Mega Thread The Media Thread

Remove this Banner Ad

Status
Not open for further replies.
Finals is the end result of getting a whole lot of other things right: List management, player development, coaching, game plan, S&C, team culture, being financially well managed, and the like.

If those things are being done well then being a force in September should be expected, and is a reasonable if blunt way of measuring the club. The failed years in your post about the club’s history reflect failures in list management, player development, coaching etc, and simply hitting the rebuild button doesn’t necessarily address the issues, and can be a distraction. No point rebuilding if your S&C can’t get your players on the park. No point rebuilding if the salary cap is so badly managed that you are running fire sales during the trade period.

If we are getting those things right and failing to achieve well in Finals I would be pretty disappointed. And I guess I’m disappointed if we aren’t getting those things right.
people outside of Freo and neutrals will bag out Ross Lyon for not winning a flag at the Dockers for various reasons.

If you wanna know how impressive it was in Ross Lyon leading Freo to the 2013 grand final is......


Happy to remind you that Matty Pavlich missed 8 weeks via injury. McPharlin lost half a season because of injury.

Sandilands had missed 15 weeks with a turf toe injury.

Getting Jack Hannath in the PSD was a blessing in disguise back in that 2013 pre season draft.

I still remembered our ruck stocks.

Sandilands was injured for the 1st 14 games. Zac Clarke missed the 1st 4-5 weeks with that injury in the big day out.

So we only had Jono Griffin and Hannath as the only rucks not injured.

Zac Clarke came back in round 5. So from rounds 5-7, Griffin and Clarke were the main rucks.

Then came round 7 vs Richmond in Perth. Jono Griffin did his knee and was in AA form by some Dockers fans.

Jack Hannath did nothing but got a match winning mark and Freo won by a point and literally by 2-3 metres.

So from rounds 8 until round 14-15 until Sandilands returned from injury, Zac Clarke and Jack Hannath held the fort in the ruck.

Don't ask me how I remembered all that. Freos 2013 season was memorable.

But to have all those injuries and still make that grand final was brilliant looking back at it.
 

Log in to remove this ad.

Covid issues

I'm fuming we didn't go into a 5 day lockdown earlier. No excuses now, have to hit it hard and hit it early.

Luckily where I am we haven't had a case for months but no way am I going to Sydney anytime soon.

Why they still want to run the Sydney test with a crowd is beyond my comprehension skills.
 
AFL lists: Will WA trio Alec Waterman, Kobe Farmer, Chad Pearson end up in AFL in 2021?
Matt TurnerNews Corp Australia
Fri, 1 January 2021 2:23PMComments

Could this WA trio get an AFL lifeline?

Could this WA trio get an AFL lifeline?

West Coast and Fremantle’s playing lists may be full, but there’s still 11 clubs searching for their next addition.
Could Claremont’s Alex Waterman land on Essendon’s list?
Will Peel’s Kobe Farmer, the son of Fremantle and Melbourne great Jeff Farmer, get his shot at the Demons in 2021?
Or would South Fremantle mature-age backman Chad Pearson be worth a punt for the Swans?
Here is how each club sits ahead of the start of the Supplementary Selection Period on January 6:
ADELAIDE
Vacant list spots: 1
Train-on players: Ayce Taylor (Crows), Nick Murray (Williamstown, VFL)
Crows recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie has indicated it will be a two-man battle for one position and the club will make a decision before the March 9 SSP deadline. Both Taylor (191cm) and Murray (193cm) are tall defenders. Adelaide recruited Taylor during the SSP last March then delisted the 20-year-old in September. The athletic, speedy backman did not debut and was unable to push his case via the SANFL because clubs could not field state-league teams amid the coronavirus. Murray – the brother of ex-Collingwood player Sam Murray – was a former member of the GWS academy and featured in eight NEAFL games for the Giants in 2019. After losing Kyle Hartigan to Hawthorn, Adelaide will choose between the known quantity and the outsider to boost its backline stocks.
CARLTON
Vacant list spots: 1
Train-on players: Oscar McDonald (Melbourne), Callum Moore (Carlton/Richmond), Zavier Maher (Murray Bushrangers, NAB League)
[PLAYERCARD]Oscar McDonald[/PLAYERCARD] in action during a Demons training session.

