Steve76
31 Aug 2003, 19:04
Well, at least until season 2004 starts, if everything is as bas as some have said.
First of all- highlights and lowlights
Highlights - not many
* Continuing development of Mark Coughlan - started and finished the season strong, despite a lull in the middle - the kid will win the JD Medal and would not be out of place in the AA lineup. Future star, if not already one.
* Kane Johnson added something to the Tigers, unfortunately not enough support to fully benefit from his skills
* Strong seasons from Chaffey and AK - these guys never give less than 100% - a true sign of a players heart is to see hoe they play when there is nothing to play for, these 2 never let the team down - add Newman to this list too.
* Good return from Ottens given his injuries, expect great things from him next year in the ruck.
Lowlights
* Ongoing inconsistency from Joel Bowden and Richo - enough has already been posted about this
* Injuries - esp to Cambo - his calf problem seems to occur each year and we really drop off without him, having Gas go down really exposed our backmen, he cops alot for the $$$ he is on, but he really does hold us together.
* Slow progress if any with Pettifer and Fiora - we really seem to have stuffed up with these high picks
* Coaching panel - not really much variation on the game plan, we were very predictbale and had no real Plan B - our low scoring spoiling tactics were also frustrating and painful to watch
Best performance
Can't split the smashing of the Bombers in a non-dead rubber match and the comeback vs the Hawks. The comeback really raised my expectations for the season, as in the past we would have rolled over
Worst performance
In hindsight, how did we lose to Carlton !!!! Losses in the last few minutes to the Roos and Cats hurt mightily too.
Well, what to look forward too ? At least we have stopped paying the $$$ for big contracts of non RFC players and we can better manage the list. I feel we may be a player in the trade period, as the pressure is on to create excitement around the club (as we all know via the infamous memo). Let's hope we don't sacrifice too much to create it, but I feel Greg Miller isn't the sort to make rash decisions - we obviously need more Cogs type ball winners (Stevens) and midfield finishers (Power) doubt we will get either though. Draft wise, we need to draft these types + some depth in the talls - who can forget Royce rucking vs West Coast !!!
Its fairly well documented who we think ought to be delisted but the trade period will give us a better idea on who will be axed.
Anyway, as we watch the finals, just take a moment to imagine the yellow and black out there on the last Saturday in Sept - and for us younger (read under 30 !!) supporters thats all we can do- imagine - having missed the last appearance. How sweet it will be when we get there.
First of all- highlights and lowlights
Highlights - not many
* Continuing development of Mark Coughlan - started and finished the season strong, despite a lull in the middle - the kid will win the JD Medal and would not be out of place in the AA lineup. Future star, if not already one.
* Kane Johnson added something to the Tigers, unfortunately not enough support to fully benefit from his skills
* Strong seasons from Chaffey and AK - these guys never give less than 100% - a true sign of a players heart is to see hoe they play when there is nothing to play for, these 2 never let the team down - add Newman to this list too.
* Good return from Ottens given his injuries, expect great things from him next year in the ruck.
Lowlights
* Ongoing inconsistency from Joel Bowden and Richo - enough has already been posted about this
* Injuries - esp to Cambo - his calf problem seems to occur each year and we really drop off without him, having Gas go down really exposed our backmen, he cops alot for the $$$ he is on, but he really does hold us together.
* Slow progress if any with Pettifer and Fiora - we really seem to have stuffed up with these high picks
* Coaching panel - not really much variation on the game plan, we were very predictbale and had no real Plan B - our low scoring spoiling tactics were also frustrating and painful to watch
Best performance
Can't split the smashing of the Bombers in a non-dead rubber match and the comeback vs the Hawks. The comeback really raised my expectations for the season, as in the past we would have rolled over
Worst performance
In hindsight, how did we lose to Carlton !!!! Losses in the last few minutes to the Roos and Cats hurt mightily too.
Well, what to look forward too ? At least we have stopped paying the $$$ for big contracts of non RFC players and we can better manage the list. I feel we may be a player in the trade period, as the pressure is on to create excitement around the club (as we all know via the infamous memo). Let's hope we don't sacrifice too much to create it, but I feel Greg Miller isn't the sort to make rash decisions - we obviously need more Cogs type ball winners (Stevens) and midfield finishers (Power) doubt we will get either though. Draft wise, we need to draft these types + some depth in the talls - who can forget Royce rucking vs West Coast !!!
Its fairly well documented who we think ought to be delisted but the trade period will give us a better idea on who will be axed.
Anyway, as we watch the finals, just take a moment to imagine the yellow and black out there on the last Saturday in Sept - and for us younger (read under 30 !!) supporters thats all we can do- imagine - having missed the last appearance. How sweet it will be when we get there.