Opinion Looking towards 2018

[Soapy V]

The Port Adelaide game was a huge lesson and not to be simply dismissed as only one game. Can't imagine Bolton sighing an "oh well". Lessons learned.
I don't know who's saying what as there seems to be all sorts of notes being played out, but again, which 22 would you like being wheeled out come round 1?

Once players are in motion, it's their spots they stand to lose and I'm not sure how one can through imagination, play out the sequence of events from round 1 through to round 23. Can you do it?

Sorry but no idea of your point or what you're going on about.

 

[HARKER]

Sorry but no idea of you're point or what you're going on about.

That's odd, because I said the same thing about your statements........but given I asked first and your thirst for playing 'kids' May I ask again and we can see where it leads: "What's you ideal starting 22 for round 1?"

 

[Soapy V]

That's odd, because I said the same thing about your statements........but given I asked first and your thirst for playing 'kids' May I ask again and we can see where it leads: "What's you ideal starting 22 for round 1?"

No idea and I really don't care. As I have said numerous times, 2018 for me is about balancing and getting games into our younger players that were drafteed/traded of the past 2-3 years. Very much the same as Bolton achieved in 2017. Do that again (and I have no doubt he will) I will be very happy. That is the group that will take us to No.17

Anyway to clarify here's how I see our line up in 2018

Group One: Experienced group each week: Murphy Kruezer Cripps Curnow Jones Plowman Simpson Wright as core. If injured then replaced by Kerridge ASOS Thomas Lobbe etc

Group Two: Ready to step up that play most weeks: Weitering Marchbank Kennedy Lang Charlie Cuningham SPS Pickett Silvagni Williamson Byrne Fisher maybe Garlett

Group Three: Then it's about rotating/developing the next group to be picked from: Polson Dow LOB LeBois McKay Kerr Macreadie DeKoning Schumacher McDaid

The rest are back up and/or depth

Form/Match Ups and Injuries will play a big part in selection each week but what we need is by the end of the year most of Group Two can step up to Group One and most of Group Three can step up to Group Two. If we do that we have had a very good year and watch out in 2019

Merry Xmas

 

[HARKER]

No idea and I really don't care. As I have said numerous times, 2018 for me is about balancing and getting games into our younger players that were drafteed/traded of the past 2-3 years. Very much the same as Bolton achieved in 2017. Do that again (and I have no doubt he will) I will be very happy. That is the group that will take us to No.17

Yeah OK. I'm getting mixed signals, but never mind. We can be excused right now and we'll see how the dots join up later.

 

[SurreyBlue]

No idea and I really don't care. As I have said numerous times, 2018 for me is about balancing and getting games into our younger players that were drafteed/traded of the past 2-3 years. Very much the same as Bolton achieved in 2017. Do that again (and I have no doubt he will) I will be very happy. That is the group that will take us to No.17

Anyway to clarify here's how I see our line up in 2018

Group One: Experienced group each week: Murphy Kruezer Cripps Curnow Jones Plowman Simpson Wright as core. If injured then replaced by Kerridge ASOS Thomas Lobbe etc

Group Two: Ready to step up that play most weeks: Weitering Marchbank Kennedy Lang Charlie Cuningham SPS Pickett Silvagni Williamson Byrne Fisher maybe Garlett

Group Three: Then it's about rotating/developing the next group to be picked from: Polson Dow LOB LeBois McKay Kerr Macreadie DeKoning Schumacher McDaid

The rest are back up and/or depth

Form/Match Ups and Injuries will play a big part in selection each week but what we need is by the end of the year most of Group Two can step up to Group One and most of Group Three can step up to Group Two. If we do that we have had a very good year and watch out in 2019

Merry Xmas

Other then a few changes, ie. Wright being an automatic selection. I agree with most of this.
I fear we have been on the same page. If the kids deserve it and earnt it they will play.

Ps. Merry XMas all!

