WE HAVE A GOOD NUCLEUS

[Macca 17,120]

We have a potentially good nucleus - that's it.

Without a core senior/established group performing well from here on in, that potentially good nucleus can fall by the wayside. Plus, these kids are mostly unproven anyway. The youngsters need a good grounding and if they don't get that good grounding, things can go pear shaped. I just hope the club has learnt from that mostly dysfunctional era from '08 - '13.

Our leaders and established players need to stand up over the next 2 and a half years - if they don't, too much will fall on young shoulders ... Dawes, Watts, Dunn, Howe, Jamar, N Jones, Vince, Cross, Tyson, Grimes, Garland, Pedersen, Lumumba, Jetta, Garlett & T-Mac all need to be at their best in the foreseeable future and in most cases, the medium to perhaps longish term.

Some of the 15 players I jotted down may well be done but It would be hoped that they don't share that view. Hopefully they've got a bit of personal pride and can fight their way into some decent form.

One of Roos' major jobs is to build culture - our culture is still a long way off so he's got a fair bit of work ahead. Our senior core give up far too easily and Roos needs to instil a will to win in them or bring in some other experienced good footballers who do have that will to win. Acquiring 2 or 3 decent free agents should be on the agenda at year's end.

Expecting youngsters to lead the way is just not a good plan.

You only have to look at last night's Hawks/Swans game to see the level we need to be aiming at - a stack of senior players from both sides all over the ground setting good examples for the younger players from both sides.

That's the template.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Wouldn't read too much into the pic...Viney isn't there either.

He would be part of any nucleous...unless that is Viney front and centre but it looks more like Newton to me.

Wow.

[Ethan Tremblay 31,264]

Wow.

Haha yep wow indeed.

100% it's Viney.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

I do agree with what you're saying, we've just been burnt before is all.

Interesting that Toumpas wasn't pictured.

That's not a nucleus........that's a murder.

EDIT: Rip DB.

Edited May 24, 2015 by jumbo returns

[stuie 7,374]

We have a potentially good nucleus - that's it.

Without a core senior/established group performing well from here on in, that potentially good nucleus can fall by the wayside. Plus, these kids are mostly unproven anyway. The youngsters need a good grounding and if they don't get that good grounding, things can go pear shaped. I just hope the club has learnt from that mostly dysfunctional era from '08 - '13.

Our leaders and established players need to stand up over the next 2 and a half years - if they don't, too much will fall on young shoulders ... Dawes, Watts, Dunn, Howe, Jamar, N Jones, Vince, Cross, Tyson, Grimes, Garland, Pedersen, Lumumba, Jetta, Garlett & T-Mac all need to be at their best in the foreseeable future and in most cases, the medium to perhaps longish term.

Some of the 15 players I jotted down may well be done but It would be hoped that they don't share that view. Hopefully they've got a bit of personal pride and can fight their way into some decent form.

One of Roos' major jobs is to build culture - our culture is still a long way off so he's got a fair bit of work ahead. Our senior core give up far too easily and Roos needs to instil a will to win in them or bring in some other experienced good footballers who do have that will to win. Acquiring 2 or 3 decent free agents should be on the agenda at year's end.

Expecting youngsters to lead the way is just not a good plan.

You only have to look at last night's Hawks/Swans game to see the level we need to be aiming at - a stack of senior players from both sides all over the ground setting good examples for the younger players from both sides.

That's the template.

Spot on,

We have had great young talent for years, that's not the problem. The problem is, and always has been, our peak age (24-28 year old) players. Biggest weak spot in our list, and the youngsters will get nowhere (as has been happening) without senior quality around them.

[P-man 13,367]

We have a potentially good nucleus - that's it.

Without a core senior/established group performing well from here on in, that potentially good nucleus can fall by the wayside. Plus, these kids are mostly unproven anyway. The youngsters need a good grounding and if they don't get that good grounding, things can go pear shaped. I just hope the club has learnt from that mostly dysfunctional era from '08 - '13.

