2004 performance review

[Tommo]

I know there are two rounds (& hopefully finals) to go but I'd thought I'd put in my 2 cents

This year I see our major disappointments being:

• The form of Pavlich. While Pav's worst is better than half the players in the comp, we really haven't seen much of his best (except the game against Carlton, he seems to love playing in Red and white).
• Polak has struggling this year and needs to bulk up if he is to be an effective key forward
• We have seen that if Hasleby and or Bell have a poor game or are tagged effectively or injured, that our midfield struggles to be effective, thus not providing our forwards a chance.

The forward line cops way too much criticism, for what is a problem in the middle of the ground. Farmer and Medhurst are only a few goals behind last year, it is the midfield that have drop away this year and I see that being due to any of the reasons mentioned above about Hasleby and Bell, and the fact that, Carr, Cook, and walker have not had good years(injuries and what not).

Some of the positives are:

• We have seen just how good McPharlin is
• Simmonds has some potential as a key forward (5 on scarlet in rnd 5).
• Plus some very good performances from, J Longmuir, Shammer, Gilmore, Smith, Thornton and Haddrill.
• We have seen some improvement from, Headland & Sandilands.

I see our major problem being in the midfield, that is where we must make our greatest improvement if we are to go forward, because in the games that we have lost, we have been beaten there, which is not a good sign as we come up against WC and St.k.

 

[Ripper]

Can't disagree with that Tommo. I think that Dunn was recruited to help solve the Midfield problems going forward but we were always going to be a bit thin there this season if we had a few injuries.

The forward line and backline are well covered.

 

[Kenny_01]

I find it hard to be dissapointed with Pavlich when he has still been one of our best few players, and Polak who still has a lot of development to go... although they havn't been as good as I expected. Probably slightly dissapointing.

The most dissapointing player for me has been Dion Woods... and by a fair way. I was very dissapointed with Carr because he struggled for much of the year and just as he found some good form, he got injured. I was dissapointed with Cook until a few weeks ago. Maybe he was carrying an injury over the season. I was dissapointed with Headland over the first 10 or 11 weeks but he has played much better since. I've been a little dissapointed with Hayden after his blistering pre-season where I thought he was destined to be an A-Grader. Grover has been dissapointing lately. McManus has been dissapointing at times, especially on the weekend.

Sandilands' confidence in his own abilities is also so damn frustrating and dissapointing. He won't make it as a high quality AFL player unless he backs himself in and takes the game on. He has no confidence what so ever... especially when things aren't going our way.

I'm still not convinced about Simmonds at FF. He has been good but drops too many marks IMO and if he fumbles or whatever, his 2nd efforts are poor because his lateral movement and agility are slow. When Scarlett was playing on him on Saturday, completely towelled him up and although the conditions didn't suit him, his weaknesses were glaring. Simmonds is playing reasonably well there though given that he has been a ruckmen all his career. Ryan Murphy though looks like he as all the tools to be a very good FF.

Farmer and Medhurst cop far too much and IMO, they have been pretty good.

Haddrill struggled a bit in the middle part of the season but is back in good form after an outstanding last month.

Hasleby had an exceptional first half of the season but has struggled with the extra attention. He has still been alright, just not up to his usual lofty standards.

McPharlin and Longmuir have been excellent.

Bell has been solid.

Walker had a very good start to season but has drifted and his form has dropped over the last month.

McManus' form has been up and down... but I can see why Connolly dropped him. His work at stationary contests is non-existant which is important for a player like him, disposal isn't crash hot and his opponent always seems to find a lot of the ball. I was very dissapointed with his performance on the weekend. Those sort of conditions should suit a player like him but he just looked too slow.

Same thing applies to Cook. Until 2 or 3 weeks ago, Cook barely had any physical influence on games which he is in the side for. Good to see him bring some of that back in recent weeks. A negating job suits him and he was excellent on Burns a week back.

Schammer is doing as well as can be expected and looks like developing into a top line on baller. Smith has been a good find and now he have someone that specialises in stationary contests. His tackling is also very good.

Browne had a very good middle part of the season but has struggled since... that's what you expect from a youngster. He will be alright.

Gilmore was good early but has struggled since. He needs to work on his weaknesses if he wants to make it at AFL level... and be a lot harder at it. Couple of times I've seen him back out of a contest. Last thing we need at the moment.

I've been very happy with Thornton's progression and I think he has shown all the tools needed to be a top quality defender. He is quick off the mark, reads the play well and also provides good run going the other way.

Siegert has been serviceable but I doubt he will play much of a role in the future. His scope for improvement seems pretty limited.

Murphy IMO will be an absolute gun. Clean hands (especially in front of his body), good lead and times his leads well, good kick.

Well they are my thoughts....

 

[doppo]

The biggest disappointment for me, was the lack of distinct improvement in many of our younger players.

Apart from Longmuir, Schammer, Browne, McPharlin and a few others, even Medhurst to an extent, the team has somewhat reached a plateau in its development. As individuals at least.

It would be hard to build a case to say that players like Polak, Woods, Hayden, Grover, Headland, Sandilands have shown significant improvement since 03. There have been signs here and there, but nothing like the improvement from 02 to 03.

I believe that whether or not these players can take that extra step in their development will decide whether we are going to be a shot at the flag in the next few years.