Analysis Priority - Development year or finals?

[ClaytonM]

At the start of the year I believe the general consensus on here was that it was a development year. The priority was on getting games in to kids, getting the game plan in place, and 4 quarter efforts. Finals would be a nice to have but the development of the team is what really mattered.

Now I get the impression that many on here have changed their view. The priority is now making the finals.

I understand that these are not mutually exclusive things, we could achieve both. But when making decisions about player selection (and generally I am talking about the last one or two spots in the 22 each week) should we be more concerned about development for the future or the now? ...... and has your opinion changed from the beginning of the year?

 

[Bucksboys]

We appear to be doing both which is a very fine balancing act but at some stage if top 4 is a reality we have to go into premiership mode and stop debuting kids

I don't think we can win the flag but if there was ever a year where half a dozen had a sneaky shot, it's this one

 

[CFC2010]

Definitely finals now......we have minimal injuries and are sitting fifth on the ladder at the moment.

Bucks is brave enough to play the kids so no one is getting a free ride.

We are good enough to make the finals and that is what we should be aiming for THIS year.

 

[brysie]

I don't think that there are many in our current side who are close to retirement at the end of the year (maybe Swannie), so I think we should continue to pick our best side each week. Doing so makes a statement to everyone at the club that if you want to play first team, you have to work your arse off and push someone out.

Playing finals this season I think is important in order to get some experience into the side at the pointy end of the season, as well as provide the younger players with a sense of belief. Missing finals this year, given where we are at present, will mean that we haven't performed to the same standard in the second half of the season.

 

[BoxMatrix]

Finals is a must. To have a very likely chance of making finals we need to get 12 wins. 4 more wins needed now.

We play-

Port
Eagles
Bulldogs
Melbourne
Blues
Sydney
Richmond
Geelong
Bombers

A lot of those are very winnable. 4 more wins should be enough. 5 more wins will make it as close a certainty as you can get.

 

[Scodog10]

Finals. One final is worth ten home and away matches for a developing group.

 

[TradeDraft]

I think the Idea will be Both.

Bucks will play Kids but Still be Aiming for the Finals.

He won’t play Kids just for the sake of it

 

[ppoiter]

whynothaveboth.gif

 

[jerry springer]

the is no better development than finals football

 

[lenny20]

I think what's standing us in good stead is that kids haven't been gifted games. They've shown some form and have come in and for the most part performed an really admirable job. Crisp killed it in the NAB and has been one of our best all year long. Ramsay was playing brilliant football before injury. Oxley has been down the last two weeks but has performed brilliantly for a ten-gamer. Broomhead has been solid all year, brilliant occasionally. De Goey certainly hasn't looked out of place. Maynard was banging down the door with his VFL performances and couldn't be ignored any longer.

The only two who you could argue were "gifted" games are Gault and Moore. Even then it was a case of best available for the structure we were hoping to play. Gault got his run when Witts was unavailable, and Moore got his debut thanks to Grundy's injury.

And the most heartening thing has been a willingness to drop those who are underperforming. Fasolo wasn't ticking all the boxes so he was dumped for Karnezis, and now he's in a rich vein of form. Karnezis likewise began underperforming and got replaced by Broomhead. Armstrong didn't perform at AFL standard so went straight back out of the team for Seedsman. Seedsman had a few down weeks and got dumped for Maynard. Dwyer wasn't doing enough, so in came De Goey.
In the weeks ahead I could easily see Oxley making way for a Sinclair/Marsh/Scharenberg, or Ben Kennedy coming in to replace whoever may drop off in form next.

So in short we've managed to find that balance of giving opportunities to youngsters without stalling the development of the team as a whole, which is a magical place to be in.

I'm sure we'll be selecting our best 22 every week from here on in, but I wouldn't be surprised if it continues to field a handful of rookies each round, because they're playing well enough to deserve their spots.

Also, let's be honest - we're Collingwood, we're going to be dealing with injuries sooner rather than later. The kids will have to come in out of necessity soon enough.

