I think we've slowly changed our recruiting focus to 'competitive' players as a non-negotiable. If we cast our minds back to the rock bottom era end of Bailey then Neeld, we couldn't get anyone to play for us so took anyone, whether it be soon to retire players (Rodan), any cast-off we were hoping to turn around (that ex-Geelong player whose name I refuse to remember), vfl, sanfl players (Terlich, M Jones) etc etc. We then had a bunch of very average players alongside the mentally scarred and/or towel throwers. Now with the team heading in the right direction, we still aren't quite the destination club, but we can at least attract competitors and bring them in through the draft. Trade, DFA - Bugg, Frost, Kennedy, Cross. Draft: All of them. None of our recent draftees or acquisitions will give up, none of them! We've also allowed the ones who do give up, or don't buy in to leave, or traded them - Howe, Frawley, Sylvia. 

We're at a stage where we have to fight our way off the bottom of the ladder and we need fighters, not the skilled cruisers. When we become the destination club we can also add in the established cream of the competition.

Just have to look back at the game against Geelong in 2014... It was in the back half of the year and they were what... 13 goals to 2 up at half time or there abouts. If I told you walking out of the G that day.. "in 12 months time we'll beat Geelong in Geelong, on the day of one of their greats 300th, with a couple of best 22 players out" you'd think I was on drugs... Like I and so many others have said in other threads over the pre season, we just need to close the gap between our best and worst. Our best is capable of beating sides from outside and around the top 4 but our worst can see us lose to the bottom side. But that's what a young side does... The thing that I'm intrested to see is will the likes of Vince, Jones, McDonald, Garland, Jetta be able to improve there games to another level. I think it's safe to save we'll see the likes of brayshaw, VDB, Tyson, viney etc go up a notch but can our mid to older crop take the next step aswell..

13 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

Not hungry enough DL.

?? the 90's not hungry enough ?  I agree,  in that not pro enough, relying on big ego's, & not enough hard work stopping opponents.

when we let opposition sides off the leash, we get hammered.  Melbourne teams 'mostly' all the same..  a perennial weakness of ours...  only wishing to flash a clean pairs of heels, with oppo' chasing us.

 

the 2000 sides were worse than the vastly talented 90's teams. & Much softer.

5 hours ago, Roger Mellie said:

I think we've slowly changed our recruiting focus to 'competitive' players as a non-negotiable. If we cast our minds back to the rock bottom era end of Bailey then Neeld, we couldn't get anyone to play for us so took anyone, whether it be soon to retire players (Rodan), any cast-off we were hoping to turn around (that ex-Geelong player whose name I refuse to remember), vfl, sanfl players (Terlich, M Jones) etc etc. We then had a bunch of very average players alongside the mentally scarred and/or towel throwers. Now with the team heading in the right direction, we still aren't quite the destination club, but we can at least attract competitors and bring them in through the draft. Trade, DFA - Bugg, Frost, Kennedy, Cross. Draft: All of them. None of our recent draftees or acquisitions will give up, none of them! We've also allowed the ones who do give up, or don't buy in to leave, or traded them - Howe, Frawley, Sylvia. 

We're at a stage where we have to fight our way off the bottom of the ladder and we need fighters, not the skilled cruisers. When we become the destination club we can also add in the established cream of the competition.

taking other players like Rodan was to allow us to remove some 'culture ingrained' mature players, & soft young ones off our list.  so its necessary to bring in others players who have strong work ethics & untainted attitudes whilst still not effecting too many wins as we try hard to rebuild the talent on our list whilst we are in a position to.

 

cleaning up the rotten culture is 1st, 2nd, & 3rd highest priority when rebuilding.   then after this is well underway after a couple of years,  its safer to introduce young talent into an already fractured rotten culture,  so a New healthy culture can be taught instilled guided into a freshening group of players.

 

bringing kids into a flourishing rotten culture is a recipe for demise.  so its necessary to not climb to soon before building talent into your list.

 

 

... after allowing a softness to grow from 2001....    sadly we got is all arzze about from 2007 - 2012.   bringing newbies into a toxic place.

based on the first half and a bit, the answer is a resounding 'no'.

 

we have players who don't chase, don't tackle, and don't compete to 'afl standard'.

 

practice matches are where players should practice these utter basics. the fact that we have too many players who don't do them even in meaningless games like today is an indictment on our side.

Looks like it after that second half though...

On 2/25/2016 at 10:10 AM, DeeMfc said:

this has to be watched right to the end. Classic!!!

hahahaha thats so funny