So where are we at?

[Maddog37]

I think this may be my first thread so bear with me.

The ongoing selection of youth really has me confused as to what this year is all about. Are we challengers nursing older guys into form or are we transitioning into a young up and coming team?

Rocket is certainly giving players a chance (some might say even when not fully deserved) to step up which makes the Doggies a great place to be if you are young and fit.

How do we think we will look at years end. Will Lake nudge out Marko? Will Will or Huddo keep out Ruff? Will Shaggy get back to his best and jettison Stack? Easton looks a certainty to me as does Libba and Wallis. What happens if Zephi turns it on and Jones continues to improve? Does this mean Gilbee and Gia are under pressure? Where does Reid fit in?

One thing is for sure, it is bloody great to see the kids play and if we get to see Tutt, Howard, Cordy, Schofield and maybe Mulligan before the year is out I will be a happy camper.

Everything I hear about Dollhouse is also super positive.

If I did not know better I would think Rocket is trying to win a flag and implement a youth policy at the same time. As Dennis Cometti would say "that's ambitious."

[mjp]

Re: So where are we at?

I want to see kids playing as long as we are winning.

The Skinner selection this week - and suggestions of adding the likes of Mulligan to the team - smack of desperation moves to me and I dont like them...

[Bornadog]

Re: So where are we at?

I want to see kids playing as long as we are winning. ...

Agree, as long as we win and blood the kids the future will be super bright. In fact thats what Collingwood did a few years ago and played finals at the same time.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we at?

I think this may be my first thread so bear with me.

The ongoing selection of youth really has me confused as to what this year is all about. Are we challengers nursing older guys into form or are we transitioning into a young up and coming team?

Rocket is certainly giving players a chance (some might say even when not fully deserved) to step up which makes the Doggies a great place to be if you are young and fit.

How do we think we will look at years end. Will Lake nudge out Marko? Will Will or Huddo keep out Ruff? Will Shaggy get back to his best and jettison Stack? Easton looks a certainty to me as does Libba and Wallis. What happens if Zephi turns it on and Jones continues to improve? Does this mean Gilbee and Gia are under pressure? Where does Reid fit in?

One thing is for sure, it is bloody great to see the kids play and if we get to see Tutt, Howard, Cordy, Schofield and maybe Mulligan before the year is out I will be a happy camper.

Everything I hear about Dollhouse is also super positive.

If I did not know better I would think Rocket is trying to win a flag and implement a youth policy at the same time. As Dennis Cometti would say "that's ambitious."

Where are we at ? The same place everyone else is , list management with regards to the Interchange Rule/ Sub Rule, it's just that we havn't quite kicked into gear. Our Backline is being rebuilt , Lake ( when he's properly match fit ), Williams and Markovic are our main structure that the backline will be built around, 1 Full back/ Swing Defense ( Lake ) , 2 Center Half Back ( Williams , Markovic ) , 1 Blocker/ Shutdown ( Morris ) , 1 Defense Support ( Murphy ) , 1 Runner ( still to be decided ). Our Midfield has been reshuffled with the addition of Libba and Wallis , the change in the Tag role has Picken needing to provide screens rather than shutting down an individual player. Our Forward Line is in a state of flux, not enough output , not enough defensive pressure , not enough options, Hall is injured, Higgins and Grant are low on form, Jones has promise , Sherman has injected some life , Roughead has to learn how to lead for the ball, Minson could play a role , the focus from now on will be on structure and pressure.

At the moment we are playing like a side trying to organize a move into the Top 8 but there are positives , even though we are rebuilding we drew level with Collingwood before they found another gear. Our rotation of players will benefit us later , the more game time they get the better Libba, Wallis and the others will be come the last 10 games of the Season

As Dennis Cometti once said " It's like watching Usain Bolt run in Doc Martens , you know the power is there but he just can't get power to the ground "

.

[Pedro Sanchez]

Re: So where are we at?

Although I'm all for kids getting game time and as this is not actually possible at the moment, but I'd like to see Hahn back in the team up forward.

His strength and experience would be invaluable to Grant and Jones - especially with Barry out.

Anyway I look forward to Wood making a return - he's exciting.

[jeemak]

Re: So where are we at?

We're playing the cards dealt to us, making the most of early season injury to see what some young folk can do.

Lake - Not up to it at the moment, out of the team for fitness and IMO disciplinary reasons

Wood - Injured, would be in most peoples preferred 22

Hall - Injured, would be in most peoples preferred 22

Higgins - Injured, would be in most peoples preferred 22

Hargrave - Injured, would be in most peoples preferred 22


Having these guys out of the side, plus losing from last year Harbrow, Eagleton, Johnson and effectively Hahn we have no other choice than to blood some youngsters.

This week the experience of players like Gia and Gilbee will be incredibly important. Some people have called for them not to be included, all I'll say is it's a fine balance when you have significant injury and many young players trying to fill the void.

We're aiming for a premiership this year, but at the same time we're taking the opportunity to throw youth into the deep end while we can. Our list will mature very well if we can win games along the way.

