Autopsy 2019 autopsy: 9 wins, 13th on ladder, 2 coaches

[estibador]

Hughes was probably the most improved player this season, for me. Came in the team, improved as time went on. He’s a competitor, goes in hard and he marks elite.
Many more players then had worst games then him. Unfortunately as a defender, he’s the one getting the blame - had a few brain fazes that happened at the wrong time

Yeah he reads the play well, especially when the ball is in the air. He's brave going back with the flight and he's a very good mark. Tough at ground level too - off the top of my head the two best hits I can remember all season came from him. And he knows how to consistently get his hands on the ball.

Plenty of upside to go with his downside of occasional brain fades and skill errors.

 

[gaskin]

Hughes was good in the first half of the season but had a poor second half. He wasn't the only one but in terms of form regression, I think his drop off was the biggest.

 

[Purple Jesus]

Hughes is just awful. Reminds me too much of Igbo. We need smart, natural footballers. Not athletes who need to stop and think about it.

 

[FreoRicci]

Hughes is just awful. Reminds me too much of Igbo. We need smart, natural footballers. Not athletes who need to stop and think about it.

Igbo, as you say, was the difference in winning us the GF in 2013.
The kick to set up Mundy in 2015 against Richmond after Richmond kick in? Ibbo’s marking.
So there’s a place for Hughes. Besides I thought Blakely drop off was major, and he didn’t play as many games. Same for perhaps Cerra, who never got going.

 

[estibador]

Hughes is just awful. Reminds me too much of Igbo. We need smart, natural footballers. Not athletes who need to stop and think about it.

Ibbo plays on Gunston in 13 we may have a premiership.

You may not want to deal in hypotheticals (are we still allowed to quote Rossisms?) but it's an equally hypothetical dreamworld where none of our players bring weaknesses to the table. I still think Hughes' positives outweigh his negatives. I'll be interested to see how he progresses (or otherwise) under a new coach. He's just hit that 50 mark where your apprenticeship is considered over.

 

[kingswood71]

Maybe if you've got time (ha - yeah right) do a "tackles against" tally.

13th in opponent tackles.
17th in own tackles.
Cats at number one for most tackles laid, 2nd for tackles against.
"Bruise inviting" football seems to be working out pretty well for them...

 

[Purple Jesus]

Ibbo plays on Gunston in 13 we may have a premiership.

You may not want to deal in hypotheticals (are we still allowed to quote Rossisms?) but it's an equally hypothetical dreamworld where none of our players bring weaknesses to the table. I still think Hughes' positives outweigh his negatives. I'll be interested to see how he progresses (or otherwise) under a new coach. He's just hit that 50 mark where your apprenticeship is considered over.

I do recall all of his positives. Just so frustrating at times as well. Not convinced Hughes has those yet. I guess we wait and see how players slot into a new system.

 

[Deathly]

Hughes is great.

 

[E Shed]

I've been positive on Hughes consistently. His physical attributes, ability to read it in flight & mark it and consistent desire to take the game on offensively well outweigh his negatives.

 

[Admiral Byng]

13th in opponent tackles.
17th in own tackles.
Cats at number one for most tackles laid, 2nd for tackles against.
"Bruise inviting" football seems to be working out pretty well for them...

Interesting. I might have a look further into to this and crunch some stats to find a pattern. But later tonight after I get home.

 

[Taylor]

Hughes is great.

I think he could be the guy with the biggest gap between how softly spoken he is and how hard he attacks the contest.

He's like the ghost to walks.

 

[StingBitten]

Just going to focus on little positives.

Most improved newbies - Hughes, Tucker, Brayshaw

Somewhat improved/something to work with - Crowden, Cerra, Logue, Duman

Those 4 have the most potential to improve under a new coach, including Blakely who has had injury issues and realistically has been played out of position for most of the year.

 

[FreoMonocle]

Well yeah, yes and no.
Using your example, it’s fair to say Ed will never be able to do the pinpoint kicks Walters and the Hills do frequently. But he can definitely still improve his 30-40m kicks to a leading forward. Practice it 1000 times in the off season to make sure the height and trajectory of the ball is just right. Or learning to do better shot selection. Or learn to read play better to kick to advantage. Little improvement can go a long way. 3 less turnovers could be the difference and translate to an extra goal a game.

