Recruiting List Development 2017 - How do we develop our list?

[Killer_Mike]

On the original topic Geelong had little choice but to play that group of guys as they didn't have many other options. And those guys generally all earnt there place coming thru VFL. I don't recall any of those Geelong stars getting a free ride.

It's pretty much footy folklore that both Bomber and Chappy tore shreds off the playing group and that propelled them to a flag.

Gazza was also transform from a forward pocket to the greatest midfielder of the AFL era after an intervention from the senior members of the team.

Similar stories for the entirety of the team around that period.

 

[Killer_Mike]

One thing that I would like to see not necessarily right now but at least sometime this year is McGrath play up on the wing.

Something that Woosha has mentioned a few times now is our inability to trap the ball in the forward fifty. I believe McGrath can assist this area!

He has the speed to cover opponents or zone off and also has the aerial ability to put pressure on if a high ball gets hacked out of the forward line. His speed can also mean he can track back into our defensive fifty to provide an option on the way out if necessary.

For me Stanton has dropped off a little this year and if he can't gain his form back I wouldn't be surprised if he dropped back to VFL for a few weeks to get his touch back.

To cover McGraths position in defense I would bring in Morgan. This is the final year of his contract and I think he's going to need a hit out at Senior level as well as at VFL level to see what he's got.

 

[BrunoV]

I guess what makes me impatient is the concern that some players just end up on the scrap heap for no reason other than they were not given the games that incumbents were invariably fed at the same age. I understand that the circumstances were different between 2011 and 2015 but stagnant team developed robbed some potentially very useful players of AFL careers. It was particularly difficulty to reconcile a lot of what was happening at lower levels with the decisions that are made on Thursday nights.

I'm always going to be sceptical until I see the evolution of the side because the path that the club has so obviously gone down is to try and given the banned players some success. I think that it is naive to look at coaches as robots in this sort of context who do not feel the pressure to play certain players and who rely on their own biases to continue to see what they want to justify a decision which is made (or not made).

I also don't agree with the decision that has been made so I don't expect young players to displace senior players on the weight of performance (if such as thing is even possible) all I would look for is the right attitude.

We have a small sample size now but most of the gloss of rounds 1 and 2 has been dimmed. Hawthorn have been abysmal and Brisbane is very much a work in progress. Good sides full of reliable senior players do not cough up games sides as inexperienced and as lacking in quality as that Carlton team.

It will be very interesting to see how the coaching panel reacts. The pressure should be on because we're far too old for the failure to make finals to be anything other than an abject failure.

 

[Towno78]

You're probably right but McKernan could play as a tall wingman/flanker who also relieves in ruck. He doesn't have to play in F50 as he has the mobility to get around the ground, is decent at ground level, gets clearances etc. I think they should explore more options with McKernan as he was very good in patches in r1-2 (what he struggles with is playing a full afl game in ruck as it is tiring for him to compensate for his height over an entire match - limit that to 20% and we could have a handy player)

I agree completely with you. I was just responding to the post above mine stating Worsfold doesn't.

 

[Killer_Mike]

This is a good indicator I believe of where we need to get to and the patience required to be a top team.

As indicated by Jack the really good sides have years of developing a game plan and also an understanding of how each of your teammates play.

I think we have the players on our list, now we just need to get games in to them and not have multiple changes each week just because a player got beaten by his opponent on the weekend.

Our time will come.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/ja...d/news-story/ad5fc703092cdab771aa5ba310173993


Jack Riewoldt compares Adelaide to multiple-premiership winning sides after Crows thump Richmond
MAY 3, 20176:58AM

Rob GreenwoodThe Advertiser

RICHMOND’S Jack Riewoldt has likened the familiarity within Adelaide’s line-up to that of multiple-premiership winning clubs of the past decade.

The forward was on the receiving end of a 76-point hammering at the hands of the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Speaking on AFL 360 on Tuesday night, Riewoldt said the consistency of Don Pyke’s selections had been central to Adelaide’s 6-0 start to the campaign.

“You look at the successful sides over the last decade,” Riewoldt said when asked to compare the Crows to other teams he had faced.

