Analysis The Brown Shoots Thread

[Tony Lynn 15]

Really surprised by the reaction of many after last nights game. A couple of things I would like to address first before I get on with the purpose of this thread.

The club has been very transparent about where we are at and what we are doing. The 66 game rebuild does not mean we are winning a premiership in 3 years, it most likely means they want a list capable of pushing for the top 8 in that time that is then sustainable for the future. The key to list building is to never rest on your laurels and stop, therefore our list will always be a moving target and evolving even wen we think we have it right.

We cannot change our list mid year so there is no point right now torching the players we have, we need to acknowledge their deficiencies and hope like Christ they can play a role during the season and the right decisions are made with the benefit of 22 rounds when the season ends.

Our fitness is not up to standard. For me this is one of the greatest furphies of all time. I would argue most AFL clubs have similar pre season training regimes and most players are at a similar fitness standard except for those overcoming injury. What differs from club to club is the ability to control the ball and not expend energy chasing tails. If you had 2 middle distance runners of similar standard and asked both to run 800 metres you would expect an even race. If one just had to run the track but the other had to dodge obstacles and run through sand it would be a different result. Once we improve our ball movement and ability to hit targets our fitness will look great.

So this thread is designed to be used during the season to discuss the improvements we are seeing and celebrate the successes along the way. I would respectfully ask the negative stuff is left in the other threads so that this can really just be about our development and progress and hopefully something we can look back on in 3 years as a time capsule for how we were tracking in year 1, 2 and 3.

I will start with the easy ones....Weitering and Curnow. I cannot remember two more impressive debutantes for this club and really feel they will be superstars of the competition in years to come.

 

[BlueGum]

Really surprised by the reaction of many after last nights game. A couple of things I would like to address first before I get on with the purpose of this thread.

The club has been very transparent about where we are at and what we are doing. The 66 game rebuild does not mean we are winning a premiership in 3 years, it most likely means they want a list capable of pushing for the top 8 in that time that is then sustainable for the future. The key to list building is to never rest on your laurels and stop, therefore our list will always be a moving target and evolving even wen we think we have it right.

We cannot change our list mid year so there is no point right now torching the players we have, we need to acknowledge their deficiencies and hope like Christ they can play a role during the season and the right decisions are made with the benefit of 22 rounds when the season ends.

Our fitness is not up to standard. For me this is one of the greatest furphies of all time. I would argue most AFL clubs have similar pre season training regimes and most players are at a similar fitness standard except for those overcoming injury. What differs from club to club is the ability to control the ball and not expend energy chasing tails. If you had 2 middle distance runners of similar standard and asked both to run 800 metres you would expect an even race. If one just had to run the track but the other had to dodge obstacles and run through sand it would be a different result. Once we improve our ball movement and ability to hit targets our fitness will look great.

So this thread is designed to be used during the season to discuss the improvements we are seeing and celebrate the successes along the way. I would respectfully ask the negative stuff is left in the other threads so that this can really just be about our development and progress and hopefully something we can look back on in 3 years as a time capsule for how we were tracking in year 1, 2 and 3.

I will start with the easy ones....Weitering and Curnow. I cannot remember two more impressive debutantes for this club and really feel they will be superstars of the competition in years to come.

Great idea TL15. I'm going to enjoy visits here during the season. Isn't Weiters a beauty!!

Doc the rock - he's stepped up some more in the leadership stakes.

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

Great idea TL15. I'm going to enjoy visits here during the season. Isn't Weiters a beauty!!

Doc the rock - he's stepped up some more in the leadership stakes.

What I like about Docherty is that he proves top 20 draft picks don't need to all be superstars. A player like him who can play a role and be a solid citizen is just as good and vitally important for the make up of any side.

 

[Neese]

Also I am liking Wright, he's been a welcome surprise

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

Also I am liking Wright, he's been a welcome surprise

Agreed, he is all Wright!

 

[Wickzki]

Appreciating the communication in the backline. It may not always work and the opposition will find easy goals but the communication and camaraderie among the back unit is far better than what it has been in recent years. There is a willingness to step into the space and to help each one another. There has been very little finger pointing and when there has been it's been more instructional support than bickering.

 

[My name geoff]

I think the list is on its way. Its early days but from the small sample from the newbies I'll speculate on who has the talent to make it, and who is making up the numbers.

From what I've seen, this is the current AFL quality list by position. Plus a few hopefuls.

The players who haven't made the cut are either past their prime or have deficiencies which would hold them back from playing high level, consistent footy.

