What is with Melbourne Football Club ?
First they announce a leadership group that is widely regarded from all parts of the footballing community as a step in the wrong direction. You can read my thoughts in a previous post here. Now the new leadership group have suspended Nathan Carroll for what they have said to be “a lack of professionalism in preparation for the 2008 season”. It can’t be anything to do with what happened during his end of season trip in Germany for the Oktoberfest celebrations because no one else has been sanctioned and young gun Brock McLean and Jarrod Rivers where involved as well. One can only draw a conclusion that it has something to do with some other off field incident / incidents that we don’t know of yet?
Melbourne have indicated that Carroll has been completing what is probably his best pre season to date so I don’t think it is a weight / skinfolds issue and is looking in great shape.? He has not been suspended for any specific incident but the new leadership panel have come to the conclusion that he was not showing the level of professionalism required by the Melbourne Football Club. Maybe has been partying too hard or something, or his scruffy look doesn’t fit in? What ever the reason Carroll is suspended by the Club for 2 NAB Cup games. Not that anyone is taking the NAB Cup seriously anyway!
I guess it gives a youngster the opportunity to step up during the NAB Cup and show Dean Bailey that they can play. Carroll may find himself on the outer for a while who knows?
I reckon it is this just the new look leadership group trying to assert it’s authority. It will be interesting to see what happens for the rest of the year if another player doesn’t toe the line.
Have a look here at how I think Melbourne will go in 2008. And don’t forget to sign up for AFL Football Blog’s Weekly AFL Newsletter.
