It is not all doom and gloom. We played gallantly tonight and Essendon beats anyone when they get their mojo going. They had it from the start. I was impressed with the effort, just a shame as we are not up to it. The truth is we are not far away from the pack, and we just need to continue to grow the list, and have a better run with injuries.
Playing the kids is great, but the kids are not winning games for Peel, so it is not like they are going to play great in the AFL. I know many think Carter is the next big thing, but he needs time. We are quick to banish the youngsters.
Duman seems to be the hitman now - I like him as a player and think he offers quite a bit. Hughes is courageous and does enough, but he does have the occasional brain fade, or skill execution problem - but he is probably the most improved on our list. His intercept marking has been amazing. Logue is a good prospect - I was undecided, however I am a believer now. He just has that mongrel effort that we lack at times.
In many respects, we have a B grade team and we nearly stumble into the finals. It will be an interesting trade time for us. I like Langdon, and he is not far off coming to the really good player status. I hope we get adequate compensation for him.
Changes vs Port. Port are a team we do not like. If we could knock them out of the finals, and finish with a win, I think it is better than getting a draft pick or 2 above, when we know who we are taking anyway.
So, this thinking of "playing youth" and playing more youth in the midfield - well it sounds good, but if it turns ugly it looks really ugly. The reason Cerra is not getting midfield time is that he is not that great in the contest. He is more of an outside pick the play dude. Brayshaw is an inside mid. Carter - at AFL expect 8 possessions and 2 marks. I believe next year, he will be more the 15 possession player you need at AFL level.
In summary, injuries have not helped our cause this year, but we have some how kept in touch to the end. We have thin depth, too many small players, and our ruck stocks are not great. Apart from that, I can see a rosy future. We just need our list available for play. If anything Ross Lyon and co have over achieved with players available. But as a wise baker once said, the proof is in the pudding, and we should have, could have but aint playing finals.
Playing the kids is great, but the kids are not winning games for Peel, so it is not like they are going to play great in the AFL. I know many think Carter is the next big thing, but he needs time. We are quick to banish the youngsters.
Duman seems to be the hitman now - I like him as a player and think he offers quite a bit. Hughes is courageous and does enough, but he does have the occasional brain fade, or skill execution problem - but he is probably the most improved on our list. His intercept marking has been amazing. Logue is a good prospect - I was undecided, however I am a believer now. He just has that mongrel effort that we lack at times.
In many respects, we have a B grade team and we nearly stumble into the finals. It will be an interesting trade time for us. I like Langdon, and he is not far off coming to the really good player status. I hope we get adequate compensation for him.
Changes vs Port. Port are a team we do not like. If we could knock them out of the finals, and finish with a win, I think it is better than getting a draft pick or 2 above, when we know who we are taking anyway.
So, this thinking of "playing youth" and playing more youth in the midfield - well it sounds good, but if it turns ugly it looks really ugly. The reason Cerra is not getting midfield time is that he is not that great in the contest. He is more of an outside pick the play dude. Brayshaw is an inside mid. Carter - at AFL expect 8 possessions and 2 marks. I believe next year, he will be more the 15 possession player you need at AFL level.
In summary, injuries have not helped our cause this year, but we have some how kept in touch to the end. We have thin depth, too many small players, and our ruck stocks are not great. Apart from that, I can see a rosy future. We just need our list available for play. If anything Ross Lyon and co have over achieved with players available. But as a wise baker once said, the proof is in the pudding, and we should have, could have but aint playing finals.