“They’ve been together for a while most of the Crows guys.

“They’ve had a few young guys come in, but they are as well-rounded an outfit as certainly I’ve played against for a while.”

Most attention has centered on Adelaide’s free-scoring attack which has averaged 134 points per game.

Adelaide’s Luke Brown put in another solid display in defence against Richmond. Picture: SARAH REEDSource:News Corp Australia



But it has been equally well served by defenders such as Brodie Smith, Curtly Hampton, Jake Kelly and Luke Brown.

Riewoldt said the settled backline reminded him of the Hawthorn premiership sides of 2013-15 and the Geelong champions of 2007, 2009 and 2011.

“They are coached really well (and) they get their spacing right,” he said of Adelaide.

“In terms of their structures they are really compliant to what they need to do.

“They are a super, super side and they deserve to be the premiership favourites.”

Riewoldt said the heavy defeat to the Crows had delivered a harsh lesson to his previously undefeated teammates.

“It was a really good learning curve for some of our younger kids to understand what it’s like to travel and play in front of 50,000 screaming Crows fans.

“(They) learned a bit about themselves.”

 

[Killer_Mike]

Thought I might start putting these in here so we can track how our young players are developing in the VFL.

Much appreciation goes to Grimlock for proving these to us.

Follow
grimlockBrownlow Medallist

Sydney

Round 1

 

[Killer_Mike]

Round 2

 

[Killer_Mike]

Round 3

Follow
grimlockBrownlow Medallist

Sydney

 

[Jivin Jackel]

I think it's very important that the side has a number of places in the team each week for rookie players.

Bomber Thompson did a good job in getting that balance right back in 2014 - where he gave games to Gleeson, both Merretts, Joey, Ashby and Ambrose early in the season and continued it all year. Some of them obviously deserved games more than others but he gave a lot players the chance, whilst playing seniors.

I think now our age demographic has changed and not for the better. I would be managing our senior players more and if the season goes south players with potential (who deserve it through attitude) should be given games over some of our senior footballers.

McKenna is one for me who has a lot of ability but is far from perfect. I would be happy to see him get a good run at it to see how much he can improve.

Mutch is another guy I would like to see developed. If he is doing all the right things, he should be rewarded over senior footballers who are just breaking even in the seniors.

 

[Killer_Mike]

I think it's very important that the side has a number of places in the team each week for rookie players.

Bomber Thompson did a good job in getting that balance right back in 2014 - where he gave games to Gleeson, both Merretts, Joey, Ashby and Ambrose early in the season and continued it all year. Some of them obviously deserved games more than others but he gave a lot players the chance, whilst playing seniors.

I think now our age demographic has changed and not for the better. I would be managing our senior players more and if the season goes south players with potential (who deserve it through attitude) should be given games over some of our senior footballers.

McKenna is one for me who has a lot of ability but is far from perfect. I would be happy to see him get a good run at it to see how much he can improve.

Mutch is another guy I would like to see developed. If he is doing all the right things, he should be rewarded over senior footballers who are just breaking even in the seniors.

Not having a go at you but what makes you say our age demographic is not good?

My personal belief is its in great shape and developing towards our peak in approximately three years.

 

[eDPS]

Encouraged to see Mutch and Clarke averaging over 20 touches, I can see the need to rush them up especially Mutch but im still more than happy to let them keep working hard in the VFL. As much as I don't rate Bird that highly his form warrants selection above those 2

 

[citizen-erased]

to pull the trigger and only play who could legitimately be in the side threatening for a flag in 2-3 years time, we'd line up as:

McNiece Hartley Ambrose
McKenna Hurley Ridley
McGrath Myers Merrett
Langford Daniher Colyer
Fantasia Hooker Green
Stewart Heppell Laverde
Francis Tippa Parish Zaka
E: Clarke Begley Mutch Gleeson Morgan Redman Draper McKernan

We're not far from that.
Laverde & Ridley's injuries have held them back. And i don't think we'd see Ridley played over Kelly just yet anyway.

