2014 Rising Star Nominations

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

Pumping up the youngsters is fun for us to hear, but it might put extra pressure on them which they don't need at this stage of their development?

PS I am gutted that Bonti didn't win, really disappointed for him. Jeez, couldn't they let us have just one thing to celebrate??

[Greystache]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

There was definitely a reaction in the room to Cameron Ling's votes yesterday.

Apart from that, all i'd say is that its disappointing that Bonti didn't win, I don't agree with the judges - but saying its an AFL conspiracy is a bit hysterical. As is having a sook about McCartney not grandstanding enough about Bonti winning it, prior to the day. If an opposition coach banged on about how his player should win a rising star or brownlow or whatever, we'd be calling him a flog.

Met both Bonti and Lewis Taylor briefly yesterday - both seemed to be excellent young men.

I don't think it's hysterical in the slightest.

It's a media award, the votes aren't awarded on a game by game basis, and the judges haven't even seen the majority of games the players have been involved in. To say the judges aren't influenced by the general media buzz is highly naive. The coaches set the media agenda week by week through their comments, and lazy journalists want to write articles and discuss issues that are right in front of them.

If one coach is putting out boring cliches such as "no he's not a poster boy, he's just a good young kid who's had a good upbringing, who we think in years to come will be a good player for us", you can bet his player is not going to be centre piece for discussion that week. Whereas if a coach talks about all the obstacles his player has over come and how he is now an integral part of the team and influencing the results of games, you can bet they'll be front and centre of every discussion that week.

Daniel Talia went from outside chance to red hot favourite almost purely on the campaigning from Brenton Sanderson. He even went so far as to say in the final weeks of the season that based on a number of factors that it's unrealistic that won't win it. Sure enough on the day he was at the top of most judges votes.

It's a baffling theme in the history of our club. We are, and have always been, so desperate to avoid the spotlight. Almost as if we believe that if we fly under the radar we'll somehow sneak in the back and catch everyone by surprise. It's never worked, will never work, and is one of the key reasons why we're considered irrelevant by the broader media. The rising star was a perfect opportunity in a down period for the club to sell hope to its supporters, generate some badly needed media excitement, and to get our brand out into the public. Instead we talk down our player's chances, do nothing to fuel the buzz, and sure enough it goes to a player less deserving at a club wanting some attention.

[Ozza]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

I don't think it's hysterical in the slightest.

It's a media award, the votes aren't awarded on a game by game basis, and the judges haven't even seen the majority of games the players have been involved in. To say the judges aren't influenced by the general media buzz is highly naive. The coaches set the media agenda week by week through their comments, and lazy journalists want to write articles and discuss issues that are right in front of them.

If one coach is putting out boring cliches such as "no he's not a poster boy, he's just a good young kid who's had a good upbringing, who we think in years to come will be a good player for us", you can bet his player is not going to be centre piece for discussion that week. Whereas if a coach talks about all the obstacles his player has over come and how he is now an integral part of the team and influencing the results of games, you can bet they'll be front and centre of every discussion that week.

Daniel Talia went from outside chance to red hot favourite almost purely on the campaigning from Brenton Sanderson. He even went so far as to say in the final weeks of the season that based on a number of factors that it's unrealistic that won't win it. Sure enough on the day he was at the top of most

I don't recall saying anything about the judges and how they are influenced. But you are first saying that it is influenced by the AFL, and then are saying it is media influenced. Is it a media led - AFL conspiracy, or an AFL-led - media conspiracy!!

I notice in your assessment of how Macca talks about Bonti - you've used one example where he reacted to the 'poster boy' comment. But you have ignored, for instance, the many times he has talked about (in press conferences, SEN, MMM) where he has spoken at length about how highly regarded Bonti, Stringer and Macrae are (for instance) and the high hopes they have for them and how they are already influencing games. Even before our last game he was speaking about how unlike most young players, Bonti was getting better and better as the year went on, even every training session where he was 'dominating'.

I don't agree that Macca doesn't sell the club. He might just not be as obsessed about individual awards as others are, and as obsessed with individual awards that the club has been in its history....which hasn't done us a hell of a lot of good.

