Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

[The Pie Man]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

Grant looks quicker on the lead than Welsh and his contested grabs (from the videos & Willy televised games) were far more likely to be jumping with/higher than an opponent (Welsh's seem to be either on the lead or through clever body positioning).

To be honest, Grant looks like the classic prototype of a player who has never had to work too hard to be better than anyone else on the paddock, and now finds himself needing to work hard just to make the grade (natural talent isn't enough at the highest level). He really looks to be a "boom or bust" type which I'm glad we took a chance on, rather than a late round "maybe he'll be ok" type.

Are there concerns surrounding his attitude?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

Are there concerns surrounding his attitude?

No.

Two years ago someone at Dandenong told us Everitt had an attitude porblem. We drafted him anyway and found his attitute to be first rate.

Then we were told Grant had an attitude problem but after a few good words from Everitt went ahead and drafted him anyway and his attitude has also been good with one small glitch (out after curfew, no alcohol involved).

Ironically, the Stingrays told us Boumann had the best attitude of the lot but he's the one who has had a few issues.

[SonofScray]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

I always liked the idea that young, big forwards tend to play better at higher levels because the service is better. Some times if you leave them at the lower levels they just don't get that opportunity to acknowledge the speed of the game at AFL level and just how hard they have to work, if they learn that intensity early on and get good service and a bit of responsibility who knows what can happen?

I don't think I've ever really seen this theory tested a the Doggies so its useless, but it surely is better to have a go than spend 10+ years with nothing.

[Bornadog]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

I always liked the idea that young, big forwards tend to play better at higher levels because the service is better. Some times if you leave them at the lower levels they just don't get that opportunity to acknowledge the speed of the game at AFL level and just how hard they have to work, if they learn that intensity early on and get good service and a bit of responsibility who knows what can happen?

I don't think I've ever really seen this theory tested a the Doggies so its useless, but it surely is better to have a go than spend 10+ years with nothing.

Under Eade, ie from 2005 to now, how many talls have debut for the dogs?

I can only think of Wight, Tiller, Everitt. Thats not much in four years.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

Under Eade, ie from 2005 to now, how many talls have debut for the dogs?

I can only think of Wight, Tiller, Everitt. Thats not much in four years.

Between them Skip Wight and Tiller have taken up 18 years of 'list space' for a combined total of 95 games. A hopeless misuse of resources.

[westdog54]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

Between them Skip Wight and Tiller have taken up 18 years of 'list space' for a combined total of 95 games. A hopeless misuse of resources.

In fairness, Tiller was bottom-aged when drafted and is still developing. I'll pay Skipper and Wight but you're a bit rough on Tiller IMO.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

I look at it this way.........what would motivate you more?
Going to training in an old tin shed surrounded by 4 walls and old gym equipment with rats running around the place
or going to training in a new gym with the latest equipment that can monitor how hard you are working with city views running tracks etc etc etc

Don't get me wrong the new facilities will be great but does anyone remember North Melbourne in the nineties, just shows you don't need the latest and greatest, just a lot of hard work.

[mjp]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

Forgetting facilities (particularly weights etc as they dont really matter), the biggest issue we have had - and are trying to address by getting Gotch and Dalrymple full-time - is around development coaches. That is where we have been left behind, and that is why I would agree - until now, our players haven't been given the best chance to succeed.

Mind you, they also need tools - particularly vision - to help teach and I guess that has been lacking as well, but coaches were the main short-coming...

[hujsh]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

Under Eade, ie from 2005 to now, how many talls have debut for the dogs?

I can only think of Wight, Tiller, Everitt. Thats not much in four years.

And the champion Walsh.

How could you forget him

[Bornadog]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

And the champion Walsh.

How could you forget him

Was his debut under Eade?

[hujsh]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

Was his debut under Eade?

I believe he played only one game and that was 05 vs the Roos

[Mofra]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

I believe he played only one game and that was 05 vs the Roos

Yes, an output better than M.West & Wells, marginally behind Morgan and McDougall.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

With Grant next year would you throw him in the deep end for say 2 - 4 games in a row see how he goes from there. I mean you would need to play him as a lead up guy obviously as he still going to be undersized compared to the full bodied back man is there anything really to loose?

[Ozza]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

I don't quite agree with the sentiments of having to 'blood' 18y/o's all the time. Sydney have had a great deal of success by playing their experienced players and very rarely debuting anyone under 20/21. Now that they are seemingly and gradually working their way away from an era of Grand finals and a premiership they are starting to look to the future - but I think when you're a top 4 team as we were this year - and would hope to be next year - you have to capitalise on the moment - and put the future on the backburner a little bit by playing only those that are ready and up to it.

[Bornadog]

Re: Our recent draftees, have they been given the best chance of making it?

I don't quite agree with the sentiments of having to 'blood' 18y/o's all the time. Sydney have had a great deal of success by playing their experienced players and very rarely debuting anyone under 20/21. Now that they are seemingly and gradually working their way away from an era of Grand finals and a premiership they are starting to look to the future - but I think when you're a top 4 team as we were this year - and would hope to be next year - you have to capitalise on the moment - and put the future on the backburner a little bit by playing only those that are ready and up to it.

Except when you have injures, you need back up players.