The kids outshine the recycled's

[choppyhard]

I was expecting blokes like Sinclair, MacLaren and Rocca to show something in the Ansett cup. Rocca looks as though he will provide an alternative up forward, the other two ???

However the form of Harris, Smith & Petrie is even better. Early days, but they ara all something to get enthused over.

 

[Aussie_Roo]

The young fellas have definitely been our shining light through-out the Ansett Cup series. I didn't think Sinclair was that bad last week, along with Sav. To date, McLaren hasn't shown much, but I'm hoping he is just a late starter..

 

[choppyhard]

I wasn't saying the form of the recycled's was not good just what the kids have showed allready is even better.
Yes the form of Rocca has been very good, I can't recall Rocca ever bending over before to get a ball of the ground and actually jumping in the air, he looks to have lost about 10 kilo's.
Sinclair looks as though his trying to hard, needs to lighten up, looks as though he annoyed with himself all the time.
McLaren has shown a couple of good things but hasn't had much game time.
Maybe Sinclair and McLaren will be more regular players over the entire year as Smith and Harris may not be able to keep it up week in week out.

 

[Daphne]

Where was Sinclair on Friday night, does anyone know what happened to him. Injuries are still our biggest worry with him.

 

[croode]

I read somewhere that Sinclair had a virus so couldn't make the trip over.

 

[Shinboners]

One aspect of the kids that should be mentioned is that Harris (and I think Smith) were captains of their junior sides. It indicates leadership abilities, and with that, we can hope that they've got a better level of maturity than their peers. With that leadership and maturity, we can hope that they'll be able to manage well their debut season.

In year's past, you would expect the kids to tire out by about the halfway mark of the season, but as the Melbourne kids showed last season, if you manage them well, they can finish the season running. At the other extreme, you have Brisbane who don't seem to have managed their's at all well (although in their case, they've taken WA players who seem to have developed homesickness). If Harris, Smith, Motlop, and Petrie can follow the example of Bruce, Green, and co at Melbourne, then we may be able to hope for something better than just a rebuilding season.

On paper at least, due to the age of our leaders, a lack of players in that 24 to 26 age bracket with 100 odd games, and the pressure on our players to perform due to our off-field problems, I reckon we're probably not a top 2 side at the moment. However, given a fair share of luck with injuries and suspensions, and if the likes of Rocca, Sinclair, and McLaren can be consistent performers over the year, there is little reason why we cannot emulate the '95 Blues who were a collection of aging champions, some recycled players, and some very good kids (while a 22-2 record would be nice, I doubt it will happen) all wrapped up in a tightly knit unit.

 

[Gonzo]

Happy with the kids:

Smiths awarenesss and positioning, Harris's attack on the ball and man and his diposal, Petrie's application (got bodied out of contests by Primus - but hey he's 18)and has some good skills for a big man.

Overall some pretty handy pickups!

Cheers

Gonzo

 

[Back Seat Of A Taxi]

Just as encouraging as the kids has been the form of Shagga!

 

[Gonzo]

Originally posted by Back Seat Of A Taxi:
Just as encouraging as the kids has been the form of Shagga!

Yeah fair call!