It seems that over the space of a few months this place developed into what it is now, Anti-Campo central.

Searching back over my own posts, I found even I, at one stage, couldn't fathom that i'd ever be happy to see the back of him. I know at least once I stuck up for Campo when people who at the time seemed 'extreme' would hang it on him. And now I'm happy he's gone.

Which brings me to Kouta.


Kouta is a legend of Carlton. At the moment he's the captain of our worst team ever and he's raking in a hefty paycheck, but he is far from the reason we are where we are.

Kouta is THE MAN. KOUTA IS CARLTON. It makes me want to vomit when people say he's "part of the cancer affecting our club" etc.

Verbs had the post of the millenium the other day when he spoke about fans taking pleasure in supporting their team and how it's dead around here.. granted, we're the worst team at the minute and we shouldnt be happy to be there, but we're killin ourselves if we can't enjoy things like Kouta picking the ball up with one hand ("Yeah he made $xx,xxx this quarter so he'd wanna do it more often").

Kouta is out of bounds. If he plays a bad game, fine, have a go at him for his performance (and im sure his salary will come into it here), but his character and status at Carlton cant ever be questioned..

It went from a few people saying Campo "isnt any good anymore" to it being ACCEPTED that people want to SPIT on photo's of him etc (see the other threads, that isn't an exaggeration..).

Kouta is starting to become the new whipping boy and it's a dead set joke. The man has done more for Carlton than all of the internet experts in this place COMBINED x100.

LAY OFF. THIS BLOKE PERSONIFIES THE CLUB I LOVE.


People need to think about this before Kouta becomes the new Campo around TC.

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"Some people take delight in Carlton. " - Verbs

Great Post benny

I said in another post its Campo out and Kouta in at the moment.

Do we have to do this?

Is every thread going to end slagging off Kouta til this time next year?

Long year ahead for Kouta fans I fear

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Love your passion benny...but Kouta is not immune to criticism.

I'll agree that some people go over the top with the bagging...and sometimes do it when there is no reason for it....that really pees me off...

He should be praised when he deserves it.

But he, just like anyone else at the club, must be subject to scrutiny.

Kouta has a responsibility to the club and the members.
If he cant meet it/ doesnt have the burning desire for it.. he should do what Aussie Jones and Luke Penny did...

We need a commited football team or we will be the next ex Stkilda.

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

2 things hurt Kouta at the moment. his knees which mean he cannot reach the heights we pay him for. Kouta was a grand player and still draws people to him so I am not fussed about his money except the pressure it exerts within our cap. As a veteran this is diminished.


Secondly he is our captain but is not a leader. Not in the mould of our great captains or even a Rats or a Braddles. Not his fault except he has accepted the mantle and therefore must accept the critism of how he handles it.


In the end though I doubt Kouta is fussed. I have no doubt he does the best he can but injuries, circumstances and the times work against him.

Great player, especially at his peak.

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

the money issue is largely irrelevant, because it's origin was in the Elliot days. What will be interesting to me is what Kouta will do at the end of next year. He's making noises that we wants to play in '07 and if he does I hope he accepts what the club offers without argument and does the right thing by the club. If he does, that's fair enough, and if he's had enough, that's fair enough too.

What will shit me beyond tears is if we have another drawn out saga like the Campo situtation....

You've made your point on this. Will we have to put up with a full year of every thread degenerating into a Kouta bashing session?

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

I think the talk from the club about Kouta is quite positive ATM. He has spoken about playing beyond next year and has spoken about how well he feels at the moment and how he is looking forward to training and 2006 and playing his 250th. He turns 33 in January so if he plays in 2007 he will be 34. Getting on a bit! You never know, he keeps himself in very good shape so it is possible

He isn't the Kouta of old but he is still an important part of our team and considering he played every game last season and 13 of those were 20+ possession games he is still effective.

He has probably been excessively remunerated in the last 3 or so years but I am not frustrated with Anthony on that, more of the whole mismanagement with TPP and the old culture of the place that resulted in generous contracts and hidden payments.

He is a Carlton great and i'll always consider him as one

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C'mon Blueboys!

If people think Kouta has been exploited by the opposition over the last couple of years wait till they get a hold of him next year...with the new rules
I think were going to have to hide him in the forward pocket.

Thats not Kouta hating its just whats around the corner.

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Kouta isn't the player he was. That's undeniable. Age and his knees have seen to that.

But he will never be in the same mould as Cancereale. He doesn't seem like the sort of player who would deliberately hold a team to ransom, and then demand that the club owed him. He's better than that.

I just hope he has a good, solid year, and hopefully he'll get some backup along the way.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Putting him in the forward pocket wouldn't be such a bad idea I don't think.
Clearly he's too slow for the midfield and probably not quick enough to be a defender either. I mean amongst Fev, Waite, Fisher, Betts he'd really stretch the oppositions defence as they couldn't leave him on some mug because he's still strong and a very good contested mark and kick. Could be dangerous.

Yeah you're right Mrs Caz, I don't think I made myself clear enough on this..

"Campo played a shocker today, the bloke shows no leadership and is soft."
^Acceptable.

"Campo is a cancer on our/my club" "Cancereale, d!ckhead, scum"
^disrespectful, really.. but i understand people are pissed about how he left.. likening a football player to the most horrific and tragic disease on the planet is obviously a bit much and people need some perspective, but I do understand people are pissed.

"people shouldn't be able to see the photo of campo on the wall because of the inch-thick layer of dried mucus that should be on it"

I mean come on.. I didnt even exaggerate that last one.. what a joke.


Surely you can see where I'm coming from here?

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"Some people take delight in Carlton. " - Verbs

His problem is along with everything else he has lost he has lost his marking if last year and the year before were any guide.

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Youll get your chance to clap him when we play Essendon*...

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Has he? I know his leap isn't really there either but I can't really remember to be honest how his marking was. I was pretty sure he was still a decent mark.

Good post Benny wont do any good though -

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

What shits me is why nobody talked Elliot into staying away from the futures markets... he was terrible with it.

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We all put up with your jokes?

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"Some people take delight in Carlton. " - Verbs

I dont joke....

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

what you are talking about benny is part of the payiff for the payroll they are on. Campo was on big money and that was fine for many while hje and the club performed, but once he/club didn't then the adolation turns to hate as quickly as day becomes night.

I cannot understand the hate of Campo, I'm just glad he has gone because i think he played a soft brand of football. he stood to often for mine and poointed etc. But his going doesn't concern me at except to please me it has occured.

I understand your dismay at the vitriol but its part of their package sadly.

Kouta has been so high in our esteem I wonder if he does fall just how far it might be in some eyes?

For me though besides his glories the thing i'll remember about Kouta was him coming on against melbourne wearing that brace. Here was a bloke trying to help a club, a hero that afternoon for mine.

Srtill think he is a weak captain though. That's just the way it is.

_________________
This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!