Hate to say it but the reality is we are just not good enough and can't match it with the best. The past few years was our window of opportunity and we just fell short after years of building.
We can't lie to ourselves now and try to be competitive because it will get us no where. We need to focus on a semi rebuild and clean out the list at the years end.
My view on the list and end of year changes:
Addison, Dylan - Will never be in the best 22 for a premiership contender, however is a decent backup with heart and would keep him on the list.
Boyd, Matthew- Good Leader, needs more support in the midfield and
retain as Captain to rebuild.
Cooney, Adam- Have to give him time to get over his injury and not play him for the sake of it. If he needs the rest of the year off, so be it. If we are going to push for contenders in the next few years, need him back to his best.
Cordy, Ayce - Haven't seen much of him but would definitely give him opportunities this season and have a bigger impact in 2012.
Cross, Daniel - Love the guys heart and courage but just can't see him fitting in the plans of rebuilding. Would offer him for trade at the years end.
Djerrkura, Nathan- Haven't seen much of him but another who should be given a chance this season to access if his part of the future.
Giansiracusa, Daniel - Tough call on Daniel, Sometimes I think his not good enough but does put in a good game when under pressure. I would see what his worth would be for a trade.
Gilbee, Lindsay - Has lost his speed to be the great half back that he once was. Still has ability but lack of consistency is his down fall and would also offer him for trade.
Grant, Jarrad - Believe he has a bright future as a half forward. Very quick and mobile for his height but will never been the big strong forward we hoped for.
Griffen, Ryan - He needs more support in the midfield, when we dont have others linking up, he tends to struggle. Great running player and i would develop him back at half back this year.
Hall, Barry - Gave us one great year but I think its time to thank him and move on. If we cant finish top 4, there is no point of playing him this year.
Hargrave, Ryan - Dont know where his at with injury, I'd give him another year as this season with his injury has been hard to judge.
Higgins, Shaun - Really rate him as a player but just hasnt got into it this season having no luck with injury. Believe he can be Elite in the competition but will need more support from others.
Hill, Josh - Frustrating player as he can really show his talent at times and went things aren't going well, he tends to go missing. Need to persist with him another year.
Hooper, Andrew - For what i have seen of him, I dont rate him up to AFL standard. Will make a decent VFL player for Willy.
Howard, Christian - Looks like a player of the future. Would play him for the rest of the year now and believe he'll be a 200 games player.
Hudson, Ben - Has given us a lot over the past years and would thank him and expect him to retire at the years end.
Jones, Liam - Can take a nice grab but his kicking lets him down. Would play him a CHB and develop him for the rest of the year.
Lake, Brian - Just doesn't look fit enough and lacks motivation. I would play him at full forward for the rest of this year and hopefully get something out of it.
Liberatore, Thomas- Rate the kid highly, and will play a big part in the future.
Markovic, Lukas - Tries hard but not up to AFL standard in my opinion.
Minson, William - Big Will, Is our number 1 ruckman now and just hope he can become the player that a lot dont think his capable of. Believe his a good backup ruckman but it's hard to come by an A grade Ruckman.
Moles, Brodie - Hasnt had a lot of opportunities, Believe his a good back up midfielder and should give another year.
Morris, Dale - Our best player this year and just need more players with his heart. With not around too much this year, has put massive pressure on Morris and he still doesn't let you down.
Murphy, Robert - All Class, Need more of him. I really like him down back and his cool under pressure and makes good decisions. Although he are missing a good half forward to lead up the ground.
Picken, Liam - Decent tagger, would keep him in the side as a sole tagger.
Reid, Sam - Haven't seen much of him this year. Looked underdown yesterday. Give him more time this year and see how he develops.
Roughead, Jordan - Need to play him his a lot more this season and see where his at. No point playing hudson now.
Sherman, Justin - Believe he'll be at his best when we get our run going again. Will be a great link up player. Need his speed in the midfield.
Skinner, Zephaniah - would give him game time this season and develop him.
Stack, Brennan - Hasnt caught my eye just yet, not sure if his capable of doing so. Would give him a few more chances.
Veszpremi, Patrick - Need to give him a game, Think he would be doing a lot better than others and could also play a part in the future.
Wallis, Mitchell - Let him play every game this season. Would play a big part in the future
Ward, Callan - One of our best players this year. Great leader, future captain, just hope the dogs offer him a nice contract to keep him here.
Williams, Tom - Need him around. Not easy to find a key position defender.
