Its TIME - Mr Walker!

[95&eyenoit]

West Coast Eagles looked very good against the Lions. They have a superb young brigade. It will not be an easy game for the blue baggers, that is not to say we havent got a chance...but I think it is time to be brave and unleash WALKER!

If the plan was to wait until the team was more settled before introducing the young'un, "D - DUM" (the sound-effect when there is an incorrect answer on Millionaire). Losing doesnt allow for any stability at all...'Yeah, we have lost the last 6 games but the team is really settled now!!!!!'.. dont think so.

Watching Tennace on Saturday night was so exciting even for a blue-bagger like myself. With each disposal you could see not only his, but the entire Geelong team confidence take a step up.

BRING ON WALKER, I say. Give him the support and faith required to enable him the feel like he belongs at the elite level.

 

[LordLucifer]

Originally posted by 95&eyenoit
Losing doesnt allow for any stability at all...'Yeah, we have lost the last 6 games but the team is really settled now!!!!!'.. dont think so.

I don't think you really have had a look at the big picture. Winning games is secondary at the moment, it's the fighting spirit that is of paramount importance. We really have no genuine finals claims so the thing we have to work on is building up a strong approach to our games so that we don't cop huge hidings like we did last year.

Just having a small improvement up the ladder is all we can look for at the moment, forget about tryingto win 12 games and pinch a place in the finals, it ain't going to happen.

There will be another round of player roulette at the end of the season that should give us a much better and more balanced player list. Maybe then we can shoot for a much higher spot on the ladder. Until that happens, let's just try and keep our pride intact. If we win some games along the way, great, if not, no big deal !!

 

[Jimmae]

Re: Re: Its TIME - Mr Walker!

Originally posted by TheSheik
I don't think you really have had a look at the big picture. Winning games is secondary at the moment, it's the fighting spirit that is of paramount importance. We really have no genuine finals claims so the thing we have to work on is building up a strong approach to our games so that we don't cop huge hidings like we did last year.

Just having a small improvement up the ladder is all we can look for at the moment, forget about tryingto win 12 games and pinch a place in the finals, it ain't going to happen.

There will be another round of player roulette at the end of the season that should give us a much better and more balanced player list. Maybe then we can shoot for a much higher spot on the ladder. Until that happens, let's just try and keep our pride intact. If we win some games along the way, great, if not, no big deal !!

The big picture is building our way back to success - and that's done by winning.

 

[LordLucifer]

Re: Re: Re: Its TIME - Mr Walker!

Originally posted by Jimmae
The big picture is building our way back to success - and that's done by winning.

But the way to 'winning' is to not only create a solid list, it's all in the actual approach, mind over matter etc.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to win every game we play in but we have to be realistic. Small positives each week is all we can look for, if we pinch a game or two along the way, it's a bonus.

Rome wasn't built in a day, neither was the Carlton Football Club.

 

[95&eyenoit]

Re: Re: Its TIME - Mr Walker!

Originally posted by TheSheik
I don't think you really have had a look at the big picture.

Are you saying the big picture doesnt allow for Walker to get a game now?

Again Sheik you have alerted me to my myopic view of our great club. Now you have clearly stated what the bigger picture is I can see that losing is all part of our cunning plan, and with this plan we can built team unity, team confidence and morale.

Look, my point was quite simple....play Walker, its time.....you dont need a wide screen TV to see that!

 

[teknodeejay]

People play football to win.

Supporters to go the football to see their team win (or die trying).

If no one cares about winning, then we may as well pack up and go home.

 

[LordLucifer]

Don't worry Tekno, I care about winning more than you would imagine. But right now, it is not as important to me as the team spirit and their attitude etc. If we get them right, the wins will come !!

As for playing Walker, if he's up to it then sure, give him a game. However, there is no point in burning him by playing him ahead of time. We don't need to risk him at all, he's a long term player.

 

[surpstar]

I agree with Sheik, and it's good to see positives from each game.
BUT..

Wins are what are going to get this club moving forward, small positives are great, but wins will propel this club quicker, and bring the players along faster

These young guys need to get the winning feeling early so that they crave it throughout their careers

We can only make real assessments after rnds 8-10, then we'll know if they have improved.

I was at the game last Friday, and Blues looked real good in the 1st half against Dons.. would love to see thm perform like that for 4 qrtrs

 

[95&eyenoit]

Originally posted by TheSheik
We don't need to risk him at all, he's a long term player.

Where is the risk again? injury? morale? might actually hate playing footy?

There isnt any risk...the sooner he starts playing at the top level, the sooner he can have his honey, have his slump, then build his knowledge and skills to play with the best in the game.

 

[LordLucifer]

Originally posted by surpstar
Wins are what are going to get this club moving forward, small positives are great, but wins will propel this club quicker, and bring the players along faster

Nice in theory, but we don't have the cattle just yet to regularly chalk up wins consistently. That is why we have to look for every small positive we can in every game, we may not get many wins to 'propel the club quicker'.

 

[LordLucifer]

Originally posted by 95&eyenoit

There isnt any risk...the sooner he starts playing at the top level, the sooner he can have his honey, have his slump, then build his knowledge and skills to play with the best in the game.

Every time you take the field there is a risk.

