Sharp Axes

[SonofScray]

Re: Sharp Axes

I'd say with all the departures parts of it are in play. There are the actions we are seeing now and then the changes that will happen before the end of the season.

What are your thought on the shake-up so far? While you had some of the more senior managers in your sights are you pleased we are looking to upgrade the coaches box and find a new head of conditioning manager?
I can't recall a more vigorous last few weeks in terms of changes at the club without a head coach being involved.

Innes out and a fresh look there is the best result. Whether he was going well or not, I've seen a few examples of programs, how they implement them and where the inputs are, and a fresh look there with a new challenge laid down to the players is important.

Legs feed the wolf.

The rest of it, probably getting the same from me. Changing everything around Bevo was always an option, was touted here, has happened at Richmond previously and flagged ahead of the review by Grant when he unequivocally backed the coach in. Perhaps they'd already arrived at an outcome earlier?

Glad the Club is doing something, but, I'm not convinced it is the right course of action, and still have my doubts over the footy department's integrity. Feels like kicking the can down the road, which could work, there's enough change there that you'd expect some influence on the environment and messaging the players are exposed to. Maybe it's enough to have put the players on notice that its a performance driven industry and they all have a part to play in helping each other stay in it.

Risk for me now is that when the club is faced with another poor start or signs again that we have a burnt out coach that has to be moved on, we'll have very little continuity in the coaching department moving forward from that point. I'm dreading a scenario where within 5 games, I will know we are no chance.

I'm still perplexed by how it's gone so far. All for a man that initially only saw himself in the role for a period time shorter than his current tenure, that is extremely fortunate to have survived this season and at least one other since the flag, and despite being a guy whose strength is an emotional hook and relationship with his players has helmed a team that has repeatedly crumbled and played well outside of its identity.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Sharp Axes

Looking at the playing list, besides a few fringe players it would seem we'll largely back our list in and go again. Is that the right call?

I really don't think it is.

The players have to share a large part of the blame, but what are they being held accountable to? If we roll out the same 'best 18-22' and hope for a change, I have zero confidence we march back up the ladder.

This group has been questioned more than once over a number of years and I'd like to see us shake it up beyond players around the fringes. If we have players who haven't given 110% effort over a 2-year span, door. If we have players who aren't leading by example off the ground and have let their performances suffer, door.

Loyalty is all good and well, but the players have used up their credits.

[azabob]

Re: Sharp Axes

Looking at the playing list, besides a few fringe players it would seem we'll largely back our list in and go again. Is that the right call?

I really don't think it is.

The players have to share a large part of the blame, but what are they being held accountable to? If we roll out the same 'best 18-22' and hope for a change, I have zero confidence we march back up the ladder.

This group has been questioned more than once over a number of years and I'd like to see us shake it up beyond players around the fringes. If we have players who haven't given 110% effort over a 2-year span, door. If we have players who aren't leading by example off the ground and have let their performances suffer, door.

Loyalty is all good and well, but the players have used up their credits.

It seems that way but honestly are our fringe players who are currently uncontracted turning the dial hugely?

If we are to sign them it should be for one more year only and look to move them on at the end of 2024.

Who knows we may actively trade out Dale, Macrae or someone similar. Smith, Naughton or English may request a trade.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Sharp Axes

Damian Barrett. Again.

IF ...
the Cats in 2006 and the Tigers 10 years later backed in their senior coaches amidst massive reviews of operations ...

THEN ...
the Bulldogs are doing the same in 2023. Mark Thompson and Damien Hardwick survived, but dramatically changed their ways. Not sure Bevo will be as embracing of the same drastic need for change.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Sharp Axes

Damo certainly knows how to troll

[ledge]

Re: Sharp Axes

Damian Barrett. Again.

IF ...
the Cats in 2006 and the Tigers 10 years later backed in their senior coaches amidst massive reviews of operations ...

