Austin elevated to senior list

[Greystache]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

Once again I will buck the trend as I think this was the best move for us.

- Austin is capable of playing good football and has been playing good football for Footscray
- We have been having trouble with a 2nd ruckman or even looking to give Minson a spell. With Austin in the side, Roughead can do some ruck work.
- Talia and Roberts haven't measured up to expectations so far this year.
- Morris can be used on occasions with more mid sized forwards rather than key ones.

I don't understand the negativity towards Austin

I know you've been a fan over the years G, but I look at Austin and see a player whose very best is a marginal AFL player with almost no upside. I was comfortable enough with him being retained on the rookie list should we have a spate of key defender injuries, but I certainly didn't want to see him get games in front of younger players with more upside.

To me his selection makes a statement that we really have no idea what our development strategy is, and we're playing to minimise the size of our losses week by week.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

That last paragraph sums it up.
It's a knock on Talia and Roberts, and their development.
If Roughy rucks, you'd hope they don't get a one on one with Austin on Cloke.
I wish him luck however .

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

Once again I will buck the trend as I think this was the best move for us.

- Austin is capable of playing good football and has been playing good football for Footscray
- We have been having trouble with a 2nd ruckman or even looking to give Minson a spell. With Austin in the side, Roughead can do some ruck work.
- Talia and Roberts haven't measured up to expectations so far this year.
- Morris can be used on occasions with more mid sized forwards rather than key ones.

I don't understand the negativity towards Austin

I can't speak for others, but I don't think the feelings are at him as a person or player. It's the decision of the club.

But to lay out the case against your optimism:

- Austin was only ever a depth player. Depth as I understand the word to mean it that he was on the list to cover a tall defender, or some such, not a medium forward. So replacing an apple with an orange seems bizarre. We didn't have to upgrade anybody, it wasn't a case of being forced to do anything.
- Austin has played good footy at the next level down against some pretty mediocre teams it must be said. The key is next level down, and against some very poor teams. You could also argue that Redpath has played equally well too, as he has played some good footy as much or as equal to Austin.
- If we need a second ruckman, why not try Cordy or Campbell before elevating Austin??
- Talia and Roberts haven't measured up to expectation... It could be argued that they haven't been played all that often in the seniors and in Roberts case when he did he was played out of position.
- If we are moving Morris of team's best or better defenders to play on mid sized forwards, leaving a VFL player to take that role, with our turnovers we are building a rod for Austin's back, he will get slaughtered over the last half of the year against the good teams we haven't even played yet.

If this is really what needs to happen, we should consider trading or delisting all the players who can't even apparently perform to the required level which forced us to upgrade Austin. If he's ahead of Roberts and Talia, when the league's best development coach (being Macca) then they will never make the grade. If we need Austin to help ruck with Campbell and Ayce on the list, than it's an indictment on them both.

Nothing at Austin, we were not forced into elevating anyone today. We did. It makes no real sense and members need a decent explanation.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

Yeah, sorry but I agree with what BT and Grey have said. If this is some sort of switch man pull by the club - like what they did with Markovic/Austin last year then it's not very impressive.

- no defenders are injured
- he's going to play in front of Talia, Young and Roberts
- if this is a switch/forward move then bring in Redpath who played a large portion last year down back at VFL level.

FWIW I don't dislike Austin. He's a known element, but I'd have loved to have seen the odds on Austin getting upgraded. Nobody saw it....and with good reason.

P.S This replaces Dickson? So there's still the ability to demote Jong/promote Redpath due to the post round 11 rule?

[G-Mo77]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

Nothing against Austin. From all reports he's played well enough to get a call up so well done to him for working hard and getting another shot. However.......

He's been on the rookie list for 3 years and elevated each season, if he was good enough wouldn't he have a senior spot right now? He's a borderline listed player and he's not going to progress or make our team progress any more than it can. We've got to move forward, Talia and Roberts are players that will be who we are relying on. These players should be given the chance to play against one of the better sides of the competition, they need game time.

Redpath? Why not? Why not Macca? You said he needs to work on some things well last I checked so does our team. We can't kick freaking goals! That is something Redpath continues to do at VFL level. Why waste this opportunity to give the unknown a chance?

The Redpath non elevation doesn't tick me off the most, I'm more pissed about having Rookie players who look like they're never going to get a shot stay on our list season after season rather than take new picks in the last draft. What a complete waste!

More poor and weak decisions from our club.

[Scorlibo]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

Once again I will buck the trend as I think this was the best move for us.

- Austin is capable of playing good football and has been playing good football for Footscray
- We have been having trouble with a 2nd ruckman or even looking to give Minson a spell. With Austin in the side, Roughead can do some ruck work.
- Talia and Roberts haven't measured up to expectations so far this year.
- Morris can be used on occasions with more mid sized forwards rather than key ones.

I don't understand the negativity towards Austin

I agree, in his time in the AFL he has shown better pace, strength and competitiveness than Talia or Roberts. He seemed to be pigeon holed very early by some simply because he was a bit older. He still has time on his side to forge a good career if he can grab his opportunity.

[F'scary]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

Would have preferred to see...

The Widow-Maker

[The Underdog]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

I agree, in his time in the AFL he has shown better pace, strength and competitiveness than Talia or Roberts. He seemed to be pigeon holed very early by some simply because he was a bit older. He still has time on his side to forge a good career if he can grab his opportunity.

I've always thought Austin was a solid AFL defender for us and while he may be a bit old in some eyes, he's 22 months older than Redpath who is older than Liam Jones & Tom Campbell.
Play the kids I say...

[boydogs]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

Once again I will buck the trend as I think this was the best move for us.

