GWS wrote:
When did Peter Dean, Bruce Doull, Andrew McKay, Michael Sexton, Ange Christou and any number of others who spent their careers putting the club first hold the club to ransom and allow their agents to manipulate the media to get themselves an extra few bucks whilst dragging the club through the mud?
IMO a couple more factors need to be considered. All the players that you mentioned above play a certain style of game. They are all hard, tough and courageous players. (Which of course you want).
The lighter framed (outside) players are more likely to be considered "soft" and are more likely to be targeted as Whipping boys.
Houla is a fine example. Not matter what he does on the football field; he has the "soft tag" attached to everything. To me it’s more about perception. Houla looks laconic at times. He is not well built like a Doull, Dean, etc and he doesn’t really fit the ideal description of a footballer for some. Most people however who watch any amount of football realise that you need ball carriers just as much as you the inside players and Houla's disposal by foot is a required attribute.
The second point (which The Chief pointed out) is success. Take Wayne Campbell. On big dollars and with the Tigers on the bottom of the ladder copped it from all quarters. An overpaid and underperforming whipping boy! This season however a little success and they want him to stay on for another season? Why? A little bit of success and people are a lot more forgiving.
Lastly we (Carlton Supporter) don’t take failure or lack of success very well. We are not very good losers and so don’t take kindly to players under performing. We are not used to it.
Of course you’re right GWS. If high priced players under perform then you and everyone else is entitled to have a crack. Don’t have a problem with that.
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FAQ
)Clearly the performance of the team has been sub standard for the last few seasons, and the natural response will be to bag certain players. I have no problem with criticism as long as it is justified and warranted. However, when emotions come into play, it can be hard to be objective.
