Opinion Is this rock bottom?

[Ischenko]

Very good discussion in here actually, kudos all. I guess the one thing we (as in fans who really have no idea what goes on day to day at Arden St) can all see is that our senior players are letting us down. Whether that can change this year or not might be the difference between winning two games or five, but regardless of whether we cut too deep, kept the wrong ones, overrated our youth etc., with our current “leaders” playing as they are we will continue getting belted.

It looks bad for Noble too, but I think until there is utterly clear evidence that he has lost the players then we persist - the rest of the year will tell us one way or the other. Our senior players are beyond ordinary but surely just getting back to basics, playing those in form and getting our structure right up forward plus an easier draw after the bye should see us look more cohesive, bank a coupe of wins, build confidence and look like a football team again. If we’re still losing like this come years end we should sack him unless we are devastated by covid or something…

 

[Sphynx]

I think Jy gets off pretty easily tbh.

He sets the training standards, but no matter how much work he does in game, nothing excuses his disposal at times. There'd be 2 dozen players that outrun him a game in the comp that can dispose of it consistently well. Anyone saying his disposal is a result of doing all the work for the side are simply sticking their head in the sand.

Helicopter shanks, handbballs to players feet and just general turnover are in excusable and he does it too often that he's now just a generally poor user.

I think we just have to come to terms with the fact he's a bit of a butcher.

LDU sits in this camp at times as well.


Let's hope it changes as they mature, but at their ages, they should be just about hitting the start of their peaks.


I think anyone labelling them as players to build around at this point are going to be in for some disappointment. I have no idea where we stand with the next captain.

I'd even look at appointing someone temporarily for 1-2 years until JHF can do it.

I'd almost be looking at someone like Ben McKay

32

Ben Mckay

Age

28

Ht

202cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.5

2star

K

3.7

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.7

4star

MG

77.2

1star

D

7.5

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.5

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

88.5

2star

D

7.0

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

67.8

1star

tbh, no idea of his leadership credentials though....Maybe Larkey? They seem like the only 2 stable positions atm.

Appointing McDonald and Simpkin are just asking for trouble imo.

You can't be in a position where you might have to drop the captain. Despite Jy's disposal numbers there's a possibility we may have to do that in the next 3-4 years given how he's tracking as a player. The same for McDonald. Luke will be a 30 year old bog average AFL half back that's basically never been in a really successful environment in 3 years. You are basically looking at Jarryn Geary

14

Jarryn Geary

Age

37

Ht

183cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.6

4star

K

8.8

3star

HB

7.8

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.7

3star

D

8.8

2star

K

3.6

1star

HB

5.2

3star

M

1.2

1star

T

1.8

3star

CL

0.8

3star

D

15.4

4star

K

7.4

3star

HB

8.0

5star

M

5.0

5star

T

1.6

4star

2.0....

 

[blackshadow]

I have no idea where we stand with the next captain.

I'd even look at appointing someone temporarily for 1-2 years until JHF can do it.

If Cunners is fit and willing to take on the mantle he should get the captaincy next year with JHF as VC. Look to hand over to Jason in 2024.

 

[Sphynx]

If Cunners is fit and willing to take on the mantle he should get the captaincy next year with JHF as VC. Look to hand over to Jason in 2024.

Actually, good point.

Perfect. I can't believe I forgot him.

If he's willing to do it, even as a figurehead, Cunners for 2 seasons as the warrior inspirational captain is the perfect scenario, before handing it to JHF going into his 4th season....

 

[speedy]

I think Jy gets off pretty easily tbh.

He sets the training standards, but no matter how much work he does in game, nothing excuses his disposal at times. There'd be 2 dozen players that outrun him a game in the comp that can dispose of it consistently well. Anyone saying his disposal is a result of doing all the work for the side are simply sticking their head in the sand.

Helicopter shanks, handbballs to players feet and just general turnover are in excusable and he does it too often that he's now just a generally poor user.

I think we just have to come to terms with the fact he's a bit of a butcher.

LDU sits in this camp at times as well.


Let's hope it changes as they mature, but at their ages, they should be just about hitting the start of their peaks.


I think anyone labelling them as players to build around at this point are going to be in for some disappointment. I have no idea where we stand with the next captain.

I'd even look at appointing someone temporarily for 1-2 years until JHF can do it.

I'd almost be looking at someone like Ben McKay tbh, no idea of his leadership credentials though....Maybe Larkey? They seem like the only 2 stable positions atm.

Appointing McDonald and Simpkin are just asking for trouble imo.

You can't be in a position where you might have to drop the captain. Despite Jy's disposal numbers there's a possibility we may have to do that in the next 3-4 years given how he's tracking as a player. The same for McDonald. Luke will be a 30 year old bog average AFL half back that's basically never been in a really successful environment in 3 years. You are basically looking at Jarryn Geary 2.0....

There are very few senior players that I'm happy with. McKay, Larkey & Lmac only spring to mind. The rest of them have major flaws or are too inconsistent or are just not good enough.

 

[Ball Dont Lie]

You would like to think we are there now? What could happen in the next few months to make it worse?

 

[Le Grille]

Pretty ****ing close

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

Guess we know. Rock bottom is if Jason asks for a trade.

 

[Ashley B]

Guess we know. Rock bottom is if Jason asks for a trade.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Guess we know. Rock bottom is if Jason asks for a trade.

There’s rock bottom.

There’s draining the ocean to find the base of the Mariana Trench.

There’s falling into said trench.

There’s drilling down from there to the point where the drilling machine melts due to blazing hot temperatures.

