Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

[Mantis]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Ladies and Gentlemen, if you didn't think we were rebuilding rather than refreshing in the first half of the season, I can assure you, we are now.

I will only except this to be the case when David Smorgon admits that we are going thru a rebuild.

However this will only happen when hell freezes over so for me it's still a refresh.

[GVGjr]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Ladies and Gentlemen, if you didn't think we were rebuilding rather than refreshing in the first half of the season, I can assure you, we are now.

I think the intention at the start of the season was to do some minor changes and develop some younger players but to mainly focus on being competitive around the stoppages. Now that the season has already progressed to the point where we aren't making the finals I think McCartney has to look at testing some players before having to make some hard decisions at the seasons end. The questions around are we rebuilding or refreshing the list really doesn't come into it for me now as it's just about really testing the waters with the players we have to see what else they can offer.

I think McCartney would now have a far clearer idea of what he inherited when he took the job on so hopefully he can chart a better course next season.

[GVGjr]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

I will only except this to be the case when David Smorgon admits that we are going thru a rebuild.

However this will only happen when hell freezes over so for me it's still a refresh.

It was just a bit of word play to give the members a bit more to hope for. I'd prefer the club doesn't make those type of statements but I can't hold it against him.
In the scheme of things there might be a component of both.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

I think the intention at the start of the season was to do some minor changes and develop some younger players but to mainly focus on being competitive around the stoppages. Now that the season has already progressed to the point where we aren't making the finals I think McCartney has to look at testing some players before having to make some hard decisions at the seasons end. The questions around are we rebuilding or refreshing the list really doesn't come into it for me now as it's just about really testing the waters with the players we have to see what else they can offer.

I think McCartney would now have a far clearer idea of what he inherited when he took the job on so hopefully he can chart a better course next season.

Right. McCartney will continue to give praise and encourage players, even under-performing ones, but I am certain he is quietly penciling in who he wants to keep for next season and who he doesn't. Waiting to see who's body holds up as well under the new 'stax on' philosophy. Interesting to see the omission of Hargrave this week for Gilbee of all people.An article in the Sydney Morning Herald indicating he wants to play on in 2013.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Going by the FB pics from the club, Roughead travelled with the group. I'm actually a Jordan fan, but if he's a late inclusion for a mid....

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Going by the FB pics from the club, Roughead travelled with the group. I'm actually a Jordan fan, but if he's a late inclusion for a mid....

You prompted me to have a look at those photos and I noticed Shaggy too.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/426966_10151020010987487_362690559_n.jpg

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

You prompted me to have a look at those photos and I noticed Shaggy too.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...62690559_n.jpg

Shaggy is hoping to play on next year. He is out of contract at the end of this year and said he will sit down with the club and see what they would like to do. He has been mentoring Howard and enjoying teaching the younger players.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Shaggy is hoping to play on next year. He is out of contract at the end of this year and said he will sit down with the club and see what they would like to do. He has been mentoring Howard and enjoying teaching the younger players.

I've post a few times about how I want to keep Shaggy on.

I believe his versatility in defence can free up younger players like Howard to play more suitable roles which will hopefully aide their development. As you have stated he also seems to be enjoying B-Mac's strategy of having experienced players mentor the younger ones. Not to the mention that he is also producing above average results onfield as well IMO.

[mjp]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Just about to leave for the game.

It feels like I am off to the dentist.

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Just about to leave for the game.

It feels like I am off to the dentist.

Be interesting your assessment on some of the players with less than 50 games under their belt.

Less than 20

Campbell
Cordy
Dickson
DJ
Wallis
Smith
Tutt
Howard
Markovic

Less than 30
Austin
Libba
Dahlhaus

Less than 40
Wood

A very young side.

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Tutt is the sub. No late changes

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Tutt is the sub. No late changes

Disappointing, unless he doesn't have the required fitness yet. Still, I'd rather him be subbed rather than start as it.

[mjp]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Be interesting your assessment on some of the players with less than 50 games under their belt.

A very young side.

I'm home and grouchy so I'll bite:

Less than 20

Campbell - Tried hard but completed toweled up by Griffen. Not sure why another ruckman of his ilk is needed in the side?
Cordy - Team-mates clearly have no faith in him...they basically see him in a one-on-one and pull up. 2nd efforts poor today.
Dickson - Would be a reasonable forward in a good side. Presents up well. Not sure how he and Gia are supposed to play in the same team together though.
DJ - Tries hard. No class.
Wallis - Tries hard. No tricks.
Smith - Runs to some funny spots - looks more like a half-back to me than a mid. Certainly cracks in...doesn't trust himself to hit a target even 20m away.
Tutt - Was the sub. Didn't notice him.
Howard - Won a bit of footy as an outlet player. Still waiting for the legendary kicking skills to reveal themselves...it is as if he is determined to never kick more than 30m.
Markovic - I remain unclear on why Markovic played on Pavlich who was always going to be too strong and clever with the ball in the air. His performance today gave me a negative impression of the coaches, not the player.

Less than 30
Austin - Seemed pretty one dimensional...does try hard though.
Libba - Tries hard, runs hard.
Dahlhaus - Runs hard. Very clever...only dangerous player we had (and he didn't have a great day).

Less than 40
Wood - Hasn't changed in three years. Athletic player who never gets the ball and doesn't really look to get the ball.

Apart from Hawthorn vs St Kilda at the MCG back in 2007, today's game was the worst I have ever watched in person. Neither side looked to take the game on...and for us - with no dominant forward, we need to maximise the times the ball gets inside 50m with numbers either even or in our favour. Kicking the ball slowly down the ground does not help with this...

I am sure it is all part of the master plan - but it mind be a little while revealing itself.

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee- Round 15 vs Fremantle

Thank you for the assessment, always good to read from a different perspective than an ordinary supporter. Alot of posters gave Dahl, best on ground for us, but I thought he hardly touched it in the second half.