Developing The RFC Squad?

[Dr Tigris]

I was thinking this thread riding in to work this morning. As much as I have talked about it being about the whole squad, so I cannot agree more about leadership, I reckon a couple of players coming on can make a huge difference.

The two I ended up thinking could develop the whole team a lot surprised me. Off the cuff I would have gone for Dusty or Floss. But I ended up thinking that TV and Hampson were the key 2.

WTF Why??

Glad you asked. These two can really amp up our structure. TV moving to be a good quality consistent KPF frees up JR and causes massive problems in match ups for opposition. I can see that making us much more dangerous simply because he would force teams to have 2 guys on him to stop his height and athleticism. So the spare man in defence moves to TV. That means 1) JR is one out - he will win the Coleman and set up lots of goals if that happens. And 2) our third forward is freed up even more.

Hampson potentially fixes one of our biggest problems. When we lost usually we got beaten at stoppages due to ivan not being on top. We need another ruck to help him and Hampster does that. Also Ivan is not that good against athletic rucks, Hampster should fill that hole. So the Carlton spare man can make a massive difference to our ability to control games and play them on our terms. He doesn't have to be great, just good enough to break even in the ruck. His athleticism should allow him to get around the ground and assist our game plan.

So to me the squad development in 2014 will be greatly influenced by these 2 guys. One changes our forward structure and can lead to a much more dangerous attacking ability. The other deals with problems at stoppages we have.

If our younger 1st team mids get better then we go up a level. But that just turns a very good midfield into a better one. It doesn't deal with our weaknesses. Our defence was solid in 2013, should be better, but not that different in 2014. Guys that haven't played (much) 1sts (McBean, Helbig, McDonut etc) can make a muge difference, but I don't expect them to make a huge difference in squad development in 2014. In 2015 onwards they can. But not many players jump in and dominate. And these guys don't change our structure. Although McBean might just make a big difference if he is anywhere near half as good as his PR makes out.

 

[Mogwai]

I thought the Essendon game, as much dead rubber it is, showed that Ty can become a Tippett and Jack is our Tex Walker.

Hate to admit it but our forward line is terrible without Vickery. Don't get why people slag him off every time.

 

[Bird Man]

can some one tell me how mcbean is tracking?

 

[Dr Tigris]

I thought the Essendon game, as much dead rubber it is, showed that Ty can become a Tippett and Jack is our Tex Walker.

Hate to admit it but our forward line is terrible without Vickery. Don't get why people slag him off every time.

I like TV and have always supported him. But he is a frustrating player. He can jump, but doesn't do it much. He has fantastic speed but doesn't use it a lot. He likes body contact but isn't a monster (maybe just because of lack of bulk). He's a great mark, but doesn't take a lot. Good skills, but falls in and out of games. What we know from watching him is that he can be a damaging KPF, able to dominate the forward line. But he does this only occasionally. He might continue like this but I suspect that when he hits 100+kg, really trusts himself to go hard, and knows the game plan inside and out he will step up. I suspect that once he starts to be the no. 1 forward he will just be the man.

But certainly when he is there we function much better. He provides a target and is hard to match up on.

 

[Dr Tigris]

can some one tell me how mcbean is tracking?

Jumping tall buildings in getting ready for preseason

Actually I'm hoping he comes on well and plays a few AFL games next year. That's it, no superstar, just starts his apprenticeship. If he goes beyond this then I am soooo happy. He needs to put on a few kgs and learn to mark contested ball. Hope those closer tot he action can talk about him. But I expect we'll get top hear plenty about McJesus.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

I like TV and have always supported him. But he is a frustrating player. He can jump, but doesn't do it much. He has fantastic speed but doesn't use it a lot. He likes body contact but isn't a monster (maybe just because of lack of bulk). He's a great mark, but doesn't take a lot. Good skills, but falls in and out of games. What we know from watching him is that he can be a damaging KPF, able to dominate the forward line. But he does this only occasionally. He might continue like this but I suspect that when he hits 100+kg, really trusts himself to go hard, and knows the game plan inside and out he will step up. I suspect that once he starts to be the no. 1 forward he will just be the man.

But certainly when he is there we function much better. He provides a target and is hard to match up on.

All good points Dr Tigris - like you, I'm a massive fan of Vickery and reckon he will be a hugely important player for us.

I think playing as a permantent forward in 2014 will be good for his development (can't be easy to start your career as a young key forward/ruck and having to learn 2 positions/roles). I suspect his tendency to wrestle could come from his ruck work. Hopefully with some good coaching over the pre season, we can start to utilise his size and speed by teaching him to lead and present better.

I can see him kicking over 40 goals provided he stays fit. He started to find some nice form late in the season.

 

[Dr Tigris]

All good points Dr Tigris - like you, I'm a massive fan of Vickery and reckon he will be a hugely important player for us.

I think playing as a permantent forward in 2014 will be good for his development (can't be easy to start your career as a young key forward/ruck and having to learn 2 positions/roles). I suspect his tendency to wrestle could come from his ruck work. Hopefully with some good coaching over the pre season, we can start to utilise his size and speed by teaching him to lead and present better.

I can see him kicking over 40 goals provided he stays fit. He started to find some nice form late in the season.

I'm hoping for 40+ goals. Reckon he could be much better than that. But if he kicks 30 odd I won't be surprised. At some point I feel he coudl explode and rip the AFL and new hole. But there are quite a few guys like that where they never do it. If he could do a Jacko and get the most from what he has then we have a WINNER. But as time goes by my expectations slide a little. Here's hoping. I am a glass half full sorta guy.

 

[TJTIGER]

One of the things I wondered about in this thread was, what do people consider good leadership ? It's something that we hear talked about often but not often defined. For some it's as simple as being directive toward others. But for me there's a whole lot more to it. For example for me it's various things/traits that individuals show to the group & individuals that are not set in stone (as in not a constant but vary according to context) ie May differ on match day and the training track. It can be encouragement,a stern word, help with skills to display of team standards (putting your head over the ball or going in hard when it's your tern). In short its an intangible skill of knowing what the best remedy is in a given circumstance with individual players & the group and requires strong very relationships with many or all that you are relating to. An often underrated attribute (I think) of leadership, is knowing when to STFU and just listen to those around you. Just about everyone will have something of value to contribute from their unique outlook if they have the opportunity to be heard......Just a few things that come to mind

 

[theflea]

One of the things I wondered about in this thread was, what do people consider good leadership ? It's something that we hear talked about often but not often defined. For some it's as simple as being directive toward others. But for me there's a whole lot more to it. For example for me it's various things/traits that individuals show to the group & individuals that are not set in stone (as in not a constant but vary according to context) ie May differ on match day and the training track. It can be encouragement,a stern word, help with skills to display of team standards (putting your head over the ball or going in hard when it's your tern). In short its an intangible skill of knowing what the best remedy is in a given circumstance with individual players & the group and requires strong very relationships with many or all that you are relating to. An often underrated attribute (I think) of leadership, is knowing when to STFU and just listen to those around you. Just about everyone will have something of value to contribute from their unique outlook if they have the opportunity to be heard......Just a few things that come to mind

Leadership is all this and more TJ. Most of the time its common sense particularly the off field/training stuff. On field tends to be talent based but its getting harder in the era of zoning where by just beating your man isn't enough to win. In my experience, it comes in all shapes and sizes, talent levels and intelligence. There is not an exact quantifiable test you can do however when you see it, you know especially when it goes against the normal or grain.