[Greystache]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

I don't recall saying anything about the judges and how they are influenced. But you are first saying that it is influenced by the AFL, and then are saying it is media influenced. Is it a media led - AFL conspiracy, or an AFL-led - media conspiracy!!

I notice in your assessment of how Macca talks about Bonti - you've used one example where he reacted to the 'poster boy' comment. But you have ignored, for instance, the many times he has talked about (in press conferences, SEN, MMM) where he has spoken at length about how highly regarded Bonti, Stringer and Macrae are (for instance) and the high hopes they have for them and how they are already influencing games. Even before our last game he was speaking about how unlike most young players, Bonti was getting better and better as the year went on, even every training session where he was 'dominating'.

I don't agree that Macca doesn't sell the club. He might just not be as obsessed about individual awards as others are, and as obsessed with individual awards that the club has been in its history....which hasn't done us a hell of a lot of good.

The AFL commission has direct voting powers on the award, they also hand select the judges, of course they have control over the winner, both direct and indirect. They are however, also a spineless organisation, that bows to the demands of the most vocal, and in particular the media. Controlling the media buzz in the only way ensure something resembling a level playing field.

The strongest endorsement Macca has given is that Bonti is one of several good young men we have and that his first year has been impressive. Hardly going above and beyond to promote the club. His endorsement of Jake Stringer has been even more mild, often just saying that if he can get his focus right and his training up to standard that he could develop into a very good player. That for a player who in the second half of the season has easily been the best young forward in the competition, and who should be one of the first names mentioned when people are talking about exciting young players coming through. No coincidence he didn't even crack it for a single vote in the rising star award.

His promotion of MaCrae has been well discussed. For a player who has statistically had one of the best second year's in AFL history and who finished 2nd in the B&F you'd be forgiven for thinking that he's borderline to make a decent fist of an AFL career. He should have the club and the competition a buzz, instead we hear never ending references to GWS and GC young talent that have done less in a larger amount of time.

[Ozza]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

You're talking nonsense. He's been far more bullish in talking about Macrae and Stringer's ability than how you describe. Both on radio, and at supporter functions.

There's been a heap of media all season about Bonti, Macrae and Stringer - both separately and as a collective. Macca has done his part, but his job is to coach them, not to be their personal cheerleaders.

[jeemak]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

You're talking nonsense. He's been far more bullish in talking about Macrae and Stringer's ability than how you describe. Both on radio, and at supporter functions.

There's been a heap of media all season about Bonti, Macrae and Stringer - both separately and as a collective. Macca has done his part, but his job is to coach them, not to be their personal cheerleaders.

I tend to agree. On numerous occasions I've heard Bmac talk up those three, though it is always tempered by talk about the overall journey in each case.

We knew we weren't getting a coach prone to hyperbole when we hired him. It's how he is. Hopefully his positive attributes more than make up for his low key approach to media commentary (if that can be considered a weakness).

[Greystache]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

You're talking nonsense. He's been far more bullish in talking about Macrae and Stringer's ability than how you describe. Both on radio, and at supporter functions.

There's been a heap of media all season about Bonti, Macrae and Stringer - both separately and as a collective. Macca has done his part, but his job is to coach them, not to be their personal cheerleaders.

You clearly don't listen to other coaches if you think that's nonsense.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

The fact the award is called "The Rising Star" people always assume the award is for the young player who shows the most potential and who will be the better player in 5 years time.

The award is for the best player for that particular year, this has been clarified several times.

Taylor played 6 more games than Bonts this season. That already puts him behind the 8 ball.

But the main thing that worked against Bonts was his own brilliance. The 2 or 3 match winning performances he put in were head and shoulders above anything any other nominee delivered. But for people who didn't watch all our games (probably majority of the voters) those performances made him look inconistent, which we know he wasn't especially, from Round 13 onwards.

Taylors consistency and greater number of matches played got him over the line. Bonts' apparent lack of consistency is what cost him.

Taylor is a deserving winner. I think we need to move on.

[Remi Moses]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

We look like we're playing the "victim card" on this.
I'm more inclined to concern our efforts on obtaining the elusive second flag than worry over individual awards.
Let's move on

[Scorlibo]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

The fact the award is called "The Rising Star" people always assume the award is for the young player who shows the most potential and who will be the better player in 5 years time.