Our leaders and established players need to stand up over the next 2 and a half years - if they don't, too much will fall on young shoulders ... Dawes, Watts, Dunn, Howe, Jamar, N Jones, Vince, Cross, Tyson, Grimes, Garland, Pedersen, Lumumba, Jetta, Garlett & T-Mac all need to be at their best in the foreseeable future and in most cases, the medium to perhaps longish term.

Some of the 15 players I jotted down may well be done but It would be hoped that they don't share that view. Hopefully they've got a bit of personal pride and can fight their way into some decent form.

One of Roos' major jobs is to build culture - our culture is still a long way off so he's got a fair bit of work ahead. Our senior core give up far too easily and Roos needs to instil a will to win in them or bring in some other experienced good footballers who do have that will to win. Acquiring 2 or 3 decent free agents should be on the agenda at year's end.

Expecting youngsters to lead the way is just not a good plan.

You only have to look at last night's Hawks/Swans game to see the level we need to be aiming at - a stack of senior players from both sides all over the ground setting good examples for the younger players from both sides.

That's the template.

Great post again Mac.

It's a nucleus of raw talent and that's it. It's far from given that these boys will take us to premiership glory. If we've learned anything, we've learned that much. The difference on face value from the Bailey crop is that these boys are all footballers first, athletes second. They aren't predomnantly skinny outside runners. They can win their own ball. But a lot depends on how they are guided going forward.

Certainly when you watch Hawks v Swans last night, you can see the amount of work that lies ahead of them. We are frankly light years away from that level of cohesion as a football side.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Hear what y'all are saying, but here's the difference....the NUCLEUS is made up of FOOTBALLERS and LEADERS.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,477]

We have a potentially good nucleus - that's it.

Without a core senior/established group performing well from here on in, that potentially good nucleus can fall by the wayside. Plus, these kids are mostly unproven anyway. The youngsters need a good grounding and if they don't get that good grounding, things can go pear shaped. I just hope the club has learnt from that mostly dysfunctional era from '08 - '13.

Our leaders and established players need to stand up over the next 2 and a half years - if they don't, too much will fall on young shoulders ... Dawes, Watts, Dunn, Howe, Jamar, N Jones, Vince, Cross, Tyson, Grimes, Garland, Pedersen, Lumumba, Jetta, Garlett & T-Mac all need to be at their best in the foreseeable future and in most cases, the medium to perhaps longish term.

Some of the 15 players I jotted down may well be done but It would be hoped that they don't share that view. Hopefully they've got a bit of personal pride and can fight their way into some decent form.

One of Roos' major jobs is to build culture - our culture is still a long way off so he's got a fair bit of work ahead. Our senior core give up far too easily and Roos needs to instil a will to win in them or bring in some other experienced good footballers who do have that will to win. Acquiring 2 or 3 decent free agents should be on the agenda at year's end.

Expecting youngsters to lead the way is just not a good plan.

You only have to look at last night's Hawks/Swans game to see the level we need to be aiming at - a stack of senior players from both sides all over the ground setting good examples for the younger players from both sides.

That's the template.

Im not sure what category you put some of those players into, leaders/established or both? WYL summed it up last night "we are light years away from competing like that". We have have 1st year players like Angus and Hogan leading by example. We've had to bring in the likes of Cross and Vince to lead by example.

This years trade period looms as one of the crucial for us. Finally under Roos we've drafted some quality players. Players who are competitors and players who can use the footy. It's time to let go, we need to move on the last of the mentally and physically weak players. It has to happen this year.

[monoccular 17,680]

Spot on,

We have had great young talent for years, that's not the problem. The problem is, and always has been, our peak age (24-28 year old) players. Biggest weak spot in our list, and the youngsters will get nowhere (as has been happening) without senior quality around them.

and free agency has / will strip up of at least some of these, unless and until MFC becomes a power, a destination club and not a nursery.

[Macca 17,120]

Great post again Mac.

It's a nucleus of raw talent and that's it. It's far from given that these boys will take us to premiership glory. If we've learned anything, we've learned that much. The difference on face value from the Bailey crop is that these boys are all footballers first, athletes second. They aren't predomnantly skinny outside runners. They can win their own ball. But a lot depends on how they are guided going forward.

