2009 key aspects

[shawthing09]

I think 2008 showed us that the young group has enough to suggest that we really have a lot of what it takes to be real contenders. With the absence of Burns and Wakes and the already obvious gaps in the list I think 2009 is a chance for a few players to really put their hands up to fill a need and if this happens our list looks a whole lot better.

Cook / Toovey- Small defender / Tagger - With the departure of Rhyce he will be able to play this role. I would like to see him used in both the back pocket and as a tagger. If he can cement himself in either role it would really help as we don't have anyone in either.

Wood- Needs to step up and be a senior ruck now.

Reid / Anthony - If either of this two can step up and show that they have what it takes to be a key position defender on big fowards then our defence looks very very solid for years to come.

Equally Reid / Dawes - Not as needed short term but one of them has to step up and show they have what it takes to be a number 1 key foward. Reid's Carlton game did that but his kicking at goal is an issue as a foward.

Rusling / Anthony - Game time is the most important thing here. Both have shown they really have good assets to be a third tall option who could really hurt opposition teams who don't pay them enough respect.

Stanley- In and under grunt midfielder. God we need one and if he doesn't show in this aspect at AFL level this year his as good as gone and we are in for a long year. He needs to be given the chance to play the role and needs to step up and make the transition from dominate VFL to AFL player.

J-Mac, Shaz - Need more middle game time big pre-seasons improved fitness and size and get em in the middle if one of these two can step up to the plate as they have the potential too our midfield looks a lot better.

Thomas - Again needs more midfield time, even backflank IMO. Let him play in a possesion that requires more then the flashy stuff. When he plays this role he plays better IMO. More midfield time for him is essential IMO.

If a majority of this happens and we draft well this year I think we are in a very strong position.

 

[well left]

Good post. Pretty much agree with everything. I'm not sure on Thomas on a back flank but would be keen to see him do some run-with roles in the midfield. I think he needs to play as much midfield as possible and playing him on the best players will take him to the ball and he could hurt them offensively. This relies on his endurance levels going up a few levels though.

 

[Bloben]

Two other players who I believe will be big aspects of us becoming contenders are Pendlebury and Clarke.

Not to say they haven't contributed to date however Pendlebury is due to break out and move from promising superstar to... superstar.

Clarke will not reach his peak IMO til about 2010 however he needs to step it up another notch in 09.

If these two can raise the bar next season our midfield will look much improved.

 

[DWil6]

More consistency from one T.Cloke will help us out as well!

 

[Pendles All Class]

I think 2008 showed us that the young group has enough to suggest that we really have a lot of what it takes to be real contenders. With the absence of Burns and Wakes and the already obvious gaps in the list I think 2009 is a chance for a few players to really put their hands up to fill a need and if this happens our list looks a whole lot better.

Cook- Small defender / Tagger - With the departure of Rhyce he will be able to play this role. I would like to see him used in both the back pocket and as a tagger. If he can cement himself in either role it would really help as we don't have anyone in either.

Wood- Needs to step up and be a senior ruck now.

Reid / Anthony - If either of this two can step up and show that they have what it takes to be a key position defender on big fowards then our defence looks very very solid for years to come.

Equally Reid / Dawes - Not as needed short term but one of them has to step up and show they have what it takes to be a number 1 key foward. Reid's Carlton game did that but his kicking at goal is an issue as a foward.

Rusling / Anthony - Game time is the most important thing here. Both have shown they really have good assets to be a third tall option who could really hurt opposition teams who don't pay them enough respect.

Stanley- In and under grunt midfielder. God we need one and if he doesn't show in this aspect at AFL level this year his as good as gone and we are in for a long year. He needs to be given the chance to play the role and needs to step up and make the transition from dominate VFL to AFL player.

J-Mac, Shaz - Need more middle game time big pre-seasons improved fitness and size and get em in the middle if one of these two can step up to the plate as they have the potential too our midfield looks a lot better.

Thomas - Again needs more midfield time, even backflank IMO. Let him play in a possesion that requires more then the flashy stuff. When he plays this role he plays better IMO. More midfield time for him is essential IMO.

If a majority of this happens and we draft well this year I think we are in a very strong position.

A very good summary....

Wood is definately one of the Key players for us next year and going forward. If he is able to get the game time and develop into the ruckman we need then as has been mentioned before fraser can spend more time up forward. I cant really see a spot for Bryan if this is the case, i know he adds a bit of grunt but thats about all.