Laverde could replace any of Goddard, Watson or Howlett in the side, but whether he is ready for that much midfield time is yet to be seen. For now, i'd
rather put the experienced bodies in while he gets his fitness up. Same applies to Francis. And expect to see Myers back this week. Goddard, Watson & Howlett for Laverde, Francis & Myers is what i expect to see in the coming 1-2 years (really depends when Goddard starts to decline. Could be a while).

Stewart is not ideal as our main ruck, but it was him or McKernan from the younger options (or Draper)

I don't think Mutch is far off either.

 

[Killer_Mike]

to pull the trigger and only play who could legitimately be in the side threatening for a flag in 2-3 years time, we'd line up as:

McNiece Hartley Ambrose
McKenna Hurley Ridley
McGrath Myers Merrett
Langford Daniher Colyer
Fantasia Hooker Green
Stewart Heppell Laverde
Francis Tippa Parish Zaka
E: Clarke Begley Mutch Gleeson Morgan Redman Draper McKernan

We're not far from that.
Laverde & Ridley's injuries have held them back. And i don't think we'd see Ridley played over Kelly just yet anyway.

Laverde could replace any of Goddard, Watson or Howlett in the side, but whether he is ready for that much midfield time is yet to be seen. For now, i'd
rather put the experienced bodies in while he gets his fitness up. Same applies to Francis. And expect to see Myers back this week. Goddard, Watson & Howlett for Laverde, Francis & Myers is what i expect to see in the coming 1-2 years (really depends when Goddard starts to decline. Could be a while).

Stewart is not ideal as our main ruck, but it was him or McKernan from the younger options (or Draper)

I don't think Mutch is far off either.

Looking at that line-up is why I'm excited for our future.

It's arguable that only Hurley, Hooker, Heppell, Myers and Zaka are fully developed! The rest are only very early in their development(physical, tactical & talent) and we are only this year starting to learn a new game plan.

i think its safe to assume that this is the best list of kids we've had for a long time and their is potential for 10 or 20 percent more improvement to come.

Just needs time.

 

[Killer_Mike]

Encouraged to see Mutch and Clarke averaging over 20 touches, I can see the need to rush them up especially Mutch but im still more than happy to let them keep working hard in the VFL. As much as I don't rate Bird that highly his form warrants selection above those 2

The encouraging thing also is the upward trend in tackling across the team.

Some have accused Langers of being lacking in intensity and it's quite possible that the coaches have asked him and the rest of the team to address it.

Based on those numbers they have improved immensely!

 

[citizen-erased]

Looking at that line-up is why I'm excited for our future.

It's arguable that only Hurley, Hooker, Heppell, Myers and Zaka are fully developed! The rest are only very early in their development(physical, tactical & talent) and we are only this year starting to learn a new game plan.

i think its safe to assume that this is the best list of kids we've had for a long time and their is potential for 10 or 20 percent more improvement to come.

Just needs time.

the use of the baby bombers tag is excited. And its not without merit.
We've drafted well to set us up for the next 8+ years. Which is good considering the sanctions we got and some of the pain previous drafts have inflicted (Gumby, Pears, Steinberg, Kav)

i was hoping we'd fast track the development even further after last year with a finals berth given the draw we have. But i fear the Dees & Blues games may cost us now, esp with Freo finding form and the Eagles form at the G being a talking point.

Bright side is, our issues aren't list related. We have depth and talent and only a couple of key injuries (Ambrose & Laverde).
Woosha needs to coach some intensity back into the senior mids and get them to lead the kids on the pitch.

 

[Killer_Mike]

the use of the baby bombers tag is excited. And its not without merit.
We've drafted well to set us up for the next 8+ years. Which is good considering the sanctions we got and some of the pain previous drafts have inflicted (Gumby, Pears, Steinberg, Kav)

i was hoping we'd fast track the development even further after last year with a finals berth given the draw we have. But i fear the Dees & Blues games may cost us now, esp with Freo finding form and the Eagles form at the G being a talking point.

Bright side is, our issues aren't list related. We have depth and talent and only a couple of key injuries (Ambrose & Laverde).
Woosha needs to coach some intensity back into the senior mids and get them to lead the kids on the pitch.

