If we do one thing this year....

[mattys123]

If we do one thing for the rest of this year, it has to be for Brad Dick, Ben Reid, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams, and Chris Dawes to play ever senior game if they are fit.

I'd add Cameron Wood too, but he hasn't earned the right to be in the same category as the players above.

Let's face it, it's highly unlikely we will win the flag this year, so we must play our "young guns" as much as we can, so they can get to the 40-50 game mark quickly.

THEY ARE OUR FUTURE, THEY ARE THE MEMBERS OF OUR NEXT GRAND FINAL TEAM (I won't mention Premierships and this club).

PLAY THEM ALL, PLEASSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

 

[PieLebo87]

Why is it unlikely that we'll win the flag this year? Seriously.

When did you have to win all 22 home and away games to be a chance to win the flag?

Round 20, 2008:

Richmond 5.2 10.5 13.6 16.9 105
Hawthorn 2.5 4.10 7.15 10.16 76

Hawthorn beat Geelong to win the flag.

Round 15, 2009:

Brisbane 3.4 10.7 12.10 16.12 108
Geelong 3.2 6.5 7.9 9.11 65

Geelong went on to win the 2009 flag against St Kilda.

 

[loki04]

Why is it unlikely that we'll win the flag this year? Seriously.

When did you have to win all 22 home and away games to be a chance to win the flag?

Round 20, 2008:

Richmond 5.2 10.5 13.6 16.9 105
Hawthorn 2.5 4.10 7.15 10.16 76

Hawthorn beat Geelong to win the flag.

Round 15, 2009:

Brisbane 3.4 10.7 12.10 16.12 108
Geelong 3.2 6.5 7.9 9.11 65

Geelong went on to win the 2009 flag against St Kilda.

Hawthorn had a ruthless team with no squibs we regularly have to defend players for short stepping the contest.

Hawks had out and out superstars and very close to superstars in Hodge, Franklin, Roughead, Crawford, Mitchel, Rioli, Croad and Sewell, with the first 2 capable of turning a game on their own.

They had a NEW game plan that caught most teams out and allowed them to counter quickly through either center or wide play.

They had a great balance of speed, skill and aggression and the willingness to do what ever it takes to win (I question if some of the pies players have the killer instinct needed to be aggressive at man and ball).

We are not Hawthorn of 08 and we most certainly are not Geelong of 2007 -2010 or the Lions of 01-04 before some tool gives us a reference to them never finishing top

 

[Football God]

If we play out our best we can beat anyone.

 

[loki04]

If we play out our best we can beat anyone.

MM doesn't think so, " If they are at their best and we are at our best, they will win". MM after the Geelong loss last year.

We are 3rd - 5th best side.

 

[Football God]

MM doesn't think so, " If they are at their best and we are at our best, they will win". MM after the Geelong loss last year.

We are 3rd - 5th best side.

last year?
thought we were doing alright this year against them when we were winning until we kept missing goals and making silly mistakes.

 

[loki04]

last year?
thought we were doing alright this year against them when we were winning until we kept missing goals and making silly mistakes.

Oh sorry, I thought I was talking to a realistic Collingwood supporter.

 

[Snag Breac]

MM doesn't think so, " If they are at their best and we are at our best, they will win". MM after the Geelong loss last year.

We are 3rd - 5th best side.

MM was right above - that's a realistic view of where we stand in relation to Geelong. We need more of our lads to reach their prime before we can be on a level footing with them. BUT, if we play our best, and they play below their capability, we can win.

We're third at worst. We know we're better than the Hawks, Bulldogs and Freemantle.

We're not dead yet.

 

[loki04]

MM was right above - that's a realistic view of where we stand in relation to Geelong. We need more of our lads to reach their prime before we can be on a level footing with them. BUT, if we play our best, and they play below their capability, we can win.

We're third at worst. We know we're better than the Hawks, Bulldogs and Freemantle.

We're not dead yet.

Is our "best" better then a fully fit and at their best Saints, Hawks and Dogs?

The only one there I would say yes to is Dogs, Hawks when they have a full compliment of players and are up and running destroy us.

