Any hint of optimism has been dispelled upon merely entertaining the thought of better times ahead.  For example, the return from injury of one star player only resulted in two stars subsequently succumbing to injury.

Similarly, last week we were greeted with the news of the appointment of Denis Pagan.  As soon as I started looking to pick the rose coloured glasses out of the cupboard, there has been a return to gut wrenching disappointment - this time, potentially even worse than finishing bottom, is the prospect that the Club may have breached the salary cap.

Like wounded prey, we are vulnerable from all quarters.  We are continuing in the off-season what began many months and, in truth, many years ago.  We are a football club that has momentarily lost direction and to say that we need a change in direction is stating the painfully obvious.

I have listened to the views of many supporters recently about the pros and cons of retaining the incumbent administration.  The one pleasing thing about this whole sorry saga is that it has galvanized nearly all of the supporter base.  Having said that, it is alarming that some refuse to see that the only way forward is to bring about a change.

The current administration has run out of "get out of jail free” cards, and it is time to face the music, wake up and smell the coffee, have a good hard look at itself and any other cliché you want to throw at them. 

The Board has tried and failed and it is hard for anyone to justify the Board being reinstated based on the dire state of the Club.  Just like Mr Elliott and co have caused others the indignation of falling on their sword, it is time that an eye was called for an eye.

It pains me, as it no doubt pains everyone, to see our beloved club on the ropes and punch drunk.  There is no clarity but an innate fear that the knockout blow is imminent.  Any self-respecting trainer would throw in the towel at this juncture and it would be nice to see John Elliott and the current Board do the same.

There is nothing left for Mr Elliott to do at the club.  He has lost the respect of club legends, the average supporter, football commentators and no doubt the current crop of players.

October 9 is a day that looms large for the Carlton Football Club and in fact, may be necessary in order to exorcise the demons wreaking havoc on the Club.  Perhaps the drama that has been Season 2002 cannot merely dissipate into oblivion without a final shootout. 

I don't want to entertain the prospect of more of the same.  It would divide the club and it may take years to pick up the pieces.

I urge Mr Elliott and those around him to throw in the towel.  It is the only decent and respectful thing to do for an institution that has served him well.  A failure to do so would reveal motivations to be not aligned to the Carlton Football Club but more narcissistic in nature.

I am hopeful that reason will prevail and the Club will move forward and beyond.  As bad as the dramas of today might seem, the present hurt would be multiplied many times over if the incumbent board is reinstated with a mandate to do more of the same to the Club.