Gold Pass

[PAfolwr]

Who will be the recipient of the dreaded Gold Pass this year?

Nominations please, then we can have a poll.

I'll nominate Morgan and Koula.
Morgan, because Williams appears to have him ahead of Thurstans, and he hates to believe that he is wrong. (ie Quicksilver Stevens)
Koula because he will be given lots of chances to show that he should be kept. (similar to Derek Murray)

 

[koulagirl22]

I think Thurstans or Salopek 'cos Choco's talking them up a lot...

 

[Power Pride]

Originally posted by koulagirl22
I think Thurstans or Salopek 'cos Choco's talking them up a lot...

Chocco isnt the only one who's talking Steve up a bit. The media, the public, they're all over him!

Its like the other three dont exist, and the whole Salopek Hoo Haa is starting to cross the line. Its madness. Its not like he ISNT an absolute GUN, I just wish the other three would get a little more attention.

 

[mic59]

I can see Dom Cassisi and Koula getting a lot of extra game time this year. James, Francou and Schofield may still have a few years but we don't want to leave it till they're all the wrong side of 30 to start grooming replacements. Guerra is not what I'd call a Gold Pass candidate but I'd expect him to see more time on the ground this year for the same reason.

 

[Portia]

Originally posted by Power Pride
Its like the other three dont exist, and the whole Salopek Hoo Haa is starting to cross the line. Its madness. Its not like he ISNT an absolute GUN, I just wish the other three would get a little more attention.

The less attention they have now, the longer they're likely to be able to develop on the list without drawing undue scrutiny.

 

[Eddie Woloschek]

Salopek was never going to go un-noticed. He was always going to make sure he was noticed. The Morgans, Koula, Thrusters of the world have spent long enough in hiding. Has it helped. I guess w'll find out soon enough.

 

[mic59]

Must say I'm a lot more disappointed in Morgs and Thrust than Koula. Defence is a hard area to break into and experienced players will get the nod more than any, but both these players have been having relatively uninterrupted years for their SANFL clubs and haven't forced their way in the team. Koula has had to put up with injuries and an unsympathetic coach who seemed to select on the basis of "better the devil you know".

 

[Eago77]

Cochrane may get it, isn't he entitled to it since he was part of the Stevens trade? Also Choco may "give him a job" each week. He could well end up playing infront of Gold Pass Kingers and Poults and Guru on a regular basis because of his height.

I also think Choco may give Salopek a few games just for the sake of it, to see how he goes, if he goes well it could be a Gold Pass, but unlike many other past holders he'll deserve it.

 

[Portia]

I have to agree that Cochrane does look the most likely candidate.

 

[koulagirl22]

Originally posted by mic59
Must say I'm a lot more disappointed in Morgs and Thrust than Koula. Defence is a hard area to break into and experienced players will get the nod more than any, but both these players have been having relatively uninterrupted years for their SANFL clubs and haven't forced their way in the team. Koula has had to put up with injuries and an unsympathetic coach who seemed to select on the basis of "better the devil you know".

True and he's been going well apart from injuries. I think Thrust has still been developing body strength and he looks a lot tougher this year, so maybe that's why he hasn't played yet.

 

[rubberman]

Make it three for Cochrane.

 

[mic59]

Originally posted by mic59
Koula has had to put up with injuries and an unsympathetic coach who seemed to select on the basis of "better the devil you know".

Just hought I'd better explain myself. I was referring to Ian Borchard when I wrote this, it's not easy for Mark Williams to even consider a player who's stuck in Westies reserves.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Originally posted by Eago77
I also think Choco may give Salopek a few games just for the sake of it, to see how he goes, if he goes well it could be a Gold Pass, but unlike many other past holders he'll deserve it.

Aah now there's the rub ... isn't the Gold Pass bestowed upon the most undeserving candidate for continued league selection? Hence its sarcasm value? Otherwise you might as well call Matty or Tredders Gold Pass holders. Cochrane hasn't shown anything to say he'd be undeservedly picked each week and certainly it wouldn't apply to Salopek based on what he's shown so far. I'm not certain Thrust or Morgs or Koula will be picked irrespective of form and what they've shown to date hasn't perturbed me .. I thought Morgs was going ok v the crowies until injured - he needed a bit more game time and with it confidence - but the footy gods frowned on him again. Even Koula has shown something in the trials - admittedly his kicking and choices have not been good, but his courage and ability to find the ball have been. And he's shown good disposal skills in the lower levels - so it could just be a matter of confidence. Maybe a few tagging or run with roles might settle him down - not so much onus on his disposals then.

I'm not sure - Kingsley aside - that there is a genuine Gold Pass candidate left in the squad. Choco's weeded most of them out. Just off the top of my head, for mine over the past few years the GPs have gone to Daniels (for any game played), Dickie, Lyle and Mead (over their last season, maybe two), M Stevens and Lockwood (for staying on the list despite that back injury).

It'll be interesting to see if a candidate does step forward tho.

 

[koulagirl22]

Originally posted by mic59
Just hought I'd better explain myself. I was referring to Ian Borchard when I wrote this, it's not easy for Mark Williams to even consider a player who's stuck in Westies reserves.

Understood and agreed.

 

[Macca19]

Originally posted by mic59
Must say I'm a lot more disappointed in Morgs and Thrust than Koula. Defence is a hard area to break into and experienced players will get the nod more than any, but both these players have been having relatively uninterrupted years for their SANFL clubs and haven't forced their way in the team. Koula has had to put up with injuries and an unsympathetic coach who seemed to select on the basis of "better the devil you know".

I dont think that is correct at all.

Last year was the first year where Morgan played more than about 5 games. Every other year hes had broken legs and chronic hamstring injuries. He was fit for a lot of last year, and played well enough for North to get 5 or 6 BOGs and force his way into the side.

Thurstans was robbed of a game last year. THere was no reason why he shouldnt of been brought into the side when Mead. Poor planning (yet again) by Williams meant that he was reluctant to debut him a week before the finals.....when he should of been given games anyway.

Thurstans just cant seem to get into the side. In 2001 he was very stiff because he was getting in Sturts best players every week yet Mark refused to play him. Mark vowed last year would be different. It wasnt. Thurstans ended up making the SANFL team of the year...played impressively in the Wizard Cup, we had injuries or dropped key backmen, yet he still was never given a go - despite obviously playing pretty damn good footy to be in the SANFL team of the year. Thurstans in my view has been a victim of Mark Williams stupidity more than anything else.

 

[PAfolwr]

Originally posted by Eago77
Cochrane may get it, isn't he entitled to it since he was part of the Stevens trade? Also Choco may "give him a job" each week. He could well end up playing infront of Gold Pass Kingers and Poults and Guru on a regular basis because of his height.

I also think Choco may give Salopek a few games just for the sake of it, to see how he goes, if he goes well it could be a Gold Pass, but unlike many other past holders he'll deserve it.

Eago77 wins the box of chocolates.

 

[Eago77]

Originally posted by PAfolwr
Eago77 wins the box of chocolates.

Yum, thanks.