add to the leadership and mentor the youngsters, on/off field, that's just as important at this stage of our club's development.

[kruddler]

I saw Thomas pointing a few times, generally after mis-kicking, but no evidence that he was providing any direction whatsoever.  Self-preservation has been his primary motive, and that's understandable given expectations and his loss of pace and agility.

It's a nice try Kruddler, but more a product of a vivid imagination than anything approaching reality.

My comments from his first time wearing navy blue are amongst these pages, times stamped for all to see.

He's been doing it from day dot. Just because the high horse sitting DJC can't/won't see something doesn't mean it fictitious.
I'm not the only one who has noted that, so perhaps you should investigate your own imagination and reality.

[LP]

I expect supporter perceptions and other preconceived ideas won't change in 2017, despite my expectation that Carlton delivers change in 2017.

I expect I'll regular fly off the handle in the immediate aftermath of an embarrassing defeat, and I expect Carlton will deliver that opportunity. But I expect them to do so less regularly than in immediate past seasons.

I expect the reactions, comments and posts of supporters will reflect both Carlton's on-filed performance and the events happening in the supporters private lives.

I expect no matter how much improvement and positives Carlton delivers, some supporters will only see the negatives.

I expect no matter how well a player like Thomas, Jones, Jaksch, Casboult, Kerridge, Gorringe or White perform, some supporters will refuse to judge them fairly.

[DJC]

If Thomas is such a wonderful mentor and on field leader, why hasn't he been included in the leadership group?

Clearly, the playing group and coaching panel must have missed Thomas providing the on field direction and leadership that is so evident to some observers 

[kruddler]

If Thomas is such a wonderful mentor and on field leader, why hasn't he been included in the leadership group?

Clearly, the playing group and coaching panel must have missed Thomas providing the on field direction and leadership that is so evident to some observers 

So by the same logic Armfield only learned to be a leader in the off-season then?

Cmon man, you're clutching at straws. Just let it go.

[PaulP]

The only true measure of the Thomas trade (as with any trade) is whether we would do it again, knowing what we know now.

His on field leadership may be crap, or it may be better than anyone in the comp - no one knows for sure. Perhaps it's laudable to try and salvage something from what has been a bad trade.

And I would also add that judging by our performances since 2014, his on field directions are either not very good, or else they're going unheeded. 

[cookie2]

The only true measure of the Thomas trade (as with any trade) is whether we would do it again, knowing what we know now.

His on field leadership may be crap, or it may be better than anyone in the comp - no one knows for sure. Perhaps it's laudable to try and salvage something from what has been a bad trade.

And I would also add that judging by our performances since 2014, his on field directions are either not very good, or else they're going unheeded.

Let's just say that we (CFC) are trying to make the best of what was a very bad deal for us. Hopefully we will be back in control of the situation after this season.

[LP]

If Thomas is such a wonderful mentor and on field leader, why hasn't he been included in the leadership group?

Clearly, the playing group and coaching panel must have missed Thomas providing the on field direction and leadership that is so evident to some observers 

Firstly you have to nominate yourself or accept a nomination for the leadership group, you are not just appointed.

If I recall correctly Thomas was asked this very question during the 2015 pre-season, about joining the leadership group, after he was allegedly nominated by the coaching staff, but he declined the offer saying he preferred to concentrate on recovering form and regaining some respect. Unfortunately we now know injury wrecked that season.

As for Carlton's leadership group, that's a very interesting topic to raise, with past greats like Lachie Henderson being a member of it in his traitorous final season!