Strategy New Direction

[manboob]

With the letting go of Pods, Chappy and Hunt and the two rookies, it looks like the club are very much chasing the 2015 flag Chris Scott said was his priority when he arrived. I know we won't know much until any trades are done...

But the question is... where to from here?

 

[fpm84]

Seems like beating both grand finalists and being a goal away from a grand final didn't mean much to the club.

Ridiculous.

 

[hbk_aus]

Seems like beating both grand finalists and being a goal away from a grand final didn't mean much to the club.

Ridiculous.

Did Chappy play in any of those games?

 

[Just do something]

Seems like beating both grand finalists and being a goal away from a grand final didn't mean much to the club.

Ridiculous.

I think your overreacting a bit.

 

[manboob]

Are we in part "paying the price" for what happened with Brisbane? They kept the older blokes too long and paid the price? Perhaps CS saw similar writing on the wall and decided to go earlier than later.

 

[Whit3y]

With the letting go of Pods, Chappy and Hunt and the two rookies, it looks like the club are very much chasing the 2015 flag Chris Scott said was his priority when he arrived. I know we won't know much until any trades are done...

But the question is... where to from here?

when someone says there chasing a flag years from now, i always think of terry wallace.

 

[manboob]

when someone says there chasing a flag years from now, i always think of terry wallace.

I think his quote was more given where the list is we think 2015 is the most realistic option. Slightly more considered than this guy

 

[fpm84]

I think your overreacting a bit.

In what way? I can't possibly see how we're a flag threat in 2014 having lost so much experience. We have no reliable backup to Hawkins, and no evidence he'll ever get back to his best. We have no youngster ready to replace Chapman from round one. His position is the one where we lack up and comers.

 

[hbk_aus]

Are we in part "paying the price" for what happened with Brisbane? They kept the older blokes too long and paid the price? Perhaps CS saw similar writing on the wall and decided to go earlier than later.

Maybe - but if u have a look at our list, we have a hell of a lot of old blokes still on it which will need to be gradually moved on, whether we like it or not.

 

[hbk_aus]

In what way? I can't possibly see how we're a flag threat in 2014 having lost so much experience. We have no reliable backup to Hawkins, and no evidence he'll ever get back to his best. We have no youngster ready to replace Chapman from round one. His position is the one where we lack up and comers.

Did you notice that we did quite well without Chappy for the majority of this year?

 

[fpm84]

Did you notice that we did quite well without Chappy for the majority of this year?

We also did quite well with Hawkins physically unable to pick the ball up off the ground.

Doesn't mean a fit Hawkins won't improve us in 2014, just as Chapman undoubtedly did when he returned late in the season and would have next year.

 

[Just do something]

In what way? I can't possibly see how we're a flag threat in 2014 having lost so much experience. We have no reliable backup to Hawkins, and no evidence he'll ever get back to his best. We have no youngster ready to replace Chapman from round one. His position is the one where we lack up and comers.

I want us to be successful every year and i would love Chappy to keep playing. But just maybe these young kids will realize there time is know and they will have to set themselves for great preseasons.

Its only going to get harder going forward we have some absolute champions who will all end careers in the next 2 -3 years. Also as well other clubs are getting stronger and stronger and we have to look to try and keep ahead of the pack.

 

[Roadie]

All for nothing if we bring a douchebag like Shaw into the club in place of these club legends.

 

[manboob]

All for nothing if we bring a douchebag like Shaw into the club in place of these club legends.

The rumours just won't go away though. I feel we must have a biggish fish or two on the end of the line - with the clearing that's taken place.

 

[hbk_aus]

We also did quite well with Hawkins physically unable to pick the ball up off the ground.

Doesn't mean a fit Hawkins won't improve us in 2014, just as Chapman undoubtedly did when he returned late in the season and would have next year.

Did he? We were lucky to beat Brisbane at home, were beaten by Freo at home, struggled past Port - all with Chappy. I dont think Chappy was going to take us to the next level next year. Its improvement of our young players which is going to get us back up there, and they need to start getting games now in order to do that.

 

[Bangers and Mash]

Wow! I did not think we would be delisting Pods, Hunt AND Chappy! With probably Corey still to retire! Unless we get a big fish or two in trade week - it would seem we are in for a mini re-build.
Personally, I'm hoping we do get in some mid 20's players in trade week and go for the premiership again next year.... (Even if that means getting in Shaw).

