23 minutes ago, joeboy said:

Just saw Bailey Smith in Coles Malvern which is only 10 minutes away from our future training facility at Caulfield race course😳

3 hours ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

1998 is the most exciting Melbourne time I've seen up until 2018. I do remember going to the North prelim, though, and thinking we played well but they were genuinely too good.

Agree that the system then was bizarre. We trounced Adelaide.

No regrets about 1998. Wooden spooners to a prelim is more than you can hope for.

I thought we put in an honest effort in the prelim v North but they were the best home and away side that year and genuinely chocked in the 98 GF. They also touched us up in round 17 that year so it was hard to see us turning the tables.

We can lament many a finals series but 1998 was not one of them.

1 hour ago, joeboy said:

Just saw Bailey Smith in Coles Malvern which is only 10 minutes away from our future training facility at Caulfield race course😳

He's an East Malvern boy...

1 hour ago, Ted Lasso said:

Cerra would have been a Melbourne player if we had the assets to trade for him, he was reportedly really keen on us but just had nothing to trade, and thank god because he’s stagnated or gone backwards as a player

I do wonder how much of this is Carlton's inability to develop players.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by Adam The God

4 hours ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

1998 is the most exciting Melbourne time I've seen up until 2018. I do remember going to the North prelim, though, and thinking we played well but they were genuinely too good.

Agree that the system then was bizarre. We trounced Adelaide.

I remember North being 1 goal better than us every quarter. Writing was on the wall at 3 quarter time.

(The Dees random sitting next to me had come off his dirt bike that morning and was told to go to Emergency to confirm broken leg. Went to the footy instead and lasted till 3 quarter time. Should have seen the colour of his face)

36 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

He's an East Malvern boy...

I do wonder how much of this is Carlton's inability to develop players.

90% I'd say. Add him to our 2022 midfield and we have at least 1 more flag by now.

7 hours ago, Ted Lasso said:

Feels like there is next to no chance we don't throw the kitchen sink at Zak Butters is there?

surely we put up mega dollars and try and lure one of Butters, Bailey, Humphrey or Reid in the next 12-24 months?

There's going to be a few great options, including maybe Merrett trying again.

I think clubs need to focus on one big target player, they can't take a scattergun approach at the top level. They can't promise the world to more than one star player because otherwise at least one will be left disappointed. Players and player managers wouldn't like that.

I don't think Hawthorn can afford too many more trade failures like Merrett without them getting a bad reputation. Likewise the Saints with Aleer.

Multiple clubs can focus on one player though and no doubt that will be the case with Butters.

We might be able to single Humphrey out from the herd while other clubs chase other targets.