Time for tough decisions

[Pepe Dee Pew 0]

Now is the time to make some tough decisions. A new coach and assistants with no emotional attachment to any of the players.

We have some very good players but basically NO out and out guns.

We have young players who may develop into guns shortly, eg McLean, Jones, Bate, Newton but another couple off class players with a good attitude thru this draft would set us up well in 2 or three years time. Note it has taken a while for Geelong to develop the list and for players to come on.

I think we should trade a couple of players for an early pick (first round).

Two first round picks plus pick 21 used wisely should set us up well especially as we had 2 young players 2nd and 3rd in the B & F.

There is no point saying how much potential Bartram, Pettard, Newton, Dunn, Bode, Frawley have if we play some of them at Sandy week after week. Trade a couple of good players, create a couple of spots in the team at get the future into the team ASAP.

[drdrake 3,187]

I agree but I think the club believes that we can rebound quickly and play finals in 2008. I also agree with the club, but is just making finals good enough, are our senior players good enough to win a flag in the next two years before we lose Neitz, White, Yze, McDonald, Robbo(maybe) or do we bite the bullet and offer up a TJ and others for draft picks. The club does need to make some big calls on some players that have been at the club for 5+ years.

[demoniac 1,336]

I agree but I think the club believes that we can rebound quickly and play finals in 2008. I also agree with the club, but is just making finals good enough, are our senior players good enough to win a flag in the next two years before we lose Neitz, White, Yze, McDonald, Robbo(maybe) or do we bite the bullet and offer up a TJ and others for draft picks. The club does need to make some big calls on some players that have been at the club for 5+ years.

Do we want to make the finals or do we want to win a flag?

It is possible that with a change of coach and a better run with injuries we could make the lower reaches of the 8 next year but the reality is that barring some 150th Birthday miracle we are not going to make a genuine run for a flag. So for mine we need to press the rebuild button. In terms of trading a player for a high pick TJ has the most currency of our older players - we should explore his trade worth with the aim of getting a Top 10 or Top 15 pick. He turns 28 next year and thus is unlikely to be part of our next Premership tilt. Use Pick 4 on Rance to add to our key position stocks so can develop with Newton, Rivers, Frawley, Garland, Dunn and Bate. We need to get to a point where our spine is a strength. That is step one of the rebuild for mine. The mmoted interest in Meeson is also a step in the right direction.