Yes, everyone can improve in their endeavours, that's not debatable.

My point is that we don't have the raw talent in the team. Most of our list is cobbled together out the last 3 drafts (more than 3/4 of the list), not spread out over a decade plus of drafting and trading.

 

[Comrade Sputnik]

I agree with Nat Fyfe that you could build a great side around our spine..if they stay on the park.
We could be alright next year if the players take to the new game plan. I would resist wholesale delistings as we may be surprised as to how struggling players can find a change of coach can give them a new lease of life.
Lets shed Sandi, Ballas, Kersten, Bennell and trade Langdon and Bhilly. That gives 6 new players onto the main list.

 

[Freomaniac]

Do you think Freo will move forward next season?

Yes I can see freo Moving forward..... I posted 9 wins being an omen.

Freo got 9 wins in 2011, ironically an injury ravaged 2nd half to the season hurt us that year. We got 14 wins the next season in 2012. Made finals and beat Geelong at the MCG.

We got 9 wins in 2002. In 2003 we also made finals with 14 wins as well in 5th spot but lost to essendon at homin that elim final.

With a good injury run an a fair draw, 14 wins for freo in 2020 isnt impossible.

 

[Wigarus]

Yes I can see freo Moving forward..... I posted 9 wins being an omen.

Freo got 9 wins in 2011, ironically an injury ravaged 2nd half to the season hurt us that year. We got 14 wins the next season in 2012. Made finals and beat Geelong at the MCG.

We got 9 wins in 2002. In 2003 we also made finals with 14 wins as well in 5th spot but lost to essendon at homin that elim final.

With a good injury run an a fair draw, 14 wins for freo in 2020 isnt impossible.

How's this for an omen? Every coach that has taken Freo to finals has failed to do it the following year.

 

[Freomaniac]

How's this for an omen? Every coach that has taken Freo to finals has failed to do it the following year.

Ross Lyon was the exception.

He got us 4 years of finals from 2012-15.

 

[PapaJ]

Just going to focus on little positives.

Most improved newbies - Hughes, Tucker, Brayshaw

Somewhat improved/something to work with - Crowden, Cerra, Logue, Duman

Those 4 have the most potential to improve under a new coach, including Blakely who has had injury issues and realistically has been played out of position for most of the year.

Crowden is an interesting one. Reckon he was on track for the scrap heap, may still be, but he finished the season doing his bit in the firsts. He's always going to be a bit of battler and a depth sort rather than lock 22, but he was fairly neat and tidy in the last few games, worked hard and put pressure on and bobbed up in good spots.

Last game wasn't great, but you know, the whole team looked washed up, but I've been turned around with him - you're right to put him in that category.

 

[FUS_RO_DAH]

Reckon Conca had a bloody good year. Plenty were sceptical but he had some really good games and played his role excellently.

Tick.

 

[Freomaniac]

Reckon Conca had a bloody good year. Plenty were sceptical but he had some really good games and played his role excellently.

Tick.

got him as a free agent, he has been solid so I cant complain. its way better than trading 2 2nd rounders for Daniel Hannebery whos sadly injury prone.

 

[PurpleEyes]

Reckon Conca had a bloody good year. Plenty were sceptical but he had some really good games and played his role excellently.

Tick.

He was well and truly on my $hitlist because of some of his poor turnovers at the start of the season.
But once I realised what he offered with his leadership to a young team in rebuild lacking leaders, I was able to see more positives than negatives ... so a tick from me too.

 

[dont bowl there]

got him as a free agent, he has been solid so I cant complain. its way better than trading 2 2nd rounders for Daniel Hannebery whos sadly injury prone.

Would take Hanners over Conca given the trade price, it’s the coin Hanners is on that’s the issue. He is a gun when fit though.

 

[Wigarus]

Ross Lyon was the exception.

He got us 4 years of finals from 2012-15.

You don't say...

 

[Freomaniac]

You don't say...

Yep.....

I predicted who we choose should be a decent coach.

yes I predict freo to make finals in 2020

 

[dropbear101]

hughes is the right size and athletically gifted enough to play on that mid sized forward of degoey, dusty, etc..