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- Oct 8, 2007
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- Carlton
Just a thought I'll put out there...
With the season drawing to a close, the talk of who stays, who goes, who to target in the draft, who to trade and so on naturally starts to heat up a little. I'm as keen as anyone to see us climb the ladder, but before we start slicing and dicing the list, I think it worth acknowledging what Ratts and co have been able to do.
It would seem player development was almost non-existent in the Pagan era, and it needs to be remembered that Ratten has only had one season to assess and begin to develop the youngest list in the comp. I don't know how much is a direct result of Ratt's influence but we have seen a lot of improvement in playing group this year. Early on in the season Bannister was in career best form before it all turned to shit, Bower has developed from a 'startled emu' (thanks Thy) with cringeworthy disposal into an attacking (and sorely missed) HBF. Wiggins is actually showing a bit eight years after coming on board. You can see the rough edges in Grigg's game being smoothed over as each week goes by.
Jury might still be out on Setanta, but I think its pretty clear he has played his best footy for us this year. Waite has been well managed at CHB and is finally bringing some consistency to his game. Jamieson is coming on quicker than we could have hoped, and Thornton has adjusted well to a new(ish) role.
Add in some external influences such as a new high performance coach, and other specialist assistant coaches, and I think it is clear to see that Ratt's has a pretty good grasp on the big picture.
Factor in a fully fit Judd, Stevens, Walker and Hadley, the extra year of genuine development in Murphy, Gibbs and Kruezer, and I am already getting a little firm about season 2009.
Just thought I'd raise this before we start calling for every second player to be de-listed or traded. Good examples from other teams as well...Welsh and Monfries from Essendon have blossomed under Knights all because they have been given the opportunities and encouragement. Has me thinking we should give Russel another year.
I am swinging toward the opinion that we don't need to luere another 'big' name in the Kerr, Brown ilk. I don't know the ins and outs of player contracts, but I don't want to be in the position of having to offload a genuine young talent in a few year time because of cap constraints.
If we could add another small/mid forward like a McKinley, a big body at CHF (still on the Brad Miller bandwagon), and look at Warnock in the ruck, then I think we can develop the talent within and have a tilt at the flag in a year or two.
With the season drawing to a close, the talk of who stays, who goes, who to target in the draft, who to trade and so on naturally starts to heat up a little. I'm as keen as anyone to see us climb the ladder, but before we start slicing and dicing the list, I think it worth acknowledging what Ratts and co have been able to do.
It would seem player development was almost non-existent in the Pagan era, and it needs to be remembered that Ratten has only had one season to assess and begin to develop the youngest list in the comp. I don't know how much is a direct result of Ratt's influence but we have seen a lot of improvement in playing group this year. Early on in the season Bannister was in career best form before it all turned to shit, Bower has developed from a 'startled emu' (thanks Thy) with cringeworthy disposal into an attacking (and sorely missed) HBF. Wiggins is actually showing a bit eight years after coming on board. You can see the rough edges in Grigg's game being smoothed over as each week goes by.
Jury might still be out on Setanta, but I think its pretty clear he has played his best footy for us this year. Waite has been well managed at CHB and is finally bringing some consistency to his game. Jamieson is coming on quicker than we could have hoped, and Thornton has adjusted well to a new(ish) role.
Add in some external influences such as a new high performance coach, and other specialist assistant coaches, and I think it is clear to see that Ratt's has a pretty good grasp on the big picture.
Factor in a fully fit Judd, Stevens, Walker and Hadley, the extra year of genuine development in Murphy, Gibbs and Kruezer, and I am already getting a little firm about season 2009.
Just thought I'd raise this before we start calling for every second player to be de-listed or traded. Good examples from other teams as well...Welsh and Monfries from Essendon have blossomed under Knights all because they have been given the opportunities and encouragement. Has me thinking we should give Russel another year.
I am swinging toward the opinion that we don't need to luere another 'big' name in the Kerr, Brown ilk. I don't know the ins and outs of player contracts, but I don't want to be in the position of having to offload a genuine young talent in a few year time because of cap constraints.
If we could add another small/mid forward like a McKinley, a big body at CHF (still on the Brad Miller bandwagon), and look at Warnock in the ruck, then I think we can develop the talent within and have a tilt at the flag in a year or two.
![C4[2]Yo`DooR](https://www.bigfootycontent.com/avatars/s/21/21849.jpg?1742370429){kind=avatar}