I know Anthony has spent most of his time in the VFL playing down back and was in a way forced to play forward this year due to injury, but why move him when he has proven he is a Accurate kick for goal and provides strong leads. Anthony may just need to work on his forward defensive pressure, but if he were to have 5-6 shots on goal a game you could pretty much mark down 4-5 goals for him alone.

True about Dawes needing to show the potential to be a key forward, which i think he definately can but he may not be ready until 2010-11. Dawes is a good size and once he is fully developed he could prove to be very dangerous for us in a forward line.

Stanley has the potential as you said to be that in an under player which we really need. All he needs is for Mick to give him a go, not just 1 or 2 games but 5-6 in a row to really see what he can do. But yes if he cant cement a spot next year than he may have to move on.

In regards to J-Mac, this kid will be a gun, has strength, good skills and provides us with a bit of class which we really need. I can definately see him playing most of the season next year and look forward to watching the class of pendlebury and J-Mac in the middle.

Thomas, Didak and Davis will most likely be pushed into the middle more often, sparing injury of course, but with the arrival of Corrie, who may potentially play off half-back, but could be used forward forward to release others into the middle, then we may see thomas develop more in this area.

Another who i would like to see hold his spot in the 22 is brad dick, potentially, and i know egan had potential, he could provide us with that x factor like DT, he could roam through the middle (he has excellent disposal by foot) or push forward to provide an extra avenue to goal.

Trav needs to have a big year, and with a bit of luck with injuries with rus and reid he could prove to be even more dangerous then he has been the past 2 seasons. I think having Rocca in the team may help him as well but we cant rely on Rocca been there all year.

But as you said we look to be in a very strong position at the moment, i dont think we will be quiet ready to step up and bring home the premiership next year (stranger things have happened though). But definately form 2010-11 onwards when our mids in pendles j-mac and draftees this year are mid 20s then we should be primed.

 

[PieLebo87]

Very good post shawthing, theres nothing more exciting then discussing our young crop and you can never get tired of discussing it either.

2, Rusling - Heres hoping he stays injury-free in '09 and just provides, even as a fringe player. I know I started a thread saying hes capable of 60-70, and he is. But even if he can be a productive forward pocket who assists with 30-40 goals, I'd be happy, and it'd be a successful season.

8, O'Brien - He developed his game this season from a close-checking defender to a rebounding defender. '09 should see him use both effectively ala Shaw to be very damaging as a defender. A long shot, but if he plays this role, and is consistent, he would be up there for AA selection.

9, Anthony - Adam Hunter-style. As long as he stays in the seniors, I don't care where he plays, just as long he contributes as a tall utility. One week shutting down a forward, and the next, kicking 3-4 goals to win it for us.

10, Pendlebury - Is there another level in him? If so, then he'll be unbelievable. All we can hope for is more consistency from him and for him to be a bit more damaging, disposal-wise.

12, Cox - He definitely got a chance to show somethings towards the end of last season. Will it be enough to cement a senior birth in '09? I'd rather Cox, because he is a youngster with upside, than someone more senior.

13, Thomas - As was mentioned by shawthing, I'd also love to see Daisy used as a HBF, winger so that his dash is utilised, as well as allowing him to be more consistent and find the footy more. It won't top him from doing the flashy stuff once in a while.

16, Brown - This is the one player I'm conerned about. Will there be a 2nd year blue? I hope he can just continue doing what he has done for the last 12 months. That would be his challenge from MM this pre-season. Prepare for consistency and continued development. If he can't then he has failed.

18, Clarke - I know someone else mentioned this, and I've thought it all along, but he could be the Nathan Buckley we've been looking for in our midfield to just stand out. He has the attributes to become a champion, and I don't throw that word around lightly. Irish is entering his 3rd senior season, so hopefully he takes a midfield position and makes it his own.

19, Wood - This needs to be his season to become a regular senior figure. He was allowed time in the VFL last year to learn, but this year, he needs to be keeping Bryan out of the side without dominating. Fraser as #1, and Wood as #2.

20, Reid - If all reports are true, then he should be a bit more bulked up come '09. That means coming in and out of the side for 15 or so games, and really pushing the likes of Rocca, Cloke and Rusling for a position in the forward line, whilst also broadening his own game as a swingman who can go down back.

