Player rotation

[hyperswivel]

I've noticed this year, after a couple of wins we haven't been "blooding" players like we were last year with very little rotation of players. Do you think this is totally positive? Certainly the current line-up are working well together, but if we get a few injuries coming on will the effect of putting up players with almost no AFL experience be devestating for our performance?

Do you stick with what's working this season, or do we continue planning for future seasons?

Probably not right at the front of everyones mind at the moment while we're up, but probably something to think about nonetheless.

 

[cs61]

Perhaps, but if you look at who's to come in to side from Box Hill or injury.

Osborne, Franklin, Boyle, Kane, Birchall... there is some key position depth in Boyle and Franklin, Osborne a bit of everything, Kane looks likes he's ready for an opportunity and Birchall who has looked comfortable at senior level.

After that you'd think only Murphy and Little would be blooded at any stage, Taylor is backup ruckman so we have some depth that I'd be confident in, and it'd be fine to give Little and Murphy some games at some stage if we have to.

No need to rush into things, we are still blooding Roughead, Lewis, Young, Dawson at the moment. They are performing well but its development stages for all of them.

I think we were forced to do too many last year because of injury and our situations with lack of talent in key position areas.

I'm happy with the ways things are going and the fact you have to earn your spot means that 3rd-5th year players really have to keep improving and earn their spots because there are other guys putting their hands up at Box Hill for spots.

 

[buddy23]

I think last year was unique in that we had Franklin, Roughead, Lewis, Young, Dawson and Thurgood all ready to go at the same time.

This year, we've had injuries to Muston, Dowler and Ellis - while Birch has been blooded and Bailey is a ruchman (and hence will take much longer to develop).

 

[RustyHawk]

Personally I think the low turnover is excellent and part of AC's overall plan for success, less injuries and low first team player turnover.

Especially considering the last few years. Shows stability. Shows the guys @BHH if you want a spot in the Ones your going to have to earn, not just walk in.

I do however think soon they will have to change. Its getting close to time for Dawson to spend some time at BHH and build on what he's learnt thus far. It gets hard for a young player to continually battle stronger, bigger bodies week in week out, im sure he's due for rest against players more his age and ability.

Whilst Im sure we all love that winning feeling still think we need to develop our young list. I tend to think it is now possible we can give these guys some finals experience which would be a real blast. Probably only need win 50% of the remaining games to get a finals berth.

 

[Spook]

not blodding youngsters?????????

What team are you looking at mate?

 

[Gary Shadforth]

...... but if we get a few injuries coming on will the effect of putting up players with almost no AFL experience be devestating for our performance?

I have been looking at the depth of the other 15 clubs and feel we are comparably well (or better) placed with the added asset of having talented youngsters with fresh legs who could come into our side. Consider that some of them need to be blooded, a balancing act for our selectors.