 

[GapInIkonPark]

The Port Adelaide game was a huge lesson and not to be simply dismissed as only one game. Can't imagine Bolton sighing an "oh well". Lessons learned.
I don't know who's saying what as there seems to be all sorts of notes being played out, but again, which 22 would you like being wheeled out come round 1?

Once players are in motion, it's their spots they stand to lose and I'm not sure how one can through imagination, play out the sequence of events from round 1 through to round 23. Can you do it?

It was the third game of back to back 6 day breaks. We weren’t great against the Suns either in that run.

We have seven 6 day breaks in 2018 and 3 have an interstate leg. We have one back to back with Sydney as the third match on the Friday night too.

 

[BluStreak]

I know most will groan about this thought but I would not mind seeing Kruez, Cas and Harry as our forward talls initially.
Kruez would ruck most of the game and then spelled by Cas with Harry learning his craft as a forward.
Cas would not be doubled teamed as much as Harry would need minding as he grows into his game.
Charlie can roam forward and wing and then have wright fisher Jsos as the main forwards.

 

[Jabba73]

I know most will groan about this thought but I would not mind seeing Kruez, Cas and Harry as our forward talls initially.
Kruez would ruck most of the game and then spelled by Cas with Harry learning his craft as a forward.
Cas would not be doubled teamed as much as Harry would need minding as he grows into his game.
Charlie can roam forward and wing and then have wright fisher Jsos as the main forwards.

Unfortunately Kreuzer is simply not a forward. He can drift down there or work off his man to get the occasional shot at goal, not dangerous with marking or positioning to be a threat.

Agree with Harry, Casboult and Charlie being a good mix and dangerous for the teams that zone.

 

[bigm386]

I couldn't help myself and put a sneaky $10 on McKay to win the rising star

 

[HARKER]

It was the third game of back to back 6 day breaks. We weren’t great against the Suns either in that run.
We have seven 6 day breaks in 2018 and 3 have an interstate leg. We have one back to back with Sydney as the third match on the Friday night too.

Fair and well researched point.
The talk after the game was that we played way too many young guys on the one night.
Polson, Macreadie & Pickett were dropped the following week and with the more mature bodies, we beat Sydney.

I don't know what's going to happen, but I know what won't; If the senior guys are playing well and contributing, they won't simply be dropped for playing more of the newbies. That alone makes no sense at all.
Whether that be Casboult, ASilvagni, Kerridge, Lamb or Thomas. Get first bite and it's their spot to lose.

Some may say, "But there will be injuries" and there may well be, but injuries come about for the younger guys just as much as they do for the more senior guys.........if not more.

Anyway, that point has been made and has been countered. Done. I'm sure there are other things to discuss in respect to our team in 2018.

 

[HARKER]

I couldn't help myself and put a sneaky $10 on McKay to win the rising star

I put $50 on Clem Smith @ 150:1, a couple of years ago, after viewing him at training. That went well.

Who has the best chance for The Blues? I don't know but can see opportunities for both Dow & O'Brien, should they kill it in the pre-season.
McKay is a tough one, given his role. Our midfield will need to fire to give him the opportunities he'll need to make impact.

 

[GapInIkonPark]

Fair and well researched point.
The talk after the game was that we played way too many young guys on the one night.
Polson, Macreadie & Pickett were dropped the following week and with the more mature bodies, we beat Sydney.

I don't know what's going to happen, but I know what won't; If the senior guys are playing well and contributing, they won't simply be dropped for playing more of the newbies. That alone makes no sense at all.
Whether that be Casboult, ASilvagni, Kerridge, Lamb or Thomas. Get first bite and it's their spot to lose.

Some may say, "But there will be injuries" and there may well be, but injuries come about for the younger guys just as much as they do for the more senior guys.........if not more.

Anyway, that point has been made and has been countered. Done. I'm sure there are other things to discuss in respect to our team in 2018.

