Talent gap is clear, says Malthouse

[Ricochet]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-07-02/talent-gap-is-clear-mick

CARLTON's list lacks talent, with the performances of Ed Curnow and Collingwood's Steele Sidebottom in the Pies' 15-point win last Sunday night highlighting the Blues' problems, coach Mick Malthouse says.

Malthouse told reporters on Wednesday the fact the Blues had lost five games by 15 points or less this year posed questions about their list.

And the veteran coach said it was not Carlton's heart, work rate or dedication on the training track that was letting them down.

"I think the thing that beat us on the weekend was the talent level," Malthouse said.

"It doesn't say (anything) about the heart level, it doesn't say (anything) about the running level, it doesn't say (anything) about the competitiveness."

Malthouse said it was "probably unfair" on Curnow to make a comparison between his and Sidebottom's games on Sunday night, but said it reflected the gap between the sixth-placed Magpies and his 14th-placed team.

Sidebottom (33 possessions) and Curnow (28) both found plenty of the ball, but the Magpie hit 90.9 of his targets while Curnow his just 57.1 per cent of his.

Malthouse said the game-defining moment late in the Blues' loss when Curnow turned the ball over in the centre corridor and Sidebottom pounced to kick the game-sealing goal highlighted the shortcomings of the Blues' list.

"One kicks it and loses it, the other picks it up and kicks a goal," Malthouse said.

"It's got nothing to do with want, it's got nothing to do with courage, it's just the ability to hit the right target or take the right option.

"Sidebottom spins around, [kicks goals] twice, and we have a couple of shots on goal and either don't make the distance or kick a point.

"So we can't get over the line in those (games). Is it lack of practice? No, it's not lack of practice.

"Is it perhaps our ability to have 22 very, very good footballers on the ground? We've got some good footballers and we've got some players that play with a lot of heart, but perhaps the talent level is not quite there."

Asked how quickly the Blues could turn their list problems around, Malthouse was reluctant to set a timeframe.

But he was heartened by the development of Carlton's youngsters, praising Blaine Johnson's performance in his debut on Sunday night, saying he had kept Jeff Garlett out of the side.

"That's the sort of (internal) pressure you have to have to improve," Malthouse said.

The three-time premiership coach also said Nick Holman and Irishman Ciaran Sheehan were "on the cusp" of making their debuts.

"When they get their games they'll improve our list," he said.

Malthouse said Mitch Robinson's two-week suspension for striking Collingwood's Taylor Adams' was "terribly disappointing".

Robinson, who was suspended for one week earlier this year for striking St Kilda's Jack Newnes, now had to realise "this is a game that's heavily scrutinised and you've got to play within the rules", Malthouse said.

Jarrad Waite was dropped to the VFL last weekend and will have to prove he has overcome a hip injury to play this weekend.

Asked what the key forward had to do to return to the Blues' team, Malthouse was succinct.

"Jarrad needs to come to grips with what we're trying to do here at Carlton and that is build a side that is massively competitive," he said.

[RiOtChEsS]

pretty fair evaluation

[Vinny]

Yeah I reckon it is a fair evaluation but it is not really anything new.Think we need to make some tough decisions now but not sure the club will.

Reckon it is a bit stiff to compare Curnow and Sidey. Steele missed three games through suspension meaning he was completely healthy and got somewhat of a pre-season of three weeks to get ready for the back half of the year. Curnow broke his leg. Not taking anything away from Sidey, played an unbelievable game but just saying.

[GoLions]

TL;DR

[kilbluff1985]

you just have a shower predictable game plan Mick

[Mr.Craig]

TL;DR

Sidebottom is better than Curnow.

[Nige]

Mick's only just realised?

[RiOtChEsS]

Sidebottom was a top 10 draft choice and Curnow came off the rookie list, u would think he should be more "talented"

Imo we just havent got enuf out of our draft choices in the last 5 years, whether thats the player or the personel department

[muzza3465]

It is really good to hear this being said as we have all known it for a while but no body at carlton was saying it well nobody with any pull. One of the first things i heard our new president say was our recruiting  and development needs to be addressed, and it does. And now for mick to come out and say that, it sounds as if everyone is on the same page. I personally feel they need to see who is going to stay and who is going by blooding some of these faces we hav,nt seen, unfortunately we have a couple of steps back to go forwood and that's fine i just hope its done with an eye on the future anyway thats my little vent go the blue boys

[Mailman the 2nd]

Every day that passes I wonder more and more why malthouse hasn't retired yet.

[Master Q]

It's safe to say there will be a large turnover of players this off-season

[Vinny]

Hope so.

Who you reckon is on the way out?

Brock McLean, Kane Lucas, Jarrad Waite.

REALLY hope Carazzo is fine after re-doing his calf. :'(

[Master Q]

Tom Temay. Apparently he played in the VFL Development league this weekend...