[Doc26]

Re: So where are we at?

Although I'm all for kids getting game time and as this is not actually possible at the moment, but I'd like to see Hahn back in the team up forward.

His strength and experience would be invaluable to Grant and Jones - especially with Barry out.

Anyway I look forward to Wood making a return - he's exciting.

Of course Hahn being rookie listed is only permitted to return if we had someone placed on the long term injury list which for now is not an option.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: So where are we at?

The ongoing selection of youth really has me confused as to what this year is all about. Are we challengers nursing older guys into form or are we transitioning into a young up and coming team?

If I did not know better I would think Rocket is trying to win a flag and implement a youth policy at the same time. As Dennis Cometti would say "that's ambitious."

I think we are selling the vision that we are contenders, but the reality of performances is that we are not, and the coaching staff believes we need to introduce new players to compete

I view the only way forward as blooding kids and introducing youth, and seeing who can cut it, who will lift their work rate, whose game translates, and who desperately wants to make it etc

That said if we can string together a good couple of months then Eade will be hailed retrospectively as a genius

[Sedat]

Re: So where are we at?

The Skinner selection this week - and suggestions of adding the likes of Mulligan to the team - smack of desperation moves to me and I dont like them...

Is he that much of a pipe dream right now? Can he add some much needed defensive intensity in our forward 50? I'll bow to your judgement as well as the Willy track watchers, as I hardly see any VFL action.

I understand the negaitves on him at the moment but can he bring something positive to the table for us tomorrow? Our MC must be pleased with certain aspects of his game to give him a run in the seniors.

[mjp]

Re: So where are we at?

Is he that much of a pipe dream right now? Can he add some much needed defensive intensity in our forward 50? I'll bow to your judgement as well as the Willy track watchers, as I hardly see any VFL action.

I understand the negaitves on him at the moment but can he bring something positive to the table for us tomorrow? Our MC must be pleased with certain aspects of his game to give him a run in the seniors.

Don't bend to my judgement - I haven't seen him play (vs Swans only game I saw) but forward pressure was not really something that jumped out at me. What role will he play? Forward I guess, but where...you wouldn't want him matched up against a running machine like Shaw or Kenneally, so does that mean Mattner? Maybe Smith? I guess it means deep...where we have been screaming out for crumbers but he wasn't that when I saw him.

I don't like yo-yo selections (Addison, Stack over the past two weeks) particularly when they relate to peripheral players...they are not going to win or lose the game for us.

[DOG GOD]

Re: So where are we at?

The dropping of players only to be called the following week absolutely makes no sense to me. Stack hasnt set the world on fire and realistically is only an avge AFL player. He gets dropped, doesnt do much in the VFL, then gets recalled the following week. What happened to players earning their spots, slugging it away in the lower grade putting together a string of 3-4 strong performances before getting their chance in the 1sts.

I agree with MJP that the yo-yo selections really leaves me scratching my head as they are nothing more than fringe players. If the MC pick the guy, keep with him UNLESS someone in the lower league is knocking the door down. I cant see that Stack wouldve been picked exclusively for a certain matchup.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: So where are we at?

I think we are selling the vision that we are contenders, but the reality of performances is that we are not, and the coaching staff believes we need to introduce new players to compete

I view the only way forward as blooding kids and introducing youth, and seeing who can cut it, who will lift their work rate, whose game translates, and who desperately wants to make it etc

That said if we can string together a good couple of months then Eade will be hailed retrospectively as a genius

The introduction of youth has largely been influenced by an ineffective attack and an indifferent defense.We remain competitive whilst the likes of Griffen,Boyd and Cross continue to play well. We need the likes of Ward,Higgins and Sherman to become more consistent players. Minson also becomes a key in the ruck if he can become more reliable and effective in the ruck. Quality key forwards and backs remain a problem.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: So where are we at?

I think we are at a bit of a crossroad. The loss of experienced players of the last 2 seasons, even though they may not have been contributing greatly on the field, has left a hole. Whilst Johnno last year was ineffective he still drew a good player to mind him. What we are seeing this year is other players havign to shoulder more of the role and tbh they probably aren't quite ready for it.

I think we are a top 8 side, but have slipped off the pace a little in terms of top 4. I think though that this slip is a blip, more of a pause, whilst we catch our breath and relaunch later this season......watch for the fast finishing doggies!

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we at?

Where are we at? We will get another indication today.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we at?

I think we are at a bit of a crossroad. The loss of experienced players of the last 2 seasons, even though they may not have been contributing greatly on the field, has left a hole. Whilst Johnno last year was ineffective he still drew a good player to mind him. What we are seeing this year is other players havign to shoulder more of the role and tbh they probably aren't quite ready for it.

I think we are a top 8 side, but have slipped off the pace a little in terms of top 4. I think though that this slip is a blip, more of a pause, whilst we catch our breath and relaunch later this season......watch for the fast finishing doggies!

I think your right that we will finish fast but maybe not fast enough for top 4.