Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

[GVGjr]

Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls



WESTERN Bulldogs Jordan Roughead and Ayce Cordy will shoulder the rucking duties for Williamstown this season as the Seagulls look to focus on youth.

It's a case of out with the old and in with the new at Burbank Oval, with new coach Peter German determined to put his stamp on the club via a batch of quality youngsters ushered in from various parts of Victoria.

While the Seagulls have kept a senior core of skipper Brett Johnson and fellow midfielders Ben Davies, Ben Jolley and David Stretton, they have recruited 22 players this season all under the age of 21.

That figure is of course in addition to the host of young players drafted by alignment partner the Bulldogs during the off-season who will be looking to make their mark with the Seagulls in the VFL.

Roughead and Cordy, both still only 19, are yet to make their debut for the Dogs, but will carry the burden of No.1 and No.2 rucks on their broad young shoulders.

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[Topdog]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

Excellent to read. Thanks for posting G.

[chef]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

WESTERN Bulldogs Jordan Roughead and Ayce Cordy will shoulder the rucking duties for Williamstown this season as the Seagulls look to focus on youth.

This is going to do wonders for their development.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

Obviously the fact that the Dogs have selected a few rookies from Williamstown over the past couple of seasons makes it an attractive destination for younger players still hoping to crack an AFL list.

Good article, thanks for posting GVGjr.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

Nice article.

Really going to benefit both Roughead and Cordy, somewhat fast tracking their development. From a Bulldogs perspective, I really like the way things are currently being handled. Already there's a greater emphasis on developing our players. Players like Roughy, Cordy, Grant, Jones, Thorne and co. will hopefully thrive.

From a Williamstown point of view, it's probably not such a bad move. They've failed to make an impact in Finals for a few years now and with a few senior players leaving, it's a chance for them to change their list over and try build it form the ground up. Plenty of talented young players around and with the AFL keeping a closer eye on state competition, it's a great chance for them to impress.

Anyone know if Williamstown have recruited any small, quick forwards of the crumbing type? Reason I ask is because I'd imagine we'd pay close attention if they can play. Currently the biggest hole on our list.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

Sounds good for our rucks and forwards.

Back line will be hard to break into though. I wouldn't be surprised if Tutt and Howard spend the year in the reserves. Hard to see Mulligan playing much also with Boumann, Tiller, Markovic and Faulks in the side.

[GVGjr]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

This is going to do wonders for their development.

Providing they are physically up to it.

[Before I Die]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

Providing they are physically up to it.

Why would there be any question of this? We are talking about VFL footy, not AFL. They are both over 90kgs now and would be sharing the load. They also have Jordan Florance and Eddie Prato and possibly others I don't know about, as back up.

I applaud the Dogs and Willi for this course of action (and I am not implying you don't). We have an exciting group of young talls and Williamstown have acknowledged this with their off season recruiting. If our upcoming rucks and KP players don't get time in the Willi seniors, they have no-one to blame but themselves.

[GVGjr]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

Why would there be any question of this? We are talking about VFL footy, not AFL. They are both over 90kgs now and would be sharing the load. They also have Jordan Florance and Eddie Prato and possibly others I don't know about, as back up.

I applaud the Dogs and Willi for this course of action (and I am not implying you don't). We have an exciting group of young talls and Williamstown have acknowledged this with their off season recruiting. If our upcoming rucks and KP players don't get time in the Willi seniors, they have no-one to blame but themselves.

A few reasons why.

How many 19yo are able to handle the rucking roles for a full season?
Cordy got injured last week and will get plenty of that type of attention in future games.
If Roughy is promoted to the seniors due to an injury to Hudson or Minson how does Cordy go in the ruck for 4 quarters?
Roughy also has a history of shoulder problems.

Now onto the support guys:

Prato will mainly play 2nds football I think so he won't offer too much assistance to the boys. He's very raw.
Florance has never played senior football so his support will limited as well.
I haven't seen Mulligan in his 2 season in the reserves go that well in the ruck but I suppose he is a decent option.

It might sound great that the boys have been thrown into the deep end but it's a long season in front of them and I do hope they can handle it physically.

[Topdog]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

It might sound great that the boys have been thrown into the deep end but it's a long season in front of them and I do hope they can handle it physically.

As long as they are rotated and looked after it will be great for them.

[Before I Die]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

It might sound great that the boys have been thrown into the deep end but it's a long season in front of them and I do hope they can handle it physically.

I understand your concerns, but believe the club has made the right choice. Only time will tell.

[GVGjr]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

I understand your concerns, but believe the club has made the right choice. Only time will tell.

The club hasn't made the wrong choice but I'd still like to have some better support options. Having seen the boys struggle with injuries, fitness and form last season even with Skipper handling the hard work it's a huge ask for two 19yo to carry the burden.
I tend to think the young ruckman need to be eased into the most demanding of roles and I think it does limit the player if they get injuries early on in their careers.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

The club hasn't made the wrong choice but I'd still like to have some better support options. Having seen the boys struggle with injuries, fitness and form last season even with Skipper handling the hard work it's a huge ask for two 19yo to carry the burden.
I tend to think the young ruckman need to be eased into the most demanding of roles and I think it does limit the player if they get injuries early on in their careers.

Very sensible points and they do need to adapt to the rigours with ruck work being the most physically demanding aspect of the game.

Does make you wonder why so many posters are already calling for Roughead to be put in the senior side relegating Minson.

Hopefully both boys will stand up and start to be dominant at Willi.

Then they could be considered for promotion.

[alwaysadog]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

The club hasn't made the wrong choice but I'd still like to have some better support options. Having seen the boys struggle with injuries, fitness and form last season even with Skipper handling the hard work it's a huge ask for two 19yo to carry the burden.
I tend to think the young ruckman need to be eased into the most demanding of roles and I think it does limit the player if they get injuries early on in their careers.

Today wouldn't have eased your concerns. It may be that the Miniwobbles are the most physically mature VFL side but it was obvious that our lack of body strength meant we only operated in bursts. Yes we had superior skills but if today is any guide it's going to be a very tough season for our young talls especially.

I just hope our physical conditioning team keep a careful eye on their development.

[GVGjr]

Re: Rebuilding a tall order for Seagulls

Today wouldn't have eased your concerns. It may be that the Miniwobbles are the most physically mature VFL side but it was obvious that our lack of body strength meant we only operated in bursts. Yes we had superior skills but if today is any guide it's going to be a very tough season for our young talls especially.

I just hope our physical conditioning team keep a careful eye on their development.

The young ruck man for the Pies was spirited but vastly inexperienced so Roughead in particular beat him but I can see the potential for niggling injuries mounting up with these two. Mulligan might have been able to provide some support but that's doubtful now.
The two ruck man in the reserves have a bit of work to become options for the seniors as well.