So looking like negotiating Trade relatively uneventfully, where does the necessary improvement come from in 2022?
Consistent availability, especially at
Finals time, from:
Cameron
Duncan
Dangerfield
Stewart
O’Connor (Needs to be given a consistent role. Obviously highly rated as a player and leader. Could be fair to say he’s still learning the game)
Miers
Just those alone would engender a significant uptick!
Continued and expected improvement from:
Parfitt (Needs to get a little bit more of the footy and threaten the scoreboard. Will benefit from a settled, more consistent mf around him)
Henry (Lock for AA in 2022)
Close (Will likely benefit from Betts’ input and development)
Wildcards: (Glass half-full)
Stengel (looks very likely. And a genuine goal kicker, along with Miers, but more “stay at home”)
Cooper Stephens (wraps are huge on this kid and looks proto-typical modern mf physically. Just hope he’s not another Cockatoo injury-wise)
SDK (Could be a very handy KPD. Great physical attributes. Length, height, athleticism. MUST play at least 15 games, including finals, for our structure. WILL make mistakes early which probably make him a whipping boy at times, but I see enormous upside. He’ll also have our future Captain in his ear (Stewart) for good measure)
Narkle (He’s inches away from being a very good AFL outside mid IMO. Give him games. Get him settled. Make him feel wanted)
Clarke ( If he stays, and plays to his talent level, sky’s the limit. I liked his swag when he burst on to the scene but he needs to temper it with the harsh reality of what is required to consistently perform at AFL level. Pump games into him off half-back. Get the ball in his hands and tell him “Run like the wind, Bullseye!” I genuinely hope he stays and if the penny drops, lock him into a 3 year deal in August, 2022)
Ratugolea (Poised to hit his prime. We will look back with gratitude on CS and the MC for pumping games into him. Has ALL the tools available physically to be a nightmare matchup forward and ruck. Guys with his body type take longer. Remember how long it took Hawk to become consistent? They are man-boys. Just needs to find a little bit of mongrel and a 3-4 match purple patch)
Zuthrie (Would not be surprised to see him seriously challenging Kolo for a spot by Finals next year. I have always loved his composure and attitude. The kind of player coaches LOVE. Just now starting to be physically capable as he was pretty much an Auskick body on debut)
Evans (Could be? Maybe? Has some skillz)
Holmes (Expect BIG things from Max. Pace, height, razzamataz. Will benefit greatly from a solid pre-season feeling like he’s best 22)
Simpson (I’m a major fan-boi! Look to his 2020 Finals to see why. Could be seriously handy in a Pops Kelly unflustered/under the radar kinda way. Another one who will be vastly improved by a clear, injury free pre-season and run of games. Top 10 in the B & F if he plays 20 games next year)
Players likely to drop away:
Selwood (time will catch up with him this year. Having said that, he did finish 7 in the Cargii. Expect to see less hard-core MF minutes. Don’t see any other role for him tbh, other than “see ball/get ball”. Don’t be shocked to see him get suspended a couple of times this year. He’s gonna get angry at being out-run and out-bodied by all these oppo massive big mf types. The caveat on my comments re Sel is NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THIS CHAMPION!!)
Higgins (It was a “meh” year in 2021, and he ain’t getting any younger. If he plays 15+, either he has an amazing gravity and time defying season, or we’re in big trouble with injuries and/or form)
Dahlhaus (See above. Looks like his heart’s not in it)
Rohan (Could go either way. I hope that with a generally full and productive season from Hawk, Cameron, Close, Stengel et al, we can afford having Rohan and his cameos. I believe he’s a bit over-criticised. With very few exceptions, players of his ilk are very dependent on delivery. With a better functioning midfield and better entries, he’s another nightmare match-up)
Business as usual:
Hawk (Speaking of defying the laws of gravity and time! Absolutely no sign of a downward spiral from the great man)
Smith (See above)
Tuohy (Also see above)
Menengola (Is what he is, which is a solid B/B+ with occasional flashes of A. Still comfortably Best 22)
Blicavs (Will benefit from being settled as a KPD, a position he was AA quality not that long ago)
Guthrie (Has settled in to his groove as an A class mf in the last 2 years)
Bews (Grunt and run)
Atkins (Under-rated. Players and coaches value his presence. DOES need to increase his actual output though)
Stanley (Will keep on being who and what he is until we draft or develop an actual A grade ruck. Luckily for us he has great athleticism, so no signs of him slowing down atm. And he’s not been overly knocked around in the ruck over the years)
All in all, I see no reason for doom and gloom/the sky is falling narrative. There are those reading this post who might say it’s overly optimistic and dependent on a host of planets aligning. EXACTLY how you win a Premiership!!
Sooo many planets need to align to triumph in such a competitive AFL.
Imagine the Dees without consistent, relatively injury-free seasons from Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Lever, May, Salem and Frisch? They thoroughly deserved their flag but again, planets aligned dramatically, both within and without.
Hopefully the new coaches make an impact. Certainly can’t hurt by having a dramatic change of messaging. With the injection of youth, I expect a more freed up game-plan. Considering our lack of KPDs atm (potentially our Achilles Heel) we can’t afford to rely on Rebound 50s to generate scores. Players like Narkle/Parfitt/Holmes/Simpson need to play significant mf minutes for us to improve and progress, along with what we know and expect from Danger, Duncan, Guthrie etc.