21, Wellingam - He disappointed me a bit towards the end of the season. I don't know if he was injuried or just but pushing hard enough. But he needs to take a couple more steps forward, because he is important to our midfield future. There aren't that many players out there that can be both in and under mids, aswell as outside mids.

27, McCarthy - What a debut season! Everyone can't help but be impressed with J-Mac, because that was remarkable from a first year player. Just because he played a handful of games in '08, doesn't mean its fair to expect the same in '09, because he is still the youngest player on our list (ATM). Pushing for a midfield spot will be his role, and anything extra is a bonus. 2010 is the year he needs to really be cementing his spot in the side as a midfielder.

28, Stanley - A biiiiig piece of the puzzle. Everyone can now say that Stanley is now in his make or break pre-season/season. He has a midfield spot as an in and under midfielder available to him, so he needs to take it and really cement his spot. But to do that, he needs to be given the midfielding opportunity by MM.

29, Cook - Glad to see MM really give this guy a chance. I completely agree with shawthing and what he said. Tagging role aswell as a small defender role for '09 would be perfect.

30, Casey-Leigh - I know back in the old days, it was normal to let a kid develop in the reserves for a couple of years, but in this day and age, if you're on an AFL list, you're talented. I'd be disappointed if C-L doesn't play at least 1-2 AFL games come the end of '09, because it'd mean he hasn't dominated a couple of VFL games.

31, Dawes - Has some improvements to work through. He is a big boy with talent and needs to learn to be a one-grab forward. He also needs to improve his defensive pressure, and thats more attitude then anything. In due time, he will back himself more and with confidence comes better performances.

32, Cloke - I know it was because we didn't have too many tall targets to assist Cloke this year, but he wasn't great, and we would expect our reigning Copeland Trophy winner to be great. Hopefully in '09 we have Cloke absolutely tearing the league apart because of the assistance from Rocca, Rusling and Dawes.

33, Dick - Can't expect too much from a knee reco victim the year after an injury but Dick won't have too much pressure on him. He has the skill to be out there already, so he'll be told to go out to the forward line and just enjoy himself but also providing plenty of defensive pressure. It might not be high expectations, but watch the output he will provide the team with just those orders ala Rioli '08.

34, Toovey - The forgotten kid at Collingwood. He wasn't too bad before he broke his foot, was he? Good quality depth youngster who will keep the pressure on the likes of Cook, Maxwell, O'Brien and the rest of the backline. Actually, with MM, he'll probably pip them for a spot.

38, Goldsack - Once he regained some fitness towards the end of the season, he started to look like the 'sack of '07, which is what we want to see. Will be a great addition to our backline in '09. Don't underestimate his contribution to the team. Will even play a negating role in the midfield at times.

39, Shaw - You saw what happened with Cloke once his brother left the Pies. Hopefully we can see the trade of Rhyce really free up Heater to just take his game to the next level and just worry about himself and his game. He is a year older and wiser. I'm personally tipping him for AA selection.

43, Barham - I can't believe he was so close to senior selection towards the end of the season. Thats a credit to his desire and passion. We need someone to replace Rhyce Shaw at HBF/wing, and theres no better person then another son of a gun. Improve your disposal this summer, son!

45, MacAffer - Depending on whether he is elevated or not, it'd be good to see what Brent is made off in the seniors. You can never have too many forwards, and if we have another player in the VFL applying pressure, it adds great depth to the side.

15?, Corrie - Not quite as young as these players, but deserves a mention. Heres hoping this guy can maintain a spot in the seniors, because at 24, in a young side, he can't afford to be coming in and out of the side on form. The best I can hope for is that he comes out in Collingwood colours and becomes a quality midfielder, now that'd piss Brions people off. At 187cm, he has the physicality, as well as the talent, to impose himself as a midfielder, just needs to have the desire to make himself a better player at a new club.

 

[smiddaz123]

30, Casey-Leigh - I know back in the old days, it was normal to let a kid develop in the reserves for a couple of years, but in this day and age, if you're on an AFL list, you're talented. I'd be disappointed if C-L doesn't play at least 1-2 AFL games come the end of '09, because it'd mean he hasn't dominated a couple of VFL games..

You've set him quite a challenge, since he isn't on our list anymore.

