The Quigley Pressure Index

[Quigley]

Okay for watchers of the ABC this is sort of like the Southern Oscellation Index. What I have done is rate how much pressure each of the players is going to be under coming into the year. I have rated the amount of pressure from 1 to 7 with one being intense pressure and 7 being no pressure. I may be a little inconsistent between some players but hey it’s my index and I reserve the right to discriminate on personal opinion.:) I also have taken no account of length of contracts which in itself may lessen or increase pressure but I didn’t have the details so I didn’t consider it. I think I got everyone but let me know if I missed anyone.

1. Intense – they need to play senior football this year and play well

The guys that have been on the list for at least two years already and have yet to establish themselves – Allen, Garner, McDonald, Hamill

Others – Corrie - delisted but rookied means he needs to perform when he comes back, Fixter – only one year on the list but came from Sydney and if he doesn’t show more this year he will be gone

2.Heavy – need to show that they are capable of playing senior football

The first year rookies – they only have one year contracts and you know that at least one and more likely two of these guys are not going to be around next year – Kiel, Dzufer, Clouston, Tippett

3. Significant

The guys that have been on the list for a few years and have shown flashes but not been able to consistently perform ie its getting to now or never for these guys – Merrett, Moody, Brennan, Harding

The lower round draft picks from the last two years – not as much pressure as the rookies but need to show that they are capable of playing at AFL level – Patfull (older handy squad rather than first team player atm), Mills (shown glimpses and must perform when he is given the chance this year), Tyler (has a two year contract but that hasn’t meant much for a few teams eg Lucy).[/

The older veterans who are facing significant competition for their spots and if they don’t perform are likely to be used as trade bait – McGrath, B McDonald.

4. Moderate

The high draft picks from the last two years and the bottom aged picks from this year – will be given some leeway but are fighting for position in the pecking order – Clark, Proud, Schmidt, Hawksley, Sheldon. Hooper I will also include here - played plenty this year as a bottom aged player but needs to show he belongs in the forward line and there will be plenty of competition for the position.

The young guys who have shown they can play at the next level but still have things to work on – still things to work on to be in the first 22 of our next premiership team – Stiller, Drummond, Roe

The veterans who now find themselves as fringe best 22 players – Copeland, Notting

The exciting prospects coming through – still need to develop but with what they have shown time will be given - Wood, Begley.

5. Light

The next generation – well established in the first 22 and expected to be in the next premiership team – Selwood, Adcock, Rischetelli

Charman – the number one ruck on the team but with the young prospects coming through and the injury run he has had may be feeling some pressure

Berger – as a first year ruck not expected to play first team football. The only real pressure is likely to come from being a high draft pick but he will be given plenty of slack

6. Minimal

The future star – Sherman

The almost star - Bradshaw

The immanent retirees – have been stars of the competition and given that they are likely to retire in the next couple of years - Lappin, Johnson, Scott

7. None

The stars – the only pressure they have is the pressure they put on themselves – Brown, Black and Power

Comments welcome so feel free to hack this apart or give your own ratings.

[Grimreepah]

I take it pressure is defined in terms of staying on the list, so in other words it is pretty much a chances of being delisted list.

I would agree pretty much with most of your list. As you list B McDonald later on, I presume it is Joel Macdonald you have in category 1. But I would think Beau is under more pressure than you suggest (ie. significant). I thought he was very useful in the games he played this year, and he was part of the side that was traveling beautifully earlier in the year. But he is probably a long way behind Charman and is fairly level with Wood at the moment, and they say Leuey has a bit of potential too. A lot will depend on whether he starts off as number 2 ruckman, but if he doesn't, and he gets little game time in 07, he might be in trouble, especially considering his injury proneness.

[TheBrownDog]

Looking forward to the 2007 edition Quigs! Some players have move up, others down.

[Snuka]

I too am looking forward to another addition (hard task masters on the Lion's board i've noticed). And you were spot on with the guys under intense pressure, Macdonald & Corrie took their opportunities, performed and have been retained. Allan, Fixter, Garner & Hamill arguable didn't and now all gone.

[Quigley]

With one reply when I made up this thread originally I thought it was a flop and didn't think I would be doing it again this year. That being said its not like there is a lot of else to do at the moment so I may as well. I will do it next week after the rookie draft and we have our full list named.

[TheBrownDog]

With one reply when I made up this thread originally I thought it was a flop and didn't think I would be doing it again this year. That being said its not like there is a lot of else to do at the moment so I may as well. I will do it next week after the rookie draft and we have our full list named.

It must have slid under the radar at the time, because its a killer idea.

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[The Flying Belgian]

1. Intense.

- Quigley. Is under the pump to back up after recent good efforts. You're only as good as your last thread.

:D

[Quigley]

Bowing to public pressure I have updated the pressure index for the new year. Pretty similar to last year in terms of categories but there are a few departures and inconsistencies but again I am not hugely worried about it. :p We have a stronger and deeper list this year I think and there is much more pressure for those first 22 spots. There a lot of quality players competing for a few spots and hence the pressure is greater. Also I think the bottom end of the list is much narrower this year and there are less automatic candidates for delisting and so the pressure is going to be on anyone not playing regular first team football. Bear in mind that next year’s draft is going to be a strong one imo and that the team might look to clear quit a few spots for that together with rookie promotions as a few of those guys look like they can be AFL players. Okay with further adieu:

1. Intense – they need to play senior football this year and play well

The guys that have been on the list for at least two years already and have yet to establish themselves – Moody. I considered putting Corrie here as well but thought he might have a little more leeway than Moody. There is certainly less players in this category this year and I think there are going to be some tough decisions to be made at the end of the year.

