Team Round 12

[Scorlibo]

Re: Team Round 12

It's not so much about the fact that Everitt isn't getting a game. He wasn't setting the world on fire prior to injury, but he was still doing enough. It's the fact that Hahn (and Eagleton to a lesser extent) keep getting a game despite their dreadful performances.

Agree that Stack needs to keep playing until we get a few of our better players back. If he doesn't play well this week, he'll be dropped for one of Ward, Reid or Johnson.

But how has Hahn's output been any different to what he has offered in the past? He has never been a star, and the only thing that has dropped off is his goal kicking, which is only to be expected with the addition of Hall and Mitch not being a main target inside fifty. With the absence or poor form of Murphy, Higgins, Johnson and Akermanis all season, our forward line has looked slow and uncreative, which is probably why people are pointing the finger at Mitch, but really it's not like he has got any slower or less creative, it's the absence of that core group of half forwards which has cost us. Guys like Eagleton and Stack in turn become more important around half forward, and hence are given greater value around the selection table.

[GVGjr]

Re: Team Round 12

Not suprised, but still disappointed.

There are a number of players that must re-pay the faith.

Whilst faith in the team would normally be a good quality in the selectors you would have to think that if we are to lose to the Lions then the selectors should be under more pressure than the marginal players.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 12

I wonder what the excuse will be, if some how we do lose to the Lions.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Team Round 12

At some point both Hahn and Eagleton are finally going to play a decent game. History suggests it's probably this week. That then saves them for the next eight weeks.

I'd rather they don't re-pay the faith so that the MC aren't given an excuse to keep them in the side.

Terrible way to go about it, but I'll only be angrier if Hahn kicks 4 and saves his bacon on the back of this game.

These two guys seem to play well against the Lions (this years game was an exception though)

Hahn isnt doing enough of the 'junk yard dog' work that he did in previous years...not enough tackles, not getting to enough contests, diving on loose balls and the oppositions teams boot etc

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Team Round 12

But how has Hahn's output been any different to what he has offered in the past? He has never been a star, and the only thing that has dropped off is his goal kicking, which is only to be expected with the addition of Hall and Mitch not being a main target inside fifty. With the absence or poor form of Murphy, Higgins, Johnson and Akermanis all season, our forward line has looked slow and uncreative, which is probably why people are pointing the finger at Mitch, but really it's not like he has got any slower or less creative, it's the absence of that core group of half forwards which has cost us. Guys like Eagleton and Stack in turn become more important around half forward, and hence are given greater value around the selection table.

Completely agree

I think he is a better player when he is closer to goals...he doesnt need to fly for the marks, leave that to Barry. His job is to get to the ball first when it hits the ground, or flatten any opposition player that get the ball, and create a scoring opportunity.

NB I think Grant has become an uber important member of our forward line with the speed and defensive pressure he brings to the table.....

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 12

Still shaking my head about Everitt, can only think that the MC learnt from the magpies mistake of going to tall. Serious pressure on Mitch and Brennan. Wow just seeing Murphs name their makes me feel calmer.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 12

Hanh, Stack, and Gia. Can someone explain to me why Everitt can not replace one of these out of form players. Another week of carrying these blokes. Lose this week and the calls for Eades head will be getting louder.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 12

But how has Hahn's output been any different to what he has offered in the past? He has never been a star, and the only thing that has dropped off is his goal kicking, which is only to be expected with the addition of Hall and Mitch not being a main target inside fifty. With the absence or poor form of Murphy, Higgins, Johnson and Akermanis all season, our forward line has looked slow and uncreative, which is probably why people are pointing the finger at Mitch, but really it's not like he has got any slower or less creative, it's the absence of that core group of half forwards which has cost us. Guys like Eagleton and Stack in turn become more important around half forward, and hence are given greater value around the selection table.

You honestly think his forward line pressure, is right up there with seasons past?

Mitch was never a star, i agree with that entirely. But what he built his game around was his hard pressure through out the forward line, which made it hard for teams to get easy possessions out of there defensive area. Mitch has always been the player who locked the ball in, put on tackles & really made his presence felt. He has been very lethargic, which was perfectly highlighted by Garry Lyon on Footy Classifieds.

Maybe it's true what Grant Thomas also said, maybe Mitch hasn't recovered mentally from the hit by Bazza.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 12

Seriously, how does Eagleton get a game?!!!!