There’s jumping into that hole.

Then there’s Horne-Francis leaving.

 

[Go_Roos!]

Except for our players and coach it is all going swimmingly! Fair dinkum, if you didn't laugh, you would cry and cry and cry!

 

[Mr Lloyd Christmas]

Well if this isn't rock bottom I certainly would prefer not to find out what actually is.....

Brad Scott returning to coach might be it.

 

[Gorman2Geister]

Much prefer Compuglobalhypermeganet over Rock Bottom tbh but then here we are.

 

[Firebat]

I don't think we're at rock bottom - yet, however it will be if the club makes a small penile move and sacks Noble because the 29+ year olds can't hack the transition.

Melbourne lost by about 450 points to Geelong a few years ago. That's rock bottom. And they just won the flag after having 69 first round picks.

This. Shit. Takes. Time.

JHF won't leave, either. His manager is just doing his job. End of story.

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

If Cunners is fit and willing to take on the mantle he should get the captaincy next year with JHF as VC. Look to hand over to Jason in 2024.

I would go further - Cunners and JHF co captains next 2 years then JHF flys solo from there.

 

[Gasometer]

This year will mark five seasons of no finals.

The equal longest such time since 1973, matching 88-92.

I am so glad I made the journey to Adelaide to wait outside and then see the last final before the start of this misery

 

[Gasometer]

JHF will be the highest paid player in a salary cap at 21. That’s 10 years of being a millionaire.

 

[Samsquanch]

JHF will be the highest paid player in a salary cap at 21. That’s 10 years of being a millionaire.

That is what a war chest is for.

 

[DocSholl]

There’s rock bottom.

There’s draining the ocean to find the base of the Mariana Trench.

There’s falling into said trench.

There’s drilling down from there to the point where the drilling machine melts due to blazing hot temperatures.

There’s jumping into that hole.

Then there’s Horne-Francis leaving.

Incidentally that's also where you find Turner's ceiling as an AFL footballer

 

[Archer_11]

I’m not suggesting this is in play more like worse case scenario but rock bottom would be being shipped off

Agree. This is the scenario that is most concerning. North flounders for several years and Gillon's replacement starts talking about 'economic reality'. And if we really stink the place up he might start talking about transferring the licence instead of mergers and the rest. Although debatable whether NMFC the VFL club is worse than the AFL Tassie Kangaroos.

That is worst case of course. I'm gutted that we're achieving record membership while delivering jack diddly squat. We could be overtaking other clubs on the membership ladder instead we are probably going to slide.

As for onfield, the worst is probably between now and round 12. It's been a pretty tough run fixture wise and it's not over yet.

 

[fusion]

Well if this isn't rock bottom I certainly would prefer not to find out what actually is.....

Brad Scott returning to coach might be it.

Ouch.

But of course it can get worse.

If Noble loses the playing group, and we don't take action (not saying he has)
If JHF decides to leave
If Cunners decides to play 1 comeback game like Jason McCartney and decide not to come back
Injuries to key players
Essendon wins a final
AFL doesn't give us a PP

Let's hope none of this stuff happens and we get our act together. I'm going to look for small improvements in the team and not look at the scoreboard this year. Eg Curtis looks a player, JHF is the best 1st year player we've ever had, got two key position players set in Larkey and McKay. Our disposal and decision making is suffering from a lack of confidence, so we look unskilled and slow.

 

[The acurate one]

I think we are absolutely rock bottom.

Our coach under fire for not only W/L but questions about whether he has lost the group and our game plan

Our best young talent not signing on

Have won a handful of our last 40 odd games.

We average less than ten goals a game this season .

We average 17 goals a game against us this season .

Our older players ain’t much chop .

Our best player has been dealing with cancer .

Geez I can’t see how it could get worse . Some of what I’ve posted is of course perception. But unfortunately perception is damaging.

The only way is up from here folks. I do think we’ll improve as the year wears on . Get a couple back and away we go .

 

[Ashley B]

I liken rebuilds to being at high school . We have lots of yr 7s and 8s 18 to 22 yrs not many 9s to 11s mid 20s players best yrs generally and a few year 12s late 20s 30s . coming down the slide near the end. Not many yr 7s and 8 teams are going to beat the middle age and older teams. We will get better and hopefully become the best , no guarantees of course of how good. If we can keep and foster those young ones into the mid 20s and the current top sides start the down slide that is when we will start to perform better . When you are at the top say like Melbourne are currently you have to win as much as you can , let’s be honest every team spends a lot more time trying to get to the top than actually being there . When we are contending we need to be as greedy as possible as you just don’t know how long you will be there.

 

[Archer_11]

I am so glad I made the journey to Adelaide to wait outside and then see the last final before the start of this misery

I flew over there too! Boomer's last game, because you know he was holding us back or something.

 

[Hojuman]

I think we are absolutely rock bottom.

Our coach under fire for not only W/L but questions about whether he has lost the group and our game plan

Our best young talent not signing on

Have won a handful of our last 40 odd games.

We average less than ten goals a game this season .

We average 17 goals a game against us this season .

Our older players ain’t much chop .

Our best player has been dealing with cancer .

Geez I can’t see how it could get worse . Some of what I’ve posted is of course perception. But unfortunately perception is damaging.

The only way is up from here folks. I do think we’ll improve as the year wears on . Get a couple back and away we go .

May 22 headlines;

" Morrison, Frydenberg, Dutton & Barnaby re-elected in a landslide victory no-one predicted " !

It can get worse Accurate.