The second year rookies not named Tippett – list positions are going to be extremely tight next year and you are going to really need to stand up and be counted – Kiel, Dzufer, Clouston and Garner (I know he is not a second year rookie but he belongs here).

2. Heavy – need to show that they are capable of playing senior football

The other Australian rookies – Tippett and Smith – Tippett is the fourth ruck on the list and has to show that he is capable of playing at AFL level even if it is not going to be this year. Smith also will be looked at closely to determine whether he is going be able to cut it.

The lower round draft picks from this year – Polkinghorne, Dalzeill and Austin - despite teams being discouraged from doing it there is a real possibility that if one of this year’s picks does not perform well he could be paid out for the second year of his contract. This is especially the case with Dalzeil who is already 20 but Polkinghorne and Austin are also upper classmen.

The young veterans who cannot cement a spot – Harding, Corrie and McGrath – all have shown that they can play at AFL level (especially McGrath) but it is time for them to either demand selection or they will likely be moved on.

3. Significant

Now they have to justify their big contract – Brennan and Hooper – especially Brennan here. Held the club to ransom in the offseason to get their big rises despite not having shown an enormous amount on the field. The pressure will be on them now to stand up.

The key positions that have been on the list for a few years and have shown flashes but not been able to consistently perform ie the pressure from the younger guys drafted after them is starting to build – Clark, Mills

Those returning from below par years – Sherman and Selwood – both were core pieces of our future last year, especially Sherman but now after poor seasons they need to stand up and show us again what they can do.

Those with their positions in the first 22 under significant fire – Roe, Begley, Rischitelli – Begley and Rischitelli particularly I think are key members of our team going forward but they will be feeling the pressure with last year’s draftees coming on and Johnstone’s pick up and Sherman and Selwood looking to return to their best.

The lower round draft picks from the last year – Proud, Schmidt, Tyler and Sheldon – all had injury interrupted years and still showed quite a bit so they will be given some slack but they are probably going to need to show more this year when they get their chances to play first team football. I would be surprised if any of these guys were delisted especially when they are still so young but they do need to show us something.

4. Moderate

The veteran guys who are fringe best 22 players – McDonald, Copeland, MacDonald. McDonald needs to show he can be relied on to keep on the park but as a third ruck he is a great option and I can’t see there being huge pressure on him especially with Tippett being the next in line. With his move back up forward Copeland relieved a fair bit of pressure on himself. He is a valuable team man in any event. MacDonald came back from injury and showed himself to be a very valuable player. He needs though to keep it up as the young guys will be pressuring him for his position. He does however give us the mature body that many are missing.

The new guy – Johnstone – comes with baggage and the pressure will be on him to show that those problems are in the past. I can’t see Leigh being particularly tolerant of him especially with such a young side.

Not quite there and still needs some polish before he can be comfortable – Patfull.

5. Light

The next generation – well established in the first 22 and expected to be in the next premiership team – Merrett, Drummond, Stiller,

The future stars learning their positions – Adcock and Leuenberger – the only real pressure on these guys will come from the fact that they are still learning their respective positions.

The key position draftees – Henderson and Collier - as first year key positions they are not expected to play first team football although it would be nice if they did. The only real pressure is likely to come from being a high draft pick but they will be given plenty of slack.

The returnee from injury – Bradshaw - there is some pressure on his position from Clark and Brennan but he is an established performer who will be given time to recover fully and when he does will be expected to slot back into the team pretty quickly.

6. Minimal

The starting ruck - Charman – is very comfortable in his number 1 position although improvement is still expected from him. Pressure will come from Leuenberger but not this year.


7. None

The stars – the only pressure they have is the pressure they put on themselves – Brown, Black, Lappin and Power

[Warwick]

Great read Quigs. Hard to disagree with any of those.

I would probably move Brennan into the moderate category purely because of the contract he signed. 3 years at a fair amount means he will be in no risk of being delisted, and we are hardly going to get his worth on the trade table.

If it was a 1 or 2 year contract, I would agree with a "significant" rating.

[Quigley]

Yeh both Brennan and Hooper could be considered to be in the Moderate or the Significant categories depending on how you look at it. Hooper's resigning was much quieter and he has shown some very good potential and both he and Brennan do not have contract pressure.

Hooper will be competing with Corrie, McGrath, Proud, Sheldon, Copeland and perhaps Brennan for two or three spots up forward. Corrie and McGrath are going to be desparate this year, Copeland allows good flexibility, Proud and Sheldon have shown talent and Brennan I think has been given some promises so I expect there to be a fair bit of pressure on him to keep performing.

In all honesty with everyone fit and if Clark develops as I expect I do not have Brennan in my best 22 by midseason. It has been reported that he wants to play more on the wing but that could be our strongest and deepest position this year and I don't think he compares well with the wing options. As a tall forward he is competing with the likes of Clark, Tyler, Mills and Henderson for the one spot beside Brown and Bradshaw. In short I think even taking aside the limited contract pressure there would is significant pressure on Brennan for his spot in the side. I can't see Leigh being one to play him just because they are paying him a lot.