THEN ...
the Bulldogs are doing the same in 2023. Mark Thompson and Damien Hardwick survived, but dramatically changed their ways. Not sure Bevo will be as embracing of the same drastic need for change.

Maybe it doesn’t need “ drastic change “ .
No matter how good a coach is he can become stale . Some of our assistants had been there well over a decade . Maybe that’s just the change we need.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Sharp Axes

Bevo lives rent free inside Barrett's head.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Sharp Axes

Damian Barrett. Again.

IF ...
the Cats in 2006 and the Tigers 10 years later backed in their senior coaches amidst massive reviews of operations ...

THEN ...
the Bulldogs are doing the same in 2023. Mark Thompson and Damien Hardwick survived, but dramatically changed their ways. Not sure Bevo will be as embracing of the same drastic need for change.

Not sure Bevo will become a meth head either.

[Sedat]

Re: Sharp Axes

Not sure Bevo will become a meth head either.

[1eyedog]

Re: Sharp Axes

Looking at the playing list, besides a few fringe players it would seem we'll largely back our list in and go again. Is that the right call?

I really don't think it is.

The players have to share a large part of the blame, but what are they being held accountable to? If we roll out the same 'best 18-22' and hope for a change, I have zero confidence we march back up the ladder.

This group has been questioned more than once over a number of years and I'd like to see us shake it up beyond players around the fringes. If we have players who haven't given 110% effort over a 2-year span, door. If we have players who aren't leading by example off the ground and have let their performances suffer, door.

Loyalty is all good and well, but the players have used up their credits.

Who would you trade out / delist and who is available that you would go hard at? Or would you take any picks to the draft or a combination of both?

Cutting too deep can generare it's own problems.

[GVGjr]

Re: Sharp Axes

Who would you trade out / delist and who is available that you would go hard at? Or would you take any picks to the draft or a combination of both?

Cutting too deep can generare it's own problems.

The talk from a decent portion of the forum is that we have too many players with marginal talent levels so the only way you can address that is by cutting into the list a bit deeper than we have been. Yes it comes with some risks
but there is also a potential for some wins as well.
It's a fine line but we shouldn't keep players on the list that are unlikely to push for senior spots.

[1eyedog]

Re: Sharp Axes

The talk from a decent portion of the forum is that we have too many players with marginal talent levels so the only way you can address that is by cutting into the list a bit deeper than we have been. Yes it comes with some risks
but there is also a potential for some wins as well.
It's a fine line but we shouldn't keep players on the list that are unlikely to push for senior spots.

So who then? Is Cleary pushing? Khamis? Khamis looks like he's going Sweet looks like he's going and we've delisted Hannan, TOB, McComb and Raak. Bruce is gone. We play Scott, Vandermeer and McNeill. Clarke and Gallagher haven't had a chance yet. Who on the list is left to 'cut'? Roarke?

If Khamis and Sweet go that's seven how many more can we cut given our draft hand? Power said we'll take around 4 picks into the draft so to replace the players we cut I'd also assume we bring in a couple of players as well. Seven players is a decent turnover of the list.

I think BB was talking about cutting into the 22 so I assume he means Vandermeer, McNeill and Scott. I think if we start considering trades outside this group (the Macrae's / Smith's) you're treading on dangerous ground I think. Unless they're want out of course

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Sharp Axes

Who would you trade out / delist and who is available that you would go hard at? Or would you take any picks to the draft or a combination of both?

Cutting too deep can generare it's own problems.

I do agree with your last part, but I also don't want us to hold onto players who genuinely offer us very little anwyay. Our depth was found out this year more than ever, so I'd rather back our recruiters in to find replacements. Predominately I would prefer this is done via the draft, but it doesn't just have to be 18 y.o kids.

In terms of who I would delist on top of Bruce/TOB/McComb/Hannan/Raak/Sweet;

- Crozier. If we are desperate to keep some experience, maybe I can live with another year, but he's been a non-contributor for quite a while. Some of that is injury, a lot of it is form. Played ok v Geelong in the last round so maybe as depth he's an option but I'd rather see what we can find across the country.