If we could fill the empty spots with quality, it should relieve pressure on the players that are currently on the list.

They may come from existing players who can improve to reach the level required, or players we recruit.

Docherty-Weitering-(empty)
Tuohy-plowman-(empty)
Boekhorst-cripps-(empty)
C.Curnow-(empty)-sumner
(Empty)-(empty)-(empty)
(Empty)-Murphy-Gibbs
McKay-silvagni-Cunningham-(empty)

Depth quality atm, but seem the most likely improve to reach the level required.
Kerridge, jaksch, Graham, Thomas, DVR, Byrne

 

[HyphensBack]

Would like to hear at the end of the year the commentators say "gee that Carlton game plan is starting to work - so much run, so unpredictable up forward (in a good way) and elite intercept marks down back"

I think our game plan is more attractive then last year - it just needs that last piece of the puzzle to be resolved - inside 50 disposal
And still feel that will be resolved by changing the structure - more mobility (no 2nd ruck)

 

[HARKER]

Would like to hear at the end of the year the commentators say "gee that Carlton game plan is starting to work - so much run, so unpredictable up forward (in a good way) and elite intercept marks down back"

I think our game plan is more attractive then last year - it just needs that last piece of the puzzle to be resolved - inside 50 disposal
And still feel that will be resolved by changing the structure - more mobility (no 2nd ruck)

We're going to have to drill the game-plan into the guys, so that the new ways become the default actions and not the previously bad ones.
That takes time. There's no short cuts and the smarter the players are, the quicker they'll adopt it and execute split second with surety.

Smart players required and they won't all be smart but the more that understand what they have to do, the quicker we'll see us moving up the ladder.

 

[HyphensBack]

Senior debuts - well done guys!
Weitering - elite
C Curnow - looks good - will get better
Wright - looks good
Kerridge - okay, will compete but needs composure

Byrne - didn't look out of place - will be good for the run

Getting amongst it in the twos
Plowman - sounds like he is what we need, computer and run
Galluci & Sumner - we need a proper small forward so hope they can step up
Rainbow - good to see he is continually getting mentioned

 

[HyphensBack]

We're going to have to drill the game-plan into the guys, so that the new ways become the default actions and not the previously bad ones.
That takes time. There's no short cuts and the smarter the players are, the quicker they'll adopt it and execute split second with surety.

Smart players required and they won't all be smart but the more that understand what they have to do, the quicker we'll see us moving up the ladder.

The doggies and west coast took awhile to settle into this game plan - I like our progress and hope by years end we have reduced the mistakes

 

[Doro]

I think the list is on its way. Its early days but from the small sample from the newbies I'll speculate on who has the talent to make it, and who is making up the numbers.

From what I've seen, this is the current AFL quality list by position. Plus a few hopefuls.

The players who haven't made the cut are either past their prime or have deficiencies which would hold them back from playing high level, consistent footy.

If we could fill the empty spots with quality, it should relieve pressure on the players that are currently on the list.

They may come from existing players who can improve to reach the level required, or players we recruit.

Docherty-Weitering-(empty)
Tuohy-plowman-(empty)
Boekhorst-cripps-(empty)
C.Curnow-(empty)-sumner
(Empty)-(empty)-(empty)
(Empty)-Murphy-Gibbs
McKay-silvagni-Cunningham-(empty)

Depth quality atm, but seem the most likely improve to reach the level required.
Kerridge, jaksch, Graham, Thomas, DVR, Byrne

That's a very empty forward line. Pagans paddock?

 

[mediumsizered]

We're going to have to drill the game-plan into the guys, so that the new ways become the default actions and not the previously bad ones.

QUOTE]
This is the key because at the moment, when the opposition are getting on top, many of our players are defaulting to the old bad habits, with lots of long kicks to contests & putting the ball on top of the heads of our smaller forwards, as well as guarding space instead of putting pressure on the opposition when they have the ball.

It is going to take awhile.

 

[My name geoff]

That's a very empty forward line. Pagans paddock?

If you are referring to Pagans paddock during his Carlton years? Lol

That highlights why we struggle to score. Most sides have 1-2 elite forwards, we have none. Rucks, forwards, Sam Rowe and Michael Jamison seem are biggest immediate problem areas.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Weitering, Docherty, Cripps - the new wave of leaders - guns already.

Charlie Curnow won't be done for fitness or size or confidence for that matter. Not scared to launch at the ball. If we leave him there, he will get better and better.

