Three Things I've Learned - Round 17 Edition

[Ozza]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 17 Edition

1. When players are prepared to run and follow up there own footy (and get it back) the chain reaction sees us in full flight pretty quickly.
2. We are learning how to adjust mid game and address issues out on the ground. Not immediately - but we're getting there.
3. Teams are going to have to find some 190cm plus taggers...because Bonti and Macrae are pretty awkward match ups. Bonti is already great at getting front position and being a handful.

[comrade]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 17 Edition

3. We can win a flag with our current group of young players.

Agree that the main core is building nicely but do you think our current forward set up is good enough to do the job? We're one or two short, IMO and will be found out under the fierce pressure of finals footy where the long bomb into the 50 is a required option ala 2008-2010.

I'd also like another big man down back along with Roughy, though I hold high hopes for Fletch. (I see Talia as more of a third tall, Shaggy type)

[Scorlibo]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 17 Edition

Agree that the main core is building nicely but do you think our current forward set up is good enough to do the job? We're one or two short, IMO and will be found out under the fierce pressure of finals footy where the long bomb into the 50 is a required option ala 2008-2010.

I'd also like another big man down back along with Roughy, though I hold high hopes for Fletch. (I see Talia as more of a third tall, Shaggy type)

I think you're spot on with the need for another big guy down back, possibly even two given that Dale will be retiring in the near future and he has been playing primarily against taller opposition.

Up forward we have a surplus of talent, to be honest. Dahlhaus, Hrovat, Hunter, Honeychurch, Dickson and Higgins are all natural forward of centre players, and all except Honeychurch have proven or are proving themselves to be AFL quality. On top of that we have Grant, Stringer and Crameri as the mid-tall sized forwards, again all are AFL quality. Then there's guys like Koby Stevens and Clay Smith who will need to be able to play a lot of time as high half-forwards. Our key position forward stocks are low, but with Grant, Stringer and Crameri all capable of taking a grab and leading up, we only need one genuine big guy in the forward line, especially given that when Campbell and Cordy take over in the ruck, they will each need to spend time forward. As a result of all this, all we're really counting on is one of Jones and Redpath becoming good AFL players. That's no certainty, but it's also only one spot in the forward line, and something we may be able to deal with as the next few years unfold.

[whythelongface]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 17 Edition

I think you're spot on with the need for another big guy down back, possibly even two given that Dale will be retiring in the near future and he has been playing primarily against taller opposition.

Up forward we have a surplus of talent, to be honest. Dahlhaus, Hrovat, Hunter, Honeychurch, Dickson and Higgins are all natural forward of centre players, and all except Honeychurch have proven or are proving themselves to be AFL quality. On top of that we have Grant, Stringer and Crameri as the mid-tall sized forwards, again all are AFL quality. Then there's guys like Koby Stevens and Clay Smith who will need to be able to play a lot of time as high half-forwards. Our key position forward stocks are low, but with Grant, Stringer and Crameri all capable of taking a grab and leading up, we only need one genuine big guy in the forward line, especially given that when Campbell and Cordy take over in the ruck, they will each need to spend time forward. As a result of all this, all we're really counting on is one of Jones and Redpath becoming good AFL players. That's no certainty, but it's also only one spot in the forward line, and something we may be able to deal with as the next few years unfold.

and add to this that no doubt this is an area (our Key Position Forwards) our recruitment team will be addressing at year's end (this year or next) by being in the market for another decent tall/s either through the draft or via a trade.

[whythelongface]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 17 Edition

1. Our young players continue to get better every week and are starting to change games themselves. Love what I am seeing.
2. We had a poor patch in the 2nd quarter and were able to hold GC to only two goals during this period. Normally an opposition team would pile on 6 to 8 goals during this period. We seem to be learning to be able to defensively shut down teams when they are dominating - long way to go and there will be times when teams do kick 6 to 8 goals in a row but that will be more the exception than the norm.
3. Liam Picken has really played well this year. I just looked at his profile and didn't realise that he is already 28 - thought he was 25 -26ish.