We’d done reasonably well with the youngsters before the Power match with Marchbank, Pickett, Samo, Macreadie Willa and Fisher all making their debuts ... think Macreadie had run out of steam in the Suns match ...
Anyway we gave Polson a run too in the Power match and it was a really tough one for him as the whole team had a shocker ...
So will be interesting to see how we manage the 6 day breaks in 2018, suspect there will be at least 3-4 changes each.

 

[Bluechip66]

I asked Santa for a flag next year......but didn’t specify an AFL one
Hope he gets its right

 

[Soapy V]

We’d done reasonably well with the youngsters before the Power match with Marchbank, Pickett, Samo, Macreadie Willa and Fisher all making their debuts ... think Macreadie had run out of steam in the Suns match ...
Anyway we gave Polson a run too in the Power match and it was a really tough one for him as the whole team had a shocker ...
So will be interesting to see how we manage the 6 day breaks in 2018, suspect there will be at least 3-4 changes each.

It’s also a very different side in 2018. A lot of our “kids” are 2-3 pre seasons into their AFL careers. Makes a big difference. Only realistic debutants in the first half of the season are Dow & LOB (maybe LeBois [emoji4]) the rest are more AFL ready now

 

[HARKER]

Top ten picks generally get senior opportunity in their first year.
McKay being the exception in the past two years, so every show Dow & O'Brien will see some action. Play well and stay in the side.

Kerr is a show should Silvagni have a bad patch and if our goal-scoring isn't going so well.
JGM? Can't see how he's going to get a chance, regardless of how well he starts playing. Too much would have to go right for him.
Le Bois may have the opportunity in front of him. His pressure is good but he has to do a lot more than that.
The other zero-gamers may be unlikely to see any real action. (Schumacher, DeKoning, McDaid)

I'd be pleased should we have to play around 35 players this year and not 40. Results may be so much better for it.

 

[bigm386]

Top ten picks generally get senior opportunity in their first year.
McKay being the exception in the past two years, so every show Dow & O'Brien will see some action. Play well and stay in the side.

Kerr is a show should Silvagni have a bad patch and if our goal-scoring isn't going so well.
JGM? Can't see how he's going to get a chance, regardless of how well he starts playing. Too much would have to go right for him.
Le Bois may have the opportunity in front of him. His pressure is good but he has to do a lot more than that.
The other zero-gamers may be unlikely to see any real action. (Schumacher, DeKoning, McDaid)

I'd be pleased should we have to play around 35 players this year and not 40. Results may be so much better for it.

Has something changed with the Rookie list this year where long term injury etc is no long an issue for a rookie to play seniors?

 

[HARKER]

Has something changed with the Rookie list this year where long term injury etc is no long an issue for a rookie to play seniors?

Yes. There is now no need to promote a rookie.

 

[COBALT BLUE]

Polson is a natural midfielder. Smart and a creator. Doesn't have the overhead strength or awareness to shut down a small forward. Lamb has done some great jobs as a defensive forward and is strong enough. I also struggle to see Lamb getting many games up forward with what we are developing and was looking at a left field option for him. Polson has been training with the mids and looks very good. JMO

Ye Lamb came to our club as a depth AFL player and has done really well picking up games the past two years at Carlton..He has worked and trained well and seized his opportunities..[dont want to analyse too much]
Depending on how our list goes he could be around a couple more years contributing...unless Polson really steps it up at Northern he may only get a few games this year....I honestly would have no idea where he was at AFL standard wise,plus i dont like the idea too much of wasting games on a young player if it will mean our aggregate will suffer.

Pretty sure you will see him trailed in the JLT to see if he can increase his intensity and to review his fitness.
Just hope Pickett has put in and is serious about 2018...has the speed,has the ability but just will he do it?

 

[COBALT BLUE]

I put $50 on Clem Smith @ 150:1, a couple of years ago, after viewing him at training. That went well.

Who has the best chance for The Blues? I don't know but can see opportunities for both Dow & O'Brien, should they kill it in the pre-season.
McKay is a tough one, given his role. Our midfield will need to fire to give him the opportunities he'll need to make impact.

I also thought Clem was excellent at training,beautiful kick and skills....looked elite,just didnt get any of the ball in Matches?