 

[ButteredCrumpet]

1 x Small Defender
1 x Key back
1 x Ruckman
3 x Midfielders (1 x Tagger)

Those are the missing ingredients

 

[shawthing09]

Just in reference to Clarke and Pendles. I did not list them simply because IMO they have done enough to suggest they are going to have a big impact at the level we need them too. I don't see them as "good young players with potential" I see them as very good AFL players. The guys I listed are still very very much in the glimpse of potential stage and I am hoping with the oppertunities avalible to them and the extra development and experince at least a couple are able to cement themselves along with the likes of Cloke, Harry O, Pendles, Brown etc who I don't really have question marks over.

Then with guys like Dick, Barham, Corrie they don't really fulfil a gaping need for us. If the make it good and well its a bonus but it's not going to really hurt us if any of them turn out to be duds. FWIW I don't see Dick as a future midfielder. To slight of frame and outside for that IMO. Corrie the same and too soft. Barham is slight of frame too but god does he go in with wreckless abandon the other two could learn something from him and hopefully in return teach him how to kick at pace.

 

[Bloben]

Just in reference to Clarke and Pendles. I did not list them simply because IMO they have done enough to suggest they are going to have a big impact at the level we need them too. I don't see them as "good young players with potential" I see them as very good AFL players. The guys I listed are still very very much in the glimpse of potential stage and I am hoping with the oppertunities avalible to them and the extra development and experince at least a couple are able to cement themselves along with the likes of Cloke, Harry O, Pendles, Brown etc who I don't really have question marks over.

Then with guys like Dick, Barham, Corrie they don't really fulfil a gaping need for us. If the make it good and well its a bonus but it's not going to really hurt us if any of them turn out to be duds. FWIW I don't see Dick as a future midfielder. To slight of frame and outside for that IMO. Corrie the same and too soft. Barham is slight of frame too but god does he go in with wreckless abandon the other two could learn something from him and hopefully in return teach him how to kick at pace.

Fair point and I agree they are already very good AFL players. What I was trying to say however was that to be a contender we need some outright superstars of the game. Geelong have Ablett and Bartell, Hawthorn Hodge and Buddy... we need some eliteness.

IMO Didak is already an elite small forward. Heath Shaw is an elite rebounding backman. We need someone to become elite in the midfield. Swan is very very good but not quite there. Pendlebury and Clarke need to find the next gear and I think they both have that gear in them.

 

[shawthing09]

I agree that we need elite mids. I think the step from very good to elite is in more cases then not pretty gradual. A lot of it has to do with slow fine tuning and consistancy. That is where Pendles is at now. Hopefully he gets there.

I also think if we are going to be real threats you need more then one elite mid. In all seriousness 1 elite and 2 in the very good mould would be the minimum, with 2 elite and 1 very good being the aim. I'd say on our list atm Pendles is close and should get there. I can imagine J-Mac and DT giving it a good shake too but there is a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then. Hopefully we manage to get another at 11.

 

[Optimax]

Toovey would make a better small defender or tagger than cook, i didnt doubt that after Geebung gate and new it was a certainity after the st.kilda final where cook was cut up by harvey hayes and dal santo.

Otherwise i like your ideas shawthing

 

[PieLebo87]

You've set him quite a challenge, since he isn't on our list anymore.

You serious?! I didn't know that, or I've forgotten. Either way, that was a bit of a screw up, considering he was our 2nd pick in last years draft, even if it was later on.

EDIT: ...Or am I thinking of Thoolen? Okay, I'm leaving this for other people!

 

[shawthing09]

You serious?! I didn't know that, or I've forgotten. Either way, that was a bit of a screw up, considering he was our 2nd pick in last years draft, even if it was later on.

EDIT: ...Or am I thinking of Thoolen? Okay, I'm leaving this for other people!

Yeh Thoolen your thinking of LCL was a rookie. I am not overly confident about Thoolen either.

 

[mdc]

Toovey would make a better small defender or tagger than cook, i didnt doubt that after Geebung gate and new it was a certainity after the st.kilda final where cook was cut up by harvey hayes and dal santo.

Otherwise i like your ideas shawthing

Agree that Toovey is better suited for that role, though still probably not good enough. Let's hope Goldsack begins to understand the game a bit better and actually learns to stick on his man.

If Cook makes it, it'll be as a hard-running outside mid.

 

[Optimax]

Agree that Toovey is better suited for that role, though still probably not good enough. Let's hope Goldsack begins to understand the game a bit better and actually learns to stick on his man.

If Cook makes it, it'll be as a hard-running outside mid.

agree with that, but i think if we get some panic out of toovey he'll be a decent tagger.

But i think our main tagger is goldsack in the future and maxwell for the now