04-17-2022, 08:47 AM
Carlton players for the past 25 years have picked and chosen when they are going to play. They chose to play in the first half and they chose not to play in the second. This has been going on for decades and not just years. It is a cultural thing. They feel comfortable so they drop their effort. The other team sense it and come hard, our players panic, stop running, stop playing for the team, revert to self preservation, kicking it anywhere and hoping someone else will stand up and save the day. Had a Port Adelaide kid in front of me who was almost crying in the first half, had to tell him last season Port absolutely slaughtered us, and told his dad that Carlton could lose it from here. His dad didn't believe me. I had to assure him that Carlton may not turn up after half time. Now if I knew that sitting, in the outer, never played an AFL game in my life, how is it our players don't seem to know it. I refuse to get enthused or energised by Carlton until they are willing to turn up week in and week out and try. I don't care whether we win or lose, though I prefer to win obviously, but what I want are players who will have a red hot go every time, not just when it suits them. I can barrack for a team that has a go. Don't explain away losses, don't excuse lack of effort, don't expect it will all turn around one day. Until the players say no more it is not going to change.