Norm Smith's Curse

I hope big Maxie can have a serious run without injury as I see so much upside.

Im shocked by much of what Ive read in this thread. You dont construct a successful midfield with all the same types of players. Gysberts is quick, has good disposal (something that we sorely lack), can win contested footy at his age and size and as far as I am concerned all the signs are very positive. He showed a lot more early than TS and Sam Blease for mine. Whether he can at this very moment land a successful tackle on Buddy Franklin is irrelevant. Aaron Davey was once our best tackler even when skinny because tackling is about more than front on strength - its about technique and applying the right pressure to the right parts of the body to wrong the opponents balance,. But the point is he managed to have impact on his early games DESPITE his lack of experiecne and DESPITE his size and skinniness. That is more than you can say of most of our younger players with the exception of Trenners and McDonald. Even if he never develops into a monster build, so what - Sylvia and Moloney have plenty of muscle but that hasnt resulted in them being more defensive. What I have heard is that people were shocked he was even available where we got him. Many rated him highly. I think we have yet to see even close to the best of this young fella and Id like people to remember this post in years to come.

What he brings: drawing defenders very often despite rarely looking like he can take a mark. Won a few tapps and actually tapped to advantage. What we havent seen: his disposal, defensive work. What I worry about: second efforts, speed and marking

I hope he can make it. In bursts you can see why he was rated.

Agreed he should have earned his place through the VFL. I hope he does perform but I think its at a stage where both his and our future development require seperation and I want him to have some currency.

If you asked me out of ALL our younger generation of players which one is the most likely to have an impact on return or to come on quickly to the next level Id probably say Gysberts, hopefully Blease and McDonald. Tappscott seems a likely possibility as well.

I liked Rawlings but was surprised with Leigh Brown. Neil Craig was a highly impressive character early in his coaching career.

Gysberts came in and had an impact in the midfield in his first few games. Its a pity that injury got in the way because he is highly rated. I think some of these younger blokes probably do need a super star midfielder to learn off and shelter behind. As for older players (Moloney, Jamar, Sylvia) do we want to hold on to them until they have no currency or try and improve out lot now? these guys would be on decent salaries and would sure up some more room to add to the frontloaded contracts. Which could give us that extra coin we need to attract a gun. if we get the members up to 40,000 then that is a reason for a player to think about the dees. And the massive coin. Imagine Scotty Thompson returning to finish the work he started in the early 2000s LOL.

Too true...

Both Essendon and Adelaide suggest that things can change quickly with the right preparation and belief.

Watts has been ok, Petterd is out of form and Jurrah keeps suggesting he 'isnt ready'. Viney did look good for a player of his age. Three more of him and we might have a half decent mid field...

Or maybe it will take FIVE Jacks to break Norm Smith's curse??

Gysberts is part of the future and trengove will be a star. the rest im not convinced by, particularly when you measure them against their peers gone to other clubs on 'desire indicators' in particular.

You can analyse ever draft in the last ten and wonder what drugs our recruiters were on, but most (not WC but many) would have taken Watts over most others. I noticed that Tery Wallace just called Watts the biggest mistake of the 2008 draft. Chris Yarren has really come on.

Even when we were going well in the early 2000-2005 years on and off, no one ever took us seriously or showed us a decent amount of respect in my opinion. It used to annoy me because we earned respect in those days whereas now we havent.

last genuine crummer we had was Vardy. Davey reminds me of Lleyton Hewiit - relies on speed so much so you notice when they age and lose it.

id be surprised if all the players you mentioned will be in our future. Sure they are young and sure most are skinny, but when compared to their peers the only ones I really see with clear potential is Gysberts and Trengove. The others may just be taking longer to get there or struggling because we are relying on them too early, but im not convinced yet.

Saints fans always get in my face. I have a special place in my heart for them.

Yeah I know, and everyone would have picked Watts over any of them. Just a pity how it turned out is all.

If your paying for reserved seating I would have reported him. Most of the people I go with arent members (one goes for Geelong, the other the saints) so often I sit in general admin or standing only and you get some gems. Although one of the worst people Ive ever seen at the footy was a demon supporter who called an eight year old a c word and then was so drunk at three quarter time that he peed his pants while sitting...

Chris Yarren was a player I wish we'd taken in 2008. Or Steele Sidebottom. or Ballentyne. But we didnt...

That is assuming all of those players come on, and given the history of this club in success with draft picks and development perhaps our list in 2015 might look very different. A lot of your 2015 side relies on draft picks coming on. Which we hope can happen as a midfield of Viney, Blease and Gysberts might prove good value providing the latter two come on. Gysberts was highly rated and showed a lot early before injury. Blease looks a little Cale for mine, but time will tell. I wonder if the players realise they are playing for their future AFL careers. No side will touch them based on current performance and effort. I wouldnt be joking around myself.

Leigh Brown and Rawlings were his option I believe? Royal is a dud.

I think we actually need a total change in the midfield. magner might be the only keeper. I think in time Gysberts and Blease will be good, but they arent up to it yet. In the meantime I think most of our problems lie in our midfield cattle. The other thing I noticed on Friday night was the amount of players using stoppages as a time to rest and gather their breath rather than spreading to cover space or in the forward 50 provding an option to centre the ball.

Why not? If we have the money I guess. But we already have a pretty large coaching panel but I think the cattle are the issue.