Progress?

[TradeDraft]

Since the Bye we had good run with Injuries. Reid so far got thru a Full Season

 

[Roverjg]

I think it all needs to be put into perspective. If you had told me at the start of the year that...

Of our two leading goal kickers from 2015, One would miss the entire season and one would lose all of his form and be dropped multiple times.

A much improved Swan would miss the entire season.

We would rely on a bloke from America, Jessie White and a second year player to carry our forward line for most of the season.

Our captain would play most of the season carrying an injury or two.

Our rock in defense in Brown would be dropped to the twos and many of our club leaders would be out of form.

We would have the second worst injury list in the comp and play almost our entire list throughout the season (39 players)


If you had told me all of the above I think I along with most of this board would have had us outside the 8, almost around the mark we are now, if not lower. As Hawthorn of 2009 taught me, no matter how talented, young sides simply can't survive injuries, perhaps in a few years when we have a matured list, but not now whilst still in development.

But injury breeds opportunity, we have increased our depth going into 2017, and we have a large number of players to return through injury and through league suspension, further increasing our depth.

We've got precious game time into Moore, Fasolo, Smith, Reid, Cox, Marsh, Aish, De Goey, Grundy, barring Reid, all of which have room for improvement and will take us forward as a club.

Jeremy Howe and Treloar are another two individuals who have improved in our system, alongside Crisp, Varcoe is indication our recruitment system and talent identification has improved from previous years.

Our VFL team is on fire, before the Bulldogs rise into the 8, their seconds won the premiership, I think a VFL team is a good indication of the development depth and youth, if we can win a final or two (or 3) it would be a great result for us.

The end of last season, we completely dropped off when finals was out of the picture (Richmonds flogging still hurts) however having a club record in tackles on the weekend, essentially in what was a meaningless game for us, indicates we are a very proud group, and is a great sign and contrast to teams in similar positions like Richmond. There is still a chance we can finish above 11th on the ladder which in itself would show visible signs of improvement.

Still a few games to go, but there are certainly positives to come out of this season, and if we give the trade period a good crack, we will be in a very good position to give 2017 a red hot crack.

I like your post. However, with a VFL loaded with MacAffer, Goldsack, Oxley, Cox, Broomhead, Goodyear, Witts, Phillips, Toovey, Frost, Gault I would expect such a side to be high up in the VFL. With these players still playing VFL when the AFL side is decimated with injuries, shows how poorly some of these guys are going.

 

[DaVe86]

I like your post. However, with a VFL loaded with MacAffer, Goldsack, Oxley, Cox, Broomhead, Goodyear, Witts, Phillips, Toovey, Frost, Gault I would expect such a side to be high up in the VFL. With these players still playing VFL when the AFL side is decimated with injuries, shows how poorly some of these guys are going.

When we entered this year, we all thought that guys like Goldsack, Macaffer, Frost and Toovey would be pushed aside by some of the younger talent.

We were also demanding one of Witts or Grundy to command the ruck position.

I don't think many expected a lot from Goodyear or Gault, while Phillips is a first year player who has probably achieved enough to suggest he has a future.

I credit Buckley for not doing the easy thing and bringing the older guys back. Instead, he has persisted with guys like Marsh, Smith, De Goey, Maynard, Crocker and Aish. Wills also got his chance on the weekend.

All the guys I just listed have had their doubters this year, but all have got better as the year has gone on and have received valuable experience.

I'm glad Buckley has pumped games into these guys as opposed to throwing out the older guys who are clearly past it or don't have the skills to cut it anymore.

Perhaps playing the older guys may have scraped us an extra win or two along the way, but we are better off long-term for blooding the kids.

In relation to the ruck situation, Grundy has clearly established himself so its up to Witts to fight back, or find a suitable trade now. I think we'd be crazy not to shop him around this year.

Broomhead for me has been the disappointment. He has suffered injuries, but I also haven't seen a real desire in him. I know he is a low key sort of guy, but I really expected him to push through this year. If he can't break into the side in the next month, then he'll probably be on the table as well.

Overall, I'm satisfied with the transition of the side.

 

[Pie eyed]

Seasons a right off. Get everyone fit for next year.
Lock Reid in a vault.

 

[Roverjg]

When we entered this year, we all thought that guys like Goldsack, Macaffer, Frost and Toovey would be pushed aside by some of the younger talent.

We were also demanding one of Witts or Grundy to command the ruck position.

I don't think many expected a lot from Goodyear or Gault, while Phillips is a first year player who has probably achieved enough to suggest he has a future.

I credit Buckley for not doing the easy thing and bringing the older guys back. Instead, he has persisted with guys like Marsh, Smith, De Goey, Maynard, Crocker and Aish. Wills also got his chance on the weekend.

All the guys I just listed have had their doubters this year, but all have got better as the year has gone on and have received valuable experience.

I'm glad Buckley has pumped games into these guys as opposed to throwing out the older guys who are clearly past it or don't have the skills to cut it anymore.

Perhaps playing the older guys may have scraped us an extra win or two along the way, but we are better off long-term for blooding the kids.

