To improve in 2024 we need less from Marcus Bontempelli

[Mantis]

We need the same output from Marcus, we need more from the rest.

[Scorlibo]

Interesting discussion. For many years Bevo's mantra of players playing multiple positions frustrated me. Libba playing forward for instance was the epitome of waste. Yet it does seem as though we have a few players in West, Garcia and Smith who show great promise on ball but struggle elsewhere, and it is tempting to move some chess pieces around to see what they can do in the middle.

West has actually done very well forward of the ball during his two stints in the senior side this year and last. He needs to hit the ground running at the start of next year, we can't afford him to have another down patch to start the season. He's a prime candidate for a point of difference at the centre bounce when needed, but otherwise playing the bullocking forward role.

I probably differ to most on the efficacy of Macrae at half forward this year. Sure, he's not hit the scoreboard very regularly but his ability to get up and have an impact as the extra midfielder has been impressive. I think champion data rated him as the second best mid-forward behind Shai Bolton this year.

Bont to a wing is something I'd like to see trialled, enabling a Garcia or Smith to go into the centre bounce.

One thing's clear in my mind - next year we need to see some experimentation. It might cost us a few games but we can't keep going with the same side and strategy whilst expecting different results, and if anything our list is on the decline. Time to see what the kids can do!

[angelopetraglia]

Interesting clip from Josh Bruce.

Hopefully everyone can prepare themselves like Bont https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxaFZ...RlODBiNWFlZA==

[jeemak]

Interesting clip from Josh Bruce.

Hopefully everyone can prepare themselves like Bont https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxaFZ...RlODBiNWFlZA==

So is he not one of the guys going out and smashing the party party on the weekends like some have been purported to do?

Shocked!

[Curly5]

As captain, Bont needs to demand that teammates at least try to emulate his commitment to excellence. Think of captains of other clubs that set team standards - Joel Selwood springs to mind.

[anfo27]

Well, we're in a chicken vs egg argument now - players can make more of a contribution when they get more opportunity to make a contribution.

Has there been a successful team since the late 90s that has relied on one player to constantly drag them across the line? I really can't think of one. If you look at our 2016 side, we still have nowhere near a consensus on the Norm Smith. 2nd in our B&F that year was a role player who had 1 brownlow vote for his entire 253 game career.

Gary Ablett junior. They had plenty of stars in that team but even they recognised Gary's greatness & went out of their way to get the ball in his hands. They figured if Gary has the ball more, good things will happen. This is what we should do more often. Instead we have a ruckman running down the ground who thinks he can deliver the ball & make better decisions than Bont. Know your roll English! Let the bakers bake!
Nothing is stopping the other players from contributing more other that themselves. Stop blaming a great of the game for his team mates being lacklustre. Bobby Hill is a bits player but when the ball is in his area he does everything to make it count. Thats all we ask. I don't want them to get 25 possessions & kick 5 goals. Like Luke Dahlhaus when he started. When the ball was in his area he made his presence count.

[Mofra]

Gary Ablett junior. They had plenty of stars in that team but even they recognised Gary's greatness & went out of their way to get the ball in his hands. They figured if Gary has the ball more, good things will happen. This is what we should do more often. Instead we have a ruckman running down the ground who thinks he can deliver the ball & make better decisions than Bont. Know your roll English! Let the bakers bake!
Nothing is stopping the other players from contributing more other that themselves. Stop blaming a great of the game for his team mates being lacklustre. Bobby Hill is a bits player but when the ball is in his area he does everything to make it count. Thats all we ask. I don't want them to get 25 possessions & kick 5 goals. Like Luke Dahlhaus when he started. When the ball was in his area he made his presence count.

The issue with this is... there's only so much ball to go round. There are only so many CBAs to be spread among the midfield group, and this year indicates that our CBAs were not as evenly spread as they were in previous years.

Bont is brilliant, but we're playing under 15s football where the team seem to now be resigned to a few stars doing everything.