Structure:
Game plan:
Development and coaching:
And further on Nathan: From his presser last night and the look of his face after the game, it came across to me that he has conceded that his team is not the best in it. He mentioned Port were the best team. I get the impression he's lost belief, I certainly hope not as that could be mentally damaging to the squad or some of them. I'd rather they have conviction they can win the whole box and dice - even now, regardless of what us fans believe.
In summary, we are so so close yet universes away. We could easily be a dominant flag(s) group in the immediate to medium term, club needs to admit it's currentfailures learnings and address them.
One more thing - injuries and player availability: Rather than give the blind optimists ammo, I'm going to mention that injuries year on year have been a major thorn. Also player availability for which the club has control of is also a major thorn. Whatever the club has control of is a must for our fortunes going forward.
- Backs, looks solid - Darcy Moore is something you can build younger developers around for long term. In the immediate it looks flag worthy with Howe and hopefully Langdon to return.
- Mids, at the minute looks one paced and one dimensional. TheGoey looks to be groomed for much more mid time in the immediate to short term. Pendles looks like he's continuing form for at least another season of exceptional consistency. Jordy going in will create a different look, he's going to be a contested bull if not already and will compliment that brigade. Consistent mid minutes will have a seismic shift for our form in there. Our forward dysfunction is the only reason he is not a full time mid IMO.
- Forwards, um.... for those of rose coloured glasses variety, best you look away now. It's a Frankenstien that is relying on a freak player to somehow drag it over the line and Cox is not a footballer - yet. Checkers is a solid 3rd tall but taller than our target key TheGoey.
- Even though this forward setup which lacks opportunist crumbers it's far from potential because of our game plan. My theory is the panel and committee have conceded they can't rely or use a 2018 style of game anymore and have also conceded we need a true KPF. On top of that there is currently a serious lack of confidence from both upfield delivery and forwards receiving (actually not) that delivery. That's why our game plan is possess until we can make sure of it, ends up in slow delivery allowing opp defence set up and why our upfield players put themselves under pressure. A disastrous combination.
Game plan:
- This is our biggest flaw, it's glaring. It's bizzare how we continue to handball in close to hospital situation as our pointed out above. My theory is that the instruction is uneffected free transition i50, and that's why we f*** around with the pill looking for that transition. That's all good and well if you possess players with silky skills like a wc or giants. We are not.
- My theory is that the panel and committee have gone away from that free flowing break neck speed style that we had in 18, it relied on two way gut running to outnumber at the contest AND on the outside - that is what gave us clear transition forward and why we scored and scored heavily, like the tiges still do now. This is what leads me to...........
- I seriously believe that Bucks had a vision of how to play the game, and it is clear previous to 2018 he had Dekka and co. target players to play it. Tactically brilliant and almost pulled it off in 2018. Now for whatever reason we can't return to it because the opp has learnt how to nullify it, while the tiges continue on their merry dynasty without changing their game. So what now?
- Well now it seems, the panel and committee have conceded that we're playing a 'normal' i:e not swarm and spread anymore, a game that requires a key forward, time will tell. Are we going to target a key forward in the off season for the immediate term? If not then looks like a concession from the panel and committee that the window has closed for mine, my guess is the club will target a key forward. This leads me to.............
Development and coaching:
- It's clear Will Kelly is being groomed as a KPF, I'm keen on this but I'm not so certain on the coaches developing him. Sanderson as a forward and ball movement coach speaks of where we're at. Harvey as a mid and transition coach also speaks of where we're at. Matty Boyd as a defence coach is also reflective of where we're at. Bring back the Buddha I say! I don't have confidence in this though.
- The one thing I do like is the development of some of younger players, Daicos, Noble, Tyler and the Q spring to mind. I reckon Reef and Nick will bolster that as well, oppo fans probably write off our younger stocks and they'd be wrong. My concern once again is the coaches developing them.
- Nathan: The reason I've had so much faith is because of the turnaround after 2017 with zero list change, unless you count Sam Murray. His game knowledge and how he applied that to the team to execute his 'vision' is rarely achieved for that sort or turn around. That faith is starting to wilt, and I'll explain. Ever since the GF we've regressed in form and it's clear that the manic style of 2018 that almost netted success is now defunct. That rise and demise is in part to do with the panel around him...........
- The departure of JL and Buddha has in my mind had a negative effect on the development of our squad.
And further on Nathan: From his presser last night and the look of his face after the game, it came across to me that he has conceded that his team is not the best in it. He mentioned Port were the best team. I get the impression he's lost belief, I certainly hope not as that could be mentally damaging to the squad or some of them. I'd rather they have conviction they can win the whole box and dice - even now, regardless of what us fans believe.
In summary, we are so so close yet universes away. We could easily be a dominant flag(s) group in the immediate to medium term, club needs to admit it's current
One more thing - injuries and player availability: Rather than give the blind optimists ammo, I'm going to mention that injuries year on year have been a major thorn. Also player availability for which the club has control of is also a major thorn. Whatever the club has control of is a must for our fortunes going forward.