Succession Planning at the Lions

[Maverick]

The coaching and selection panel must start Succession Planning.

I believe that the choice must be taken away from the player when to retire.

We are currently carrying an ageing list, and future planning is now critical if we are avoid a Carlton style callapse.

A few key points for my fellow forum users to contemplete:
1) Of out ageing players....of White, Hart, Pike, Fly....2 of these players should have been retired (of course White with a year left on his contract causes a problem...but should never have been signed up for 2004 for strarters...Bad planning.
2) Lynch still fit and important enough to go around again.
3) Voss's body is stuffed....his physical management is now more important than Lynch's. Critical he is nursed through the H&A season next year.
4) Critical the Possum is given every chance to retain his position....even if out of soughts should be played. He is a gun when on song. Any one doubting his ability...go get yourself a copy of the second half of the 2001 GF.

One final and important point....as pointed out by Sheeds a couple of years ago....some clubs are a little quick in giving up on players. I heard some supporters getting stuck into the Possum this year cos he's still making some mistakes....took Des H a while to mature, and Chis J even longer. The possum will pull through.

One final note on sucession planning....time for Hadley and Morrison to be given their chance. Brennan and Selwood possibly need a bit more time in the scooby doos.

Let's hope Leigh can overcome his phobia of playing youth and change.

[SpecialBruce]

I totally agree, however time is up for Morro. With Weller, Merrett and possibly McLaren as key position players, Morro is gone - considering he's had 4 years on the list. Weller was awesome when he played this year.

Hadley will take Ashcroft's position. Leigh likes him, so you can guarantee he will start playing youth. He also likes Brennan.

White and McRae should retire as mentioned in a previous topic. White will struggle to play 8 games next year for us. McRae has always wanted to retire from 2 seasons ago. White will end his playing days like Champs did. He should go out on a high. He was dropped a few times this year from the squad. Surely he should take that into consideration. I mean he played reasonably well in the last part of the season, but that's not enough. McGrath can replace McRae in the forward line and Shattock can fill in also.

Jamie Charman should be the number 1 ruck. He is awesome. We can say bye bye to the McDonald/Keating combo because that is history unless Charman gets injured. McDonald or Keating will find themselves playing in the reserves every week and one will be traded at the end of next year.

[Maverick]

I think your underrating Morro slightly...I see you and Ripper have had an ongoing spat over him.

And I think your overrating Weller, McLaren and Merrett (although have not seen a lot of Merrett, there has been no press to suggest he's as valuable as Morro).

Agree with your comments on the ruck division.

[SpecialBruce]

Originally posted by Maverick
I think your underrating Morro slightly...I see you and Ripper have had an ongoing spat over him.

And I think your overrating Weller, McLaren and Merrett (although have not seen a lot of Merrett, there has been no press to suggest he's as valuable as Morro).

Agree with your comments on the ruck division.

Morrison can't play for **** at senior level. I suggest you watch the games again of when Morro has played. Why isn't he given more game time you say? Because he's crap and can't hack it at senior level. He's always been like that. Nothing can change that. He is only a QAFL player. I'd be very surprised if Morrison stays. Afterall he said he'd like to be traded and wasn't traded obviously because clubs weren't interested in him. He will be a definate delisting.

To think I'm overrating Weller, watch a replay of the Richmond game. One of our best players.

McLaren and Charman combo in ruck has been good when it's happened, however I believe we start to develop McLaren into a KPP.

[Lions43]

[i]

Jamie Charman should be the number 1 ruck. He is awesome. We can say bye bye to the McDonald/Keating combo because that is history unless Charman gets injured. McDonald or Keating will find themselves playing in the reserves every week and one will be traded at the end of next year.

[/B]

IIRC, you're the bloke who wanted Charman to start in the ruck on Grand Final Day. What a good call that was in light of Keating's dominance and the way he set the tone for us all day!!

Anyway, you're entitled to your opinion, although I don't always have a spare 30 minutes to read some of your posts, but you need to actually watch the footy a bit closer. Jamie is a promising ruckman, and certainly a lot less injury prone than the other 2 it seems. His effort in the last quarter of the preliminary final was excellent and should do wonders for his confidence. That said though, when Keating and McDonald are fit, they are both amongst the best ruckmen in the competition. Charman at this stage is not....