First off, has Campo, Lappin and Whitnall re-signed yet ?
I would let Campo go and keep Lance as a permanent full forward, Fev at CHF.
Keep Lappin in the forward pocket and have Betts run off him and learn by playing alongside him so that eventually he could develop into a key forward pocket in time.
I guess we need to target a ruckman, fullback, in and under midfielder, and a key defender in the drafts.
I see that the decent players who may have been targets for us are re-signing for their clubs so we look to have a weak priority pick for an uncontracted player coming up.
The main problem at present seems to be the coaching staff.
If they can not motivate the players to do better then something is wrong.
Think about it, if you had a player group in your hand all week would'nt you be able to at least get them firing and fine tuned for the next match ?
There seems to be players playing out of position (Lappin for instance is a very dangerous goal sneak, but plays down back), Big Red is a dangerous forward with a good kick but is put down back and all over the place.
The midfielders go to Fev too often and when he is tagged as he is his chances of being able to kick a bag are limited.
This being the case it is a good idea to put Waite up there to help and that is where he should play.
I feel that if Terry Wallace and Rodney Eade can have a big impact first up why is it that we are so poor some 3 years in with the coaching staff ?
Sure, the above two have had good picks, but they are also not afraid to play their kids and to drop established players to make way for them.
I always hear Denis say we have the youngest list, we do...but most play VFL and have not gone up to the seniors.
This is to protect them and let them develop but there are planty of 18 year olds running in the seniors at other clubs doing very well.
Look at Cooney, a star from day one.
Another bug bear is leaving players on the bench too long. If you play them then give them ground time. Not only does their confidence sag when sitting on the pine all match, but you then limit the rest time for those on the ground because they have to stay out there if a player is left on the bench.
So many moves and tactics dont make sense at present. The team looks to be confused and frustrated, it shows in their performances.
Can only hope for a good 2006, then again I and many others hoped in 2004 for a good 2005.....sigh.
And for the record, I have followed the Blues since 1982, but to see them now is a real shame.
If we get the good draft picks lets hope they are given a fair chance to impress and are fast tracked because if not the team will not progress with the best talent in the VFL and second rate second chancers in the AFL.
Heres a list of players to keep from this list:
Whitnall
Fev (done deal)
Kouta (one more year, but should not be captain, great bloke but seems too shy and quiet to lead)
Lappin (keep him in the forward pocket as a dangerous goal sneak which he is)
the good kids in the VFL (ie: Hartlett, J.D Smith, Russell, Bentick, )
Betts (need to know how to get him in the game, was good first up, seems lost recently and dropped to VFL, he could be as good as Krakouer is given the right job)
Waite (one that can go back o forward, strong hands and fearless, good qualities for a forward or backman)
Stevens (not impressive so far this season, one that seems lost and a bit down hearted)
French (playing at his best is good, that is hard to keep up, if he cant do it then maybe de-list)
Bryan (seems too short for a ruch, but with his big kick and body should be groomed as a backman)
Morrell (is a good utility and should have played more this season, is much better than Bannister, Simpson, etc who get a game before him)
Norman (must be something brewing with him and the coaching staff because he cant have dropped off so much since last season when he was good-give him a chance and play him)
Teague (fearless yet too small for a back. Should take over Campos role as an in your face midfielder to upset the opposition)
No doubt forgotten some, but that is who comes to mind just now...
De-list.
Same old names..
Clarke
Campo (was good but seems more undisciplined as he gets older, way too quick to retaliate and gives away too many frees, also his kicking is not as good as before)
Bannister (the trouble with his Dad in the press a while back saying he should be a first teamer, etc will surely deem him to be an ex-Blue come December)
Bowyer (very good at VFL, just too slow for AFL)
McGrath (just not strong enough in areas of kicking and marking)
De Luca (was good at Port Melb......not AFL though)
Johnson (does well in patches, but inconsistency is his downfall)
Houlihan (some want him to stay, but seriously he is too soft, watch how many times he loses the ball, and he cant kick that long. Was much better when used as a forward flanker roving the goals)
Thats about it for a Sunday think fest...
Points to ponder for coaching staff..
1. Play the kids, they will be better for it and ready for 2006.
2. If a player is picked, play him, do not leave him on the pine for most of the game, only deflates him. The players on the field must think whats going on to, they are flagging and a guy to replace them is on the pine but not being put on)
3. Develop new ideas and tactics, new age footy requires Pagans Paddock be sent to the archives.
4. Get the players to do tackling drills until they get it right. So sick os seeing soft tackles laid on which are easily broken and the opposition streaks in to set up a goal.
5. Get some more backmen in, like the kids, can not hurt now. Thornton is too short, too slow, too soft to be a key fullback, would suit a flanker role.
