Problem solving second tier is our biggest problem

[Gogeelong]

Geelong look like they area bottom 4 side at the moment. Recent hidings be bottom sides have exposed a very tender underbelly.

• Why have our second tier players not come on? There is a long list. This is our biggest problem. Are we drafting right, are our internal systems up to scratch? Players include Blicavs, Cockatoo, McCarthy, Murdoch, Guthrie, Gregson, House, Stanley, Kolo, Smith, Lang, Buzza, Ratta, Cowan, Narkle, Black, Bews etc. For one reason or another they have not come on. Not being selected, injury prone, do not fill the team structure . Over half the team in no where land or simply not performing. (PS It was embarrassing watching Smith this week end). Who is our development coach? Is our main coach the right guy? Is our academy working?

• They have had a very good side and the reliance on their great players has left an inexperienced younger group

• They have over reached in the draft by picking injury prone players presuming they have high upside which has not worked

• We have topped up our list in an effort to stay near the top. Every time we do this we seem to be more weakened side
• Do not pick a tall lumbering side, get more speed. This is the way of the future

• The only player that looks to have A+ potential is Cockatoo. We have no real A grade talent coming through. Other sides have several Cockys

• Our experienced players like Mackie and Lonergan have fallen off the perch and we still gift them games

• We are trading future picks which will further weaken our side

• We have a coach who knows the solution. Are you kidding blind Freddy can see the problem

• Arrest the slow starts

• Play the youngsters we have, Parsons etc. Give them games or we will have a greater differential in the future

• Be ballsy in our selections try NEW players. Give Bews a go!! Play Menegola he has a dip

• Look at our coaches. Is the mix right? Is Scott the right man.

• Draft for needs--- CHF, CHB, RUCKMAN, Small forward. Next year if we continue down our existing path GET A CHF FFS!

• Do not go backwards by drafting Ablett, unless he costs VERY little

• Drop players to make an example. I do not care whom Mackie, Motlop....

• Do not play injured players including Dangerfield

• Play players in position

• Our great captain is leg weary and is starting to age. You can not burden him forever

• Demand more respect from the AFL. eg No inclusion of our Womans side, Cook being lured from our helm, Ablett being lured by ambassadorial bucks, being given less games at home to make up Ettihad games

The team is not what it was and I do expect to finish in the bottom 4 sides. Our team appears to be weaker, lacks class, playing with no passion or aggro. We must rebuilt our list and go through a rough patch. Need to reinvigorate and try new blood or our future looks bleak!!

 

[Two Planks]

And we have signed the b graders to long term deals based on potential improvement that hasn't and will not come.

 

[joe444]

In further exciting posts, OP will suddenly feel the need to announce that GFC has "no plan B". Will also add Horlin-Smith to his list of "new" players. Stay tuned - may think pace is an issue.

 

[Whit3y]

Geelong look like they area bottom 4 side at the moment. Recent hidings be bottom sides have exposed a very tender underbelly.

• Why have our second tier players not come on? There is a long list. This is our biggest problem. Are we drafting right, are our internal systems up to scratch? Players include Blicavs, Cockatoo, McCarthy, Murdoch, Guthrie, Gregson, House, Stanley, Kolo, Smith, Lang, Buzza, Ratta, Cowan, Narkle, Black, Bews etc. For one reason or another they have not come on. Not being selected, injury prone, do not fill the team structure . Over half the team in no where land or simply not performing. (PS It was embarrassing watching Smith this week end). Who is our development coach? Is our main coach the right guy? Is our academy working?

the wells factor

 

[Live in hope]

Four causes -

- the "2nd tier" is big because of the paucity of high draft picks due in part to Geelong's run of success but also to some poor first round selections and trading away picks
- lack of emphasis on line breaking speed and kicking skill in ND and trading - two attributes you can't develop (you either have them or you will never have them). This really limits the type of game plans you can run and limits development of all the team
- in trying to keep the success going we had to run a hybrid model - based partly on an old game plan without the great team to support it
- one dimensional coaching and game plans, I am afraid.

Solutions -
- work out the game style that we need to emulate to be successful in coming seasons (even if these aren't those that we can do very well now - no point in persisting in our one dimensional game style just scrape into the 8. This is the bravest call for Scott - really had to accept a year or two of lower ladder finishes)
- at some stage very soon, settle on the teir 2 players that can support these game styles and persist with them, even if they are average in short term. Accelerate the change over of the retirees, least by the second half of the season (eg. Gardner for Lonergan and Thurlow for Mackie)
- aggressive and ruthless trading to fill the gaps
Mass Pessimism I know - we could still be top 6 or possibly top 4 this year, but I just don't think we have the current list quality to win premierships.