http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/real ... 92057.html

An interview with Pagan. The main topic being the development
of our list.

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You can just smell that fresh Carlton arrogance coming back into the air

Anyone else heard that before ...

I would say that AW and Betts IMHO have improved dramatically. If you then include the improvement of Fev, Carazzo, Simpson etc., then surely Pagan and the assistants are still on the right track. Care to disagree?

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You can just smell that fresh Carlton arrogance coming back into the air

Yes we have heard the cliches before, but afl coaching is a tough thing to do and yes Carlton is starting an improvement cycle from way behind other teams, These things are true. Denis is right to say the things he is saying.

Its always tempting to think that because we are Carlton, that we will achieve success quickly and we have some magic extra something over the other clubs.

Reality is we are destined to to the hard yards for a fair while yet.

I think is reasonable for us to hope that when we get somewhere close to a team that could make the finals, there will be that extra intangible thing that becomes apparent.

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My Blue Heaven

James Bond, I care to disagree of sorts...

You're right in that there is no doubt development in the players that you mentioned, but the reason why these guys have developed is because they are given game time and a chance to develop.

Could any of these players come on earlier if they were given more exposure at the senior level earlier.

I mean if JR was given more of a chance last year (and I know there are going to be people saying that they have to prove something at VFL level before they deserve a chance in the big league), but JR was our top 10 draft pick, he should be capable of playing senior footy in his first year or else he should not be a top 10 pick.

Players take time to develop, but they also need exposure or else they just become very accomplished VFL players and we already have enough of them.

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"our guest is dressed by hand-me-downs, hair designed by pillow"

I understand where you are coming from, but consider what has happened to other top 10 picks like Kosi and Ball who were thown in the deep end. Too early possibly? If Ball wasn't finishing school in his first year at St Spoonda then he may have been thrown in earlier again.

There are no guarantees and you have to trust that a combination of player welfare and form warrant selection for young footballers still growing into their bodies, let alone their minds.