Should we feel sorry for Carlton?

[Woods Of Ypres]

[John Wren]

[Greening gold]

Hiss! Off!

[Greening gold]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/all-that-can-be-saved-now-is-mick-malthouses-dignity-20150525-gh9e8f.html

All that can be saved now is Mick Malthouse's dignity
May 25, 2015 - 8:31PM

Caroline Wilson - Chief Football Writer for The Age

For the second time in four years, Mick Malthouse and his broken heart have lurched onto a collision course with their football club.

In 2011, Malthouse's struggle with his enforced termination date threatened to derail Collingwood as it worked towards back-to-back premierships. The Magpies' hierarchy, from president Eddie McGuire down, held their tongues and fought to keep the peace until the end of September. The backlash came later.

This time around, the stakes have dramatically lowered and only Malthouse's legacy demands protection. But respect is wearing thin and both sides currently seem to be struggling with just who will be the first to blink.

Carlton has at least placed a deadline on this agonising scenario and even in doing so has explained it has moved forward a decision in the club's best interests.

Whether both parties can survive the next fortnight which starts with a Friday night game against Sydney this weekend remains uncertain.

But what is certain is that this time around it really will be the end of Malthouse's coaching career.

He knows it and Carlton knows it even though the club has prolonged the agony until the bye when several directors will have returned from overseas and Mark LoGiudice and Co can best decide how to pick up the pieces.

Malthouse was undiplomatic if largely accurate in pointing out that the rebuilding label and the suggestion that no player was sacrosanct from trade was a trigger for his team's current listlessness. But his failure to urge his players into any sort of aggression or form over the past four weeks has cruelled any ambition of a new contract. The magic has gone.

And his refusal to play ball with his bosses has brought forward the conclusion even though it currently seems more like procrastination.

While some directors and executives wanted him gone last Friday LoGiudice remains determined to stick to a process.

Just as he remained mystified when he came on board as to why contracts in football could be served and honoured by clubs to their conclusion without question or comment, the chairman must now be wondering why Malthouse too cannot keep his end of the bargain.

Not only did he break ranks last week but Malthouse first raised the issue of his tenure pre-season when he said the insecurity was robing off on his players and assistants — many of whom will be terminated by the season's end. After just two losses the coach talked down his club lamenting that free agents did not want to join the club.

McGuire and Gary Pert must have felt like this was Groundhog Day. And after last Thursday's outburst Malthouse appeared oblivious to all the fuss. He was reportedly unrepentant at going "off message".

But Carlton is headed for its third wooden spoon in a decade and its fourth this century. Malthouse is not a beloved premiership coach at this club. Replacing favourite son Brett Ratten one year after Ratten had coached the Blues to their third successive finals series, Malthouse was seen to have also recruited his beloved fitness boss David Buttifant and then his former Magpie star Dale Thomas. Neither has proved a success.

History will relate that Malthouse coached three premierships and reached seven grand finals — eight if you include the 2010 draw — and coached more games than any other. Perhaps it's not too late for history to record that his departure when it came was dignified.

[ronrat]

If this was us the scum would be singing in the streets. Give them nothing and take them no where. If they didn't make finals for the next 50 years I wouldn't care. If they merged with St Vomit and folded I would care even less.

[Pies4shaw]

So, anyway, Ed - about that position as Director of Coaching. Is that still an option?

[yin-YANG]

This is just the beginning for the bloozers…

A wooden spoon for Caaaarlton is much better than Gold coast for footy… they have rusted on supporters and many more who will jump back on when the going gets better. And when will that be…? If you look at the other clubs around the bottom - they are younger and a lot better than the bloozers who are due for many more years of pain.

I think they might have 3 wooden spoons in a row!

They are pitiful but deserve no pity…

[regan is true fullback]

In 1981 Collingwood recruited a star rover, rod Waddell, who lived in our zone in the northern suburbs. He was our great hope, who was going to support our ageing rovers Shaw and Wearmouth. unfortunately the Showponies did some sleuthing and discovered he had put his address at his cousin's place in Lalor, which technically put him in Carlton's zone. so John Hickey and co, who would never challenge city hall, let him go to Carlton...

He was desperate to come to Collingwood. at Showponyland, he was fifth in line for a roving berth. He played 10 games for carlton, then was traded to Geelong, where his career petered out.

Carlton didn't need him. they were just being their usual arrogant selves.

[slangman]

[HAL]

Do you mean your name is John?

[Johnno75]

The only thing I feel sorry for Carlton is that they won't allow Bucks to round out his coaching set of tennis with Mick at 6-0.

[regan is true fullback]

slangman wrote:

[Golden Gordon]

Should we feel sorry for the Scum? Is this question for real?

Of course we shouldn't. Karma owes them BIG time!

[WarrenerraW]

As many have said already here, they revelled in our misfortunes for years and now the boot is on the other foot and I'm loving it. Hehehehe.

As far as I'm concerned they can rot in hell for all of eternity because that's where that shit stain of a club belong. I have nothing but contempt for the pigs. Their players are useless and weak as piss, their ground is falling apart, their board is divided and their supporters have abandoned ship. This brings me great satisfaction. I'm rewatching our mauling of the scum from a few weeks ago.

We should all be kicking them while they're down because that's what they deserve.

[Al Swearengen]

Sitting back and watching this saga implode is fun.
Couldn't have happened to a better organisation.

Foot is on the throat and I'm loving it.