I'm not opposed to making Talia & Roberts earn their chances at AFL level, just would have liked to see Redpath elevated instead

[GVGjr]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

I can't speak for others, but I don't think the feelings are at him as a person or player. It's the decision of the club.

But to lay out the case against your optimism:

- Austin was only ever a depth player. Depth as I understand the word to mean it that he was on the list to cover a tall defender, or some such, not a medium forward. So replacing an apple with an orange seems bizarre. We didn't have to upgrade anybody, it wasn't a case of being forced to do anything.
.

He's played some good football when promoted. He might struggle with consistency but his best is good enough.

- Austin has played good footy at the next level down against some pretty mediocre teams it must be said. The key is next level down, and against some very poor teams. You could also argue that Redpath has played equally well too, as he has played some good footy as much or as equal to Austin.

Lets get back to the highlighted soon but Redpath doesn't have a natural read on the game. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision that was made but I'm backing it.

- If we need a second ruckman, why not try Cordy or Campbell before elevating Austin??

Because neither player is good enough in another position to be carried at the moment. Happy to see them as the first ruckman if needed but at the moment they just don't offer enough in another position like Roughead does.

- Talia and Roberts haven't measured up to expectation... It could be argued that they haven't been played all that often in the seniors and in Roberts case when he did he was played out of position.

It might be argued but if you are questioning that Austin has only been good against weak opposition as you posed above then what does it say for Talia who has been poor against the same opposition and Roberts who has been okay but not much better against the same opposition but also found to be slow and not being physically ready against in his games in the senior side? I don't buy that Roberts was played out of position.

- If we are moving Morris of team's best or better defenders to play on mid sized forwards, leaving a VFL player to take that role, with our turnovers we are building a rod for Austin's back, he will get slaughtered over the last half of the year against the good teams we haven't even played yet.

I never said that Morris would be moved onto mid sized players but I did say that the Austin promotion might allow us to use Morris in that manner. It's just an option and it would have to be against the right sides.

We will also be playing some taller sides in the coming weeks and I don't think we can keep pinch hitting with Wood.

If this is really what needs to happen, we should consider trading or delisting all the players who can't even apparently perform to the required level which forced us to upgrade Austin. If he's ahead of Roberts and Talia, when the league's best development coach (being Macca) then they will never make the grade. If we need Austin to help ruck with Campbell and Ayce on the list, than it's an indictment on them both.

That's your opinion and not one I share.

[GVGjr]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

I'm not opposed to making Talia & Roberts earn their chances at AFL level, just would have liked to see Redpath elevated instead

I get that, I just don't accept the vitriol that some have put forward against the Austin promotion. We obviously haven't made the popular choice but I don't accept that it was clear cut that Redpath should have been the player promoted.

[Maddog37]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

The calls for Redpath remind me of the calls to play Panos.

[GVGjr]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

The calls for Redpath remind me of the calls to play Panos.

It's an excellent point. I was always against that move as well. In fairness to Redpath I think he is now a better prospect than Panos was.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

He's played some good football when promoted. He might struggle with consistency but his best is good enough.



Lets get back to the highlighted soon but Redpath doesn't have a natural read on the game. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision that was made but I'm backing it.



Because neither player is good enough in another position to be carried at the moment. Happy to see them as the first ruckman if needed but at the moment they just don't offer enough in another position like Roughead does.



It might be argued but if you are questioning that Austin has only been good against weak opposition as you posed above then what does it say for Talia who has been poor against the same opposition and Roberts who has been okay but not much better against the same opposition but also found to be slow and not being physically ready against in his games in the senior side? I don't buy that Roberts was played out of position.



I never said that Morris would be moved onto mid sized players but I did say that the Austin promotion might allow us to use Morris in that manner. It's just an option and it would have to be against the right sides.

We will also be playing some taller sides in the coming weeks and I don't think we can keep pinch hitting with Wood.




That's your opinion and not one I share.

I appreciate the time you put into the response G. I didn't really care for the Redpath calls, the two times I really focused on Redpath this year, I agree he doesn't read the play well enough. Honestly, I'm not sure why we kept him. That aside, I don't think we needed to elevate anyone today. Redpath would've been an act of desperation, Austin is not a good call either though.

That Ayce, Campbell, Talia, Roberts, Redpath are all not clearly in favour is a bigger issue over 'Redpath or Austin'. If Macca is truly the best talent developer as has for a long time been recognised, then why are these 4 plus Jones, Wallis, Howard, Tutt (etc) gone nowhere this year?? The list and talent is stagnating, badly, and this decision confirms it.

[GVGjr]

Re: Austin elevated to senior list

I appreciate the time you put into the response G. I didn't really care for the Redpath calls, the two times I really focused on Redpath this year, I agree he doesn't read the play well enough. Honestly, I'm not sure why we kept him. That aside, I don't think we needed to elevate anyone today. Redpath would've been an act of desperation, Austin is not a good call either though.

That Ayce, Campbell, Talia, Roberts, Redpath are all not clearly in favour is a bigger issue over 'Redpath or Austin'. If Macca is truly the best talent developer as has for a long time been recognised, then why are these 4 plus Jones, Wallis, Howard, Tutt (etc) gone nowhere this year?? The list and talent is stagnating, badly, and this decision confirms it.

Talia hasn't been in the mix all year and I think the MC has this right. Roberts was given a go and to me he didn't appear to be ready. Campbell is close, Cordy has made some minor improvement this year but we aren't playing well enough to carry them as a key forward when not being used in the ruck. Redpath or Austin was a flip of the coin which landed Austins way because I think we are backing Jones to get back into the senior side which limits Redpath and Austin offers us some flexibility for the back line.