Oscar McDonald in action during a Demons training session. Credit: Jono Searle/Getty Images
An 81-game key defender, a tall forward with 10 matches to his name and an unlucky midfield draft prospect are in contention to fill Carton’s list hole. McDonald, 24, was a Demons backline regular from 2016-18, playing 60 matches, including all three of their finals in the latter season, but managed just seven appearances last campaign and was axed. The Blues’ tall backline stocks do look a little thin and they may want more support for Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones. Moore, also 24, joined Carlton via the SSP in March and played two matches, only to be cut in November. The Blues might re-list him for forward cover given Charlie Curnow’s delayed start to pre-season after knee surgery. Taking Maher would be a case of not wanting to miss out on a youngster many thought would be drafted. He is powerful, quick inside midfielder. Our prediction would be McDonald.
COLLINGWOOD
Vacant list spots: 2
Train-on players: Jack Briskey (Sherwood Magpies, Queensland)
Jack Briskey during the 2020 Northern Academy Series.

Jack Briskey during the 2020 Northern Academy Series. Credit: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos
If Collingwood snared Briskey, it would be rookie-listing him on raw potential, not as someone who would be expected to contribute immediately. The athletic, aggressive key defender, was in Brisbane’s academy and an overlooked draft prospect last month. The Toowoomba local performed strongly at the draft combine, including finishing equal-fourth (94cm) in the running vertical jump and recording 2.94 secs in the 20m sprint. Collingwood may want to wait until the mid-season draft to make its decisions, so it can look at the best available talent, particularly in Victoria, where there has not been lower-level games for a year. Given their significant squad turnover, the Magpies may opt for a more experienced option, either coming off a list or in a state league, rather than an 18 or 19-year-old.
ESSENDON
Vacant list spots: 1*
Train-on players: 0
Alec Waterman was a standout in the WAFL in 2020.

Alec Waterman was a standout in the WAFL in 2020. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Essendon has one spot available now but can open up another if it moves anterior cruciate ligament victim Irving Mosquito to its inactive list. The Bombers added three top-10 draft picks last month but might want to sign one of the best overlooked draftees. Would Zavier Maher appeal? If the Bombers sought a more experienced option, could they look to a mature-age forward, such as 24-year-old West Australian Alec Waterman? Illness ruined the 182cm prospect’s two-season stint at West Coast but he won Claremont’s best and fairest last year and was the WAFL’s top-ranked general forward.
HAWTHORN
Vacant list spots: 0*
Henry Walsh completes the agility test during the 2020 NAB League Testing Day.

Henry Walsh completes the agility test during the 2020 NAB League Testing Day. Credit: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos
The Hawks do not have any room yet but can bring someone in if they move James Sicily to the inactive list. If they do that, it will be interesting to see if Hawthorn seeks the best available player or a medium defender to help fill Sicily’s void. Unless the Hawks believe they are a finals contender, taking the best young player makes more sense. Hawthorn could do with another developing ruckman so Geelong Falcons’ Henry Walsh — brother of Carlton star Sam Walsh — or Sandringham Dragons’ Max Heath might appeal.
MELBOURNE

Vacant list spots: 2

Train-on players: Kobe Farmer (Peel Thunder, WAFL)

[PLAYERCARD]Jeff Farmer[/PLAYERCARD] and his son Kobe.

Jeff Farmer and his son Kobe. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian
Farmer is one of the best feel-good stories among the train-on players — he is the son of three-time Demons leading goalkicker Jeff Farmer. The Peel Thunder prospect booted 10 majors from seven WAFL colts games last season but was overlooked in the drafts, including by the Demons and Fremantle, which both had access to him via the father-son rule. Farmer, 18, is listed on the Thunder’s website at a tiny 169cm and 65kg so looms as a project player if taken. Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb last month said the club had tracked his progress for years. “We thought this would be a great opportunity to get a closer look at him,” Lamb said. Melbourne Next Generation Academy prospect Deakyn Smith has been touted as another contender for the list vacancies. Smith, 18, is a speedy but raw wingman/half-forward from Dandenong Stingrays.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Vacant list spots: 1

Train-on players: Flynn Appleby (Collingwood), Sam Skinner (Brisbane)

[PLAYERCARD]Flynn Appleby[/PLAYERCARD] is hoping for another shot in the AFL.