Go Cats!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Consistent availability, especially at
Finals time, from:
Cameron
Duncan
Dangerfield
Stewart
O’Connor (Needs to be given a consistent role. Obviously highly rated as a player and leader. Could be fair to say he’s still learning the game)
Miers
Just those alone would engender a significant uptick!
Continued and expected improvement from:
Parfitt (Needs to get a little bit more of the footy and threaten the scoreboard. Will benefit from a settled, more consistent mf around him)
Henry (Lock for AA in 2022)
Close (Will likely benefit from Betts’ input and development)
Wildcards: (Glass half-full)
Stengel (looks very likely. And a genuine goal kicker, along with Miers, but more “stay at home”)
Cooper Stephens (wraps are huge on this kid and looks proto-typical modern mf physically. Just hope he’s not another Cockatoo injury-wise)
SDK (Could be a very handy KPD. Great physical attributes. Length, height, athleticism. MUST play at least 15 games, including finals, for our structure. WILL make mistakes early which probably make him a whipping boy at times, but I see enormous upside. He’ll also have our future Captain in his ear (Stewart) for good measure)
Narkle (He’s inches away from being a very good AFL outside mid IMO. Give him games. Get him settled. Make him feel wanted)
Clarke ( If he stays, and plays to his talent level, sky’s the limit. I liked his swag when he burst on to the scene but he needs to temper it with the harsh reality of what is required to consistently perform at AFL level. Pump games into him off half-back. Get the ball in his hands and tell him “Run like the wind, Bullseye!” I genuinely hope he stays and if the penny drops, lock him into a 3 year deal in August, 2022)
Ratugolea (Poised to hit his prime. We will look back with gratitude on CS and the MC for pumping games into him. Has ALL the tools available physically to be a nightmare matchup forward and ruck. Guys with his body type take longer. Remember how long it took Hawk to become consistent? They are man-boys. Just needs to find a little bit of mongrel and a 3-4 match purple patch)
Zuthrie (Would not be surprised to see him seriously challenging Kolo for a spot by Finals next year. I have always loved his composure and attitude. The kind of player coaches LOVE. Just now starting to be physically capable as he was pretty much an Auskick body on debut)
Evans (Could be? Maybe? Has some skillz)
Holmes (Expect BIG things from Max. Pace, height, razzamataz. Will benefit greatly from a solid pre-season feeling like he’s best 22)
Simpson (I’m a major fan-boi! Look to his 2020 Finals to see why. Could be seriously handy in a Pops Kelly unflustered/under the radar kinda way. Another one who will be vastly improved by a clear, injury free pre-season and run of games. Top 10 in the B & F if he plays 20 games next year)
Players likely to drop away:
Selwood (time will catch up with him this year. Having said that, he did finish 7 in the Cargii. Expect to see less hard-core MF minutes. Don’t see any other role for him tbh, other than “see ball/get ball”. Don’t be shocked to see him get suspended a couple of times this year. He’s gonna get angry at being out-run and out-bodied by all these oppo massive big mf types. The caveat on my comments re Sel is NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THIS CHAMPION!!)
Higgins (It was a “meh” year in 2021, and he ain’t getting any younger. If he plays 15+, either he has an amazing gravity and time defying season, or we’re in big trouble with injuries and/or form)
Dahlhaus (See above. Looks like his heart’s not in it)
Rohan (Could go either way. I hope that with a generally full and productive season from Hawk, Cameron, Close, Stengel et al, we can afford having Rohan and his cameos. I believe he’s a bit over-criticised. With very few exceptions, players of his ilk are very dependent on delivery. With a better functioning midfield and better entries, he’s another nightmare match-up)
Business as usual:
Hawk (Speaking of defying the laws of gravity and time! Absolutely no sign of a downward spiral from the great man)
Smith (See above)
Tuohy (Also see above)
Menengola (Is what he is, which is a solid B/B+ with occasional flashes of A. Still comfortably Best 22)
Blicavs (Will benefit from being settled as a KPD, a position he was AA quality not that long ago)
Guthrie (Has settled in to his groove as an A class mf in the last 2 years)
Bews (Grunt and run)
Atkins (Under-rated. Players and coaches value his presence. DOES need to increase his actual output though)
Stanley (Will keep on being who and what he is until we draft or develop an actual A grade ruck. Luckily for us he has great athleticism, so no signs of him slowing down atm. And he’s not been overly knocked around in the ruck over the years)
All in all, I see no reason for doom and gloom/the sky is falling narrative. There are those reading this post who might say it’s overly optimistic and dependent on a host of planets aligning. EXACTLY how you win a Premiership!!
Sooo many planets need to align to triumph in such a competitive AFL.
Imagine the Dees without consistent, relatively injury-free seasons from Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Lever, May, Salem and Frisch? They thoroughly deserved their flag but again, planets aligned dramatically, both within and without.
Hopefully the new coaches make an impact. Certainly can’t hurt by having a dramatic change of messaging. With the injection of youth, I expect a more freed up game-plan. Considering our lack of KPDs atm (potentially our Achilles Heel) we can’t afford to rely on Rebound 50s to generate scores. Players like Narkle/Parfitt/Holmes/Simpson need to play significant mf minutes for us to improve and progress, along with what we know and expect from Danger, Duncan, Guthrie etc.
Go Cats!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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