With Walker, we don't need to throw him in the deep end (even though that is my normal modus operandi) because we will not win the sufficient amount of games to make the finals. So why not leave him in the magoos for the whole season and develop slowly so that he can have a real crack at it next year ?? Don't forget, this guy is our highest ranked draft pick since the inception of the draft so there's no need to throw caution to the wind.

As I said earlier, if he is physically & mentally ready, by all means play him in the seniors. However, if there is any doubt, let him stay in the VFL team.

 

[Thrawn]

So why not leave him in the magoos for the whole season and develop slowly so that he can have a real crack at it next year ??

Exactly!

Very good point there Sheiky. It did wonders for Waite, spending his entire first year in the VFL then the year after getting regular game time where he created a large impact. It does wonders not just for their confidence, but for their bodies and mind too. If the bulk up/stay fit during that period and dominate games then their confidence will soar. I reckon all first year players should go through this.

If it worked for sometime with talent like Waite, then why not the same for Walker?

 

[Jimmae]

Originally posted by surpstar
I agree with Sheik, and it's good to see positives from each game.
BUT..

Wins are what are going to get this club moving forward, small positives are great, but wins will propel this club quicker, and bring the players along faster

These young guys need to get the winning feeling early so that they crave it throughout their careers

We can only make real assessments after rnds 8-10, then we'll know if they have improved.

I was at the game last Friday, and Blues looked real good in the 1st half against Dons.. would love to see thm perform like that for 4 qrtrs

What... squander 60% of our decent forward 50 entries on fancy shots and poor disposal options/releases? Most of the other 14 clubs in the comp would have dominated us from word go if they had've been wearing their kicking boots in the same situation - it's just that Essendon are hopelessly dependent on Lloyd and Hird playing a part in all revivals that we lead by 4 points at half time.

We were sensational at gathering the ball and running the ball up the ground. But without pressure our disposal was average and under pressure it was comical.

Then our heads dropped and we were the joke. I paid money to watch that and I was far from happy with any part of the situation.

 

[95&eyenoit]

Originally posted by Thrawn
It did wonders for Waite

You know, it might just be my cynicism but I dont think we should develop any kind of system built on past CFC youth development.

 

[Blue Boyz]

Originally posted by 95&eyenoit
Where is the risk again? injury? morale? might actually hate playing footy?

There isnt any risk...the sooner he starts playing at the top level, the sooner he can have his honey, have his slump, then build his knowledge and skills to play with the best in the game.

Of course there is a risk in playing Walker if he is not physically or mentally ready for the step up. Developing his confidence should be just as important as developing any any other of his physical football skills.

I have no problem with him playing for the Bullants for the rest of the season if the coaching staff believes it will be in the kid's best long term interests to do so. Why rush him if he is not ready, just to satisfy impatient supporters.

 

[Jimmae]

Originally posted by Thrawn
If it worked for sometime with talent like Waite, then why not the same for Walker?

I don't think it was the time Waite spent in the VFL that made him a better player, I think he was just physically preparing.

If Walker has the build, the skills, and the knowledge, then play him. All he'd have left would be butterflies.

 

[TheHeatleyStand]

Ive watvched Walker over a year probably 10 times. I reckon he is a class above VFL.
A players father who also helps out a TAC team thinks Walker will step up even more by having better players around him.
I think playing Walker in a VFL side that is being belted isnt helping his development.
Bring him in this week i reckon. He reads the ball very well, is lightening quick,great disposal and has the X freak factor.
He is not smaller than what Goddard or Wells were last year.
Get 20 games unde his belt ASAP. Absolute gun
AvagoodweekendMrWalker!!!!

 

[SurreyBlue]

I also think it might just be time for Andrew Walker to meet the Carlton Supporters at Optus Oval on Saturday.

 

[95&eyenoit]

Originally posted by TheHeatleyStand
Get 20 games unde his belt ASAP. Absolute gun

what he said!!

 

[BluesPrez]

Walker will play this week and this is from a very very good source.

IN - Bowyer, Davies, Walker
OUT - Harford, Hulme, Kenna

The kid is ready, if you've seen him play you know he's a class above VFL and is what we need, pace, height for a midfielder, good disposal, touch of class. Useless having him in the VFL side getting belted each week. He's physically ready.

Ditto Simpson. We need good disposal and decision making and speed now.

 

[big_sav]

hes playing for the blues this week against the eagles so there goes the idea of him playing in the vfl for the rest of the year

the coaching staff must believe he is ready the take the next step and perhaps even play in judd for a bit of the game

 

[95&eyenoit]

Walkers selection is fantastic.

I can not remember the last time I was so excited about a new kid at our club....maybe SOS, but even then he sort of snuck up on us....

go Walker, go blue boys

 

[Jimmae]

Excellent news - hopefully he is ready

 

[SurreyBlue]

Originally posted by BluesPrez
Walker will play this week and this is from a very very good source.

IN - Bowyer, Davies, Walker
OUT - Harford, Hulme, Kenna

The kid is ready, if you've seen him play you know he's a class above VFL and is what we need, pace, height for a midfielder, good disposal, touch of class. Useless having him in the VFL side getting belted each week. He's physically ready.

Ditto Simpson. We need good disposal and decision making and speed now.

Missed it by "that much". Great gets there BluesPrez and not a bad source either.

 

[KiNgCliVe26]

What a great debut the kid is gonna be a gun. Great win even better when its against a team with fickle fans.

FEVOLA 4 the COLEMAN!!!!