Flynn Appleby is hoping for another shot in the AFL. Credit: Adam Trafford/AFL Media
North Melbourne is seeking more experience after their off-season clean-out and have given two delisted players an opportunity to battle for one spot. And with Jasper Pittard, Majak Daw, Sam Durdin, Jamie Macmillan, Ed Vickers-Willis, Marley Williams and Tom Murphy all gone, the Kangaroos look to be targeting a defender. Appleby, 21 and a medium backman, played 11 games for the Magpies, including one last year. Swingman Skinner, 23, notched three matches for the Lions. The 198cm Gippsland Power product endured three knee reconstructions early in his career. They address different areas of need and both have a case.

PORT ADELAIDE

Vacant list spots: 1

Train-on players: 0

South Australia coach Julian Farkas and captain Kaine Baldwin pose with the AFL U16 Championships in 2018.

South Australia coach Julian Farkas and captain Kaine Baldwin pose with the AFL U16 Championships in 2018. Credit: Albert Perez/AFL Media
Port Adelaide has indicated it will assess prospects ahead of the mid-season draft, rather than add anyone during the SSP. That will allow its recruiters to watch three months of football where youngsters overlooked at the draft have a chance to shine. Glenelg forward Kaine Baldwin may be an option if he shows he has recovered from his second consecutive ACL injury. Baldwin was considered a possible top-10 pick in 2019, given his ability to pluck marks and crash packs, only to suffer his injury setbacks. The Power drafted Sandringham Dragons tall forward Ollie Lord but a highly-touted local spearhead could be tough to bypass. Port Adelaide might instead look to strengthen its depth with a more experienced state-league player to help its premiership tilt. If it went down that path, ex-Hawthorn swingman Luke Surman might be an option. He walked away from the Hawks midway through 2017 after a year and a half on their rookie list, before returning to Norwood. Surman has joined Port Adelaide’s SANFL team as a top-up player.

RICHMOND

Vacant list spots: 2

Train-on players: Nicholas Couroupis (West Adelaide, SANFL), Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (Richmond), Josh Green (Marist AFC, ACT), Rhyan Mansell (Woodville-West Torrens, SANFL)

[PLAYERCARD]Derek Eggmolesse-Smith[/PLAYERCARD] is hoping for another shot with Richmond.

Derek Eggmolesse-Smith is hoping for another shot with Richmond. Credit: Matt Roberts/Getty Images
Eggmolesse-Smith is the obvious frontrunner for one of the two spots. He played six games for the Tigers in 2020 and received two Brownlow Medal votes against North Melbourne yet was surprisingly delisted in November. But Mansell appears to be vying for the same spot as a speedy defender. The 20-year-old is coming off four consecutive senior flags – three in Tasmania with Launceston and last season with SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens. Mansell gathered 19 disposals and had eight marks in the Eagles’ grand final win in October. Green – the younger brother of GWS top-10 pick Tom Green and grandson of four-time premiership Tiger Michael Green – offers something different as a 192cm utility. Inside midfielder Couroupis played reserves for West Adelaide last season, where his kicking and defensive workrate stood out. He was something of a draft smoky because he missed most of the 2018-19 campaigns with stress fractures in his back. On paper, it appears Eggmolesse-Smith and Mansell are battling for one position and Green and Couroupis for the other.

ST KILDA

Vacant list spots: 3

Train-on players: 0

Sam Collins takes part in the 2km run during the 2020 Tasmania AFL Draft Combine.

Sam Collins takes part in the 2km run during the 2020 Tasmania AFL Draft Combine. Credit: Steve Bell/AFL Photos
The Saints have more list spots available than any club. With three selections, they have the option to potentially sign a player or two before the season then keep at least one pick for the mid-season draft. St Kilda, which is coming off a semi-final appearance, does not seem to have any glaring list weaknesses. But it may consider adding a tall backman after the departures of Logan Austin and Nathan Brown, or another pacey forward, now that Matthew Parker and Nick Hind are gone. If it sought a younger player, could mid-sized Tasmanian interceptor Sam Collins, who was overlooked in the draft last month, be a target? What about Northern Territorian medium forward Brodie Lake? Gold Coast had access to him via its Darwin zone but did not have secure him. Athletic and quick, Lake played for Central District in the SANFL last year. An experienced player or two could appeal given St Kilda’s push for a top-four spot in 2021. West Adelaide’s Mitch Duval, 23, warrants consideration after going from amateur football in 2019 to the draft combine last year. The 188cm backman took the fourth-most intercept marks in the SANFL in 2020.
SYDNEY

Vacant list spots: 1

Train-on players: 0

WA’s Chad Pearson poses during the NAB AFL Western Australia Draft State Combine back in 2016.

