Tulip
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- May 3, 2009
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I think its time that we swing the axe on a portion of our list.
They all seem like good blokes with likeable personalities, but I don't think that we are up to scratch as a football club - and something needs to be done about it.
Richmond culled about 15 players two years ago, and I believe we're in a better state than they were but we need some serious pruning.
In categories:
Gone for all $: Matthew Bate, Jake Spencer, Jamie Bennell, Kelvin Lawrence
Time's up: Lynden Dunn, Brad Green, Joel MacDonald, Aaron Davey
Keepable, but not at the standard: Rohan Bail, Ricky Petterd
Maybe unfair, but its a clearance: Cale Morton, Neville Jetta
Rookies who I know little about: Jai Sheahan, Leigh Williams, Michael Evans, Tom Couch
That's 11 listed players who I've just put up for delist or trade, with provisions for Liam Jurrah and the rookies.
Then we have the rest...
Indispensable: Nathan Jones, Mitch Clark, James Frawley, Tom McDonald, Jack Trengove, Jack Grimes
Keep: Jared Rivers, Brent Moloney, Jordie McKenzie, Sam Blease, Colin Garland, Jeremy Howe, Stefan Martin, Dan Nicholson, Mark Jamar, Jack Watts
Would accept a decent trade: Jordan Gysberts, Colin Sylvia, James Strauss, James Sellar, Jack Fitzpatrick, Luke Tapscott, James Magner
Questionable: Clint Bartram, Liam Jurrah, James Strauss
To Youth!: Troy Davis, Rory Taggert, Josh Tynan, Lucas Cook, Max Gawn
I believe that our structures aren't right, and we need to solidify some key positions.
Centre Half Forward:
We've got Clark who can play deep and lead, but its important to have two big talls these days.
Jack Watts: The elephant in the room. We all want him there, but Neeld may not and neither did Bailey. Good kick, good decision maker and incredibly athletic. Huge problems with aggression and presence, which he must address if he's to play here. Marketable as hell once again if he flourishes.
Lucas Cook: Young, light, questionably high draft pick. Many have urged Neeld to give him a go, and personally I think he should play the next few out. He has good hands and a good kick, real meat and potatoes kind of player; but he needs to beef up to play AFL.
Stefan Martin: If the last few weeks have proved anything more, its that Stefan Martin certainly has a place in our side. Tall and athletic player who lacks smarts but can play forward, back or in the ruck. I see him as more of a Leigh Brown than a 2011 Chris Dawes though - doesn't have the engine to run and up and down Nick Riewoldt style.
Travis Cloke: Contracted to Collingwood, who are certainly getting frustrated with his contract negotiations and now his form. Buckley labelled him ordinary the other day, which was probably deserved, but he's also still listed and most coaches keep their favourite lads out of the firing line. EMT is a smart bloke, and he can see how important he is structurally to the side as the only key forward. Kicked 35.20 in 15 games (a healthy amount have gone on the full) and will demand top dollar. I was very against this before, but the idea is growing on me. A tall, mobile Cloke is worth his weight in gold and will straighten us up in the manner we've craved. Must be financially viable, and 5 years must be our limit.
Quentin Lynch: Word is that we want to attract him down to Victoria. Two years ago, GC rejected the chance to take him thinking he was shot. They were wrong, and most sides would love to have had the '11-12 Lynch in their side. Will he continue in that fashion? 29 years of age, 192cm tall and has kicked 25.17 in 15 games this year. We would love him now, but we've got to wonder if he'll drop off ala. Brad Green.
Scott Gumbleton: Moves well for a big man, and is looking to finally prove his fitness. Huge risk, but huge reward too. One more injury and Essendon will delist, but a good run into the finals will see his price rise into the second round. More of a FF, but could switch roles with Clark. I don't fancy him, but just an option.
Mitch Brown: Similar to Gumbleton, aged 21 y.o with body concerns. Weighs in lightly, but was an early pick in 2008 at the Cats who isn't getting the plaudits like the other youngsters. Not sure on price, or whether he would be a better option than Cook. Holds his own when his body agrees with it, and may be ready to bloom.
Lachlan Hansen: Won't be traded if his current form continues, but was a pretty solid spud about 6 weeks ago. Very high pick who can play forward or back. Our luxury is having a choc-full back line and we could give him a CHF berth. Has played 4 games for 9 goals, and will only be cheap if he loses form. Seems a fairly perfect young prospect if we could get him with a pick over #25. Has he turned a corner? Its only a matter of time IMO.
