Give Harry a go

[PaulP]

There are some things that can't be excused and taking out a champion player in a grand final is one of them.
I wouldn't expect Collingwood supporters to welcome Jim O'Dea at their club, and likewise Balme should be off limits at ours.
You can't take the emotion out of football and football clubs, people who say that it's a business are mistaken.

If we want to get back to our former position at the top of the tree, we need the best in the business in key positions. If that means sometimes you have the occasional uncomfortable bedfellow, then so be it. You can bet London to a brick that the Pratts, Elliotts and George Harris' of this world wouldn't care a damn about what Balme did 50 years ago. Their attitude would be focussed on what this person can do for us now.

You make an assumption that your position on Balme would be shared by most Carlton supporters - I don't think that's right, and a large part of the differences may be age related. It's also important to understand that emotions exist in a dynamic state. If Balme helps us to win a flag, those positive feelings don't replace what happened in the past - they can co exist and the flag win may help to ameliorate some of the past negativities. Sometimes you just have to move on.

You've mentioned in the past that you're the type that holds grudges, so what I've just posted may mean little to you.