 

[Collingwig]

MM said if we play at our best we're still worse than Geelong at their best. I think if we play at our best we can beat all teams but if geelong and st kilda are 75-80% they can beat us at 100%

we are realistically top 6

 

[Snag Breac]

Is our "best" better then a fully fit and at their best Saints, Hawks and Dogs?

The only one there I would say yes to is Dogs, Hawks when they have a full compliment of players and are up and running destroy us.

Maybe not re the Saints. Who knows the way the Hawks have performed this year - even fit players. But the way things are going, we won't necessarily encounter any of these teams at their best.

No doubt we'd need a massive amount of luck to win this year, but it's by no means an impossibility.

But one thing we will need to do is to work on our composure. I'm fed up with the grab, bang on boot and bombs away approach. Our players must take the time to assess their options, so that every kick has a reasonable chance of being effective. Can you teach that?

 

[loki04]

Maybe not re the Saints. Who knows the way the Hawks have performed this year - even fit players. But the way things are going, we won't necessarily encounter any of these teams at their best.

No doubt we'd need a massive amount of luck to win this year, but it's by no means an impossibility.

But one thing we will need to do is to work on our composure. I'm fed up with the grab, bang on boot and bombs away approach. Our players must take the time to assess their options, so that every kick has a reasonable chance of being effective. Can you teach that?

It is something that can be worked on over time, if a player does it often it won't be rectified over night.
Firstly they need to be made aware that they are doing it most won't think they are doing anything wrong.

Also re Hawks they haven't had a full list of "best 22 players" all year or even close to it, so it is hard to gauge, but we struggle vs teams who have 1 or more dominant talls who zone effectively and hold up play.

 

[Snag Breac]

It is something that can be worked on over time, if a player does it often it won't be rectified over night.
Firstly they need to be made aware that they are doing it most won't think they are doing anything wrong.

Somebody needs to mention it - pronto. Half the team are guilty of this.

Also re Hawks they haven't had a full list of "best 22 players" all year or even close to it, so it is hard to gauge, but we struggle vs teams who have 1 or more dominant talls who zone effectively and hold up play.

Yes, just hoping it's too late for them to get everyone firing ensemble.

Good talls do trouble us. Don't know if it's lack of height, or because we often fail to takes marks.

 

[TradeDraft]

If we do one thing for the rest of this year, it has to be for Brad Dick, Ben Reid, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams, and Chris Dawes to play ever senior game if they are fit.

I'd add Cameron Wood too, but he hasn't earned the right to be in the same category as the players above.

Let's face it, it's highly unlikely we will win the flag this year, so we must play our "young guns" as much as we can, so they can get to the 40-50 game mark quickly.

THEY ARE OUR FUTURE, THEY ARE THE MEMBERS OF OUR NEXT GRAND FINAL TEAM (I won't mention Premierships and this club).

PLAY THEM ALL, PLEASSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

Agree Totally. Get Games into These Kids instead of Not Good Enough Older Players

 

[Bay Pie]

Hawthorn had a ruthless team with no squibs we regularly have to defend players for short stepping the contest.

Clinton Young & Xavier Ellis to name a few.

MM doesn't think so, " If they are at their best and we are at our best, they will win". MM after the Geelong loss last year.

We are 3rd - 5th best side.

Last year he said that. Based on this years performances we are 3rd best. Right where we sit at the moment. Our form regardless in injuries is ahead of Dogs (full strength bar Morris in round 1 flogging) and Hawthorn. Yes, both teams have room for improvement, but so do we.

The only one there I would say yes to is Dogs, Hawks when they have a full compliment of players and are up and running destroy us.

Last year. That is not the Hawthorn of this year. They just don't have that same hunger they had in 2008 with the cluster. Yes, some genuine stars but there form so far, irrespective of injuries has been OK at best.

We struggle against sides that play a loose man in defence or a really good zone.

Back to thread title- Agree, need to keep playing the young guys, that is where the real improvement will come from.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Agree Totally. Get Games into These Kids instead of Not Good Enough Older Players

All the older players have their roles.

If the younger guys don't deserve games, let's not baby them.

 

[TradeDraft]

All the older players have their roles.

If the younger guys don't deserve games, let's not baby them.