In relation to the ruck situation, Grundy has clearly established himself so its up to Witts to fight back, or find a suitable trade now. I think we'd be crazy not to shop him around this year.

Broomhead for me has been the disappointment. He has suffered injuries, but I also haven't seen a real desire in him. I know he is a low key sort of guy, but I really expected him to push through this year. If he can't break into the side in the next month, then he'll probably be on the table as well.

Overall, I'm satisfied with the transition of the side.

I agree wholeheartedly. All that I was saying is that with 12 players with senior experience playing VFL we should be near the top of the ladder. I do not expect up to 7 of these players to play senior games with us again

 

[Apex36]

Seasons a right off. Get everyone fit for next year.
Lock Reid in a vault.

Even better, let's just forfeit all our remaining games so nobody gets injured...

 

[surfer1]

Just on the Grundy v Witts I agree as to the strides Grundy has made but I just think it is unfortunate that Witts after such a strong pre season has had the season proper decimated by injury.

It begs the question how far would Witts would have advanced if he had been injury free? Remember late last season he was the ruckman of first choice and likewise in the NAB cup. Has this been a blessing in disguise for Grundy who after the bye has grabbed with both hands. By the same token has this made the end of season decision on Witts easier?

If we assume Witts will leave can we be comfortable with a ruck division of Grundy and Cox which I suppose justifies lots of prior posters concerns regarding a qualified ruck coach

Isn't it good to have a thread which everyone seems content to be analytical

 

[Scodog10]

Pretty sure he's talking about injury management.

Witts - Infected webbing, club didn't check wound for 2 days after he reported it was feeling funny (from what I've heard).

Langdon - knee injury mysteriously flaring up early in the year after he went in to have it drained.

Broomhead - sent back on the ground after injuring his shoulder. Again.

Wow re Witts. I'd heard it was avoidable, but wasn't aware it was such a mishap. It effectively ruined his career at the club!

 

[PicaBoo]

Just on the Grundy v Witts I agree as to the strides Grundy has made but I just think it is unfortunate that Witts after such a strong pre season has had the season proper decimated by injury.

It begs the question how far would Witts would have advanced if he had been injury free? Remember late last season he was the ruckman of first choice and likewise in the NAB cup. Has this been a blessing in disguise for Grundy who after the bye has grabbed with both hands. By the same token has this made the end of season decision on Witts easier?

If we assume Witts will leave can we be comfortable with a ruck division of Grundy and Cox which I suppose justifies lots of prior posters concerns regarding a qualified ruck coach

Isn't it good to have a thread which everyone seems content to be analytical

We won't know until Witts plays again.
Also begs the question how far Grundy would have advanced in the VFL. Or Cox.Or how many more matches we would have played ( and probably lost ) while experimenting a dual ruck setup.

In a way the decision was forced now and probably for the better. Since the bye we couldn't have asked for more improvement Grundy so he gets a tick. It does leave us literally short for next year if Cloke and Gault leave too.

 

[Gone Critical]

To me this is a thread about discussing the merits of the progress of the footy team over the 2016 season. Something we can all probably make some educated guesses and assessments due to our own footy knowledge through playing, watching studying coaching or all of the above. These views are worth discussing.

The continued drift into the medical , sports science and admin side of the workings of the club just derails this for me. If you have some special knowledge in these areas spill it and we would love to hear of your expertise but the continued guesstimations are really just pissing in the wind.

The avoidable wound infections in a split webbing is the one I like best. I operate all the time in a sterile environment, with clean wounds and excellent blood supply which is the number one ingredient you need to avoid a wound infection. I would love to find out from the posters expert in this area who are posting here how I can make my wound infections avoidable. My patients would be over the moon it if I could find the answer to that question. The idea that a dirty wound in an area with a terminal blood supply like the webbing should be free of the risk of infection is a big step forward in surgical management. I want in on this.

 

[Apex36]

Wow re Witts. I'd heard it was avoidable, but wasn't aware it was such a mishap. It effectively ruined his career at the club!

That was just scuttlebutt, no idea if it's completely accurate!
In addition, I have no idea whether or not it would have made a difference to Witts' infection severity if they had looked at the wound earlier. That's way beyond my expertise. My post wasn't making any judgement, I was just pointing out the player management issues you'd been unhappy with this year.

 

[bunter]

has howe progressed his role within the team to sweeper or do we expect him to move forward next year if sharenberg gets a game.
I like him off half back but would also love to see him integrated into the forward structure.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

"Progress" came second in the Melbourne cup once.
It's just a nice medium season hopefully the young ones develop and improve, the hi knows season 2017

Should have said second in the year 1880. Came second to an all time great in Grand Flaneur.
100,000 people attended about 1/4 of melbournes population.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

To me this is a thread about discussing the merits of the progress of the footy team over the 2016 season. Something we can all probably make some educated guesses and assessments due to our own footy knowledge through playing, watching studying coaching or all of the above. These views are worth discussing.

The continued drift into the medical , sports science and admin side of the workings of the club just derails this for me. If you have some special knowledge in these areas spill it and we would love to hear of your expertise but the continued guesstimations are really just pissing in the wind.

