The Writing Was/Is on the Wall

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,741]

20 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Exposure!! 

A word I never like to see associated with the club in the same week as Mad Monday, particularly if it's preceded by the word "indecent".

[rjay 24,916]

On 3/24/2019 at 3:31 PM, rjay said:

You're right 'Goody', it's no reason to overreact but that's now 4 poor games in a row.

That's a trend.

I think we can now put some things into perspective and act to fix what we can.

From my post after the JLT games...

"A lot of people wanting to put things into perspective from my readings....

...so here's my perspective.

We're not good enough to cruise through preseason games just yet...if these games are meant to tweak the game plan and fine tune for the first game then heaven help us.

That was a dogs breakfast.

No amount of perspective can change that."

In another post earlier in the year I also said that our continued improvement will be harder this year.

We've been on a steady upward climb and logic would see us drop off a bit somewhere.

Is this the year we drop back a bit? do we miss finals?

A bit early to call but on the evidence of the last 4 games we've got work to do.

I think our list is overrated by the media and of course us fans...there are holes and I'm sure the FD know this.

We lack quality small forwards, Jeffy is the only class one we have and he's super flakey...

Spargo is not up to it yet and I don't think he has the tricks to ever be. At his size he needs them big time.

ANB can fill a role but at the moment that's what all our small forwards are trying to do...he must hit the scoreboard to hold his place.

We had Sparrow in there yesterday for his first game and at least he put some pressure on but he's not a small forward.

Hunt's been tried but he's not one either.

So our small forwards are about pressure but none bring scoreboard pressure except Jeffy at times.

Our defence..Frost, should have been delisted.

Omac...the experiment is over. Time to put development into Petty alongside May & Lever.

Hibberd hasn't been the player he was in 2017, he's drifting by and not working anywhere near hard enough.

We miss Lever big time but I think we overpaid for him, one of those draft kids running around now adding a bit of class could have been handy.

Tommy Mac worries me, he's had a good season as a forward but has been very average as of late.

History shows he had a really good season and a bit as a defender then dropped off dramatically.

Let's hope it's just an aberration and he's up and firing again soon but the trend is remarkably similar.

Is Tommy getting ahead of himself or have the opposition worked him?

A big call but maybe Tommy could do with some Casey time with his brother.

Weid is a kid and he will get a bit more time. Expect him to be up and down but he needs to work harder when down.

Trac...undecided on him. I get the feeling he will never be the player we wanted but still be a good player. Just not a great one.

It's time to deliver young Trac, no more teasing.

The mids are a good group but they are believing their own publicity.

Thanks Gary Lyon, we all know Oliver is a star but he doesn't need to drink his own bathwater and he has recently.

Time for them to grow up and also time for Max to focus on his game, he's being pushed around too easily.

You're a big boy Max and you don't need everyone to like you.

Outside run, yeah we all know that. KK may provide some if he gets back to early career form but there's no guarantee there.

Being out of the early picks in the last 2 drafts has hurt and we need to pick some more talent.

Fritsch is class but is only a fringe player at the moment so he needs to give us more this year.

A side note to yesterday...they were up and about.

Did anyone notice how many players ran to Sparrow when he kicked his first AFL goal in his first game? not enough for my liking.

We weren't up for it.

So the question remains...the writing was on the wall for yesterdays game. Is it on the wall going forward?

Will we drop off this year?

 

 

 

Well I Guess we have a bit of off season time and a dose of hindsight now to re look at this...

...and what the club has done to address things.

Yes, we did drop off and of course missed the finals.

The lack of a decent preseason certainly didn't help but a number of the points I made after the first game have also proven out.

The law of averages said that we were likely to see a drop off, you can't just keep steady lining in an upwards trajectory...but I don't think any of us expected the drop off we had.

The list was overrated, the hype about us having  the best list was just that...hype.

We've looked to further address list problems in this off season and I'm happy with the work done. More on this later.

Frost was moved on, not delisted as I called back then. He actually had a better season than I expected but I don't think he adds anything other than pace and entertainment value when May is up and about.

Unfortunately we badly missed May for most of the season.

Tommy Mac has to prove himself this coming season if we are to be a threat...injury is an excuse but he also has limitations and should really be seen as our 2nd tall forward. Can someone else take the mantle? can Tom be a good 2nd banana? or is he going to fade away as he did when a KPD?

Weid, injury again...not a lot to show in 2019....hope????

Jackson??? too early...but will be handy.

Petty??? I really think he is a defender and we should use him there.

Small forwards...let's hope Pickett steps up early as I don't have faith in the others.

Trac...put in a solid season, maybe will give us a bit more of the x-factor this coming season. Will have more mid time.

Fritsch...will be better if settles as the 3rd forward option. Can play.

The mids...Oliver, Brayshaw, Viney and co...will be better for a good preseason and an attitude adjustment. I expect big gains here.

KK looks to be gone, the recruitment of Langdon is a real bonus.

Hibbo struggled, can he get back to 2018? or is he on the chopping block. He's training hard which is not a regular habit so at least he's giving it his best shot.

We really had missed on some class kids with the recruitment of Lever and May...I think we might have made up for it this draft. Looks like we could have 3 beauties.

Put a rejuvenated midfield on the park, May and Lever in defence with maybe Harmes joining them...

Forward line still a raffle...but looks better with Fritsch there, Trac and other mids rotating, Tommy doing his bit and we look a chance.

Richo and Burgess are good additions.

Some goods kids pressing for selection and hopefully this story is a thing of the past.

A blip on the radar on the way to ultimate success.

[Deemania since 56 6,633]

On 5/17/2019 at 5:05 PM, old dee said:

uch a complete midfielder to their mix makes a huge difference

Tend to agree, but I still think that:

• given the correct further development and utilisation, Oliver still takes some beating as the best midfielder in the League
• Carlscum still stink

(Mind you, these are just my own impressions - I would not want to influence any other poster in this regard.)

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,741]

15 hours ago, rjay said:

 

Hibbo struggled, can he get back to 2018? or is he on the chopping block. He's training hard which is not a regular habit so at least he's giving it his best shot.

 

I like your post overall, but question this particular point. I regularly read what our track watchers post and don't recall previous criticism suggesting Hibberd doesn't train hard. Am I mistaken?

[rjay 24,916]

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I like your post overall, but question this particular point. I regularly read what our track watchers post and don't recall previous criticism suggesting Hibberd doesn't train hard. Am I mistaken?

Hibberd has been known to enjoy his time off and generally takes his time to ramp up. Not the best, not the worst...

...but it looks like he's come back in better shape than ever and has a point to prove after an average 2019.

[old dee 23,787]

38 minutes ago, rjay said:

Hibberd has been known to enjoy his time off and generally takes his time to ramp up. Not the best, not the worst...

...but it looks like he's come back in better shape than ever and has a point to prove after an average 2019.

He has a lot of mates rjay.

[old dee 23,787]

2 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Tend to agree, but I still think that:

• given the correct further development and utilisation, Oliver still takes some beating as the best midfielder in the League
• Carlscum still stink

(Mind you, these are just my own impressions - I would not want to influence any other poster in this regard.)

That took a while Deemania. Nearly 7 months!