Well if they are doing the Role well then leave them there but If they are not like a few are then Bring the Kids in

 

[Markfs]

top 6? geez have a bit of confidence in the boys...

 

[PieLebo87]

All the older players have their roles.

If the younger guys don't deserve games, let's not baby them.

Exactly my thoughts.

You don't just sit there and feed youngsters AFL games, thats just plain stupid.

Lockyer showed today why he deserves to be in the seniors and L Brown does not deserve to be dropped.

Fraser on the other hand, I'll probably hand in my membership if this guy gets another game for Collingwood ahead of Dawes, or a half decent Wood. I'd rather see Wood play below average than Fraser, because at least he'll learn something and improve on it since he is alot younger.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Fraser on the other hand, I'll probably hand in my membership if this guy gets another game for Collingwood ahead of Dawes, or a half decent Wood. I'd rather see Wood play below average than Fraser, because at least he'll learn something and improve on it since he is alot younger.

On this, if the Pies need a ruck in 2012, I guess I'd better start pre-pre season training.

Seriously though, clutch goal, Lockyer kicks it. I doubt the same would've happened had any of the youngsters the OP mentioned had had the same opportunity.

Brown and Lockyer both played their roles, both deserve games until the form of another player warrants their position.

EDIT: I lied, I missed Dayne Beams' name. Dick was instrumental but I still would've been nervous with the ball in his hands at that stage.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

If we do one thing for the rest of this year, it has to be for Brad Dick, Ben Reid, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams, and Chris Dawes to play ever senior game if they are fit.

I'd add Cameron Wood too, but he hasn't earned the right to be in the same category as the players above.

Let's face it, it's highly unlikely we will win the flag this year, so we must play our "young guns" as much as we can, so they can get to the 40-50 game mark quickly.

You're right, but I'd be playing them already because IMHO they're in our best 22.

 

[KissStephanie]

If we do one thing for the rest of this year, it has to be for Brad Dick, Ben Reid, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams, and Chris Dawes to play ever senior game if they are fit.

Those players are all a part of Collingwood's best team. Chris Dawes straightens Collingwood and are more accurate for goal when he plays, and Cloke is better then too.

Let's face it, it's highly unlikely we will win the flag this year, so we must play our "young guns" as much as we can, so they can get to the 40-50 game mark quickly

You can face that if you want to, but I don't think it's "highly unlikely" at all. Collingwood is currently third on the ladder and as good as two matches ahead of the team in fifth spot with three winnable games to come. There are ten matches to go and I would rather build toward the finals. Last season Collingwood won 12 of 13 matches to become equal premiership favourites after Round 21, but then hit a brick wall, particularly after Scott Pendlebury broke his leg. I think that Collingwood will enter this seasons finals in much better shape than that. That said, according to the current premiership odds, then all teams are unlikely to win the premiership, even Geelong. If they were more likely to win the premiership than not, then they would be under $1, but they are not.

 

[Nardz]

That said, according to the current premiership odds, then all teams are unlikely to win the premiership, even Geelong. If they were more likely to win the premiership than not, then they would be under $1, but they are not.

im no gambler.. but i think you need to revisit your logic there..

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I think Steph means "under $2" or "shorter than evens"... but yeah that's a ****-up.

 

[mattys123]

Those players are all a part of Collingwood's best team. Chris Dawes straightens Collingwood and are more accurate for goal when he plays, and Cloke is better then too.You can face that if you want to, but I don't think it's "highly unlikely" at all. Collingwood is currently third on the ladder and as good as two matches ahead of the team in fifth spot with three winnable games to come.

I made the "highly unlikely" comment amidst a little bit of haste and anger, but I stick by it to an extent.

We are still a young team in comparison to the top 2, and I have stated before we will be at our "peak" from next year on for a number of years.

That doesn't mean we can't win the flag, it just means we have to improve a lot to compete with the top 2, especially the rampant Cats who themselves have improved.

I just don't see our improvement coming from the 28 + crew, I see it coming from the 25 and under group of players that seem to be abundant at the club at the moment.

We are a "contender" this year, that I know, but we need a lot to go right from here to September to pull off the big one, as we still need to improve, as shown yesterday.