 

[Harry O]

With Reid, Greenwood, Macaffer and Ramsay out for the year, 1 final will be the best possible result. A slide to 9th or 10th like last year quite possible.

 

[cleomenes]

I was more optimistic than most at the start of the year, but I was counting on Reid playing, which is looking less and less likely. With that in mind, The team has done exceptionally well so far. Far better than I would have predicted without Reid.
Now we are in a position where finals is possible, even likely, and the last fortnight has shown that Collingwood can match it with the top sides. Where to from here?
I believe that the club has been very careful with the players this year, with sights firmly set on next year. They are looking to have both Witts and Grundy playing, which does not suit this year's rules. They have slowly introduced new players, or looked to build them in the VFL. Nobody has been rushed, except perhaps Moore.
At the same time, each week, the team has been as strong as possible, and has been coached to win. I believe that they have exceeded expectations, and now planning is changing with a view to exploiting the early success. One ruckman at a time to cope with this year's rules is one choice. Port Adelaide's double teaming method this week may cause an adjustment to that for Thursday, but one of the big guys may be unlucky each week at least for this year.
Resting Goldsack is a telling move. His kick outs and pace off the back line will be crucial in finals, and they can't play him injured then. They've taken the risk to blood Maynard, and so the long term plans continue. Scharenberg will be next, which leaves Sinclair desperately unlucky. If Sinclair is chosen ahead of Scharenberg, it will tell us that this year is more in focus.
So, I think the club is still trying to have it's cake and eat it too. The big choices will be made when the next few matches are over, and the real prospects for finals are clearer. Selection will then firmly settle on either long term or immediate goals. Port Adelaide and West Coast results will decide this for us.

 

[dansa]

Development for me.

We will make finals anyway. But I would like the club to focus on giving games to the kids rather than focus solely on 4 points. Luckily so far this year we've managed to do both.

 

[DinoSoar]

I agree with the sentiments above, it's a case of both. Playing finals is always the aim and the development that comes from finals is immense, the right balance needs to struck - one shouldn't be to the detriment of the other.

 

[the mighty T]

Finals is the next step in our development as far as I'm concerned and nothing would benefit our list more than exposure to September. Furthermore, I think its important to push as hard as possible for that finals birth given how well we have performed thus far. It would be a monumental disappointment to fall down after starting 8-3 for two seasons in a row

 

[76woodenspooners]

Every week we should be picking the 22 that have the best chance of winning the game ...

... And the rest (development, finals, etc, etc) will take care of itself.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Playing finals is good for development.

We have enough young players in our 22 and we dont have to go to extra lengths to develop kids.

 

[MeisterBot]

There is no better development for our youngsters than a final. We should play to win. Always.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

There is no better development for our youngsters than a final.

Apart from winning them

 

[SuperSub17]

With Reid, Greenwood, Macaffer and Ramsay out for the year, 1 final will be the best possible result. A slide to 9th or 10th like last year quite possible.

Why is Greenwood out for the year?

 

[TradeDraft]

The only two who you could argue were "gifted" games are Gault and Moore. Even then it was a case of best available for the structure we were hoping to play. Gault got his run when Witts was unavailable, and Moore got his debut thanks to Grundy's injury.

Also Armstrong was Gifted a Game Earlier in the Season.

I don’t think Moore was Exacly Gifted a Game. He Kicked 3 Goals the Week Before and he was good for structure as it lad to less Double Teams of Cloke

 

[motr]

Why is Greenwood out for the year?

Possibly even rested for the trip to Adelaide next week, according to some news sources.

Reid may well play AFL this year despite the setback, even though Bucks is not planning on it. Makes a lot of sense to get a look at Moore early and give him a sense of where he needs to be.

Scharenberg will be next.

 

[TradeDraft]

Why is Greenwood out for the year?

Injured and Sore during Training on Thursday

 

[SuperSub17]

Injured and Sore during Training on Thursday

So? It's the first week of July...

 

[Football God]

Taking things week by week..