Autopsy The theme is:

[Kram]

I think you've been listening to too many precious Hawthorn supporters whinging that a couple people in the media dared suggest the Hawks may not romp it in.

That was mainly a muppet called 'extreme' that had some bizarre obsession with it.

 

[Steinfreo]

The vibe on the day in Melbourne was 50/50 our finals form was pretty much second to none. Away win at Geelongistan, before people had completely realized Geelong were sliding, and a smashing of a limping but still powerful Swans.

 

[clogged]

Hawks were favourites but Freo were rated a good chance. As it turned out, the result reflected the opinion of the masses.

Unlike this year where Hawks were heavily underrated despite massive flaws in Sydney that were glossed over.

 

[Purple Jesus]

Hawthorn are the side that made three GFs in a row and won consecutive premierships. How do you figure that Freo could have demolished them in 2013?

Because we almost did... and then demolished them this year?

 

[clogged]

Because we almost did... and then demolished them this year?

A three goal win at home is not a demolition. What Hawthorn did in round 3 at the MCG is however.

 

[Tonga Bob]

A three goal win at home is not a demolition. What Hawthorn did in round 3 at the MCG is however.

I'm still drinking to try and forget that night...

 

[Thistle]

Lloyd was on Sport FM this morning explaining the reasoning behind the draft selections. Basically echoed what was already posted.

- Said Weller was picked as he was the best available
- Has a really good work ethic, loves training and very happy with him.
- Weren't going to draft talls for the sake of it
- Has faith in Tabs, Hannath, Apeness etc
- Possibly would have drafted a tall second round but couldn't believe Blakely was still available. Too good to pass up and think he will be a steal.
- Any talls they were interested were well and truly gone by our third pick.
- Langdon an elite athlete who could be anything.

 

[beetz]

Lloyd was on Sport FM this morning explaining the reasoning behind the draft selections. Basically echoed what was already posted.

- Said Weller was picked as he was the best available
- Has a really good work ethic, loves training and very happy with him.
- Weren't going to draft talls for the sake of it
- Has faith in Tabs, Hannath, Apeness etc
- Possibly would have drafted a tall second round but couldn't believe Blakely was still available. Too good to pass up and think he will be a steal.
- Any talls they were interested were well and truly gone by our third pick.
- Langdon an elite athlete who could be anything.

Fair enough on the selections then. Reaching for talls for the sake of it when we have already secured what could be the future of our key positions could mean we miss out on the next superstar.

 

[democritus]

Pretty happy with the kids we picked. Especially Weller and Blakely, I can see these two becoming something quite special. As much as people are lamenting our lack of KPD depth, I feel they would be doing exactly the same in a few years time when Mundy, Barlow, Crowley, Pearce and Mzungu hang up the boots.

Not only do we have potential replacements, but these guys can be eased into the side and learn from these fellas whilst they are in their prime. It's a pretty sound strategy. The same thing is happening with Tabs and Pav, It'd be nice to see A. Pearce afforded the same opportunity down back at some stage this season.

 

[Arcassius]

Pretty happy with the kids we picked. Especially Weller and Blakely, I can see these two becoming something quite special. As much as people are lamenting our lack of KPD depth, I feel they would be doing exactly the same in a few years time when Mundy, Barlow, Crowley, Pearce and Mzungu hang up the boots.

Not only do we have potential replacements, but these guys can be eased into the side and learn from these fellas whilst they are in their prime. It's a pretty sound strategy. The same thing is happening with Tabs and Pav, It'd be nice to see A. Pearce afforded the same opportunity down back at some stage this season.

Pearce and MJ together would give us a very dynamic backline

 

[strobe00]

Pretty happy with the kids we picked. Especially Weller and Blakely, I can see these two becoming something quite special. As much as people are lamenting our lack of KPD depth, I feel they would be doing exactly the same in a few years time when Mundy, Barlow, Crowley, Pearce and Mzungu hang up the boots.

Not only do we have potential replacements, but these guys can be eased into the side and learn from these fellas whilst they are in their prime. It's a pretty sound strategy. The same thing is happening with Tabs and Pav, It'd be nice to see A. Pearce afforded the same opportunity down back at some stage this season.

The thing is, there aren't that many spots for genuine (non-ruck) talls in the 22. Four out of 22 for genuine talls, and another two if you include third talls... and take one out if the backup ruck is doubling as one of the six. At most, 6/22 and those guys can typically only be used for those spots (KPP/third tall).

At least with mids and flankers, they can potentially be played or developed in the other 16 spots. The hit rate with talls is pretty damn low, even with first rounders. It's probably not that much worse with later picks, or rookie draftees... which lets you lock them up for a few years to see how they develop... so it's worth grabbing the best talent when you can with the higher picks in the national draft. So it's worth using later picks on KPPs, and throwing a bunch of them out, rather than having to throw out a bunch of first round picks.

I remember reading that Schwabbolly had this amazing theory that we should draft for KPPs and trade for mids. The rampant success of that approach has been pretty clear. You have to burn a lot of high picks to get 4 top-line AFL level KPPs. And we did. And we only landed two in all that time (and one of those was via a trade)

It'd be nice to have two elite KPDs and two elite KPFs. But in their absence, I'm sure we could do OK with four solid KPPs and a top-line midfield. For all that some observers have said that Freo has a great midfield... we really don't... it's been a need for a few years now. At least we've addressed that need, and hopefully there's something in the pipeline to net us another couple of decent talls over the next couple of years. We don't need the next Buddy or Pav, or Taylor or McPharlin... a good, solid set of KPPs can do the trick if there's class in the other 18 spots in the team.