The award is for the best player for that particular year, this has been clarified several times.

Taylor played 6 more games than Bonts this season. That already puts him behind the 8 ball.

But the main thing that worked against Bonts was his own brilliance. The 2 or 3 match winning performances he put in were head and shoulders above anything any other nominee delivered. But for people who didn't watch all our games (probably majority of the voters) those performances made him look inconistent, which we know he wasn't especially, from Round 13 onwards.

Taylors consistency and greater number of matches played got him over the line. Bonts' apparent lack of consistency is what cost him.

Taylor is a deserving winner. I think we need to move on.

You say that concerns about the Bont's consistency are misplaced, and then in the same breath use that concern as the reason why he lost it. 'Deserving winners', there's 8 of them each year in the Rising Star, but some of them are more deserving than others, and this year the most deserving played for our team.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

You say that concerns about the Bont's consistency are misplaced, and then in the same breath use that concern as the reason why he lost it. 'Deserving winners', there's 8 of them each year in the Rising Star, but some of them are more deserving than others, and this year the most deserving played for our team.

They're misplaced on the people that matter and it was the reason he lost it. They're not misplaced in our eyes, but unfortuntely we don't vote on the award so that doesn't matter one bit.

[Sedat]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

I also can't stand playing the victim card, as we've cringeworthingly done on a number of occasions with weekly rising star nominations. But I also agree that BMac talks down the excitement of our future and our exceptionally talented youth too much. He will never be Sheeds, but he does need to understand that our club needs some positive media profile from time to time to thrive. We have a very modest and unassuming coach and captain, so the flair and newsworthiness of our club does get lost amid the hyperbole from other more media savvy clubs/individuals.

[Remi Moses]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

If J Mac or B Mac called J Leppitsch and enquired whether they'd trade Taylor and we'd give them Bonts...,
They couldn't say yes quick enough

[Greystache]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

If J Mac or B Mac called J Leppitsch and enquired whether they'd trade Taylor and we'd give them Bonts...,
They couldn't say yes quick enough

If they offered us Taylor and pick 3 we would say no.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2014 Rising Star Nominations

The AFL's rising stars of 2014 answer the big questions


Jake Stringer, Western Bulldogs

Who was your pick for the Rising Star award?
"Marcus Bontempelli. I don't know too much about anyone else. He's been pretty good."

Who at your club sets the best example for young players?
"Daniel Giansiracusa, just with the way he goes about training. He's such a professional."

What's the first thing you would tell a kid in this year's draft to be ready for?
"Just be ready to work, really hard. It's a long year. Just make sure you get the most out of every day and recover well."

If you were on the AFL rules committee, what one thing would you change?
"I'd probably get rid of the sub. That's the only thing I can think of that I don't like."

Who is your tip for next year's Rising Star?
"Whoever we pick up in the top 10 this year."

Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs

Who was your pick for the Rising Star award?
"I like how Lewy Taylor's gone, but I think a lot of blokes are around the mark. Zach Merrett's had a really good year, and James Aish. There's quite a few."

Who at your club sets the best example for young players?
"Matthew Boyd's been great for me, like a buddy. He wears No. 5 and I'm No. 4 so he's shown me the ropes and how to get through the year. Dale Morris is unbelievable to talk to about the game."

What's the first thing you would tell a kid in this year's draft to be ready for?
"It's tough to prepare yourself for it because I did as much as I could and still had to take a step backwards once I got here. I guess the best thing to do is make yourself like a sponge, especially early. Write as many things down as you can and go away from every conversation and every meeting knowing you've taken something from it. It's information overload when you first get in, so it's important to sort through it and make sure you take things in."

If you were on the AFL rules committee, what one thing would you change?
"The sub rule. I was sub once this year and it's tough to come into a game and pick up the rhythm and tempo quickly. If it went back to four a side on the bench I think it would be better."

Who is your tip for next year's Rising Star?
"There's a couple. Christian Pectracca is someone I'll sure will get drafted pretty high, and with his size and strength he should play quite a few games in his first year."

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