Reserves team hypothetical

[Allefgib]

Yeah, mostly parenting responsibilities and job sharing.

I don't know your experience or if it was even close to being acceptable but it works for us as and the kids respond to the duel teaching team.

Worked fine for me mate. As does the current system for many players who don't get to play at AFL level every week.

But then I was a naturally talented youngster with an extroverted social sense so I could navigate my way through my development fairly easily riding out the bumps.

It's whether the system works to extract the best out of the people who don't fit that profile that we need to base decisions upon. In education obviously having happy and available teachers to do the job is the key - so facilitating part-time workers is essential. The question is do we need to accept the same setup for our football talent where the club needs to optimize every last investment - and shouldn't have as many constraints.

 

[Crow_Magnon]

I voted 'Yes lots'....maybe not for the past 5 yrs specifically...but in 2005/6 when we were in premiership contention and had a bad run with injuries and what not. Quite possibly the incoming players were not as well drilled in the 'crowbot' game plan as they might've been had they been in a similar system. Similarly with last year with players like LT forced to come in to due to Talia's injury. Given there was only a kick or two in these finals games it could easily have meant the difference.

 

[headache1]

If you were able to pick and choose SANFL clubs based on the above (such as moved McKernan much earlier than you did) would you change your mind?

In an ideal world, you want your younger/fringe players developing not only in the positions the team wants them to play in, but also learning the same gameplan that the senior side use whilst doing so.

To do a Geelong you need to start supplying Viagra to all ex players that meet your FS criteria.

Yes, Geelong got a couple of great FS picks, but they've also managed to keep injecting quality players into their side when they've had less than stellar picks to do so. You can't tell me they just keep unearthing gems late in the draft, and that their development model has nothing to do with it.

 

[Vader]

In an ideal world, you want your younger/fringe players developing not only in the positions the team wants them to play in, but also learning the same gameplan that the senior side use whilst doing so.

Yes, Geelong got a couple of great FS picks, but they've also managed to keep injecting quality players into their side when they've had less than stellar picks to do so. You can't tell me they just keep unearthing gems late in the draft, and that their development model has nothing to do with it.

Let's wait and see how those "quality players" they've picked up later in the draft go when they're not surrounded by the 200+ game veterans. Don't forget that our youngsters all looked like guns back in 2009, when they still had a reasonable number of veterans around them. Fast forward 12-18 months, with most of those veterans gone - and the kids were exposed.

 

[mattymac]

Would have to help on field and would help with player retention/bonding

 

[noddy]

I am fighting a lone battle on two boards at once.
I am up to it but if anybody wants to help it would be much appreciated.

Sorry mate.

 

[*PAF]

Sorry mate.

Bastard, I was counting on you.

If people like you and macca aren't going to help I'm in deeper shit than I thought I was in.

Maybe jenny will help. She's one for lost causes just like me.

 

[Sanders]

If you were able to pick and choose SANFL clubs based on the above (such as moved McKernan much earlier than you did) would you change your mind?

No. Because its not just top level factors such as choice of club, but being able to influence match day goings on

I don't care if you need a ruckman, he has to stay at full back etc

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Playing the same game plan is the biggest one. Knowing where to run, how to structure up around stoppages, what options to choose, where to move the ball etc. Practising exactly what the AFL team does will make it so much easier.

Another is the sheer amount of running. The SANFL teams play a more static game style. More traditional set ups. The AFL where you see the entire team defending and clearing out the forward half, then seconds later the entire team attacking and trying to lock the ball in the front half... the constant arc to arc running doesn't exist in the same magnitude. Players can coast in the SANFL. I'm sure they are forced to run further in AFL.

Positions obviously, as everyone has mentioned.

Also club culture. Playing alongside your team mates is huge at any level. Getting dropped and then shunted around to various SANFL clubs where you may not know too many people is harsh. For a young interstater I can't imagine it is the most comfortable environment. You'd feel a million miles away from the team. Even though I'm sure the SANFL clubs are very accommodating, it just isn't the same as having your team mates and your coaches.

Young leaders can emerge in a reserves team too. They can't at a different club where they barely know team mates or game plans.

Reserves teams isn't the magic bullet that will solve every development issue but it's a big start.