Wizard Cup

[Riddler]

Just wondering what you guys think our plan of attack should be for The Wizard Cup this year?

Do we go for the Win? or Do we play the youngsters eg. Van Berlo, Meesen, Watts, Kreuger etc & see what they got?

I wish it was still The Round Robin format that we if we lose first round at least we would have another 2 Solid hit outs.

 

[Crowked]

I think we should approach it the same way every year. It is primarily to get things right for round 1 but should also be used to experiment a little. I think we shouldnt take it all that seriously but if we do manage to get into the third week we should go for it.

Its really not that important to win though. I would take a round 1 win over winning the Wizza Wok every time.

 

[Mad Dog]

I think we play our best available team which IMO contains

Rutten
Reilly
Hentchel
Thommo
Mattner

......still quite a few youngsters. If in internal trials or whatever, some of the younger ones deserve a spot in the Wiz Cup....then by all means put them in.
But IMO - the Wiz Cup is all about setting up for round 1 proper.......we need to focus on that first and foremost. If the youngsters are part of our Round 1 plans then fine - if not...a waste of time interms of practicing set plays etc.
Pick the side on merit.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

I would actually like to see the young guys play and give some of the older guys a bit of a rest to try and save their bodies a little bit.
However I feel we cannot afford this luxury as we are already behind the 8 ball so we need all the time we can to get ready for round 1. I would really like to see Kruegs play though, would fit in very nicely I think.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

I would actually like to see the young guys play and give some of the older guys a bit of a rest to try and save their bodies a little bit.
However I feel we cannot afford this luxury as we are already behind the 8 ball so we need all the time we can to get ready for round 1. I would really like to see Kruegs play though, would fit in very nicely I think.

Could possibly happen now under NC

 

[PowerKop]

Stop copying my threads. Think of your own

 

[Stiffy_18]

I would want a bit fo both. I would pick a side with a fair few youngsters in and it would definely contain Krueger if fit. You can still win by having a few youngsters in our side.

Its no secret that we are a LONG LONG LONG way away from being a genuine premirship contender but I think (especially with young kids) that if you can get off to a good start and gain some confidence then we are some silly chance to possibly make the 8 assuming we have a dream run with injuries and form. We have a pretty good draw and this is possible but of course its the absolute best case scenario.

I think if we can get off to a good start in the Wizard Cup, it will give players a lot of confidence going into the year, especially the youngsters

 

[macca23]

I think Craig would have to take the Wizard Cup as an opportunity to try and get the year's gameplan imbedded into the players for the season proper.

Each team is allowed 24 players in the cup and I think he would want to play close to his best 24 to assist with that.

He could feed a couple of young players into the squad without dramatically upsetting the balance of the team, and the game plan he wants played.

But I can't see him putting out an experimental team out on the park - no benefit.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I might be the odd one out here but I would give Andrews a game or two in the Wizard Cup so he gets a taste of AFL footy.

This might spur him on to have a good year and get promoted to the senior list at the end of 2005 once Clarke retires.

 

[slappy]

id be trying to win it, why not? its a great looking trophy

having said that, itd be good to see some of our lesser players get some game time

 

[jack did it]

if we actually had drafted some youngsters this year, or rather a couple of years ago, would have been a good option to play them. definitely shouldnt play best team available, winning the wizard cup means nothing. we always do this a seem to burn out at the end of year. better to start slow and lose a couple of games and run hot near the end of season. wizard cup should be used to all fringe youngsters (ie not massie etc) to press for regular selection if good enough. ayres was one who never did this also played best team available

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I think Craig would have to take the Wizard Cup as an opportunity to try and get the year's gameplan imbedded into the players for the season proper.

Each team is allowed 24 players in the cup and I think he would want to play close to his best 24 to assist with that.

He could feed a couple of young players into the squad without dramatically upsetting the balance of the team, and the game plan he wants played.

But I can't see him putting out an experimental team out on the park - no benefit.

I have a different view - think he certainly will be honing his gameplan strongly, but as has been printed the club has structured its training programs around the gameplan so it will be firmly entrenched in players habits b4 the Wizard Cup.

What I think he will do is push young players up (form permitting) and give them a taste.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I might be the odd one out here but I would give Andrews a game or two in the Wizard Cup so he gets a taste of AFL footy.

This might spur him on to have a good year and get promoted to the senior list at the end of 2005 once Clarke retires.