Running Defender
With Garland, Frawley, Sellar, McDonald, Rivers and Davis - I'm confident with our key defenders going forward. What we're lacking, and what is becoming a permanent need in football, is a penetrating, running small defender. Collingwood made the role big, but you'll now see them being exploited due to the poor defensive skills of Maxwell, O'Brien and Shaw (all good footballers, but none of them capable with defending the very style they created). I believe that the role will remain a big part of football, but the players doing it must be able to cover yardage and tackle.
Jack Watts: Looks very much at home down there, but is much too good a prospect to keep him at that level. Prefer him up forward, though his disposal is class and valuable. We struggle to get the ball down forward without him at the moment.
Dan Nicholson: One who I've liked since last year, Nicholson likes to take the game on and use his dash to move us up the ground. Not the most solid defender, though courageous none the less, and may well find himself on a wing. Best 22 player.
Jack Grimes: Jack looks the goods once again after a slow start to the season. Disposes well aside from a few lollipop kicks, very good example to the group, and can run and carry. Think he has one HBF covered.
James Strauss: Meant to be a good kick, but much like Morton he seems to struggle when he thinks too much. Not particularly fast, though his size means he can compete with the smaller forwards. A lot depends on Clint Bartram, but I see him as filling a forward pocket role. Could be a really important player when fit.
Aaron Davey: Was an A grade footballer here, once upon a blue moon. Used to be fast, penetrating and creative. Now is out for the season and will rely on a fat contract to keep him afloat for another year. Seems to have lost pace and, while I don't always like to hang blame on Bailey, confidence and was affected by the Mifsud incident. If he could recreate that form, this role is his for sure. Unlikely.
Josh Tynan: I don't know a huge amount about Josh; he played the one game and seems a courageous type. Should play a few more if I'm honest as I'd like to see what he has. I'll leave it to the Casey loyals to give us the low down. His brother Luke seems an interesting type.
Piers Flanagan: Young GC player with a hell of a name. Can't break into their side, but is 19 with a good left peg who can run all day. Would be cheap.
Tyson Goldsack: Spent the year up forward for Collingwood, but his form is falling. Has shown good things down back, but can't get a spot over Simon Buckley on a regular basis.
To be Continued...
They all seem like good blokes with likeable personalities, but I don't think that we are up to scratch as a football club - and something needs to be done about it.
Richmond culled about 15 players two years ago, and I believe we're in a better state than they were but we need some serious pruning.
In categories:
Gone for all $: Matthew Bate, Jake Spencer, Jamie Bennell, Kelvin Lawrence
Time's up: Lynden Dunn, Brad Green, Joel MacDonald, Aaron Davey
Keepable, but not at the standard: Rohan Bail, Ricky Petterd
Maybe unfair, but its a clearance: Cale Morton, Neville Jetta
Rookies who I know little about: Jai Sheahan, Leigh Williams, Michael Evans, Tom Couch
That's 11 listed players who I've just put up for delist or trade, with provisions for Liam Jurrah and the rookies.
Then we have the rest...
Indispensable: Nathan Jones, Mitch Clark, James Frawley, Tom McDonald, Jack Trengove, Jack Grimes
Keep: Jared Rivers, Brent Moloney, Jordie McKenzie, Sam Blease, Colin Garland, Jeremy Howe, Stefan Martin, Dan Nicholson, Mark Jamar, Jack Watts
Would accept a decent trade: Jordan Gysberts, Colin Sylvia, James Strauss, James Sellar, Jack Fitzpatrick, Luke Tapscott, James Magner
Questionable: Clint Bartram, Liam Jurrah, James Strauss
To Youth!: Troy Davis, Rory Taggert, Josh Tynan, Lucas Cook, Max Gawn
I believe that our structures aren't right, and we need to solidify some key positions.
Centre Half Forward:
We've got Clark who can play deep and lead, but its important to have two big talls these days.
Jack Watts: The elephant in the room. We all want him there, but Neeld may not and neither did Bailey. Good kick, good decision maker and incredibly athletic. Huge problems with aggression and presence, which he must address if he's to play here. Marketable as hell once again if he flourishes.
Lucas Cook: Young, light, questionably high draft pick. Many have urged Neeld to give him a go, and personally I think he should play the next few out. He has good hands and a good kick, real meat and potatoes kind of player; but he needs to beef up to play AFL.
