201 games - 12 games = tuff day at the office

[The Rusty Trombone]

Foley 120
King 81

Dea 12
O'Hanlon 0

Our depth is going to be tested throughout the year time and again by equations like this. I just think people get very excited as to how we play one week or over a couple of weeks when things can change very quickly.

I'm very excited by the improvement the team is showing and especially would love us to scrape into the 8 and play finals but it is going to be a very hard slog to get there and we are going to have to rely on alot of other teams results going our way.

Yesterdays game was like having a 3 hour dentist appointment, as soon as Captain Blood 17 told me it was raining down there I didn't really want to tune in because the conditions were always going to favour them.

The massive positive of the day is that Hardwick was still challenging the players to do better after the game and putting some responsibility on their shoulders because they could of won. If that was Ratten he'd be making excuses for his players and giving them all a reach around.

The 8 beckons but gee is it going to have to be earnt !!!!!!!!!

 

[Barry_Badrinath]

True. The average age of the side yesterday was 23 years and 2 months. That is the youngest non-GWS/GC side to line up this year by a fair way. Last the night the Gold Coast had an average age of 22 years and 11 months for comparison.

It's unbelievable that the club had been so consistent (until yesterday) given the inexperience of the side.

 

[Del65166]

For experience sake I can see King straight back in for O'Hanlon next week.

 

[Rustof]

We are pretty much a 3rd year version of GC/GWS, yet people expect us to perform like a top 4 side each week.

...Aint gonna happen bros.

 

[Strawbs]

A good thread Rusty. As disappointing as yesterday was, it was neither surprising nor the end of the world. We are building but a couple of injuries/suspension can mean the difference between winning and losing when depth is an issue. Yesterday doesn't mean we aren't on the right track. It simply reinforces that, as Hardwick says weekly, we have a fair way to go along that track.

 

[THE_GUN]

The moment i woke up & seen the rain , I thought we are gone but hoped like hell that the boys will get through.

The Sh!t weather suits Ross Lyons crap game style & is alot easier to nulify the run & carry of a attacking free flowing team.
Dry weather & Mcg = Tigers by 40 points

 

[santa claws]

While i agree age and experience is a problem, something i have copped a lot of shit for because i keep mentioning it.Usually because i keep saying we should be taking more experienced players in trades and from state leagues. If we do it right it can only help.
I would not blame the loss on Dea and O'hanlon. Thought they both had good games Ohanlon as a sub and Dea in defense.

And yes i know your not blaming them just pointing out a hard fact to people. i just want to make it clear inexperienced or not those two did okay.Its actually the experienced ones who let us down more than anyone.

yesterday we had just two first yr players, sorry 3 with the 23 yo Morris does he count.
O'hanlon who i mentioned did a bit as a sub, and Ellis whos played every game and performed admirably in nearly all of them. Then of course there's Morris who was among our best.

Anyway Dea and O'hanlon should stay even when Foley and King come back. Theres plenty getting a game who are not performing and play bruise free footy.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

I wouldn't be gifting King games back.
Don't think much of little Maric though unfortunately.

 

[Strawbs]

I don't reckon King is being gifted games. The pressure he exerts inside 50, the goal assists, the odd goal and his leadership in the forward line are pretty valuable I think.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

I don't reckon King is being gifted games. The pressure he exerts inside 50, the goal assists, the odd goal and his leadership in the forward line are pretty valuable I think.

I don't think he's showing much leadership getting rubbed out all the time.He's pretty dumb and Undiscilplined jake like Jacko is.Just reckon he needs to pull his head in and get a bit of footy.

 

[Del65166]

yesterday we had just two first yr players, sorry 3 with the 23 yo Morris does he count.
O'hanlon who i mentioned did a bit as a sub, and Ellis whos played every game and performed admirably in nearly all of them. Then of course there's Morris who was among our best.

I count experience in lower leagues as being equivalent to say 0.5~0.75 of a season at AFL level.

I'd also count anything less than 22 games as being still being at apprentice stage.

So I'd include Morris & Griffiths (& Grimes and Astbury) in there and suggest Conca, A. Maric and Batchelor are only just out of their apprenticeships.

When it comes to team selection: after we won games against the saints and hawks I didn't mind the average contribution of Ty, Houli, et al but after a loss the perspective is more critical.