Turn-around game?

[chophappy]

We all recall Carlton at OO, 2001....

I have a suspicion that we may look back at Subi vs Freo 2004 as a turnaround game too....except going down, not up

The facts, such as they are:

1. We have the oldest list in the comp.
2. We will lose players this year, regardless of what happens.
3. Some of our younger brigade are taking time to develop, or have question marks over their ability at this time.

To me, it looks like we are leaving too much to too few. I am not suggesting we are heading back to the foot of the ladder, merely that our time of dominance has come to an end.

I am not talking about injuries, or suspensions. I am talking with our best 22 on the paddock. We are, at best, the third best side in the league - but a distant third to the best team in the land.

I really hope we take stock of our list at the end of the year, accept as a club that we need a fresh injection of personnel and look to the future. 2002's decision to persevere with our list to chase 3 straight was vindicated, but we all knew that sooner or later we would have to pay the piper.

Well, I reckon he has come calling

 

[Yippyio]

I have never heard a positive thing come from you about brisbane.

I say now that no team in the competition would beat brisbane at full strength.

You take that many key players out of any other side in the Competition and see how they fare.

Also we only have the 1 player out long term in McDonald, and he wouldnt be in my full strength brisbane side anyways.

As for the freo game goes i was proud of the way they fought out the game. I was only disappointed in a couple of players. Adcock needs to go back to the reserves and Shattock needs to be given an ultimatum because his effort was weak and its time he stood up.

 

[chophappy]

I don't talk about positives Yip - that's not what I am good at Not wishing to come across pessimistic, but plenty of folk can talk us up.

I criticise because I care, not because I am negative.

 

[Stocka]

I reckon we're likely to cop a few hidings over the next few weeks. Hopefully the club is strong enough to decide to just let it pass, rather than rush back players from injury just to try and make up the difference all in vain.

In five weeks time or so, it's likely that we'll have a better list of available players to choose from, whilst a few young players have gained some experience in the meantime. I reckon we'd be looking ok for a good second half to the year, if this can managed.

The last thing we need right now, is for players to re-injure themselves and be out for longer and jeopardise any resurrgence by the team later in the year.

 

[chophappy]

Yeah, I agree Stocka - I think we will be doing well to win 2 of our next 4.

As for the long term, we have some currency in our list, and I would like to see it used - regardless of whether we win the flag this year or not. The club chose a policy of retention to put our name in the history books, which as a member I can't complain about! But, enough is enough - we need to have a longer term plan now.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Couldn't agree more, Olmster. Very critical we remain focussed on the big picture over the next month or so.

 

[SpecialBruce]

I'm predicting this will be our team come round 15/16.


B: Chris Scott, Mal Michael, Chris Johnson
HB: Ashley McGrath, Justin Leppitsch, Martin Pike
C: Richard Hadley, Simon Black, Jason Akermanis
HF: Brad Scott, Jonathan Brown, Blake Caracella
F: Craig McRae, Alistair Lynch, Michael Voss

FOLL: Jamie Charman, Nigel Lappin, Luke Power

INT: Clark Keating (hopefully), Darryl White, Shaun Hart, Daniel Bradshaw/Robert Copeland

EMERG: Aaron Shattock, Jared Brennan, Anthony Corrie

Depending on form or injury.

If that team gets on the field. Watch out. And that team will get on the field, but the question is when. And my prediction is round 15 or 16.

 

[lioness]

I agree with what Stocka said as well. We just have to make do with what we have for now and weather the storm as best we can. I guess the positive at the moment is that we're sitting in 3rd spot at this point and 6-3, and even if we lose a couple I don't think it's the end for us this season, not by a long way. Once we start to get players back from injury/suspension we'll get a roll on again, I mean we've won the last THREE premierships, we're a great side and we'll be right up there in September!

And while writing that I realised it might sound a tad arrogant, but that wasn't the intention!!!!

 

[SpecialBruce]

Originally posted by Stocka
I reckon we're likely to cop a few hidings over the next few weeks. Hopefully the club is strong enough to decide to just let it pass, rather than rush back players from injury just to try and make up the difference all in vain.

In five weeks time or so, it's likely that we'll have a better list of available players to choose from, whilst a few young players have gained some experience in the meantime. I reckon we'd be looking ok for a good second half to the year, if this can managed.

The last thing we need right now, is for players to re-injure themselves and be out for longer and jeopardise any resurrgence by the team later in the year.

Exactly

This stage of rounds 9 - 15 we havn't played that well in lately but have still managed to win the flag.

The next 4 - 5 weeks we aren't at our best due to many reasons, but we still win some games and lose some games, but come round 17 or so, we then turn it on and finish off strongly. The same thing will happen again this year based on my previous post.

What happened yesterday is no major concern. What happens over the next month is no major concern. Ease the players back and have the momentum reaching into the finals.

 

[irel]

Originally posted by chophappy
We all recall Carlton at OO, 2001....

I have a suspicion that we may look back at Subi vs Freo 2004 as a turnaround game too....except going down, not up

The facts, such as they are:

1. We have the oldest list in the comp.
2. We will lose players this year, regardless of what happens.
3. Some of our younger brigade are taking time to develop, or have question marks over their ability at this time.