Stefan Martin: If the last few weeks have proved anything more, its that Stefan Martin certainly has a place in our side. Tall and athletic player who lacks smarts but can play forward, back or in the ruck. I see him as more of a Leigh Brown than a 2011 Chris Dawes though - doesn't have the engine to run and up and down Nick Riewoldt style.
Travis Cloke: Contracted to Collingwood, who are certainly getting frustrated with his contract negotiations and now his form. Buckley labelled him ordinary the other day, which was probably deserved, but he's also still listed and most coaches keep their favourite lads out of the firing line. EMT is a smart bloke, and he can see how important he is structurally to the side as the only key forward. Kicked 35.20 in 15 games (a healthy amount have gone on the full) and will demand top dollar. I was very against this before, but the idea is growing on me. A tall, mobile Cloke is worth his weight in gold and will straighten us up in the manner we've craved. Must be financially viable, and 5 years must be our limit.
Quentin Lynch: Word is that we want to attract him down to Victoria. Two years ago, GC rejected the chance to take him thinking he was shot. They were wrong, and most sides would love to have had the '11-12 Lynch in their side. Will he continue in that fashion? 29 years of age, 192cm tall and has kicked 25.17 in 15 games this year. We would love him now, but we've got to wonder if he'll drop off ala. Brad Green.
Scott Gumbleton: Moves well for a big man, and is looking to finally prove his fitness. Huge risk, but huge reward too. One more injury and Essendon will delist, but a good run into the finals will see his price rise into the second round. More of a FF, but could switch roles with Clark. I don't fancy him, but just an option.
Mitch Brown: Similar to Gumbleton, aged 21 y.o with body concerns. Weighs in lightly, but was an early pick in 2008 at the Cats who isn't getting the plaudits like the other youngsters. Not sure on price, or whether he would be a better option than Cook. Holds his own when his body agrees with it, and may be ready to bloom.
Lachlan Hansen: Won't be traded if his current form continues, but was a pretty solid spud about 6 weeks ago. Very high pick who can play forward or back. Our luxury is having a choc-full back line and we could give him a CHF berth. Has played 4 games for 9 goals, and will only be cheap if he loses form. Seems a fairly perfect young prospect if we could get him with a pick over #25. Has he turned a corner? Its only a matter of time IMO.
Running Defender
With Garland, Frawley, Sellar, McDonald, Rivers and Davis - I'm confident with our key defenders going forward. What we're lacking, and what is becoming a permanent need in football, is a penetrating, running small defender. Collingwood made the role big, but you'll now see them being exploited due to the poor defensive skills of Maxwell, O'Brien and Shaw (all good footballers, but none of them capable with defending the very style they created). I believe that the role will remain a big part of football, but the players doing it must be able to cover yardage and tackle.
Jack Watts: Looks very much at home down there, but is much too good a prospect to keep him at that level. Prefer him up forward, though his disposal is class and valuable. We struggle to get the ball down forward without him at the moment.
Dan Nicholson: One who I've liked since last year, Nicholson likes to take the game on and use his dash to move us up the ground. Not the most solid defender, though courageous none the less, and may well find himself on a wing. Best 22 player.
Jack Grimes: Jack looks the goods once again after a slow start to the season. Disposes well aside from a few lollipop kicks, very good example to the group, and can run and carry. Think he has one HBF covered.
James Strauss: Meant to be a good kick, but much like Morton he seems to struggle when he thinks too much. Not particularly fast, though his size means he can compete with the smaller forwards. A lot depends on Clint Bartram, but I see him as filling a forward pocket role. Could be a really important player when fit.
Aaron Davey: Was an A grade footballer here, once upon a blue moon. Used to be fast, penetrating and creative. Now is out for the season and will rely on a fat contract to keep him afloat for another year. Seems to have lost pace and, while I don't always like to hang blame on Bailey, confidence and was affected by the Mifsud incident. If he could recreate that form, this role is his for sure. Unlikely.
Josh Tynan: I don't know a huge amount about Josh; he played the one game and seems a courageous type. Should play a few more if I'm honest as I'd like to see what he has. I'll leave it to the Casey loyals to give us the low down. His brother Luke seems an interesting type.
Piers Flanagan: Young GC player with a hell of a name. Can't break into their side, but is 19 with a good left peg who can run all day. Would be cheap.
Tyson Goldsack: Spent the year up forward for Collingwood, but his form is falling. Has shown good things down back, but can't get a spot over Simon Buckley on a regular basis.
To be Continued...
