Alarming stat

[FM0226]

In my view, there are some exciting prospects coming through the ranks, I really think the likes of Barlow, Jack, Schmidt and Laidlaw showed that they are AFL-Calibre. What I'm worried is that they won't be given a chance to shine. Schmidt was a spare-parts player last term and wasn't given much game time in the centre (and unfairly dropped from the side a few times). Jack was used only sparringly and defensively. Laidlaw was dropped after a decent first game. If the likes of Fosdike, Jude, Matthews, Crouch stays fit all season, how much game time will they get? Have we given up on the likes of Thornton and Brabazon (and even Laidlaw) already?

But there are some worrying hard facts. If Barry Hall goes down again. The possible replacements is: a) Ted Richards or Playfair- and both had showed very little in being a dominating forward in their respective AFL careers thus far. Both are better backs than forwards from what I've seen (Richards) and from what I heard (Playfair's performances in the VFL).

b) Grundy - who've really struggled in limited opportunities last year.
c) White - Second year player yet to play a game.
d) Play O'Keefe further up - which worked quite work for us, but is it feasible as a full time strategy?
e) Barlow - Is he more effective as a Goodes type of player? Has he got the strength to hold down any key positions?

The fact is that we have an amazingly low numbers of young players that are KP size. Right now, we really seem to have place all our hope on White to be not only AFL-calibre material, but someone that potentially can replace a top CHF - which is fairly unrealistic expections on a late, late pick.

Brisbane has around 5 KP prospects under 21, Geelong has 5, WC has 7 (I just randomly picked out 3 teams that I thought has a decent list). Essendon, which has spend two top 10 picks on KP prospects in recent years, still picked up Pears in the draft.

 

[DMJR]

I have done a quick check of the List as it stands and came up with this summation (apologies if I’ve missed anyone, only one coffee so far this morning):

Mature Key Position Backs: C.Bolton; Lewis-Thompson; Barry

Learning Key Position Backs: White (1 year in system); Faulks (1 year in system); Rowe (if re-rookied, 2 years in system)

Mature Key Position Forwards: Hall; O’Loughlin; Playfair.

Learning Key Position Forwards: Grundy (2 years in system).

Mature Key Position Utilities: Goodes; Richards.

Learning Key Position Utilities: Barlow (2 years in system).

I haven’t included sending a ruckman as a forward as we only have two experienced ones left. There is some flexibility with Richards and Goodes, but taking away the latter is robbing the mid-field.

In my opinion the general picture looks a bit light on if we have any type of bad run for injuries; particularly in the forward line. I think this is an increasing danger as our KPP’s tend to be older than many other teams. I’m not so much concerned with 2011, but rather 2008/09. [

As I have posted before; I think we need to have one extra (semi) mature tall. The only option left now is the Rookie-Draft (non-NSW) where we have one spot left. A check of de-listings show, as one would expect, not much there. What is there will probably be taken beforehand in the Pre-Season draft and higher picks in the Rookie-Draft.