The avoidable wound infections in a split webbing is the one I like best. I operate all the time in a sterile environment, with clean wounds and excellent blood supply which is the number one ingredient you need to avoid a wound infection. I would love to find out from the posters expert in this area who are posting here how I can make my wound infections avoidable. My patients would be over the moon it if I could find the answer to that question. The idea that a dirty wound in an area with a terminal blood supply like the webbing should be free of the risk of infection is a big step forward in surgical management. I want in on this.

I like the way you have weaved your web here.
Good supply of information too.

 

[TradeDraft]

Wow re Witts. I'd heard it was avoidable, but wasn't aware it was such a mishap. It effectively ruined his career at the club!

and Shows what a Joke our Medical and Fitness staff are

 

[Ketchup]

Wow re Witts. I'd heard it was avoidable, but wasn't aware it was such a mishap. It effectively ruined his career at the club!

Wish we could've done it last year then.

Did balme say in the latest injury report that Broomhead is out with a shoulder? Surely it's not the same shoulder and they bought him back early?!

 

[Apex36]

and Shows what a Joke our Medical and Fitness staff are

It's just a rumour, so it doesn't show anything.

 

[Aishofhearts]

Progress is rarely linear, 2010 case in point. The list is strong and very young, our time is coming.

 

[BPikkers]

To me this is a thread about discussing the merits of the progress of the footy team over the 2016 season. Something we can all probably make some educated guesses and assessments due to our own footy knowledge through playing, watching studying coaching or all of the above. These views are worth discussing.

The continued drift into the medical , sports science and admin side of the workings of the club just derails this for me. If you have some special knowledge in these areas spill it and we would love to hear of your expertise but the continued guesstimations are really just pissing in the wind.

The avoidable wound infections in a split webbing is the one I like best. I operate all the time in a sterile environment, with clean wounds and excellent blood supply which is the number one ingredient you need to avoid a wound infection. I would love to find out from the posters expert in this area who are posting here how I can make my wound infections avoidable. My patients would be over the moon it if I could find the answer to that question. The idea that a dirty wound in an area with a terminal blood supply like the webbing should be free of the risk of infection is a big step forward in surgical management. I want in on this.

What you need to do is get a needle and turn the gas burner on.......

 

[Scodog10]

That was just scuttlebutt, no idea if it's completely accurate!
In addition, I have no idea whether or not it would have made a difference to Witts' infection severity if they had looked at the wound earlier. That's way beyond my expertise. My post wasn't making any judgement, I was just pointing out the player management issues you'd been unhappy with this year.

Don't worry I'll back you in. That sort of scuttlebutt doesn't come out unless there's some truth to it. Besides it just sounds like a Collingwood high performance type move. Putting injured blokes back out on the field and not checking open wounds for signs of infection. We're at the cutting edge here people because GC tells us it's so!

 

[Aishofhearts]

Don't worry I'll back you in. That sort of scuttlebutt doesn't come out unless there's some truth to it. Besides it just sounds like a Collingwood high performance type move. Putting injured blokes back out on the field and not checking open wounds for signs of infection. We're at the cutting edge here people because GC tells us it's so!

Scuttlebutt has the word butt in it for a very good reason. It's where all the scuttle comes from and it's usually pure shit!

 

[DrDavoren]

If the writing is on the wall for Witts, who realistically could we get with straight swap?

Small forward would be good.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

Don't worry I'll back you in. That sort of scuttlebutt doesn't come out unless there's some truth to it. Besides it just sounds like a Collingwood high performance type move. Putting injured blokes back out on the field and not checking open wounds for signs of infection. We're at the cutting edge here people because GC tells us it's so!

GC is gold on these threads in my view on these matters.
Personally I'd rather take the view of a qualified person in a field then a guesser as worthy as they may be.

Acknowledge that the odds will say, even a guesser will get it right on the odd ocassion.

 

[No SPIN]

Not sure you understand how the FD spend works No Spin. The rules allow for you to spend more, just pay a tax to do so. There is no PR disaster - it's not a salary cap breach which is not allowed.

My frustration comes from:

1) The fact we actually need to to upgrade our FD when Hawthorn spend the same and get it right

2) Despite not being as efficient, we let the on- field suffer despite having the capability to spend more and just cop the tax.

We either need to get better with the same spend or spend more to get better- either are avenues we can explore. The rules allow the later if that's the way we go.

Yes I understand how it works - but imagine Robbo in the HS writing an articles about the haves and have nots based on overspending despite paying the tax - and it effectively has us front and and centre.
Just another opportunity to bash the club.

 

[Scodog10]

GC is gold on these threads in my view on these matters.
Personally I'd rather take the view of a qualified person in a field then a guesser as worthy as they may be.

Acknowledge that the odds will say, even a guesser will get it right on the odd ocassion.

I agree pure gold. It absolutely fascinates me that someone of his intellect could still support people within the same general profession despite everything that has taken place at our club since the beginning of 2014. Like avoidable I use the term fascinates for a specific reason.

Scuttlebutt has the word butt in it for a very good reason. It's where all the scuttle comes from and it's usually pure shit!

Given what I've heard along the journey the only shit I'm reading has come from your direction lol.