A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

[BulldogBelle]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

I agree with the bold bit. But the earlier statements are just hyperbole. Tom Williams is highly underrated and has had a bad run. Cooney's knee as I understand it is similar to McCloud's, who went on to have a decent career. Brian had a brain fade. 5 years before that, clean rap sheet.
Call it what you will, but we are just trying to get better, week in and week out.

Is that a hamburger or a type of mattress?

One of McCartney's biggest challenges is to develop replacements for our ageing core of senior players (Lake, Boyd, Morris, Gia, Cross, Hargrave) - these guys are all past or pushing 30

The transition from our ongoing reliance on these guys week on week and developing their replacements is something that needs to be done in the next 18 months

Come 2014 there is chance that the vast majority of the above will be gone or on their last legs

[LostDoggy]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

I'm not trying to have a crack. But I simply refuse to buy into the 'refresh not rebuild' line.
A refresh suggests we're around the mark, but in my opinion we are miles off.
We're seeing the last of our reliable core. Our midfield (Griffen and Dalhaus aside) is slow and unskilled, or very young and inexperienced. Our two earmarked tall forwards are both Appalling set shots. Jones is a great contested mark but he doesn't lead to the right spots like a natural forward, and I just cringe as he walks in for a set shot.

Grant is an enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a large praying mantis.
I don't what he is!
Our defense, even at full strength with all players in good form won't be around by the time Grant and Jones are serious mature players. Tom Williams is still an experiment. Cooney's knee is rooted. Brian's cracking up.....AAAHHH!!!!!!!! I can't take it!

So I'm right behind Macca but please PLEASE rebuild and don't refresh.

Yes i respect and agree with all of what you said, and I also agree that we are a few years off challenging for the Grand Final again. The balance of age on the list is slightly concerning. I really liked the draft of Dickson, Austin age wise, just to try and get a group of balanced age together for when it is our time. We have a lot of kids and a lot of above 28 year olds. When Brodie Moles and Justin Sherman are running round at Williamstown or rehab it isn't ideal. I think Addison has been outstanding so far and back pocket is his to loose. All those forwards that get talked about Jones, Roughead Cordy (when not rucking) Dahlhaus and Grant ( fair call on the praying mantis) have hardly played 100 games between them. All coming through together and learning where each other runs and when, I am expecting us to get a hold of back lines big time in 3 years.

Leg speed in the guts i also agree with, we are going to have extractors everywhere (2014-17)!! Clay, Libba, Wallis etc so I see what is looking like 2 top 10 picks in this years super draft as just an incredible chance to add some serious class to compliment these 3 in particular and Howard and Tutt who i hope can play as soon as possible in the AFL as soon as possible