I think all players will have the opportunity to press based on how they train over the pre-season. Can't simply give players any games if they haven't worked hard for the opportunity

 

[Damien_R1]

Stop copying my threads. Think of your own

Did someone hear something ?

 

[Riddler]

Did someone hear something ?

exactly man...that's why i didn't bother to respond to the idiot! He gives us Liverpool supporters a bad name!!

 

[Alex99]

exactly man...that's why i didn't bother to respond to the idiot! He gives us Liverpool supporters a bad name!!

He give’s morons a bad name. (Not implying anything about the Mersey side)

 

[Alex99]

I might be the odd one out here but I would give Andrews a game or two in the Wizard Cup so he gets a taste of AFL footy.

This might spur him on to have a good year and get promoted to the senior list at the end of 2005 once Clarke retires.

Should we be playing Andrews now we have an abundance of good young ruckman?

I would like to see Josh Kruger and F Watts in the forward line during the pre season in at least one game.


FWIW> this is the week we will find out about Mark Stevens and the AFC for next season, he has untill friday.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Should we be playing Andrews now we have an abundance of good young ruckman?

I would like to see Josh Kruger and F Watts in the forward line during the pre season in at least one game.

Yes I agree the Wizard thingy would be a good test.

FWIW> this is the week we will find out about Mark Stevens and the AFC for next season, he has untill friday.

Looked pretty happy at training yesterday but yes this is the week.

 

[mymansyd]

Re: Mark Stevens

Three more training sessions to go before the List Lodgement deadline this Friday!

Tuesday 30/11 - 3.00pm - Norwood Oval
Thursday 2/12 - 10.00am - Max Basheer Res.
Friday 3/12 - 9.00am - Max Basheer Res.

I've got everything crossed that he gets through!!! Well, maybe not everything....

 

[Riddler]

Is 3 sessions really gonna make a difference though in all seriousness??

 

[mymansyd]

Is 3 sessions really gonna make a difference though in all seriousness??

In all honesty, probably not. If he remains on our list next year, I'll be the first to admit to feeling queasy every time he goes near the ball!

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Mark Stevens seems to be a very good guy and a team man. I have a mate who plays for the Crows and he said when he was recruited Stevo was one of the nicest out there and made him feel very wlecome.

I think if Stevo had any doubts in his mind about being able to last the season he would step aside and not hold back the development of say a Fisher or Pearce. He does not seem like a selfish player so I think the fact he is still out there training his guts out is a good sign that he is confident he can play another year.

 

[Mad Dog]

Mark Stevens seems to be a very good guy and a team man. I have a mate who plays for the Crows and he said when he was recruited Stevo was one of the nicest out there and made him feel very wlecome.

I think if Stevo had any doubts in his mind about being able to last the season he would step aside and not hold back the development of say a Fisher or Pearce. He does not seem like a selfish player so I think the fact he is still out there training his guts out is a good sign that he is confident he can play another year.

Exactly.........we've got to remember Stevo was talked out of retiring twice, so it's not as if he is selfish about playing on....and has obviously looked at his career fairly realistically in the past. So clearly he is not afraid of retirement.....and so the determination he is showing now must mean he is confident of being a real contributer next year - not just a passenger.

 

[mymansyd]

Exactly.........we've got to remember Stevo was talked out of retiring twice, so it's not as if he is selfish about playing on....and has obviously looked at his career fairly realistically in the past. So clearly he is not afraid of retirement.....and so the determination he is showing now must mean he is confident of being a real contributer next year - not just a passenger.

Train hard he must...

 

[- PC -]

Back to the Wizard Cup

Ive never rated the pre season cup as I feel all clubs dont participate 100% so judging the winner is hard IMO

Clubs use it as a membership drive or to raise cash or to test plans or players.

I would like the AFC do 2 things...which make sense hopefully.. I would like them to try and go as far as possible, as I feel that exposure to some kind of pressure is better for young players than country games against teams devising game plans.

Whether the draftees play or not is up to the match committee but IMO if they are not in your plans for the year then why waste a position? Saying that I dont mean not play them at all in the year but if you feel developmentally they need a full season in the SANFL, then playing an AFC match wont help them but it will help those we have fears about...Shirley,Reilly and co.

I would play Thompson as I feel he is in our 25 aiming for a game round 1

Certainly take the kids along to the game and the flying(if any) and let them feel the atmosphere but I would be hesitant to play them unless they were genuine chances to play before round 11