Towards 2015...

[supahoops]

I can remember the days when we were entertaining on the field , crap in the front Office and never viewed as a serious threat or as a powerful Club.
You had the feeling that the team had talent ( at times ) but the Club was never aligned throughout every layer and whilst we had potential it wasn't being realised.

The catalyst IMO has been the 2006 review spearheaded by Cook. It is incredible how that reality check has transformed us into a united , structured , visionary Club with enviable on field success. We have endured setbacks ( Gaz , Bomber) which, in the past, would have set us back years - and just shrugged them off. We have a vision and a mission that is unshakeable and the courage to see that through , also the wisdom to be flexible along the way. You can't help but be impressed with the professionalism our Leaders display and how that now permeates the Organisation.

You can't be Premiers every year but I am so confident that we will get the best out of resources each and every year , our culture will ensure that happens. We seem set for a tilt in 2014/15 but the aspect that I admire is that we are determined to be a contender in the finals each and every year. That is an objective that sets us apart from the rest and what makes it exciting is that we have the ability on and off the field to make it happen. Thank god my Grandfather took me to the footy and made me a Cat for life !!

In building terms we are now ' out of the ground ' as far as our club goes. Cook, costa and co. have given unbelievably strong foundations on which to build. And what is taking shape has us all looking to he sky in anticipation. We are probably still ahead of two thirds of the competition as we look to 'build' towards our next flag, and close enough to the top few to mount a challenge right now. I know the club aren't big on individuals these days, but the sooner these two are recognised the better.

 

[supahoops]

McCarthy? Easy one.

Absolutely.....could.....not.....kick. And just not good enough.

Fair point, seems a long time ago now but it's starting to come back to me..

 

[Senatorguesty]

I agree. I want a cook and costa stand or something at kp. They deserve something that for sure.

 

[Belisarius]

Farmer2Goggin said: ↑

I can remember the days when we were entertaining on the field , crap in the front Office and never viewed as a serious threat or as a powerful Club.​

You had the feeling that the team had talent ( at times ) but the Club was never aligned throughout every layer and whilst we had potential it wasn't being realised.​

​

The catalyst IMO has been the 2006 review spearheaded by Cook. It is incredible how that reality check has transformed us into a united , structured , visionary Club with enviable on field success. We have endured setbacks ( Gaz , Bomber) which, in the past, would have set us back years - and just shrugged them off. We have a vision and a mission that is unshakeable and the courage to see that through , also the wisdom to be flexible along the way. You can't help but be impressed with the professionalism our Leaders display and how that now permeates the Organisation.​

​

You can't be Premiers every year but I am so confident that we will get the best out of resources each and every year , our culture will ensure that happens. We seem set for a tilt in 2014/15 but the aspect that I admire is that we are determined to be a contender in the finals each and every year. That is an objective that sets us apart from the rest and what makes it exciting is that we have the ability on and off the field to make it happen. Thank god my Grandfather took me to the footy and made me a Cat for life !!​

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So true, so true.​

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I think it was the catalyst. We just needed everybody to get on the same line as Cook and Costa. They were/are brilliant in their jobs. I hold Cook incredibly highly.​

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Bomber was not at all happy with the review - but it got everybody on the same page - created an openess and some honesty around the club.​

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Having Wells already in place was a big bonus - and getting Blame a master stroke.​

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Now we have Scott and Knights - both really good appointments.​

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WE should have slid down the ladder after so much success and loss of so many top players - but we have not. And we will not. It takes so many things to make a great and successful club - and we have it all. Skill on the field by itself is not enough (as we saw between 1989-95) - you need it all in place.​

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Forget luck - as how can count on getting some when it counts ? I discount luck, as if you believe in it then it distracts from doing what you need to do and keeps you thinking all we need is a bit of luck and we will succeed. You need to make your own results and success - and if some luck comes your way - well fine. But you do not let it stop you if some luck goes against you.​

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A great culture and club does not rely on luck nor need it usually.​

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It is a great club now - and that is no accident.​

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[CoolCat75]

I know there is another thread for the 2013 team, but I remember when Scotty took over, he said he was playing for the now, as well as looking towards 2014-15. As disappointed as the loss to Fremantle was, I think the transition to the 2015 is looking good. Who knows if this team will finish 1st or 8th, but I am optimistic.

FB : Guthrie Lonegan Murdoch
HB : Mackie Taylor T.Hunt
C: Kelly Selwood Duncan
HF: SJ Vardy Menzel
FF: Motlop Hawkins Bartel
R: West Christiensen Varcoe
Int (from): Simpson, Smedts, Simpkin, Gillies, Stringer, GHS, Walker, Brown etc

Looks good to me. I think to be a premiership, we need the following to happen:

The following veterans (in 2015) hold their form : Mackie, Lonegan, Taylor, SJ, Bartel, Kelly
The following transition from good players to A Graders - Menzel, Christiensen, Duncan, Vardy
The following transition from fringe/junior players quality AFL players - Guthrie, T. Hunt, Motlop, Murdoch, Simpson, Smedts.

Thoughts?

 

[CoolCat75]

Also if possible, rather than making this thread about picking the best 22 for 2015, lets discuss the prospects of the team as we transition over the next 3 years. Are we on the right track, is the team good enough, what do we need to improve, are you optimistic?

 

[topic97]

Gee it's a pretty long bow to draw as to how many of those veterans are still playing and/or in form given most of them will be 30+.

I'd personally like to see a lot more newbies in the team given all the younger players listed will be around the 22 -25 mark, but obviously you can't list them as you won't know who they are.

 

[Footy Smarts]

This is what we should be looking at next year:

1) Have any of Duncan, Christensen, Smedts, Motlop, Vardy, Varcoe, Menzel have break out years and become top 50 players in the comp. I think one of them will (backing Christensen) but all of them have the ability.

2) Have Schroder, Stringer and Simpkin really pressure the likes of Corey, Kelly and Chapman for spots through the midfield. I think Schroder is going to make it if he gets a bigger tank and Stringer is too good for the VFL from what I've seen. Backing these 2 to play plenty of games.

3) Have Dawson Simpson make the #1 ruck spot his own. This might be a bit optimistic but next year will be his chance to shine. Everything about him screams quality ruckman but as yet he hasn't put it together.

4) Have Mitch Brown cement a spot as a tall defender. I think he'll get first crack replacing Scarlett. It's time for him to show that he can use his nous and footy smarts to become a quality player.

Realistically we should be pumping games in to our youngsters next year. We should look to play blokes like Corey, Chapman, Podsiadly, Enright and J Hunt no more than about 15 games each next year so there's plenty of spots for the youngsters. That will also keep these guys fresh for a run at finals if we're good enough to make it.