TAC Finals series

[GVGjr]

Some good games this weekend at Visy Park although the weather might be a problem.

Tomorrow there is the Calder Cannons vs Geelong Falcons and the Dandenong Stingrays vs North Ballarat Rebels.

On Sunday it's the Sandringham Dragons vs Oakleigh Chargers and Northern Knights vs Gippsland Power.

[comrade]

Re: TAC Finals series

Calder are still a chance to win back to back titles.

[GVGjr]

Re: TAC Finals series

Calder are still a chance to win back to back titles.

Right on track but Dandenong will take a bit of beating.

Wallis and Libba did well again in heavy conditions.

The depth of this draft is OK. I don't think we can get an extra first round pick but I'd like to get one somehow.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: TAC Finals series

The depth of this draft is OK. I don't think we can get an extra first round pick but I'd like to get one somehow.

Agree on both counts.

Even a late first round selection around 23/25 could deliver us a good option with some serious pace which is what I'd really like to look at.

I think Libba and Wallis are going to be pretty good players for us, so it's definitely a luxury to get a couple of talented workhorses with different skill sets.

[jazzadogs]

Re: TAC Finals series

Agree on both counts.

Even a late first round selection around 23/25 could deliver us a good option with some serious pace which is what I'd really like to look at.

I think Libba and Wallis are going to be pretty good players for us, so it's definitely a luxury to get a couple of talented workhorses with different skill sets.

Is there any thought on where Libba/Wallis would actually be going if they weren't F/S? I haven't read any estimations anywhere, and it's something which has interested.

Late first rounder? Or early? Second rounder?

Also, if we didn't have these two lined up would we be going for completely different types of players with our picks? It is a concern that, even though these two are talented guys, we are getting an extra couple of not super-speedy 'inside with a little bit of outside' mids, to go with Boyd, Cross, Ward.

[chef]

Re: TAC Finals series

Is there any thought on where Libba/Wallis would actually be going if they weren't F/S? I haven't read any estimations anywhere, and it's something which has interested.

Late first rounder? Or early? Second rounder?

Also, if we didn't have these two lined up would we be going for completely different types of players with our picks? It is a concern that, even though these two are talented guys, we are getting an extra couple of not super-speedy 'inside with a little bit of outside' mids, to go with Boyd, Cross, Ward.

By the time Libba and Wallis are holding permanent spots in the mid these two should be finished(Cross has probably only got another season in him), so it should overlap nicely.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: TAC Finals series

Is there any thought on where Libba/Wallis would actually be going if they weren't F/S? I haven't read any estimations anywhere, and it's something which has interested.

Late first rounder? Or early? Second rounder?

Also, if we didn't have these two lined up would we be going for completely different types of players with our picks? It is a concern that, even though these two are talented guys, we are getting an extra couple of not super-speedy 'inside with a little bit of outside' mids, to go with Boyd, Cross, Ward.

I'm no expert but I'd say both would be top 20 selections on the open market, although it is hard to gauge.


The balance of the list is a rightful concern, but I think we'll be very happy with Wallis and Libba. They are no fuss kind of guys who get the job done. I'd say both are better users than Crossy and Boyd, and although no super quick, they aren't super slow. Their willingness to do the defensive stuff is also very impressive.

If we could secure another early draft selection to use on a speedster as well that would be a great result.

[Mantis]

Re: TAC Finals series

If we could secure another early draft selection to use on a speedster as well that would be a great result.

Do you have anyone in mind?

[GVGjr]

Re: TAC Finals series

Do you have anyone in mind?

There is a couple of standouts. Polec from SA and Pitt from the falcons are 2 that are very impressive.

[mighty_west]

Re: TAC Finals series

There is a couple of standouts. Polec from SA and Pitt from the falcons are 2 that are very impressive.

GVGjr, what is the general feeling on this years GC draft? how deep it's supposed to go etc etc? Even though Gold Coast get a dream run with it, would a Polec or a Pitt be available in the 20's for instance?

