Carlton coach Brendon Bolton has the Blues’ rebuild right on track, Jon Ralph writes

BRENDON Bolton is putting on a coaching masterclass as Carlton continues to show how far it has come since the former Hawks assistant took over and Liam Jones’s rebirth is just one example.

Brendon Bolton chats to Dale Thomas. Picture: Michael Klein

STRICTLY speaking it was recruiter Paul Brodie who triggered the Liam Jones backline experiment rather than Carlton coach Brendon Bolton.

Jones had just put in an awful display in an 88-point JLT series drubbing against St Kilda in early March and the ex-Giants recruiter known widely as “Stuka” proposed a last-ditch move down back.

Immediately the Carlton coaching department kicked into gear.

On the eve of the first VFL game Jones was told by Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser he had been repurposed as a key defender.

As Jones recalled this week, his first response was: “I don’t think so.”

Yet with a six-week VFL apprenticeship finally finished, he was last week another chess piece for backline coach Dale Amos and Bolton to position against Greater Western Sydney.

Has Liam Jones finally found where he belongs? Picture: Michael Klein

He was a revelation down back against GWS. Picture: Getty

It was a triumph borne out of desperation.

But as 4-7 Carlton prepares to take on Gold Coast on Saturday night, it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise.

Carlton’s coaching panel led by Bolton is humming, having played significant tactical roles in all four wins over the Giants, Essendon, Sydney and Collingwood.

Against the Giants it was a coaching masterclass as an organised, reinforced defence absorbed 14 more inside-50s with a midfield that lost the clearances 41-23.

RISING STAR: CUNINGHAM BECOMES BLUES’ LATEST NOMINEE

COACHING: HOW BOLTON HAS PROLONGED SIMPSON’S CAREER

DEFENDER: REBORN JONES POISED FOR REWARD

JOSH KELLY: BLUES IN HUNT TO LURE GWS STAR

David Cuningham this week scooped Carlton’s third Rising Star nomination in seven weeks, a credit to the club’s development.

Recycled recruits like Sam Docherty, who arrived at Carlton from Brisbane as a promising type with poor disposal, have turned into the elite of the AFL.

Levi Casboult has been transformed from a goalkicking laughing stock into a forward who has an extraordinary 18.6 for the season.

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton gives Blues fans the thumbs up after beating Collingwood. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

And the senior brigade like Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Matthew Kreuzer are starring and playing integral leadership roles off-field as well as executing Bolton’s game plan.

For a club with so many recent draft and recruitment skeletons no one underestimates how long this rebuild will still take.

But it is hard to fault any of the moves made since Bolton arrived with regards to game plan execution, development of kids or the maximising of talent.

Bolton is the head of a coaching team that includes Neil Craig, John Barker, Tim Clarke, Shane Watson, Amos, Matthew Capuano, Sav Rocca and Andrew Walker.

“I reckon the whole coaching panel is doing an excellent job,” chief executive Steven Trigg told the Herald Sun on Friday.

David Cuningham became Carlton’s latest Rising Star nominee this week as the Blues continue blooding and developing their kids. Picture: Getty

“We have still got a long way to go, but last week demonstrates we are well organised and playing with a really strong effort week to week.

“They are reflections not just of Brendon but the coaching group generally and the work we are doing.’’

The football world is intrigued by a rolling coaching contract that in essence sees Bolton protected for three years then on an employment contract.

It begs the question: what happens if a club in future years comes to Bolton and offers a five-year contract at $1 million per season?

“He has got security. There is a bit of a misunderstanding. He is protected, we are protected and to the extent any other club is interested in any other coach, there is no difference at the moment in that,’’ Trigg said.

Brendon Bolton chats to Dale Thomas. Picture: Michael Klein

“I would expect like any coach whether they are contracted, on staff or have a handshake agreement, that he walks in on the basis of a really strong relationship and says here is the state of play.

“There are protections in there for both parties. Our members and supporters need not be concerned about that. We are not vulnerable in any regard.”

A Carlton premiership legend arrived at the club a few weeks back and, without prompting, Bolton whisked him into a player meeting to observe the teaching in action.

He walked out spreading Bolton’s gospel.

He is uniting the club, slowly building a list that still has considerable holes, providing a football education and demanding excellence.

He isn’t the Messiah, but if he and his coaches can turn Jones from a VFL journeyman into a star defensive pillar, he is doing something very special.