Wood, Easton - Has potential to be a good player. Needs to work on decision making and sharpen up his skills. Right frame and speed for the game.
We can't lie to ourselves now and try to be competitive because it will get us no where. We need to focus on a semi rebuild and clean out the list at the years end.
My view on the list and end of year changes:
Addison, Dylan - Will never be in the best 22 for a premiership contender, however is a decent backup with heart and would keep him on the list.
Boyd, Matthew- Good Leader, needs more support in the midfield and
retain as Captain to rebuild.
Cooney, Adam- Have to give him time to get over his injury and not play him for the sake of it. If he needs the rest of the year off, so be it. If we are going to push for contenders in the next few years, need him back to his best.
Cordy, Ayce - Haven't seen much of him but would definitely give him opportunities this season and have a bigger impact in 2012.
Cross, Daniel - Love the guys heart and courage but just can't see him fitting in the plans of rebuilding. Would offer him for trade at the years end.
Djerrkura, Nathan- Haven't seen much of him but another who should be given a chance this season to access if his part of the future.
Giansiracusa, Daniel - Tough call on Daniel, Sometimes I think his not good enough but does put in a good game when under pressure. I would see what his worth would be for a trade.
Gilbee, Lindsay - Has lost his speed to be the great half back that he once was. Still has ability but lack of consistency is his down fall and would also offer him for trade.
Grant, Jarrad - Believe he has a bright future as a half forward. Very quick and mobile for his height but will never been the big strong forward we hoped for.
Griffen, Ryan - He needs more support in the midfield, when we dont have others linking up, he tends to struggle. Great running player and i would develop him back at half back this year.
Hall, Barry - Gave us one great year but I think its time to thank him and move on. If we cant finish top 4, there is no point of playing him this year.
Hargrave, Ryan - Dont know where his at with injury, I'd give him another year as this season with his injury has been hard to judge.
Higgins, Shaun - Really rate him as a player but just hasnt got into it this season having no luck with injury. Believe he can be Elite in the competition but will need more support from others.
Hill, Josh - Frustrating player as he can really show his talent at times and went things aren't going well, he tends to go missing. Need to persist with him another year.
Hooper, Andrew - For what i have seen of him, I dont rate him up to AFL standard. Will make a decent VFL player for Willy.
Howard, Christian - Looks like a player of the future. Would play him for the rest of the year now and believe he'll be a 200 games player.
Hudson, Ben - Has given us a lot over the past years and would thank him and expect him to retire at the years end.
Jones, Liam - Can take a nice grab but his kicking lets him down. Would play him a CHB and develop him for the rest of the year.
Lake, Brian - Just doesn't look fit enough and lacks motivation. I would play him at full forward for the rest of this year and hopefully get something out of it.
Liberatore, Thomas- Rate the kid highly, and will play a big part in the future.
Markovic, Lukas - Tries hard but not up to AFL standard in my opinion.
Minson, William - Big Will, Is our number 1 ruckman now and just hope he can become the player that a lot dont think his capable of. Believe his a good backup ruckman but it's hard to come by an A grade Ruckman.
Moles, Brodie - Hasnt had a lot of opportunities, Believe his a good back up midfielder and should give another year.
Morris, Dale - Our best player this year and just need more players with his heart. With not around too much this year, has put massive pressure on Morris and he still doesn't let you down.
Murphy, Robert - All Class, Need more of him. I really like him down back and his cool under pressure and makes good decisions. Although he are missing a good half forward to lead up the ground.
Picken, Liam - Decent tagger, would keep him in the side as a sole tagger.
Reid, Sam - Haven't seen much of him this year. Looked underdown yesterday. Give him more time this year and see how he develops.
Roughead, Jordan - Need to play him his a lot more this season and see where his at. No point playing hudson now.
Sherman, Justin - Believe he'll be at his best when we get our run going again. Will be a great link up player. Need his speed in the midfield.
Skinner, Zephaniah - would give him game time this season and develop him.
Stack, Brennan - Hasnt caught my eye just yet, not sure if his capable of doing so. Would give him a few more chances.
Veszpremi, Patrick - Need to give him a game, Think he would be doing a lot better than others and could also play a part in the future.
Wallis, Mitchell - Let him play every game this season. Would play a big part in the future
Ward, Callan - One of our best players this year. Great leader, future captain, just hope the dogs offer him a nice contract to keep him here.
Williams, Tom - Need him around. Not easy to find a key position defender.
Wood, Easton - Has potential to be a good player. Needs to work on decision making and sharpen up his skills. Right frame and speed for the game.
