It was very intersting watching the replay of Round 14, 2003 last night on Foxtel of Geelong V Port Adelaide down at Skilled Stadium.

Geelong were 15th and I think Port were on top at the time. Geelong had players like Ablett, Bartel, Ling, King, Graham, Scarlett, Harley, Corey, Enright and was extremely interested to see Beamer in his first AFL game wearing Budda Hockings number 32. This side was getting flogged most weeks but looking back, 7 or so years later - the majority of these players are 2 time premiership players!

I just wonder whether we look back on games from the last couple of years in 5 or 6 years and are seeing 1 if not 2 time premiership players?! Just seems as though where we are now was where Geelong were back then?!

The thing is, we haven't even seen a good few of our highly rated kids yet.

We need to get games into them

This is right if you look at the experience of our list you basically have 4 categories

olds - McDonald, Bruce, Green

prime of football life +50 gamers - Rivers, Jamar, Maloney, Jones, McDonald joel, Sylvia, Dunn, Miller Davey, Bate, Bartram, Johnson

sub 50 gamers - the rest - though interesting to note that several are getting close to the 50 mark - Petterd 33, Morton 40,Frawley, Warnock

When I started this line of argument I didnt expect so many in the middle.

There is a cadre that look like acquiring 50 games (barring injury quite quickly) these include Scully, Trengove, Jordie McKenzie, Bennell (?), Bail - I might be being overly optimistic.

Together with Petterd Morton Frawley, and Warnock we look like having a quite reasonably experienced....not soon enough!

I hope the Geelong analogy is appropriate

I just wonder whether we look back on games from the last couple of years in 5 or 6 years and are seeing 1 if not 2 time premiership players?!

I just felt something move down below.

Same here, but it came from looking at your avatar

The issue I'm thinking about now is fitting all these kids in. I don't think anyone expected BOTH Scully and Trengove to hold the responsibility of a full-time midfield role from the start of round 1... and that's exactly what they've done. Jordie is a surprise packet too as he's played a lot of footy and is owning a spot. And then down in defence JoelMac, Grimes, Frawley et al are all rebounding so well Green isn't needed in defence as much. Green, JMac, Bruce and others are suddenly cast in the roles that made them famous. Jones is given more leeway as he's now not necessarily the first guy tagged. Spreading the load has done wonders for every guy in the side, including the forwards.

So where do we fit in Blease, Watts, Tapscott, Strauss... These guys are MUST haves given what we parted with for them.

The issue I'm thinking about now is fitting all these kids in. I don't think anyone expected BOTH Scully and Trengove to hold the responsibility of a full-time midfield role from the start of round 1... and that's exactly what they've done. Jordie is a surprise packet too as he's played a lot of footy and is owning a spot. And then down in defence JoelMac, Grimes, Frawley et al are all rebounding so well Green isn't needed in defence as much. Green, JMac, Bruce and others are suddenly cast in the roles that made them famous. Jones is given more leeway as he's now not necessarily the first guy tagged. Spreading the load has done wonders for every guy in the side, including the forwards.

So where do we fit in Blease, Watts, Tapscott, Strauss... These guys are MUST haves given what we parted with for them.

Let's face it, within the next 2 years, Bruce and McDonald will retire. That frees up 2 spots straight away. If, and it is a very big IF, Blease, Tapscott and Strauss become decent midfielders, I can quite easily see the likes of Bartram and Dunn in strife. So, if my theory is correct, there is the 4 spots you need made vacant to fit those listed players in.

I'm not too concerned about fitting them all in - as long as we are similar to Geelong in the fact that we have 2 or 3 gun mids (Grimes, Scully, Trengove), then the next level down are blokes like Morton, Tapscott, Strauss, Moloney, Jones, Gysberts and Blease, the rest are going to have to fight like hell to fill any remaining gaps. This will ensure better ouptut from the fringe players as they will be playing above their weight to keep a spot. The Cats had players like James Kelly, Wojinski(?), and even Byrnes and Stokes who fit this category.

Definitely some exciting years ahead, providing our players live their potential and get to the level that they need to.

Let's face it, within the next 2 years, Bruce and McDonald will retire. That frees up 2 spots straight away. If, and it is a very big IF, Blease, Tapscott and Strauss become decent midfielders, I can quite easily see the likes of Bartram and Dunn in strife. So, if my theory is correct, there is the 4 spots you need made vacant to fit those listed players in.

I'm not too concerned about fitting them all in - as long as we are similar to Geelong in the fact that we have 2 or 3 gun mids (Grimes, Scully, Trengove), then the next level down are blokes like Morton, Tapscott, Strauss, Moloney, Jones, Gysberts and Blease, the rest are going to have to fight like hell to fill any remaining gaps. This will ensure better ouptut from the fringe players as they will be playing above their weight to keep a spot. The Cats had players like James Kelly, Wojinski(?), and even Byrnes and Stokes who fit this category.

Definitely some exciting years ahead, providing our players live their potential and get to the level that they need to.

That cats side back then had a similar scenario. Blokes like Riccardi, Sanderson, Graham, Kingsley and Rahilly were coming to the end and a new wave came through which we're seeing the end results of now.

As you say, once guys like junior and Brucey move on - I just hope to see our new wave come through like theirs did!

Just all looks really similar thats all?!

Let's face it, within the next 2 years, Bruce and McDonald will retire. That frees up 2 spots straight away. If, and it is a very big IF, Blease, Tapscott and Strauss become decent midfielders, I can quite easily see the likes of Bartram and Dunn in strife. So, if my theory is correct, there is the 4 spots you need made vacant to fit those listed players in.

Yup, that's all well and good, but what about the next 4 draftees? It's lovely to say we have the old guys' replacements standing by in the VFL as we speak... but what happens when the next batch come flying through?

I guess the same thing as every side that has a settled 22 and uses 30 or so players in a year. The lesser guys get cut, or traded to a club that is in need.

Yup, that's all well and good, but what about the next 4 draftees? It's lovely to say we have the old guys' replacements standing by in the VFL as we speak... but what happens when the next batch come flying through?

I guess the same thing as every side that has a settled 22 and uses 30 or so players in a year. The lesser guys get cut, or traded to a club that is in need.

You just answered your own questions. Not all our players will succeed, that's Life.

Some will go North others will stay & prosper.

When we lose a player we must try to gain a better one. Never become Fat & contented.

You just answered your own questions. Not all our players will succeed, that's Life.

Some will go North others will stay & prosper.

When we lose a player we must try to gain a better one. Never become Fat & contented.

Well responded!

Another thing we have to face - not all our current draftee's are going to make it either, THAT'S REALITY PEOPLE!

Unless they can take that next step, blokes like Cheney, Jetta, Bennell, McNamara, etc may be the fringe players that can play good footy, but may not secure a spot.

While it will hopefully be a bit frustrating for some of these guys, they will demand interest from other teams, therefore, if we are smart, we will trade the odd player for a handy draft pick (ie pick 20-40). This is what Geelong have been able to do, and have done very well. I'm not calling for the named players to be traded, I;m just highlighting the potential players that will have to show a bit to be a regular. Very healthy competition to earn a game - what a situation to be in.