To me, it looks like we are leaving too much to too few. I am not suggesting we are heading back to the foot of the ladder, merely that our time of dominance has come to an end.

I am not talking about injuries, or suspensions. I am talking with our best 22 on the paddock. We are, at best, the third best side in the league - but a distant third to the best team in the land.

I really hope we take stock of our list at the end of the year, accept as a club that we need a fresh injection of personnel and look to the future. 2002's decision to persevere with our list to chase 3 straight was vindicated, but we all knew that sooner or later we would have to pay the piper.

Well, I reckon he has come calling

Absolute crap.
I am sorry to say but you have shown to have total lack of appreciation or understanding of our situation.
Name one club in the competition that can withstand the sort of impact that we have had through injuries and suspensions.
Our list is as good as any team in the competition if not the best. Circumstances with injury, suspension and other factors such as travel, the administrative staff up, the perennial hunted club, the AFL etc... have had an impact.
To expect that a team can go on forever without experiencing hardships is naive. Good teams thrive through adversity and actually became better once it is overcome.
Sure we will lose some players at the end of the season. That's just a natural process of successful clubs growing and introducing freshness and opportunity for others. But to suggest a clean out is folly.
A sound, reasoned turnover of personnel will occur naturally through retirements and trading options.
The current circumstance is giving an opportunity to some young players to get some game time and to be appropriately assessed for future development, Once the players that are currently unavailable begin to filter back into the team the young and inexperienced will make way.
No need to panic. We are not Richmond. Sure we will experience some heartache at the moment and very likely lose on Saturday against Melbourne but keep faith in our list. Our objective is to make the top 4 and get the best list possible available in September. For God's sake it is only May.
Your contention that "Some of our younger brigade are taking time to develop, or have question marks over their ability at this time" is another sweeping generalization without any foundation.
Of the current young players that have played less than fifty games all of them have shown their value to the club and all will in my opinion be long term players for the LIons.
Ash is consistent and has become an integral part of our system.
Brennan is an enigma that will delight when he is on song and frustrate when he is not.
Corrie already in just five games has indicated that he has the potential of a champion.
Hadley already has shown that within the next couple of years he will lead the mid field with style and quality that is rare in the league.
Adcock and Pratt have only played 2 and 1 game respectively and to put a question mark over their ability shows that you have no understanding of football and total lack of mature outlook on this issue. IMHO both will be long term valuable contributers to our future success. Developing talent is a slow and precise art. Not all clubs or coaches can do it. Our coaching staff have the history to prove that they are on the right track with our youngsters.
Patience rewards. Impatience destroys.
We will be all right. I have confidence in Leigh and the leadership. Maybe you should show some support as well.

 

[chophappy]

Well, I will take my uninformed point of view away then.

Was giving my impression and hoped for a discussion, but having my thoughts called crap doesn't inspire me.

Not suggesting a clean out either, not sure where that came from.

Thanks for the warm welcome

 

[irel]

Originally posted by chophappy
Well, I will take my uninformed point of view away then.
Thanks for the warm welcome

My pleasure.

 

[SpecialBruce]

Re: Re: Turn-around game?

Originally posted by irel
Hadley already has shown that within the next couple of years he will lead the mid field with style and quality that is rare in the league.

Future Brownlow winner I think.

 

[stopeedie]

It is the only game we have not been in a winning position for. At the start of the year I done my tips and did not tip us to win one of the Perth games.

The fact we are 6-3 with those injuries is a good position to be in, the only two teams above us are two teams who havn't played finals footy for years and are fortunate to have and extra 4 weeks up their sleeve with pre season training.

Having said that, this week is shaping as a crucial game, if we win this game it sets us up as well as can be expected, get Brown and Charman back agains Port, with caracella and scott also pushing to get in and suddenly we will be travelling well.

They will need to play extremely honest football this week, I think they can do it. I saw Melbourne against Geelong and they are marshmellows. Will not go in when the ball is in dispute.

I think they will play Bradshaw on Neitz, and Leppitsch at FF, he is clearly not 100%.

Freo was a write off, I could think of no better time to have all these injuries and suspensions. However as I said this is a must win game to set ourselves up for the second half of the season.

Talk of the team being in decline is nonsense.

 

[NathanD]

The best thing about us losing a few games is that ppl are back here talking about it.

Great to see some activity at BigFooty!!

 

[SpecialBruce]

Originally posted by NathanD
The best thing about us losing a few games is that ppl are back here talking about it.

Great to see some activity at BigFooty!!

It's good. Everyone are going to write us off like last year, then we will come home with a bang.

 

[luthor]

Originally posted by chophappy
Well, I will take my uninformed point of view away then.

Was giving my impression and hoped for a discussion, but having my thoughts called crap doesn't inspire me.

Not suggesting a clean out either, not sure where that came from.

Thanks for the warm welcome

Hey Chophappy.

You're perfectly entitled to your opnion so you don't have to get all miffed about someone else mounting a contrary view.......even if they reckon your opinion is "crap".

Personally, I think you make some valid points ( and I do mean some).

It's just that your views do come across as somewhat negative at best and "doom and gloom" at worst.

Try acknowledging some of the positives of being a supporter of a great club and you might find others will be more receptive to a discussion.