Resetting and reloading for 2025...

[Swooper Northey 494]

Although season 2024 is still alive and finals remain a possibility, there are several issues, both on and off the field, that need addressing ahead of 2025 to create the conditions for being genuine challengers again. Some of these are easier said than done, but starting the 2025 preseason with a sense of calm rather than defending questions of behaviour, culture and attitude must surely be a start.

So, I hope some of the matters below are top of the 'to-do' list for the club's Board & Executive as we plan for 2025.

Off field 

1.) Settle the Bartlett mess once and for all
Demonland Note: Well reasoned commentary but unfortunately we had to use our discretion not to publish. Hope you understand.

2.) Settle the Smith Sports Integrity Australia case
I realise this is out of the club's hands, but the longer this case drags on, the longer the cloud hangs over the club, with inevitable links to the Bartlett claims and all of the noise that comes with that. If there's a way to bring the timing of this case to ahead, to allow the club and Smith to deal with the ramifications, however severe, and move forward, it would surely be better than the uncertainty that exists right now. Again, time spent on this issue which has been playing out since October 2023, is time the club isn't spending on the near and long-term future. 

3.) Ensure a strong plan for Oliver's offseason
All involved in Oliver's recovery, including Clayton himself, deserve genuine praise for getting him to this point. Although not at his absolute best, he's well ahead of expectations. While an uninterrupted 2025 preseason will be important to get him back to peak Clarry, it's the offseason without the structure and routine of being around the club that concerns me. How the club and his management can work together to help keep Clayton happy, healthy and safe during this period will be key.

4.) Keep momentum with the Caulfield training base plans
Until we see a sod turning at the new base, the lack of an elite training facility will remain our clear disadvantage. Solving this issue will not only help our players with their weekly preparation, it will serve an an important symbol of excellence which helps recruit players, coaches, staff and sponsors to the club. The Caulfield proposal looks promising. While we know this won't be resolved, let alone built by 2025, demonstrating progress and keeping momentum with the project will be important. We can't afford for another training base concept to flop. Another reason why getting rid of time consuming off-field distractions is so important. 

On-field

1.) Another top to bottom review
Following the disappointing 2020 season, Gary Pert ran a comprehensive review of our football program. At the time he wrote, "what is currently holding us back and keeping us from playing Finals footy is our inability to play consistently for four quarters; every game, every week without exception and irrespective of the opposition. We are dedicated to changing this dynamic, starting with every aspect of our pre-season."  The issue of consistency that Pert was trying to solve back in 2020 has emerged again. So the questions remain; does Goodwin have the right people around him? Do we need new voices and fresh perspectives? Are we as fit as we can be? What's being done to address our long-running issues of forward connection? Another review is important if we are serious about improving.

2.) The need for added depth and experience in our midfield
Our midfield has looked tired and one-dimensional. There's been an over reliance on Petracca, Viney and Oliver without bolstering our midfield stocks following Brayshaw's sad retirement and the departures of Jordon and Harmes. Look at how Carlton added experienced big-bodied mids to their mix like Hewett, Cerra, Acres and Kennedy to support Cripps and Walsh. The Swans added Grundy, Jordon and Adams. We've done very little. While Rivers looks the goods as a mid, I'm not sure we would have given him a clear run at it, had Petracca not been injured. We certainly need to add to our depth if we want to compete with the best. 

3.) Our forward key forward stocks
Perhaps the most discussed topic on Demonland since the infamous Tom Scully thread. JVR will be fantastic but we don't have consistent quality key forwards around him to worry opposition backlines. Turner is showing potential and Jefferson might crack it, but neither are immediate solutions to our forward problems. Petty has had a poor year, is low on confidence and clearly hasn't recovered from his foot issues. Will we get into the market for a key forward like we did with Ben Brown in 2021? And will we work on our ball movement to give those forwards the best chance of kicking a winning score?

4.) Succession planning for Gawn and May
These two players are elite but without any clear successors. They're both closer to the end of their career than the start, so how are we planning for life without these two starts?
 

Edited November 2 by Demonland
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