Ciaran Byrne had some patchy moments and took time to work into it, but then he started running and creating. He's got some toe, he's a good size and a willing worker and doesn't play too loose. Needs to play most weeks and he will look pretty damn good at the end of the year.

Ed Curnow has become a leader and probably our most reliable senior player. We are getting a pool of these gut running players that will hold us in good stead over the years whereas Ed was probably the only one before.

Boekhorst has been up and down but I feel his style of play will work in beautifully when our game plan clicks more consistently. Right now, he is working harder each week and needs to be played.

Plowman is a class above the VFL and will be right to come into the seniors within the next 2 weeks. Will make us more attacking and more mobile down back.

DVR is improving rapidly in the VFL and Cuningham is coming along also. Great to hear Sumner is playing midfield and showing some aggression in the contest. Some serious talent there if he can string it all together.

Jaksch and Foster not coming on as we would like is a concern and we have to wait a bit for SOSOS, McKay and JGM but can see them having an impact next year.

Meanwhile Gallucci is kicking goals in the VFL and has that pace that a goalsneak needs.

Docherty, Weitering, Byrne
Viojo-Rainbow, Plowman, Tuohy
Cuningham, Cripps, Boekhorst
Wright, McKay, Kerridge
Silvagni, C Curnow, Sumner
_______, E Curnow, Graham

Int: Whiley, Gallucci

JGM in the wings with Jaksch. Our side is going to look so much different in 12 months.

Just a matter of who wants to stand up and take the other spots. Murphy and Gibbs need to lead or there is no point. Someone needs to stand up in the ruck.

Just need these glimpses we are seeing from some of the younger guys to turn into meaningful form.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

That's a very empty forward line. Pagans paddock?

He does have McKay and Silvagni on the bench in that side. Can easily see them beside each other on the forward line.

 

[branedotorg]

That's a very empty forward line. Pagans paddock?

statistically similar to our current output though...

 

[Doro]

If you are referring to Pagans paddock during his Carlton years? Lol

That highlights why we struggle to score. Most sides have 1-2 elite forwards, we have none. Rucks, forwards, Sam Rowe and Michael Jamison seem are biggest immediate problem areas.

Yeah our only other 2 B grade key forwards of recent years are now wearing a different shade of blue and white. I think that 2nd last kick into the f50 is where we become a cellar dweller, it was painfully apparent in the first few minutes at the ground last night. The team confidence unravels from there.

 

[Quazza]

whilst sure, we don't have the skills to execute it just yet, it's nice to see something that resembles a modern game plan

that's new

 

[Doro]

He does have McKay and Silvagni on the bench in that side. Can easily see them beside each other on the forward line.

Definitely. I'm looking forward to watching Harry develop with Sos supporting on a flank.

 

[TheCoach16]

Weitering: I can't believe what I'm about to describe is regarding an 18y/o playing his third game... but when the ball is in his area, or in his hands, there's a trust factor. You just know that in this moment, nothing bad will happen. I know we sing his praises, but I'm not sure we really appreciate what this boy is. He's an extraordinary talent, and I think by the time he's done, he'll take his place amongst the all time greats. AFL team of the century CHB.

Cripps: A powerhouse player that will strike fear into opposition sides for years to come. He plays an irresistible style of game, he's an unstoppable force.

C.Curnow: I see this boy ultimately becoming a Kouta type onballer. He has the tools and the ability. There will come a time, not far from now, when there is nothing he won't be able to do on a footy field.

Docherty: Courage, skill, leadership, smarts, pace, commitment, intensity. His nickname should be "Jackpot". What a joy to have a player like this in our side.

 

[TheCoach16]

Let not forget Brendon Bolton. Right now, if I had my choice of the 18 coaches going around, I'd toss up between Clarkson and Bolton. The only difference between these two is that one has the cattle to win flags, the other is building towards that. Do not underestimate how good BB has and will be for our club...

 

[The Flying Doormat]

To promote growth of green shoots you need to cut away the dead wood.

 

[AndyLucimitis]

No doubt I'm a one-out here but I see tiny green shoots in Phillips. He's raw and lacks strength but has a leap and is mobile.

I hope we as a club and supporters don't give up on him too soon.

 

[Jabba73]

This is the anti-Chicken Little thread, good work Tony Lynn 15.

Happy with the progress so far, need a couple more key pieces to fall into place and our current number one option that is struggling becomes the number two or three option and looks infinitely better.

Looking forward to a couple of debuts later in the season, the ones we have had so far have been better than we have a right to expect.