‘Rebuild’ is a dirty word for Carlton coach Mick Malthouse.
The listless Blues are mired at the bottom of the ladder with one win going into round eight, and Malthouse believes the decision to label the club’s playing list as one in need of a rebuild has been a significant factor in the team’s on-field woes.
“We are devoid of confidence,” Malthouse said on Thursday.
“Inadvertently, whether it be the club or the press (that) have said that we’re rebuilding, well, that’s a big hurdle to overcome mentally when you’ve got players who’ve signed for four or five years.
“You bring players into the football club and they feel as if, ‘what did you bring me in here for if I’m not going to be considered (to be) in a side that’s going to go forward instead of rebuilding?’.”
Carlton president Mark LoGiudice and chief executive Steven Trigg have both publicly described the struggling club as in a rebuilding phase.
Malthouse says he will leave the club if three situations occur.
“If the board take it into their hands, well you can’t do much about it, you are a servant of the football club,” he said.
“Two, is if you think the players don’t want you there … then you have got an obligation.
“Three is, if you … wake up in the morning and you don’t want to be there.”