- McNeil. If a player is going to make it, he needs a point of difference. Vandermeer has pace, TOB had mobility, Gardner has courage - some of these traits alone aren't enough to keep these players in the game but at least you know THAT is what they bring. What does McNeil bring? He isn't overly quick, he has poor skills and decision making, he's small, he doesn't win/find much of the ball..... We just have to find better.

- R. Smith. I've grown to like Smith and when fully fit, he's proven himself to provide solid service and particularly in big games where the intensity rises. I do like that, but he's not available often enough.

I'd give McLean and Bedendo 1 more year. I would have kept only 1 of Keath and Duryea - different players, but don't think we can carry both.

I'd actively look to trade Macrae if we can. Feel he's been on the decline for 2 seasons, is unable to play anywhere other than midfield, and is no longer a first choice mid. Assuming we draft a young mid who is ready to play, I don't see a spot for Jack. If we could get a top 15 pick for him that would be a good result IMO.

[azabob]

Re: Sharp Axes

I do agree with your last part, but I also don't want us to hold onto players who genuinely offer us very little anwyay. Our depth was found out this year more than ever, so I'd rather back our recruiters in to find replacements. Predominately I would prefer this is done via the draft, but it doesn't just have to be 18 y.o kids.

In terms of who I would delist on top of Bruce/TOB/McComb/Hannan/Raak/Sweet;

- Crozier. If we are desperate to keep some experience, maybe I can live with another year, but he's been a non-contributor for quite a while. Some of that is injury, a lot of it is form. Played ok v Geelong in the last round so maybe as depth he's an option but I'd rather see what we can find across the country.

- McNeil. If a player is going to make it, he needs a point of difference. Vandermeer has pace, TOB had mobility, Gardner has courage - some of these traits alone aren't enough to keep these players in the game but at least you know THAT is what they bring. What does McNeil bring? He isn't overly quick, he has poor skills and decision making, he's small, he doesn't win/find much of the ball..... We just have to find better.

- R. Smith. I've grown to like Smith and when fully fit, he's proven himself to provide solid service and particularly in big games where the intensity rises. I do like that, but he's not available often enough.

I'd give McLean and Bedendo 1 more year. I would have kept only 1 of Keath and Duryea - different players, but don't think we can carry both.

I'd actively look to trade Macrae if we can. Feel he's been on the decline for 2 seasons, is unable to play anywhere other than midfield, and is no longer a first choice mid. Assuming we draft a young mid who is ready to play, I don't see a spot for Jack. If we could get a top 15 pick for him that would be a good result IMO.

Mid year I suggested Dale, Macrae and English potential trade options.

Bailey Dale would get a top 15 pick.
Macrae would only net a late second rounder due to age, salary and contract term.

[Bornadog]

Re: Sharp Axes

So who then? Is Cleary pushing? Khamis? Khamis looks like he's going Sweet looks like he's going and we've delisted Hannan, TOB, McComb and Raak. Bruce is gone. We play Scott, Vandermeer and McNeill. Clarke and Gallagher haven't had a chance yet. Who on the list is left to 'cut'? Roarke?

If Khamis and Sweet go that's seven how many more can we cut given our draft hand? Power said we'll take around 4 picks into the draft so to replace the players we cut I'd also assume we bring in a couple of players as well. Seven players is a decent turnover of the list.

I think BB was talking about cutting into the 22 so I assume he means Vandermeer, McNeill and Scott. I think if we start considering trades outside this group (the Macrae's / Smith's) you're treading on dangerous ground I think. Unless they're want out of course

Every year under Bevo we have delisted/traded/retired around 8 players - some years less, and a couple of years more. Every year many posters say we didn't cut deep enough. Earlier in this thread, I suggested 12 players, however, replacing them is not an easy task. I think we will end up with around 8 gone again.