STEPPING BACK - Practice Match Report v Eagles

[Bay Riffin 1,480]

Thought I would point out some reasons for our seemingly extended period at the bottom of the table:

First and probably most paramount is that we are now really feeling the pinch of the draft penalties. The result being we don't have the necessary quality core experience (28-32) around to support, guide, develop and assist the plethora of young players we have. Most sides that have had any success at "bottoming out" have had quality experience i.e Harvey, Crawford,

Another very large contributing factor was that Neil Daniher over achived with the list he had (only 1 champion player in Neitz) and a lot of good to average players - making the finals consistently (at least by victorian standards). This meant that when the required rebuild of team took place their was no quality experience around to help. I don't recall to many all australians in these years (particularily multiple all-australians).

It should also be noted that the successful teams have also traded well, it is nearly impossible to draft a premiership team. Think Ottens for Geelong; Hall, Jolly, Bolton for Sydney, Croad, Dew for Hawthorn; Port brought in defenders such as Bishop, Hardwick; West Coast had Stenglien and Chick. Even St Kilda brought in Gerhig and Powel for the first tilt and now have numerous players origanally from other clubs for their second tilt. Bulldogs - Hall. These trades served two purposes to a) address a shortcoming in structure and/or B) to bring in experience and muscle for the development of youth.

I also don't believe any team has truly won a premiership through the "bottoming out" method first that was first instigated by St Kilda. Hawthorn's premiership was more a result of ruthless trading and clever drafting (Croad, McPharlin, Chick, Hay, Thompson). Their bottom out period (Thorp, Dowler, etc) is really yet to take shape. Geelong didn't truly bottom out, as per the St Kilda model (can't think of any number 1 draft picks for Geelong).

Luck: the one year we were in a position to take advantage of the draft whilst our list was still in reasonable shape (so as to quickly build a premiersip side); was just a very very weak draft year. Not to many success stories in the 2003 draft.

Unfortunately the delisting/retirement of experince players such as Robertson, White, Whelan, etc has exasperated the short term pain. Of course the upside, is the long term gain from extra youth developing; which may result in an extended long term period of success.

As for the forward line and ruck problems - Sydney has shown they can be traded in when needed. Also Geelong, West Coast, Port and to a lesser extent Sydney and Brisbane have all shown that you need only 1 quality foward to win a premiership and some may argue the word quality.

This year our side is just to young!!!!!

I think Hawthorn getting Roughhead, Buddy by bottoming out, Luke Hodge as no 1 pick to name a few were crucial to Hawthorns rise up the ladder.

Can't say high draft picks don't make a huge difference. pick 5 in 2004 kicked 100 goals in 2008 and fair to say would not have been picked if Hawthorn had no priority pick. It must be noted they also had 2 first round priority picks. They cleaned up nicely a few years ago.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

It must be noted they also had 2 first round priority picks. They cleaned up nicely a few years ago.

A very good point...often overlooked. And clean up they did. They had the good picks in the right spots in 2001 and 2004. And they also were able to trade a couple of senior players for a premium price. Although Thorp at pick 6(?) has been a dud for them.

[H_T 3,049]

I saw him V's Freo and he played well against Adelaide last week. He only missed the Essendon game in week 2.

You're right.

[drdrake 3,187]

Don't forget Hawthorn robbed North Melbourne of a couple of first round picks for Thompson and Hay, plus the dockers gave up I think a number 1 pick for Croad then Hawthorn got him back.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Don't forget Hawthorn robbed North Melbourne of a couple of first round picks for Thompson and Hay, plus the dockers gave up I think a number 1 pick for Croad then Hawthorn got him back.

Theft was it??

[mauriesy 7,357]

Theft was it??

Purloining?