 

[fpm84]

The rumours just won't go away though. I feel we must have a biggish fish or two on the end of the line - with the clearing that's taken place.

That's the only explanation I see (and hope for), too. Surely keeping at least one of Pods or Chapman for another year would have made sense, otherwise.

Scott Selwood still any chance?

 

[Boxhead_31]

Seems like beating both grand finalists and being a goal away from a grand final didn't mean much to the club.

Ridiculous.

At the same time we don't want to fall for the Saint model of not looking towards youth an falling into the deepest of holes

 

[Whit3y]

All for nothing if we bring a douchebag like Shaw into the club in place of these club legends.

no dickheads policy will prohibit geelong from signing shore. couldnt imagine the harley era tolerating that douche.

 

[Bangers and Mash]

That's the only explanation I see (and hope for), too. Surely keeping at least one of Pods or Chapman for another year would have made sense, otherwise.

Scott Selwood still any chance?

The only way I'd be happy with all these delisting is if we were making way for someone like scooter!!

 

[AM]

Did he? We were lucky to beat Brisbane at home, were beaten by Freo at home, struggled past Port - all with Chappy. I dont think Chappy was going to take us to the next level next year. Its improvement of our young players which is going to get us back up there, and they need to start getting games now in order to do that.

That's it in a nutshell. As I've suggested, think we're in renewal mode and looking at 2016 more than 2014 for the next serious flag tilt.

The coach has spoken about his desire to "accelerate" the transition over the next couple of years.

 

[fpm84]

Did he? We were lucky to beat Brisbane at home, were beaten by Freo at home, struggled past Port - all with Chappy. I dont think Chappy was going to take us to the next level next year. Its improvement of our young players which is going to get us back up there, and they need to start getting games now in order to do that.

See, this is where we see things differently.

Chapman was one of our best against Brisbane - our third highest possession getter and kicked two goals. A poor team performance doesn't detract from the fact he played well.

The decision to make him sub v Fremantle was the single most baffling selection decision all season IMO. It made no sense then and it doesn't now.

We may have struggled against Port but it's likely that without his four goal contribution we wouldn't have even won.

Many people including me believe he could have been the difference in the preliminary final, coming off his semi-final performance and given his record against Hawthorn. Given we lost by five points and many of our youngsters ran out of puff, his experience would have been vital.

I understand the need to play young players. I supported Josh Hunt being dropped for Guthrie, even though Josh was playing well. I will consider it the right move when Corey retires, given we have Horlin-Smith in waiting. I would have kept Podsiadly for another season, but I see the need to play Kersten and look forward to see Vardy get more opportunities in his best position.

But Chapman? I can't see any reason why he wouldn't have been in our best 22 next season nor can I see which kid we need to play in his place. I am very, very disappointed with the club's decision.

 

[zb14]

I'd say the club is clearing space to front-load some contracts in 2014 more likely. Play the kids more aggressively, prepay as much of Harry's and Sels deals as we can. Hawkins comes out of contract as a FA next year and will require a decent deal. Next years crop of free agents is very attractive. I'd say this is more likely than chasing a big fish this offseason.

 

[BUSTER29]

See, this is where we see things differently.

Chapman was one of our best against Brisbane - our third highest possession getter and kicked two goals. A poor team performance doesn't detract from the fact he played well.

The decision to make him sub v Fremantle was the single most baffling selection decision all season IMO. It made no sense then and it doesn't now.

We may have struggled against Port but it's likely that without his four goal contribution we wouldn't have even won.

Many people including me believe he could have been the difference in the preliminary final, coming off his semi-final performance and given his record against Hawthorn. Given we lost by five points and many of our youngsters ran out of puff, his experience would have been vital.

I understand the need to play young players. I supported Josh Hunt being dropped for Guthrie, even though Josh was playing well. I will consider it the right move when Corey retires, given we have Horlin-Smith in waiting. I would have kept Podsiadly for another season, but I see the need to play Kersten and look forward to see Vardy get more opportunities in his best position.

But Chapman? I can't see any reason why he wouldn't have been in our best 22 next season nor can I see which kid we need to play in his place. I am very, very disappointed with the club's decision.

Absolutely spot on.
All for regenerating the list,and we will lose Pods,J Hunt and most likely Corey.
So surely there is room for a guy who is still clearly best 22 on a 1 year contract.

 

[manboob]

Will get very interesting if no announcement is made about Joel Corey tonight...