If we were somehow able to snag a late first rounder for an Everitt for example, we could be in the box seat to also take advantage with the 2 father sons coming our way.

If we also get a first rounder for Harbrow to be used after our first selection [Wallis f/s], it could set us up as a mini clean out, as i could just imagine the 2012 draft to be almost as compromised as this years and next years GWS drafts with most teams going in with their priority picks.

[Scorlibo]

Re: TAC Finals series

(Cross has probably only got another season in him)

What makes you say this? He could very easily win the B+F this year and he's no older than the rest of the '99, '00 crop. If any of said crop were to go on and play well till they were 32/33 I would pick Cross.

[chef]

Re: TAC Finals series

What makes you say this? He could very easily win the B+F this year and he's no older than the rest of the '99, '00 crop. If any of said crop were to go on and play well till they were 32/33 I would pick Cross.

Don't agree, he's ultra slow now, can't(or won't) kick and he looks as if he carrying an injury(which is not surprising as he is continuing putting his body on the line). By the end of next year I would think that if Reid's body is holding up he would be putting serious pressure on Cross to be holding his spot in the 22.

[Scorlibo]

Re: TAC Finals series

Don't agree, he's ultra slow now, can't(or won't) kick and he looks as if he carrying an injury(which is not surprising as he is continuing putting his body on the line). By the end of next year I would think that if Reid's body is holding up he would be putting serious pressure on Cross to be holding his spot in the 22.

Pace: There is none to lose then, he doesn't rely on his pace to be a good player.

Kicking: He has improved in this regard enormously over the last two years, his kicks off either side are now quite neat and the opposition no longer hang off him. In any case I can't see what this facet of his game has to do with retirement. Kicking skills as a general rule do not deteriorate as the player gets older.

Injury: He has shown (largely due to strict training regimes) his durability over the years, and his ability to quickly overcome any injury which does arise. The bash and crash way in which he plays does not increase the likelihood of internal injury.

There is no way Reid will overtake Cross next year, let alone in the next three years, and maybe not ever. Reid is to me still a very unproven player with a number of weaknesses and not nearly as many strengths as WOOFers would have you believe.

[chef]

Re: TAC Finals series

Pace: There is none to lose then, he doesn't rely on his pace to be a good player.

Kicking: He has improved in this regard enormously over the last two years, his kicks off either side are now quite neat and the opposition no longer hang off him. In any case I can't see what this facet of his game has to do with retirement. Kicking skills as a general rule do not deteriorate as the player gets older.

Injury: He has shown (largely due to strict training regimes) his durability over the years, and his ability to quickly overcome any injury which does arise. The bash and crash way in which he plays does not increase the likelihood of internal injury.

There is no way Reid will overtake Cross next year, let alone in the next three years, and maybe not ever. Reid is to me still a very unproven player with a number of weaknesses and not nearly as many strengths as WOOFers would have you believe.

Fair enough, we'll have to agree to disagree as I obviously don't rate him as highly as you.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: TAC Finals series

There is a couple of standouts. Polec from SA and Pitt from the falcons are 2 that are very impressive.

I'd agree with that.

Have a feeling Polec will go pretty early though (inside top 10) and it's not going to be easy to secure a pick in that range IMO.

Do you have anyone in mind?

Polec and Pitt as above are certainly good candidates.

I'm also quite keen on the following:

Harper
Smith
Atley
Young
Schiller
Jacobs
Brown
Smedts

There are a few guys who could potentially fit the bill although I don't have a firm grasp on some of the above guys pace because I haven't seen enough of them. Perhaps when the DC results are available us mug punters will have a better idea.


If we did manage to get an early enough selection I wouldn't be adverse to using it on a bloke like Matt Watson to sure up our defensive stocks for the next 10 years either...but pace would probably give us more return in the shorter term IMO.