LouisCK
Norm Smith Medallist
- Banned
- #1
I know we're all sick of getting excited by draft picks and the rest of it, but I'm loving Neeld's strategy so far.
He's not been afraid to bring in mature players in their prime to fill holes. This is crucial, because it means the players can really start playing to the right gameplan. He clearly did this with Magner and Couch last year, as well as Clark. This year he's nabbed Shannon Byrnes to fill a need, and is targetting Dawes and Wellingham for the same reason. Mature, capable, players who won't dominate - but WILL allow the youngsters to learn how he wants the game played, because they fill a role the young guys simply can't. Bailey, on the other hand, preferred throwing the young guys to the wolves in roles they just aren't physically up to playing.
Then there's the youngsters themselves, have a look at Bailey's early picks, and there's a very common thread: Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Cook, Watts, Morton.... all of them lacked sufficient size to play the roles Bailey had them in. Scully is still shirking contests at GWS, Trengove is struggling with OP because he has clearly been told to bulk up a bit... Gys, Cook and Morton are all potentially on the outer and Watts is progressing well now, but only because he clearly can't play as a key forward (yet?).
No such illusions with the players Neeld has already brought in: Taggert, Viney and Hogan are all tough, athletic and ready to play. Viney could probably be claimed as a Bailey choice, but in reality he was a complete no brainer of a decision no matter who was in charge. Getting him for 26 is the real bargain of this entire draft. Hogan is friggin 98kg as a 17 year old, yet kicked arse in the sprints and beep test as well. These are guys who know how they play football, and have the bodies to match it in the AFL already. We'll possibly end up with Wines too, another tough ball winner.
Where I really see the differentiation, is when you look at the skinny guys that Neeld IS prepared to play and draft. Take Blease for example, he's skinny yeah - but Neeld will play him on the proviso he attacks like a man possessed and runs hard and fast. Barry seems very similar in this regard. I think we're starting to see what Neeld is building as far as the midfield goes in particular. He wants hard nosed players who will not just win the clearances, but dominate the clearances and make the other team shit dacks. And if you're skinny, you had better be fast and you had better be skillful, or there's just no room for you in the side.
Look at the guys who were playing well under Neeld: Jones, Clark, Howe, Rivers, Grimes... all of them are tough players who put the team first and play without fear of injury. I am certain that isn't a coincidence.
He's not been afraid to bring in mature players in their prime to fill holes. This is crucial, because it means the players can really start playing to the right gameplan. He clearly did this with Magner and Couch last year, as well as Clark. This year he's nabbed Shannon Byrnes to fill a need, and is targetting Dawes and Wellingham for the same reason. Mature, capable, players who won't dominate - but WILL allow the youngsters to learn how he wants the game played, because they fill a role the young guys simply can't. Bailey, on the other hand, preferred throwing the young guys to the wolves in roles they just aren't physically up to playing.
Then there's the youngsters themselves, have a look at Bailey's early picks, and there's a very common thread: Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Cook, Watts, Morton.... all of them lacked sufficient size to play the roles Bailey had them in. Scully is still shirking contests at GWS, Trengove is struggling with OP because he has clearly been told to bulk up a bit... Gys, Cook and Morton are all potentially on the outer and Watts is progressing well now, but only because he clearly can't play as a key forward (yet?).
No such illusions with the players Neeld has already brought in: Taggert, Viney and Hogan are all tough, athletic and ready to play. Viney could probably be claimed as a Bailey choice, but in reality he was a complete no brainer of a decision no matter who was in charge. Getting him for 26 is the real bargain of this entire draft. Hogan is friggin 98kg as a 17 year old, yet kicked arse in the sprints and beep test as well. These are guys who know how they play football, and have the bodies to match it in the AFL already. We'll possibly end up with Wines too, another tough ball winner.
Where I really see the differentiation, is when you look at the skinny guys that Neeld IS prepared to play and draft. Take Blease for example, he's skinny yeah - but Neeld will play him on the proviso he attacks like a man possessed and runs hard and fast. Barry seems very similar in this regard. I think we're starting to see what Neeld is building as far as the midfield goes in particular. He wants hard nosed players who will not just win the clearances, but dominate the clearances and make the other team shit dacks. And if you're skinny, you had better be fast and you had better be skillful, or there's just no room for you in the side.
Look at the guys who were playing well under Neeld: Jones, Clark, Howe, Rivers, Grimes... all of them are tough players who put the team first and play without fear of injury. I am certain that isn't a coincidence.