The highlighted part is the best part of whats going on at club this year.

For a long time we have relied on Senior players along with experienced players that we've got to form the basis of our list and the kids we've introduced have been allowed to develop with little pressure.

Since Woosha has taken over he has given kids big jobs and they are really responding to it.

If the seniors even lift 5% then we could still potentially make finals this year.

If they don't though I'm not as concerned as others if we don't. From my perspective I always felt this year was a development year but I expect next year we have to start making more inroads. I'm sure Woosha is aware of that also because next year is his final year of his contract and he will want results.

 

[eth-dog]

Players likely to still be on our list in 3 years time (who've already made their debut):

Ambrose - Hartley - Hurley
McKenna - Hooker - McGrath
Parish - Myers - Zaharakis
Colyer - Daniher - Langford
Francis - Stewart - Fantasia
Bellchambers - Z Merrett - Heppell
Walla - Laverde - McNiece - Gleeson

That's without Long, Redman and a few others. Midfield is the main concern there.

 

[citizen-erased]

Players likely to still be on our list in 3 years time (who've already made their debut):

Ambrose - Hartley - Hurley
McKenna - Hooker - McGrath
Parish - Myers - Zaharakis
Colyer - Daniher - Langford
Francis - Stewart - Fantasia
Bellchambers - Z Merrett - Heppell
Walla - Laverde - McNiece - Gleeson

That's without Long, Redman and a few others. Midfield is the main concern there.

Ridley will be a solid rebounding defender. I was stoked to see him slip past the Swans & Dogs tbh.
he should free McGrath up to slide into the middle. Mutch and Clarke will be handy mids. Not elite, but very solid.
All 3 unproven though.

All in all i think we really only need another solid clearance mid.
Goddard looks to have 2, maybe 3, years left in him.
Laverde should enough runs on the board to take over Watson by years end (assuming Jobe retires).

 

[eth-dog]

Ridley will be a solid rebounding defender. I was stoked to see him slip past the Swans & Dogs tbh.
he should free McGrath up to slide into the middle. Mutch and Clarke will be handy mids. Not elite, but very solid.
All 3 unproven though.

All in all i think we really only need another solid clearance mid.
Goddard looks to have 2, maybe 3, years left in him.
Laverde should enough runs on the board to take over Watson by years end (assuming Jobe retires).

Read the top line . Goddard is 50/50 at best for 2020.

 

[adsla69k]

Id like to see Mutch on one wing and McGrath on the other. If I see this soon I will be very very happy boy!

 

[adsla69k]

Ridley will be a solid rebounding defender. I was stoked to see him slip past the Swans & Dogs tbh.
he should free McGrath up to slide into the middle. Mutch and Clarke will be handy mids. Not elite, but very solid.
All 3 unproven though.

All in all i think we really only need another solid clearance mid.
Goddard looks to have 2, maybe 3, years left in him.
Laverde should enough runs on the board to take over Watson by years end (assuming Jobe retires).

Has Laverde even had more than 20 touches in an AFL game?

 

[eDPS]

Has Laverde even had more than 20 touches in an AFL game?

Yes im very sure

 

[Killer_Mike]

Ridley will be a solid rebounding defender. I was stoked to see him slip past the Swans & Dogs tbh.
he should free McGrath up to slide into the middle. Mutch and Clarke will be handy mids. Not elite, but very solid.
All 3 unproven though.

All in all i think we really only need another solid clearance mid.
Goddard looks to have 2, maybe 3, years left in him.
Laverde should enough runs on the board to take over Watson by years end (assuming Jobe retires).

I think we will have to lower our expectations on Laverde for this year.

Leg injury means no running which means he's most likely to come back through the VFL.

Will be lucky to get 6 games out of him this year and thats being generous.

 

[yaco55]

The one that worries me is Redman - Struggles to get it consistently in the VFL - Is contracted till 2019 so may be a slow burn - He and Mutch are the two i'll be watching in the VFL when i travel to Melbourne.

 

[mike14]

Has Laverde even had more than 20 touches in an AFL game?

According to FootyWire, no. He's had 20 once, back in 2015 when we got flogged by Adelaide