I'd be pulling my hair out, but I don't have that much left

[azabob]

Re: Team Round 12

Hanh, Stack, and Gia. Can someone explain to me why Everitt can not replace one of these out of form players. Another week of carrying these blokes. Lose this week and the calls for Eades head will be getting louder.

Who is calling for Eade's head currently?

[Bornadog]

Re: Team Round 12

In: Wood, Murphy
Out: Shaun Higgins (ankle), Dylan Addison

I wonder if there will be any more changes?

[Remi Moses]

Re: Team Round 12

Really Mitch had never been a high posession winner he just looks off the pace more often and is going to ground too often. Must be on his LAST CHANCE !!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 12

Favoritism at it's best. Wil save my anger until match day when the team is finalised, but not holding any high hopes of at least one change.

The future should be now, otherwise i can see us bottoming out big time in two/three seasons when our late 90'a early 00's staples retire.

[Scorlibo]

Re: Team Round 12

You honestly think his forward line pressure, is right up there with seasons past?

Mitch was never a star, i agree with that entirely. But what he built his come around was his hard pressure through out the forward line, which made it hard for teams to get easy possessions out of there defensive area. Mitch has always been the player who locked the ball in, but on tackles & really made his presence felt. He has been very lethargic, which was perfectly highlighted by Garry Lyon on Footy Classifieds.

Maybe it's true what Grant Thomas also said, maybe Mitch hasn't recovered mentally from the hit by Bazza.

He has always been lethargic. If you think his forward pressure is down you should probably be looking towards what has changed in our forward structure rather than what has changed about Mitch himself. In this respect, Barry's arrival has made a huge difference to our forward pressure. We use to play with numbers at the fall of the ball, so when it hit the ground it was much easier amongst the congestion to force a stoppage or even a goal. Now we make space for Barry and in doing so take an 'all or nothing' approach when kicking it to him, if he marks, then great, but if he doesn't then that ball is swept away as quickly as it came in because guys like Mitch who usually try to lock it in have made space for Barry's lead and are nowhere near the thing.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 12

You honestly think his forward line pressure, is right up there with seasons past?

Mitch was never a star, i agree with that entirely. But what he built his come around was his hard pressure through out the forward line, which made it hard for teams to get easy possessions out of there defensive area. Mitch has always been the player who locked the ball in, but on tackles & really made his presence felt. He has been very lethargic, which was perfectly highlighted by Garry Lyon on Footy Classifieds.

Exactly right, JH40.

Hahn's intensity is significantly less than in previous years, he lacks confidence and he seems physically incapable of playing at an elite level.

Twice in the past two weeks, he has made a well timed lead in the forward line and gained a good distance between himself and his slower-to-react opponent only to see his opponent whoosh past him and beat him to the ball. That same lack of speed is what prevents him from getting to enough contests to assert any influence on the game; and is like a Christmas present to the defenders who play on him as they run off him at will and create opportunities for their team.

Hahn's been a great player for us and he may well be a great player again; but right now he's a lump.

And that's ok.

Players lose form. Fact of life. When a player does lose form or just turns in a couple of shockers, no one expects the match committee to throw them out of the team immediately. Players deserve a second chance (especially young players who need time to adjust to senior football as the gap between the AFL and the VFL grows larger) and some players deserve a third or fourth chance as they have earnt the right to try and regain their form in the seniors.

But that's where the chances run out.

Because if you continue to play senior players who consistently underperform then you damage the entire club. Good young players at Williamstown who have earned the chance to play in the seniors aren't rewarded and become discouraged, while the senior team continues to carry players who are a liability on the football field at a time when having 22 good players has never been more important.

Sometimes the best thing to do for a player out of touch is to make him play in the VFL to find some form. Other clubs do it all the time. Why not ours?

That's why we're all so irritated. At the end of last week's match, it was abundantly clear that Hahn and Addison had run out of chances and that Stack, Giansiracusa and Eagleton were not far behind. Our match committee made the easy call to send Addison back to Williamstown and once more let Hahn coast at the expense of Everett, whose form in 2010 has been superior to the above mentioned players and who has the potential to become a great contributor to this football club if given the right opportunities.

That is favouritism and it is unacceptable.

What does it say about our club that we can ask a player (who halved his salary to stay on our list) to walk away from media contracts totalling more than he earns from football to prove that the team comes before the individual, when our own match committee continues to honour loyalties to individuals at the expense of the team?