WA’s Chad Pearson poses during the NAB AFL Western Australia Draft State Combine back in 2016. Credit: AFL Media
The Swans are yet to name any train-on players, which may be a sign they will assess second-tier competitions and select someone in the mid-season draft. Sydney might consider boosting its key defensive stocks, which look a touch thin behind Dane Rampe, Lewis Melican, Tom McCartin and Kaiden Brand. Would South Fremantle mature-age backman Chad Pearson be worth a punt? Or if the Swans want to go younger, how about Collins?

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Vacant list spots: 1*

Train-on players: Ewan Macpherson (Northern Knights), Corey Preston (Eastern Ranges), Anthony Scott (Footscray)

Sam Lloyd’s retirement last month made one position available but there would be two if the Bulldogs moved Toby McLean, recovering from an ACL, to the inactive list. The three train-on players are very different. There is an overlooked father-son prospect, a youngster yet to feature in the NAB League and a VFL club best and fairest. The Bulldogs opted against taking Macpherson, whose dad Stephen played 188 games for the club, as a father-son pick but invited the halfback/midfielder a chance to press his case over summer. Macpherson was Vic Metro’s skipper at under-16 level and was set to co-captain Northern Knights last year before coronavirus struck. Preston is something of a wildcard. He has not featured in the NAB League, playing mainly for Eastern Football League club Ferntree Gully. At 180cm, he is likely a small forward at AFL level. Preston is known for being a strong mark, neat skills and high vertical leap. The Dogs would know plenty about Scott, a midfielder who won Footscray’s best and fairest last year. Given their riches in that area, you would not think the Bulldogs would need any more on-ball depth, which might boost Macpherson and Preston’s chances.

Note: All teams have reached the minimum of 37 list spots so none are required to sign anyone.

Clubs without vacant list spots: Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, Geelong, GWS Giants, Gold Coast and West Coast.
 
I can’t access the article but it’ll be quoting Aish mentioning Sturt in his interview on Freo’s website.
yep, quoting two sentences Aish said about Sturt

“Hopefully injury free, he gets a full year at it,” Aish said.

“He showed really good signs last year. He’ll be a big player for us up forward.”

this is the most exciting thing about the article IMO
“while defender Alex Pearce is ready to join main training after an extended break in Tasmania.“
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Kep
people outside of Freo and neutrals will bag out Ross Lyon for not winning a flag at the Dockers for various reasons.

If you wanna know how impressive it was in Ross Lyon leading Freo to the 2013 grand final is......


Happy to remind you that Matty Pavlich missed 8 weeks via injury. McPharlin lost half a season because of injury.

Sandilands had missed 15 weeks with a turf toe injury.

Getting Jack Hannath in the PSD was a blessing in disguise back in that 2013 pre season draft.

I still remembered our ruck stocks.

Sandilands was injured for the 1st 14 games. Zac Clarke missed the 1st 4-5 weeks with that injury in the big day out.

So we only had Jono Griffin and Hannath as the only rucks not injured.

Zac Clarke came back in round 5. So from rounds 5-7, Griffin and Clarke were the main rucks.

Then came round 7 vs Richmond in Perth. Jono Griffin did his knee and was in AA form by some Dockers fans.

Jack Hannath did nothing but got a match winning mark and Freo won by a point and literally by 2-3 metres.

So from rounds 8 until round 14-15 until Sandilands returned from injury, Zac Clarke and Jack Hannath held the fort in the ruck.

Don't ask me how I remembered all that. Freos 2013 season was memorable.

But to have all those injuries and still make that grand final was brilliant looking back at it.

Kepler Bradley was the big piece missing on GF day, we would have won with the ‘Enigma’ on the park.
 
dont worry Dale147 , I've got this one :grimacing:

View attachment 1037022
Some might opine that this article represents everything that is wrong with journalism today, but, really, when was the last time you saw in a piece of reporting such attention to detail, such commitment to providing historical background, such a broad canvassing of the range of views or inclusion of such a diversity of voices?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top