View Full Version : Pressure of expectations?
Don't shoot me down for posting this, but has the success of Franklin, Lewis, Birchall, Roughead and now Rioli protected our other major draftees from the media scrutiny. We all know that the Ellis, Tuck, Dowler's have talent to succeed but has the time come where we put pressure on these highly rated 2-3 year players to live up to their reputations.
Is this a make or break year for the class of 2005?
RustyHawk
7 Mar 2008, 00:42
Dowler has till end of 2009 season to prove himself. It was well acknowledged in the club his injury stopped him from full season training and playing good football for at least 2 years, so now he has to start to prove himself but luckily for Beau he does have the luxury of another year.
Moss, Josh Kennedy, Max Bailey, Thorp, Renouf, Jarryd Morton, Zac Dawson all come out of contract at this season. I think those are the guys under more pressure.
*Robert Campbell and I think Simon Taylor also but home and hosed they will get extensions.
To be honest I think the way Franklin, Roughie, Rioli have performed puts more pressure on these kids. We are so use to seeing our team full of young draftees as we push for success out of them in their first 2 seasons. Right now I am more comfortable then ever to give a player 4 years on our list before the real pressure is on.
B&GBlood
7 Mar 2008, 05:36
I know times have changed, but I hanker for the days when our players clocked up 50 or more games in the twos before being thrust into the big time. Our glory days of the 70's-90's were built on that philosophy.
We have the luxury with such a young list, I say give em all as much time as they need.
Having said that we are forced to turn over our list each year, stupid rule.
Why one earth would you put Buddy/Roughie in the same category/sentence as Cyril Rioli?
I liked what I saw in those 3 pre-season games, and I expect he will start in our senior 22, but the kid's yet to make his senior debut and it appears at least one BF poster reckons he's already ahead of Xavier Ellis???
Talk about pressure of expectations - let him develop please!!!
Likewise - Xavier should have no pressure on him, he will improve again this season, and I believe will play every senior game if fit, and slowly become our equivalent of Nick Dal Santo. The guy has only had one season when he was deemed eligible for senior footy, and he played 13 out of 22 in his first crack. Not a bad return if you ask me.
I'd be far less confident of Cyril becoming our equivalent of Alwyn/Aaron Davey in 2008.
As a couple of others have already mentioned, its the players who are yet to playa senior game, or have just jagged a handful after 3 to 4 seasons on the list, who have to step up or get cut at the end of this season.
FriarTuck
7 Mar 2008, 06:58
Birch, Gilham and BMac(?) have taken a lot of pressure off the class of 2005.
Ellis & Tuck need to be a starting 18 player by mid season as a minimum. Both have shown continual improvement so I think that is a fair expectation.
Dowler & Bailey need to show something before I put any expectations on them. Dowler, Bailey and Muston represent 6 years of development for a return of 3(?) games total. This is not a great return.
The real pressure is on Murphy.
lethalselbow
7 Mar 2008, 08:14
Don't shoot me down for posting this, but has the success of Franklin, Lewis, Birchall, Roughead and now Rioli protected our other major draftees from the media scrutiny. We all know that the Ellis, Tuck, Dowler's have talent to succeed but has the time come where we put pressure on these highly rated 2-3 year players to live up to their reputations.
Is this a make or break year for the class of 2005?
Every player is under pressure to perform, but it ain't no make or break season for the class of 2005. Ellis, Tuck and Dowler are just starting to come good.
And, in agreeing with other posters, how do you fit Rioli in with those other names. He's done well in practice matches, but is yet to play in the real stuff.