So where are we at?

[Desipura]

Re: So where are we at?

Where are we at? I think we are in big strife if Hall, Higgins, Williams and to a lesser extent Lake (due to form/fitness) are not playing.

[Mantis]

Re: So where are we at?

Where are we at? I think we are in big strife if Hall, Higgins, Williams and to a lesser extent Lake (due to form/fitness) are not playing.

I would think that if you take the CHB, FB, FF & talented HF out of most sides you would see them struggle... especially when your FB & FF are AA players.

[Desipura]

Re: So where are we at?

I would think that if you take the CHB, FB, FF & talented HF out of most sides you would see them struggle... especially when your FB & FF are AA players.

On current form Lake is not an AA player, and Hall is possibly playing his last season at AFL level we need to be able to cover him.

[Maddog37]

Re: So where are we at?

I am seeing this weekend more and more as make or break.

[Topdog]

Re: So where are we at?

On current form Lake is not an AA player, and Hall is possibly playing his last season at AFL level we need to be able to cover him.

Current form? he has played 3(4?) games and been injured for all of them.

When I think of a player that is missing I think of what their ability provides us and Lake's ability is to be the best FB in the comp.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: So where are we at?

Current form? he has played 3(4?) games and been injured for all of them.

When I think of a player that is missing I think of what their ability provides us and Lake's ability is to be the best FB in the comp.

I would think that the double A rating refers to 2010 when both Hall and Lake where starring and very instrumental in us making the preliminary final. This year has been vastly different with both players struggling with injuries.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we at?

On current form Lake is not an AA player, and Hall is possibly playing his last season at AFL level we need to be able to cover him.

But that's just the point — his form is affected by fitness and attitude, not by his ability.

We need to be able to cover Hall, yes, but we simply can't just yet — that's why we have Hall in the first place, if you recall — and expecting Jones to match an 80-goal-a-year experienced forward is just too much pressure on the kid. Next year, you'd expect a lot more out of Grant, a hell of a lot more out of Higgins and a decent improvement from Jones, Skinner, etc. Next year, if/when Hall's gone. Pushing them too fast isn't going to prevent them stumbling, in fact, it'll have the opposite effect.

If we can't cover him, chop up the game plan, and that's what's not happening, so from what I see of the previous posts, the point being made is that with two players who were only 6 months ago AA's, now playing far below that level, and the team structure still based around having them at that level, any team would struggle, and I agree with this. I don't think it's the sole reason, but definitely a factor.

[Topdog]

Re: So where are we at?

I would think that the double A rating refers to 2010 when both Hall and Lake where starring and very instrumental in us making the preliminary final. This year has been vastly different with both players struggling with injuries.

Yes and that is one of the reasons we are struggling this year. Hall may not be able to reproduce that form but Lake certainly isn't in the too old basket.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we at?

Really? How do you explain our recent wins there then?

Really pointless comment Rot. I was talking about Saturdays game.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: So where are we at?

I am seeing this weekend more and more as make or break.

I guess I choose to see it like the stock market.
There are dips that worry you, but the long term trend is upward
We have a far better list than last year ( when fit )
Agreed?

A better TEAM or not remains to be proven
lost alot of experience last season.

McClure's comments on 360 were interesting
If true, maybe the old guard have to be prepared to suffer through
the learning curve of the new brigade.

[Mantis]

Re: So where are we at?

I guess I choose to see it like the stock market.
There are dips that worry you, but the long term trend is upward
We have a far better list than last year ( when fit )
Agreed?

What is this assumption based on? Names?

[Ghost Dog]

Re: So where are we at?

What is this assumption based on? Names?

Stay positive Mantis, we're all feeling the slow start.

Age, relating to fitness, relating to speed, relating to options in the foward line.
Better Depth in the backline, more height around the ground, more options in the midfield, small attacking players ( sherman, vez )
some more players with a bit of pep ( sherman again, possibly schofield ) and so on.

Still, yet to show it at full swing but we'll get there. Have some faith

[BulldogBelle]

Re: So where are we at?

Ah come'on ! Stay positive Mantis, ya poor Doggies fan. ^_^
Based on a lot of things and you know very well what they are.

Age, relating to fitness, relating to speed, relating to options in the foward line.
Better Depth in the backline, more height around the ground, more options in the midfield, crumbers ( sherman )
some more players with a bit of pep ( sherman, possibly schofield ) and so on.

Johnson, Hahn and Eagleton - all gone in 2011...all 3 only had patchy on field impact last season. Although their on and off field leadership is a massive loss.

Lake, Hall, Hargave, Wood, Cooney, Higgins- all injured or playing underdone from preseason injuries in large parts of 2011. Apart from Wood, these 5 guys are easily in our top or most important 10 players.

Gilbee, Hudson- declining footballers unfortunately

Harbrow- gone with the wind, and also did a significant amount of run from the backline. Playing Murphy in his place has robbed Peter to pay Paul.

Feel free to add to this list

So the turnover through injury, retirements, playing underdone, trading and decline has affected >10 of our better players.

We have lost 2 games (Sydney and Fremantle) which could have gone either way...we were close to Collingwood until midway through the 3rd quarter, and against Essendon we didnt turn up.

The glass is half full...and will start filling up even more shortly...

[Mantis]

Re: So where are we at?

Stay positive Mantis, we're all feeling the slow start.

Age, relating to fitness, relating to speed, relating to options in the foward line.
Better Depth in the backline, more height around the ground, more options in the midfield, small attacking players ( sherman, vez )
some more players with a bit of pep ( sherman again, possibly schofield ) and so on.

Still, yet to show it at full swing but we'll get there. Have some faith

That doesn't make any sense at all.

We are seeing a big decline in form from many of our mature aged players (28+ yo)

We have seen minimal improvement (if any) from our younger players.

Our recruits have made minimal impact thus far.

---

I am of a firm belief that we will improve as the season unfolds, but to say we have a better list than last year just isn't correct at this point in time.

[DOG GOD]

Re: So where are we at?

I agree with Mantis. We can blame injury until the cows come home, but the facts are that our leadership group aren't playing to potential and the young guys who have played a few years havent gone to the next level...YET.

I also believe that we will see some sort of improvement as the year progresses, but in reality, if we lose our next 4, it wont matter what happens in the last half. We would be lucky to make the 8.