Certainly when you watch Hawks v Swans last night, you can see the amount of work that lies ahead of them. We are frankly light years away from that level of cohesion as a football side.

One of the myths in footy is that whole "baby bombers" premiership team of 1993 ... sure, they got incredibly lucky with their crop of youngsters but their actual premiership team contained about a dozen experienced/senior players ... and the same team contained another 3 or 4 players who were in their early 20's. ... Grand Final teams 1993 ... plus, their club already had a very good culture.

So, what we need to continue doing is to improve our culture and to improve our core group of senior/established players. Free agency and trades can improve that area - drafting youngsters can improve our potential young group. Put it all together and the team may become a good one.

Im not sure what category you put some of those players into, leaders/established or both? WYL summed it up last night "we are light years away from competing like that". We have have 1st year players like Angus and Hogan leading by example. We've had to bring in the likes of Cross and Vince to lead by example.

This years trade period looms as one of the crucial for us. Finally under Roos we've drafted some quality players. Players who are competitors and players who can use the footy. It's time to let go, we need to move on the last of the mentally and physically weak players. It has to happen this year.

Well. I didn't mention the word 'leaders' Al because at the moment, our experienced and/or established players aren't leading very well. Today they get another chance to stand up and let's hope they do.

The bottom line is that like it or not, our established and experienced players are who they are - they either lift their game or we'll need to bring others in - what we shouldn't do is replace the established/experienced players with more youngsters. Doing that is a high risk strategy. We actually need a few more Vince or Cross types (who can perform of course)

We'll obviously draft more youngsters (or trade for more players in their early 20's) but those draftees/early 20 year old's are more likely going to replace those who are heading for delistment (or to replace other young players who aren't up to it)

We need to get the balance right but as of right now, I see our established/experienced group as the main issue. As an example, Jamar should be busting a gut to get back into the seniors. He should be absolutely dominating at the lower level.

[old dee 24,022]

One of the myths in footy is that whole "baby bombers" premiership team of 1993 ... sure, they got incredibly lucky with their crop of youngsters but their actual premiership team contained about a dozen experienced/senior players ... and the same team contained another 3 or 4 players who were in their early 20's. ... Grand Final teams 1993 ... plus, their club already had a very good culture.

So, what we need to continue doing is to improve our culture and to improve our core group of senior/established players. Free agency and trades can improve that area - drafting youngsters can improve our potential young group. Put it all together and the team may become a good one.

Well. I didn't mention the word 'leaders' Al because at the moment, our experienced and/or established players aren't leading very well. Today they get another chance to stand up and let's hope they do.

The bottom line is that like it or not, our established and experienced players are who they are - they either lift their game or we'll need to bring others in - what we shouldn't do is replace the established/experienced players with more youngsters. Doing that is a high risk strategy. We actually need a few more Vince or Cross types (who can perform of course)

We'll obviously draft more youngsters (or trade for more players in their early 20's) but those draftees/early 20 year old's are more likely going to replace those who are heading for delistment (or to replace other young players who aren't up to it)

We need to get the balance right but as of right now, I see our established/experienced group as the main issue. As an example, Jamar should be busting a gut to get back into the seniors. He should be absolutely dominating at the lower level.

Macca forget Jamar he is gone over the hill. For better or worse the future is with Spencer and Gawn.

I am not impressed with either at the present but they need to step and take his place.

[John Crow Batty 8,886]

Even the lowest life forms on earth, single cell bacteria have a nucleus.

Edited May 24, 2015 by america de cali

[Red and Bluebeard 2,101]

Even the lowest life forms on earth have a nucleus.

Are you saying we should be worried about the electron shells as well?

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,477]

One of the myths in footy is that whole "baby bombers" premiership team of 1993 ... sure, they got incredibly lucky with their crop of youngsters but their actual premiership team contained about a dozen experienced/senior players ... and the same team contained another 3 or 4 players who were in their early 20's. ... Grand Final teams 1993 ... plus, their club already had a very good culture.

