And there was me thinking that Essendon's midfield a couple of years ago was being criticised for being slow, isn't it marvellous if things are just given a chance to develop

You are right with this one, it was their downfall according to the critics and things have turned around quickly. Goddard has helped as a utility but a big part of the improvement has really come from the development from within, also they had Zaharakis out injured most of last season.

Watson hasn't got any faster but those around him have stepped up to help.

Maybe with a bit of development and clever recruiting, something we have not been guilty of in the past, we may yet get a decent midfield.

it has to be both od based on probabilities

you can't have so many top 20 picks (and not just by mfc's judgement) go pear shaped

statistically these figures are just too horrific to be blamed just on poor selection (which i concede is definitely part of the problem)

just why the development was sub standard is another story (and fast becoming history i hope)

Being way unfit has to be at least a part of it ...

I brought this topic up months ago. Funny enough only one coach remains.

I brought this topic up months ago. Funny enough only one coach remains.

Nearly every assistant at Carlton went when Malthouse went there. The cleanout has everything to do with the new coach bringing in his own people which has always been the norm and little to do with your theory.

Edited September 23, 201312 yr by nutbean

I brought this topic up months ago. Funny enough only one coach remains.

Very interesting and damning stats. Was also thinking about how our inexperienced our Coaching group was and if that actually impacts on the players.

Here is our panel so far, and lets not forget we still got more coaches to come!

Paul Roos 356 games Ben Matthews 198 games Jade Rawlings 148 games Brett Allison 228 games Brad Miller 157 games.

That's 1087 games worth of AFL experience so far wit more to come.

Looks much better doesn't it!

theory has lots of merrit, how can you teach someone to do something that you have never done your self? AFL is a totally different game to junior or any other league/level. obviously there are exceptions to the rule, with someone like a neil craig, but the level he played at years ago at the time was on par with the vfl. anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool

Very interesting and damning stats. Was also thinking about how our inexperienced our Coaching group was and if that actually impacts on the players.

Here is our panel so far, and lets not forget we still got more coaches to come!

Paul Roos 356 games Ben Matthews 198 games Jade Rawlings 148 games Brett Allison 228 games Brad Miller 157 games.

That's 1087 games worth of AFL experience so far wit more to come.

Looks much better doesn't it!

Royal played a great deal of footy. Leigh Brown too.

Judging coaches on how much AFL/VFL they played is misguided to say the least.

And casting them the way we have because Roos had let them go is also hollow, the only reason why Rawlings is still here and we don't have a full clean out is a contract that extends for another year.

I am not sure about Miller?

I am not sure about Miller?

That's ok.

It doesn't matter, if that makes you feel better.

I am not sure about Miller?

The club is. I'll back the club!

Development and our coaches...

Non-existent apparently.

But good news, we've received confirmation from the AFL that our list has significant upside. And it is expected this significant improvement will happen.

Very interesting and damning stats. Was also thinking about how our inexperienced our Coaching group was and if that actually impacts on the players.

Here is our panel so far, and lets not forget we still got more coaches to come!

Paul Roos 356 games Ben Matthews 198 games Jade Rawlings 148 games Brett Allison 228 games Brad Miller 157 games.

That's 1087 games worth of AFL experience so far wit more to come.

Looks much better doesn't it!

I do find it interesting - besides Paul Roos the balance were hardly world beaters as footballers and whilst I applaud anyone who can play any games of AFL let alone 100 plus it does go to show that you dont need to make a great footballer to be a good coach ( aka - how can you teach others if you havent done it yourself...).

What looks much better is Paul Roos instead of Mark Neeld.