 

[HARKER]

I also thought Clem was excellent at training,beautiful kick and skills....looked elite,just didnt get any of the ball in Matches?

That's just what happens sometimes.
Guys will look like winners on the track but get lost on the ground
Clem just found himself unable to read the play. Always half a second or so too slow to react

 

[Chookie]

For me I'm not sure what our best team looks like heading into 2018 but my main hope is that our younger group can continue to develop and step up. No doubt in the short term trading out someone as experienced as Gibbs or losing Docherty who has a become a real leader for us, is going to hurt in the short term. But one positive is that it gives others an opportunity that they otherwise wouldn't have.

Certainly you'd expect if we'd kept Gibbs and Docherty hadn't got injured they'd have played every match. So straight up there's 40 or so matches that will be up for grabs for someone (or several) to fill. As a supporter I'm aware that whoever steps in mostly likely won't be at Gibbs/Doc level, all I'm hoping for is for those younger players who get give games to give it a real crack.

In regards to how our midfield will go without Gibbs, if that younger brigade coming through can step up 5-10%, it will soften the blow a lot and also take pressure off the likes of Murphy and Cripps. I'm really hoping players like Cunningham, Polson, SPS, Dow, and Kennedy can come in and cement themselves. I think the fact that we've lost Gibbs and we are short on midfield depth, there's never going to be a better opportunity as a young midfielder. Will be interesting to see who is chosen for Round 1.

 

[Toddski]

That's just what happens sometimes.
Guys will look like winners on the track but get lost on the ground
Clem just found himself unable to read the play. Always half a second or so too slow to react

Sorry boys, I've made my fair share of talent ID blunders but Clem was always a stinker of a pick. The kid was nowhere near up to AFL standard let alone VFL. Glad those days are way behind us.

 

[AceAndy]

Sorry boys, I've made my fair share of talent ID blunders but Clem was always a stinker of a pick. The kid was nowhere near up to AFL standard let alone VFL. Glad those days are way behind us.

I suspect the vast majority of rookies that go to a club never make it. Recruiters do have a difficult task in determining which blokes are going to make the step up to AFL level. I think our recruiting over the last 15 or so years has not been up to the best however since SOS returned we seem to be getting better from what i can see.

 

[Toddski]

I suspect the vast majority of rookies that go to a club never make it. Recruiters do have a difficult task in determining which blokes are going to make the step up to AFL level. I think our recruiting over the last 15 or so years has not been up to the best however since SOS returned we seem to be getting better from what i can see.

Clem was on the senior list.

 

[Cowboyblues]

Starting 22 Rnd 1
My ideal anyways
Plowman, Jones , Byrne
Simpson, Marchbank, Willo
Murphy, Ed Curnow, Fisher
Pickett, Weitering, Charlie
Wright, McKay, SOJ

Kreuzer, Cripps, SPS

Lang, Macreadie, Garlett, Kennedy
Emg- Dow, Lamb, Cuners

Jones or McKay ( inside f50) to relieve Kreuz for short periods (Mcreadie to cover off jones).

Bear in mind we play Richmond rd 1 and this is a team I think suits.

Willa to be biggest improver this year. Only guy not to get a RS nom but could be the best of that draft class at our club. ( yes heckle me). Tough, elite kick and just seems balanced and timed in the Pendlebury mould.

By rd 15 will be saying Bryce Who?? Wonderful servant but will be replaced by a balance of even quality contributions from Kennedy, Lang and SPS improvement. Also return of P.Cripps will help.

Murph to relish more time in Fwd 50 and not having to play the in and under that is not his #1 strength.
Levi to be handy during our stretch of 6 day breaks but in general superseded. ( include graham, kerridge and ASOS with him).

A much faster and daring style but with uncompromised need to stick tackles and defend hard.


9-11 wins. One by 50+ and score over 100

11 odd losses 2 floggings when we get the balance wrong. .

Looking forward to 2018 unlike many seasons before.