So, what we need to continue doing is to improve our culture and to improve our core group of senior/established players. Free agency and trades can improve that area - drafting youngsters can improve our potential young group. Put it all together and the team may become a good one.

Well. I didn't mention the word 'leaders' Al because at the moment, our experienced and/or established players aren't leading very well. Today they get another chance to stand up and let's hope they do.

The bottom line is that like it or not, our established and experienced players are who they are - they either lift their game or we'll need to bring others in - what we shouldn't do is replace the established/experienced players with more youngsters. Doing that is a high risk strategy. We actually need a few more Vince or Cross types (who can perform of course)

We'll obviously draft more youngsters (or trade for more players in their early 20's) but those draftees/early 20 year old's are more likely going to replace those who are heading for delistment (or to replace other young players who aren't up to it)

We need to get the balance right but as of right now, I see our established/experienced group as the main issue. As an example, Jamar should be busting a gut to get back into the seniors. He should be absolutely dominating at the lower level.

2nd word 2nd paragraph "leaders", anyway that's neither here or there.

You make a great a great point "we can't replace them with more kids", I agree but we need to trade them in order to free up some cash to make a play for players in the 22-24 age bracket.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

It is Viney, but on first glance I also thought it was Newton.

[Grapeviney 9,913]

Caption says Viney but looks like Newton to me.

[P-man 13,367]

Some of you blokes need to book in with the optometrist.

[P-man 13,367]

...and why would Newton be front and centre?

[Ethan Tremblay 31,264]

I thought it was Kyle Cheney.

[Macca 17,120]

Macca forget Jamar he is gone over the hill. For better or worse the future is with Spencer and Gawn.

I am not impressed with either at the present but they need to step and take his place.

You're possibly right about Jamar but the point I'm making is that if the youngsters are going to develop well, they need to see players like Jamar performing to their absolute best. Leading the way.

Mark is not on his own either - we've got too many established players who are not doing enough. I could go through them all one by one old dee, but you and most others here know who these players are.

2nd word 2nd paragraph "leaders", anyway that's neither here or there.

You make a great a great point "we can't replace them with more kids", I agree but we need to trade them in order to free up some cash to make a play for players in the 22-24 age bracket.

Ok, fair enough on the word "leaders" Al - I stand corrected. However, the bottom line is that our experienced, established or senior players are by default, our leaders whether they can lead well or not.

Established/experienced/senior/leaders - what matters is whether these players are doing what is expected of them. The focus here can go on the youngsters when in reality, Roos is looking for the right balance and is looking for the senior core to set the example.

Sooner or later, one of the struggling clubs is going to go hard at free agency - it's a way out of the quagmire if done correctly. Think of our worst 6-8 players on our list who have been around for 4+ years and replace all those players with good players - if we could do it tomorrow, we'd be a much better team overnight.

Sometimes you just have to recruit for the "right now" - our overall recruiting strategy from '07 - '12 inclusive was our biggest downfall. Placing far too much stock in youngsters was too high a risk.

We've also been hamstrung with free agency because of the potential loss of players and the compensation involved with the loss of those players. With only Garland as a factor this year, we should be looking hard at trying to improve our core senior/established group.

.

Edited May 24, 2015 by Macca

[Jaded No More 68,976]

Nice fluff article and a slight sense of déjà vu.

[praha 11,253]

Heard this all before. Heard in 2010 and during parts of 2011.

Waiting for action.

[dee-luded 2,959]

He wasn't pictured because he wasn't drafted in the Bailey era. Neeld drafted him.

going on this pictures story of our past; of us, looking to fix our clubs woes from our old players or officials who have gone before... being inbred is just the wrong thing for us.

we should never choose to run our club from our own... we should always look to bring proven talented outsider footy people in to run our club in future. no more admins from within.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Macca forget Jamar he is gone over the hill. For better or worse the future is with Spencer and Gawn.

I am not impressed with either at the present but they need to step and take his place.

they have to start pushing themselves or we will start pushing them. out the door.

its time they grew up into tough footballers.

we want to start seeing aggression in our players.

[Coq au vin 755]

Nucleus=Roos. Cytoplasm= players. Good nucleus.