That's it, any thoughts good or bad ?
I would let Campo go and keep Lance as a permanent full forward, Fev at CHF.
Keep Lappin in the forward pocket and have Betts run off him and learn by playing alongside him so that eventually he could develop into a key forward pocket in time.
I guess we need to target a ruckman, fullback, in and under midfielder, and a key defender in the drafts.
I see that the decent players who may have been targets for us are re-signing for their clubs so we look to have a weak priority pick for an uncontracted player coming up.
The main problem at present seems to be the coaching staff.
If they can not motivate the players to do better then something is wrong.
Think about it, if you had a player group in your hand all week would'nt you be able to at least get them firing and fine tuned for the next match ?
There seems to be players playing out of position (Lappin for instance is a very dangerous goal sneak, but plays down back), Big Red is a dangerous forward with a good kick but is put down back and all over the place.
The midfielders go to Fev too often and when he is tagged as he is his chances of being able to kick a bag are limited.
This being the case it is a good idea to put Waite up there to help and that is where he should play.
I feel that if Terry Wallace and Rodney Eade can have a big impact first up why is it that we are so poor some 3 years in with the coaching staff ?
Sure, the above two have had good picks, but they are also not afraid to play their kids and to drop established players to make way for them.
I always hear Denis say we have the youngest list, we do...but most play VFL and have not gone up to the seniors.
This is to protect them and let them develop but there are planty of 18 year olds running in the seniors at other clubs doing very well.
Look at Cooney, a star from day one.
Another bug bear is leaving players on the bench too long. If you play them then give them ground time. Not only does their confidence sag when sitting on the pine all match, but you then limit the rest time for those on the ground because they have to stay out there if a player is left on the bench.
So many moves and tactics dont make sense at present. The team looks to be confused and frustrated, it shows in their performances.
Can only hope for a good 2006, then again I and many others hoped in 2004 for a good 2005.....sigh.
And for the record, I have followed the Blues since 1982, but to see them now is a real shame.
If we get the good draft picks lets hope they are given a fair chance to impress and are fast tracked because if not the team will not progress with the best talent in the VFL and second rate second chancers in the AFL.
Heres a list of players to keep from this list:
Whitnall
Fev (done deal)
Kouta (one more year, but should not be captain, great bloke but seems too shy and quiet to lead)
Lappin (keep him in the forward pocket as a dangerous goal sneak which he is)
the good kids in the VFL (ie: Hartlett, J.D Smith, Russell, Bentick, )
Betts (need to know how to get him in the game, was good first up, seems lost recently and dropped to VFL, he could be as good as Krakouer is given the right job)
Waite (one that can go back o forward, strong hands and fearless, good qualities for a forward or backman)
Stevens (not impressive so far this season, one that seems lost and a bit down hearted)
French (playing at his best is good, that is hard to keep up, if he cant do it then maybe de-list)
Bryan (seems too short for a ruch, but with his big kick and body should be groomed as a backman)
Morrell (is a good utility and should have played more this season, is much better than Bannister, Simpson, etc who get a game before him)
Norman (must be something brewing with him and the coaching staff because he cant have dropped off so much since last season when he was good-give him a chance and play him)
Teague (fearless yet too small for a back. Should take over Campos role as an in your face midfielder to upset the opposition)
No doubt forgotten some, but that is who comes to mind just now...
De-list.
Same old names..
Clarke
Campo (was good but seems more undisciplined as he gets older, way too quick to retaliate and gives away too many frees, also his kicking is not as good as before)
Bannister (the trouble with his Dad in the press a while back saying he should be a first teamer, etc will surely deem him to be an ex-Blue come December)
Bowyer (very good at VFL, just too slow for AFL)
McGrath (just not strong enough in areas of kicking and marking)
De Luca (was good at Port Melb......not AFL though)
Johnson (does well in patches, but inconsistency is his downfall)
Houlihan (some want him to stay, but seriously he is too soft, watch how many times he loses the ball, and he cant kick that long. Was much better when used as a forward flanker roving the goals)
Thats about it for a Sunday think fest...
Points to ponder for coaching staff..
1. Play the kids, they will be better for it and ready for 2006.
2. If a player is picked, play him, do not leave him on the pine for most of the game, only deflates him. The players on the field must think whats going on to, they are flagging and a guy to replace them is on the pine but not being put on)
3. Develop new ideas and tactics, new age footy requires Pagans Paddock be sent to the archives.
4. Get the players to do tackling drills until they get it right. So sick os seeing soft tackles laid on which are easily broken and the opposition streaks in to set up a goal.
5. Get some more backmen in, like the kids, can not hurt now. Thornton is too short, too slow, too soft to be a key fullback, would suit a flanker role.
That's it, any thoughts good or bad ?
