Round 9 Discussion

[boydogs]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

I remember looking at North's list preseason and counting six players over thirty. That's a lot of list space allotted to players in that age group.

Does any other list have more?

Freo have 6 as well and the oldest average age in the AFL, just ahead of North

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-have-perfect-list-profile-while-fremantle-oldest-list-in-afl-says-latest-data/story-fni5f22o-1227149047364

[comrade]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

North are about to fall off the cliff.

What were they thinking bringing in Waite and Higgo?

Even if they improve in the second half, they'll still be relying on veterans like Dal Santo and Wells to give them a boost.

[jeemak]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

North are about to fall off the cliff.

What were they thinking bringing in Waite and Higgo?

Even if they improve in the second half, they'll still be relying on veterans like Dal Santo and Wells to give them a boost.

But isn't that what all teams who made a prelim the previous year do for the most part, one way or another?

It should also be noted that North brought in Waite and Higgins under the free agent system - which cost them nothing but salary, and were able to reap the benefits of two picks within the first 25 picks overall, whilst only giving away Levi Greenwood who hasn't registered a single stat this year.

I can't question their strategy to be honest, especially considering their immediate need for more class and fire power across the board. If they had more top end younger talent pushing through that might be tempted to go elsewhere because of constraints on salary cap as a result of recruiting Higgins and Waite then perhaps I could be more critical. But the reality is their list is full of middle of the road talent that does rely on contributions from older players heavily to be competitive.

North are now paying for recruiting and list management decisions under previous regimes due to a lack of resources and list management foresight. Blaming a couple of restricted/non-restricted free agents for their list management woes, and their inability to seriously challenge at the top of their cycle is off the mark.

[comrade]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

So bringing in Higgins and Waite was a good idea?

[Bornadog]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

So bringing in Higgins and Waite was a good idea?

I would say Higgins yes as he is still youngish but not Waite. A hasbeen that has never been.

[jeemak]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

So bringing in Higgins and Waite was a good idea?

Yes, considering they believe they didn't cost them anything other than a bit of salary they'd only be paying to players that don't warrant extra cash.

As I said, they brought those two in whilst also taking two players within the top 25 players within the draft. What's the problem when Higgins is averaging more tackles than he had throughout his career and is kicking 60% more goals than he did previously?

Waite is also ahead statistically compared to his career on a number of stats.

How would Norf supporters feel if their club had obvious gaps on its list that were not in some way addressed after missing out in a preliminary final?

[comrade]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

Yes, considering they believe they didn't cost them anything other than a bit of salary they'd only be paying to players that don't warrant extra cash.

As I said, they brought those two in whilst also taking two players within the top 25 players within the draft. What's the problem when Higgins is averaging more tackles than he had throughout his career and is kicking 60% more goals than he did previously?

Waite is also ahead statistically compared to his career on a number of stats.

How would Norf supporters feel if their club had obvious gaps on its list that were not in some way addressed after missing out in a preliminary final?

The problem is they haven't improved, despite adding two expensive (in relative terms) free agents. Salary cap is a precious resource, that should be distributed to those that improve a team.

And that's the rub of it.

What were they thinking bringing in Higgins and Waite at inflated free agent salaries to fill gaps that didn't really need filling? As you say, both are performing (statistically) around the mark but overall, the team performance has dropped off.

Their LM team completely misread their list needs. What they needed was elite midfield talent and key defenders (amongst other things), what they bought in was 2 middle of the road forwards which haven't addressed any of their deficiencies.

And ask Norf supporters right now how they feel about picking Higgins and Waite as the men to fill these 'obvious gaps'.

[westdog54]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

Have only watched some highlights of the North-pies game.

Jarrad Waite's 'shot on goal' is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen.

[jeemak]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

Comrade, how much elite midfield and forward talent was around last year? If I recall correctly, Greenwood was about the extent of it.

As for defenders, wasn't It tough to secure them as well?

It's easy to knock Higgins and Waite, but they're only a small part (if at all) of what's wrong with Norf and certainly not the reason why they squandered a 39 pt. half time lead.

[Ozza]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

I think North have been hurt by the lack of development of a few through the midfield and flanks.

Atley & Bastinac were discussed on one of the footy programmes as being underperforming. Kieran Harper looked promising in his early games but has been virtually unsighted since. Aaron Black looked a player two years back - but seems to have lost confidence and with it, his place in the side.

Apart from this, it staggers me that Firrito would still be able to get a game in a team that sees themselves as top 4. Thompson isn't the A Grader that he was 2 years ago, and Grima is injured - so they seem to struggle with handling the tall forwards.

Is Aaron Mullett injured at the moment? Last year, he gave them some real drive with his kicking. Bit of a worry that Harvey & Petrie playing at a high standard is still so crucially important to their chances of winning at their ages.

[Happy Days]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

North fail the heavy artillery test - none of their midfielders are game breakers or really above the league median. Ziebell is their best, but is a reckless and often times dumb player. Swallow is an overrated foot soldier and Cunnington is unaccountable and not good enough to be so. Together they combine to make a more than serviceable midfield, but will always lose out to teams who have genuine guns (see: all the teams that have done them by +10 goals).

That is not the sort of side that should be looking to add "cream".

[jeemak]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

I wonder why Dixon and Martin played so poorly on the weekend?

http://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/2015-06-03/pair-sanctioned-for-breaching-standards

Eade's got his work cut out for him in enforcing his no-dickhead policy.......

[Happy Days]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

I wonder why Dixon and Martin played so poorly on the weekend?

http://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/2015-06-03/pair-sanctioned-for-breaching-standards

Eade's got his work cut out for him in enforcing his no-dickhead policy.......

This is classic - Dixon was worst on BY A MILE and Martin did his hamstring in <60 seconds.

Remember when we were going to trade 5 & 6 for Martin?

[Sedat]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

Massive cultural problems at GC - what the hell was Guy McKenna doing in the last few years there? And this is a savage indictment on Ablett's leadership ability - elite footballer he might be, but he is no leader of young men.

Rocket is not going to die wondering when it comes to cleaning up all the excrement at that club.

[Bornadog]

Re: Round 9 Discussion

GC have only won 4 of the last 22 games. Have major problems with injuries

Gary Ablett	Shoulder	Indefinite
Sam Day	Elbow	1-2 weeks
Jarrod Garlett	Ankle	Indefinite
Josh Glenn	Ankle	Test
Jack Leslie	Hip Flexor	Test
Jesse Lonergan	Glute	Test
Jack Martin	Hamstring	4 weeks
Brandon Matera	Calf	Test
Jaeger O'Meara	Knee	Season
Dion Prestia	Knee	Indefinite
Alex Sexton	Hip Flexor	2-3 weeks
David Swallow	Knee	Indefinite
Rory Thompson	Hip Flexor	1-2 weeks

and major problems with dickheads