Totally agree but also it risks the club becoming delusional about thinking they are closer than they are which is what we've seen recently.
Mate I like the don’t throw the baby out with bath water attitude but there is not going to be no tilt next year with this group. Sides don’t play with the attitude we are playing with atm, finish bottom half of the ladder and miraculously flick the switch and win the flag next year. We’ve missed the boat. Franklin, Reid, Rampe, Hickey McCartin all done. You trust the rest of the group to step up and serious challenge for flag next year ?
Because the replacements so far have proven to not be good enough, tough enough and have the right psychological approach. I have always worried about us letting good leads vanish. That is a sign of weakness. A real chance at a premiership does not do that. They kill sides off
Good post IMO.
Those you mentioned like Campbell and McDonald have definitely improved, and played some really good footy. They've also played some really poor footy. Relative to where they're at, they've had good years, but relative to where we need them and the rest of our players to be, they're not there yet.
You missed Amartey too before he got injured. Took his opportunity against Hawthorn and then went missing against Melbourne and Port before finding form again against Richmond and then got injured in the same game.
I’d amend Stephens to: must be frustrated after a good start to the season before having two quiet games & once again becoming Horse’s sacrificial lamb.Just realised we're a third of the way through the season, so thought I'd give my views on each of our players who have played in the seniors this year in one sentence or less.
Chad Warner - A gun but a frustrating one.
Hayden McLean - Has a part to play and just needs to keep at it.
Dylan Stephens - Pretty disappointing after a supposedly big pre-season.
Ryan Clarke - He is what he is and that's OK.
Isaac Heeney - Bitterly disappointing so far.
Harry Cunningham - Still not seeing what he's offering that others can't.
James Rowbottom - Massively wasted but probably top 5 in B&F so far.
Will Hayward - Frustrating.
Aaron Francis - Has a part to play and just needs to keep at it.
Tom Papley - Less bathwater, more basics.
Ollie Florent - Great start but has dropped off.
Callum Mills - Hard to judge him when his role changes so much.
Braeden Campbell - Been a positive this year but don't like his role.
Will Gould - Don't know why we re-signed him when we clearly don't rate him.
Peter Ladhams - Another positive who will only get better.
Errol Gulden - Had some exposure on the inside but belongs on the outside for now.
Nick Blakey - Still a bit of a tease for now.
Buddy Franklin - He is what he is now but will always be a legend.
Dane Rampe - Was sensational before ******* injuries.
Luke Parker - No comment.
Justin McInerney - Needs to prove himself and make a statement.
Angus Sheldrick - Keep at it kid.
Tom McCartin - Been really good and good chance at Skilton Medal so far.
Marc Sheather - Unlucky son
Matty Roberts - He's worked hard to be in the frame and he can do it again.
Joel Amartey - ******* injuries.
Corey Warner - Keep at it kid.
Paddy McCartin - Just wish him and his family the best no matter what happens.
Robbie Fox - Alexa play "I Love You Always Forever" by Donna Lewis.
Jake Lloyd - Skilton Medal number 3 incoming.
As you know I am not a Stephens critic. I rate him, I just think outside of a great round 1 performance and a few isolated plays where his advocates have been able to say, "See! He's not soft!", he hasn't done much this year and his dropping was justified. Acknowledge his work rate is immense though.
