Honest reflection and the path forward

[GVGjr]

Forward or back?

Naughton
JUH
Bruce
Schache
Keath,
Gardner

Plus Darcy unknown

Bruce injured. We knew that.
JUH not ready yet, Darcy might need two season before he is ready. We should have known that.
That leaves Naughton, Schache Keath and Gardner.
Cordy doesn't make the list but he is a back-up ruckman.

English
Martin is struggling. We should have expected that.
Sweet hasn't displayed much this year but I remain hopeful.

[mjp]

Out of the experts in the footy media only you and HB Meyers from the mongrel punt were questioning the recruitment of Treloar.

OK - I'm not in the media but media in ALL sports chases the story.

Treloar is a very well known player and therefore a good story. Adding good players to your team is generally seen as a good thing.
I've just coached for a really long time. Players are happiest playing their role...they don't like shuffling around from week to week (though MOST can deal with it during a game - for example, "We need you to go to half back" or more simply, "GO TO HALF BACK"). During the week though, their friends and family and manager will be telling them how it isn't fair they aren't playing ... (insert position here). You need to tell the coach you should be playing ...'. They then complain to their team-mates - some of whom will also be disgruntled for whatever reason (players not getting a game are generally disgruntled on some level) and, well...if their team-mates fuel the fire...

My two questions are which midfielders would you look to trade

I don't really 'do' trades because I always believe that whichever team is bringing in the BEST player will do the best out of the deal. Trading - to use the example from 2020 - Dunks for 2x first round picks? I wouldn't want to do that as I suspect Dunks will be better than the 2x first round picks.

...secondly why hasn’t the coaching group tried to fix the stat padding and one way running? Or do the coaching group not value a defensive mindset?

We don't know that they haven't. They watch the games as well. Remember, a few weeks ago it was just our goal-kicking that was the problem!

[bornadog]

Are they all forwards? Yes. Mcdonald was a defender but been a forward for years.

So are you saying we need another tall forward on our list?

[bornadog]

Bruce injured. We knew that.
JUH not ready yet, Darcy might need two season before he is ready. We should have known that.
That leaves Naughton, Schache Keath and Gardner.
Cordy doesn't make the list but he is a back-up ruckman.

English
Martin is struggling. We should have expected that.
Sweet hasn't displayed much this year but I remain hopeful.

I know all that, but I was asking how many more do we need and do we need a backman or Forward. I know we need another ruck on the list.

Just a question, not disputing anything.

[bornadog]

I just think our mindset is ALL WRONG though. We treat the opposition with zero regard. Our mids zone off continuously, our forwards (exception of Naughton) go through the motions with regards applying pressure...as a result, our defenders are constantly chasing butt.

We give the opposition a look every week - our effort is not unacceptable by and large...but we don't play ruthless footy.

Is this an assessment of this year, or last as well (ignoring the GF) ?

I think we didn't rate Adelaide and thought we don't lose in Ballarat, and this will be an easy win. Adelaide thought, the best way to stop these blokes is numbers around the ball and pressure, pressure pressure, and we didn't have a plan B.

[azabob]

We don't know that they haven't. They watch the games as well. Remember, a few weeks ago it was just our goal-kicking that was the problem!

Thanks mjp. I did know you were not in the media, didn’t mean to tar you with that brush!

My take on the coaches is they are happy with what the midfielders are doing otherwise one or two would’ve been dropped to the VFL.

[GVGjr]

I know all that, but I was asking how many more do we need and do we need a backman or Forward. I know we need another ruck on the list.

Just a question, not disputing anything.

I think a versatile tall and an extra ruckman is where I would invest in.

[bornadog]

I think a versatile tall and an extra ruckman is where I would invest in.

Ruck/Forward would be handy

[mjp]

Is this an assessment of this year, or last as well (ignoring the GF) ?

It's an assessment of the last 4 or 5 years. We lose games we shouldn't because we flirt with the footy and the opposition. We've lost games to Gold Coast, Carlton, a final to St Kilda...the list goes on. I don't think being a 'great side' is the most important thing to us...being a 'good side' but being a 'great player' seems more the balance we are going for.

[mjp]

Thanks mjp. I did know you were not in the media, didn’t mean to tar you with that brush!

My take on the coaches is they are happy with what the midfielders are doing otherwise one or two would’ve been dropped to the VFL.

...and play WHO?

[mjp]

I think a versatile tall and an extra ruckman is where I would invest in.

See - I don't want that.

I want a player with a clear 'bent' either way. A key forward or a key back - who knows his role and is comfortable with it.

A ruckman? Yeah. There is a draft every year...draft one every year.

[azabob]

...and play WHO?

This isn’t a new problem that has arisen over the last week or two so player availability isn’t why we are not making a change.

[FrediKanoute]

Did someone seriously suggest we get James Hird to the club or did I imagine it?

I coulnd't believe that I read that either. Thought maybe it was getting Shane Heard to the club mispelt

[GVGjr]

See - I don't want that.

I want a player with a clear 'bent' either way. A key forward or a key back - who knows his role and is comfortable with it.

A ruckman? Yeah. There is a draft every year...draft one every year.

I'm not sure that quite works either, we will just throw players into roles.
Lewis Young was around the mark of versatility we probably need but we wanted him to play ruck.
Schache has been on a wing, forward and back. Cordy forward, back and in the ruck.

I'd prefer a tallish defender and of course a ruckman.

[bornadog]

A ruckman? Yeah. There is a draft every year...draft one every year.

I have heard you say that every year and couldn't agree more.

We pickup hBF and Mids every year, why not some talls.